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05♊18 to 08♊07
The 18th Chinese lunar mansion is named 昴宿 Mǎo Su, “Hairy Head Mansion.” It is the 4th of the 7 mansions of the White Tiger of the West.
The 9th asterism of the Hairy Head Mansion is called 礪石 Lìshí, “Whetstone,” representing a Sharpening Stone and is composed of 4 stars of the constellation Taurus. [1]
| 2000 | 2050 | IAU | Chinese | Orb |
| 05♊18 | 06♊00 | ψ Tau | Lishi Yi (1) | 1°00′ |
| 05♊40 | 06♊22 | 44 Tau | Lishi Er (2) | 1°00′ |
| 08♊07 | 08♊49 | χ Tau | Lishi San (3) | 1°00′ |
| 07♊55 | 09♊37 | φ Tau | Lishi Si (4) | 1°00′ |
Lishi the Whetstone
05♊18 to 08♊07
Ma Duanlin (1317)
The four stars of Lishi (砺石) are located north of Wuche (五车), signifying the sharpening of blades. Their brightness indicates war; otherwise, it is auspicious. If Venus, Mars, or other guest stars guard this area, war will ensue. [2]
Song History (1346)
The four stars of Lishi (Whetstone), located west of Wuche (Five Chariots), govern the sharpening of tools and weapons by craftsmen, as well as surveillance and observation. If they are bright, war will break out; if their brightness remains steady, it is auspicious. When Mars enters Lishi, border wars will break out; if it remains over this region, feudal lords will mobilize their forces. If a guest star remains over Lishi, warfare will occur. [3]
References
- Pleiades Constellation – Baidu Encyclopedia.
- General Examination of Literature, Volume 279, Part 2, Ma Duanlin, 1317.
- Song History, Volume 50, Chapter 3, 1346.