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10♌19 to 20♌18
The 24th Chinese lunar mansion is named 柳宿 Liǔ Su, “Willow Mansion.” It is the 3rd of the 7 mansions of the Vermilion Bird of the South.
The 1st asterism of the Willow Mansion is also called Liǔ, “Willow.” It represents a kitchen and is composed of 8 stars of the constellation Hydra. [1]
| 2000 | 2050 | IAU | Chinese | Orb |
| 10♌19 | 11♌01 | δ Hya | Liusu Yi (1) | 1°20′ |
| 11♌13 | 11♌55 | σ Hya | Liusu Er (2) | 1°10′ |
| 12♌19 | 13♌01 | η Hya | Liusu San (3) | 1°10′ |
| 12♌55 | 13♌37 | ρ Hya | Liusu Si (4) | 1°10′ |
| 12♌21 | 13♌03 | ε Hya | Liusu Wu (5) | 1°40′ |
| 14♌35 | 15♌17 | ζ Hya | Liusu Liu (6) | 1°50′ |
| 17♌24 | 18♌06 | ω Hya | Liusu Uqi (7) | 1°00′ |
| 20♌18 | 21♌00 | θ Hya | Liusu Ba (8) | 1°30′ |
Constellation Liu the Willow
10♌19 to 20♌18
Willow constellation signifies a clear distinction between good and evil, and a strong personality. Once angered, it is difficult to control; one should be careful not to be deceived due to impulsiveness. While outwardly gentle and easygoing, inwardly proud and arrogant, and often self-centered, this can lead to isolation and alienation.
The eight stars of the Willow Constellation are shaped like weeping willows and represent the mouth of the Vermilion Bird.
It belongs to the Earth element and is associated with the deer. It is the third constellation in the south, residing in the beak of the Vermilion Bird. Its shape resembles a willow leaf (most bird beaks are shaped like this). The beak is used for feeding, hence the Willow Constellation is generally considered auspicious.
Construction under the Willow constellation signifies wealth and prosperity, bringing both riches and honor to the household.
This day is auspicious for burials and marriages, bringing abundant blessings, prosperity, and good fortune.
Willow, originally named Zu, means “bird’s beak,” similar to the meaning of “horn” as “dragon horn.” The Erya (a Chinese dictionary) says: “Zu is called willow, and willow is the quail fire .” The note says: “Quail is the name of a bird; fire belongs to the south.” The eight stars of the Willow constellation are curved, like a bird’s beak or a weeping willow. The “Song of Stepping the Sky” says: “The eight stars of Willow, with curved heads as heavy as willows.” [2]
Willow Deer
People born under this constellation are gentle, sleepy, and have a weak nature. They are stubborn, prone to anger, and unwilling to submit to being deceived. They are also fond of giving and seeking liberation. They are attached to emotional matters and find it difficult to gain close confidants.
They should be strict in their duties. This is suitable for attacking rebels, besieging cities, and launching surprise attacks. It is also suitable for sealing off spies, thieves, and deceitful oaths against the enemy. If it rains during this period, there will be mosquitoes and flies. Crops will flourish. All kinds of planting are auspicious under the Seven Stars constellation. However, it is not suitable to plant flies. It is suitable to plant the five grains and rapeseed. It is also suitable for repairing houses, offering sacrifices to ancestors, bringing the five grains into the house, and undertaking any fixed business. It is also auspicious to trim one’s hair.
Liu Advice
The ability to perceive others’ thoughts is a talent of the Willow Constellation, and it can also be a weapon for them. However, if they can learn to objectively understand and accept themselves, it will greatly improve their lives and help them better unleash their potential.
Not speaking one’s true feelings might make it easier to achieve one’s goals. Due to the clash between her personality and life’s twists and turns, Liu Su is increasingly prone to closing herself off emotionally. However, this directly makes it difficult to gain close friends; while the number of admirers may increase, the number of truly trustworthy people will decrease. If she could build her own small circle and appropriately open her heart to those she trusts and is close to, it would help Liu Su navigate life’s path more smoothly.
It is difficult to avoid staying at home much after marriage, so it is best to discuss the division of labor between the two before marriage and set rules, which can also help make the marriage and family of the Liu constellation more stable. [3]
Ma Duanlin (1317)
The eight stars of the Willow Constellation have curved heads resembling willow branches. The three stars near the top are called Wine, and the five stars guard the feasts and banquets.
The Willow Constellation is at 14 degrees, and is the central axis of the heavens. Gan Shi said that it governs food, warehouses, wine, and vinegar. If it is bright and large, people will have abundant food and drink; if it shakes, an important person will die from drinking; if it loses its color, the world will be in turmoil, and famine will spread on the roads. This will surely happen within three years. Zhang Heng said that the Willow Constellation is the crop of the Vermilion Bird, the kitchen steward of heaven, in charge of food and the harmony of flavors. The Sui Dynasty Records say that it also governs thunder and rain. It is also called the Heavenly Minister, the Heavenly Treasury, and the Note, and also governs woodwork.
If the star is bright, ministers will be cautious, the country will be safe, and the kitchen utensils will be plentiful. If the Note is raised, the king’s mandate will be fulfilled, and assistants will emerge. If the star is straight, the world will plot against its ruler. Gathering, soldiers fight at the national gate.
The *Astronomical Records of the Two Dynasties* states: The eight stars of Liu are 82.5 degrees from the pole of the third star to the west. [4]
Song History (1346)
Liu Xiu (Willow) consists of eight stars representing the heavenly kitchen and butchers, governing food preparation, flavor harmonization, and also overseeing thunderstorms. The Er Ya states: “Zhou is called Liu, Liu corresponds to Chunhuo, the 鹑 (Quail) Fire.” It also governs wood-related works or carpentry projects. Some sources refer to it as Tianku (Heavenly Warehouse), and others describe it as Niuhui (Bird’s Beak), governing vegetation, grasses, and trees.
If these stars appear bright, high-ranking ministers remain cautious and responsible, ensuring the imperial kitchen is well-supplied. If they spread out or become disordered, people face starvation and death; if they disappear from view, cities experience unrest or tremors; if aligned straight, warfare erupts.
A solar eclipse signifies instability within the palace and is viewed with concern by the sovereign; officials responsible for kitchens, bridges, roads, and flood defenses face troubles. If a solar halo appears, many flying birds die, and the five grains fail to mature; if three halos encircle the sun with one above (three surrounding and one on top), it indicates joy for the sovereign.
A lunar eclipse signifies unrest within palace quarters, causing concern among high-ranking ministers. If a lunar halo appears, military forces gather in forests and parks; earthworks projects expand across the realm. Officials responsible for kitchens and prisons face troubles. It also indicates warfare, famine, drought, and epidemics.
If Mercury transgresses Liu Xiu constellation, people become hostile toward one another, the year experiences drought, and the sovereign should be cautious regarding food and alcohol consumption.
If Venus transgresses Liu Xiu, sudden military conflict erupts. If Venus moves retrograde and forms a “gou si” (hooked pattern) with other stars, ministers plot against their sovereign; if it appears during daylight hours, warfare follows.
If Mars transgresses Liu Xiu with a red color and sharp spines, the sovereign beneath its influence dies; some sources say it indicates concern over fires within the palace. If Mars guards this region for an extended period, warfare occurs with rebellious ministers nearby. If it moves retrograde while guarding here, the king experiences unrest or instability.
If Jupiter transgresses Liu Xiu (Willow), the realm experiences numerous righteous or just wars.
If Saturn transgresses or guards Liu Xiu, ruler and ministers remain harmonious, bringing joy to the realm; Shi Shen stated: “The sovereign should caution officials responsible for food and drink.” If Saturn enters, exits, lingers, or resides in this region, urgent imperial decrees are issued.
If a guest star transgresses Liu Xiu region, the blame falls upon the state of Zhou; if it remains here for an extended period, silk and cloth, as well as fish and salt, become expensive. If the guest star appears pale blue or white in color, border lords are executed or eliminated.
If a comet transgresses this region, high-ranking ministers face execution; warfare and mourning events follow. If brilliant comets appear in Liu Xiu constellation, southern barbarian tribes rebel; Gan De stated: “This indicates warfare and mourning.”
If meteors emerge and transgress Liu Xiu, the Zhou region experiences concern; if they appear yellow in color, it signifies joy. If meteors enter this area, a fire occurs within the palace or royal quarters. According to Yisi Zhan: “Emerging from here indicates ancestral temple celebrations and wise officials being appointed; entering signals troubles for kitchen officials and the abandonment of wood-related projects.”
If red-colored cloud formations enter Liu Xiu, fires occur; yellow clouds indicate a pardon or amnesty is issued. Yellow and white clouds signify the sovereign experiences joy and initiates palace construction projects.
According to the Han Dynasty Yongyuan bronze instrument, Liu Xiu spans 14 degrees; during the Tang Kaiyuan era, the movable measuring device recorded it as spanning 15 degrees. Previously recorded as being located 77 degrees from the North Celestial Pole in ancient astronomical records. During the Jingyou era’s astronomical observations, Liu Xiu’s eight stars spanned 15 degrees in measurement. The distance from its westernmost third star to the North Celestial Pole was recorded as 83 degrees. [5]