Mansion XII – 危 Wēi (Rooftop)

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10♌19 to 27♌16

The 12th Chinese lunar mansion is named 危宿 Wēi Su, “Roof Mansion.” It is the 5th of the 7 mansions of the Black Tortoise of the North. It represents the tortoise’s tail.
The Roof Mansion contains 11 star officials (asterisms) and 50 stars, distributed in the constellations Aquarius, Cepheus, Cygnus, Draco, Lacerta, Pegasus and Piscis Austrinus. ^[1]

Note: The name “Wei” appears several times in Chinese astronomy.

The 6th mansion and its 1st asterism are named 尾 Wěi, “Tail.”
The 12th mansion and its 1st asterism are named 危 Wēi, “Rooftop.”
The 17th mansion and its 1st asterism are named 胃 Wèi, “Stomach.”

#	Asterism	English	2000	Constellations	Stars
1	Wēi	Rooftop	01♓53	Aquarius, Pegasus	3
2	Fénmù	Tomb	06♓43	Aquarius	4
3	Rén	Humans	00♓18	Pegasus	4
4	Chǔ	Pestle	15♓59	Pegasus, Lacerta	3
5	Jiù	Mortar	08♓56	Pegasus, Cygnus	4
6	Chēfǔ	Big Yard for Chariots	10♓48	Cygnus, Lacerta	7
7	Tiāngōu	Celestial Hook	04♈43	Cepheus, Draco	9
8	Zàofǔ	Zaofu	09♈42	Cepheus	5
9	Gàiwū	Roofing	02♓06	Aquarius	2
10	Xūliáng	Temple	04♓11	Aquarius	4
22	Tiānqián	Celestial Money	17♒45	Piscis Austrinus	5

Mansion Wei the Rooftop

10♌19 to 27♌16

Those born under the Wei constellation are prone to impatience and have a stubborn temperament. They are kind-hearted but guileless, which can make them vulnerable to being taken advantage of in interpersonal relationships. Their nature is quite polarized, ranging from good to bad, and their strength depends on how they choose to channel it.

It represents the moon and the swallow. It is the fifth constellation in the north, located at the tail of the tortoise and snake, hence the name “Wei” (meaning danger). In battle, the rear guard is often in danger. Wei means high, and high places are dangerous, so the Wei constellation is often considered inauspicious.

When the Wei constellation is in power, it is not auspicious. Disasters and plagues are inevitable. All construction and building will be unfavorable. There will be more disasters than auspicious events, and things will turn into calamities.

The presence of stars representing tombs, empty beams, and covered houses within the constellation of Wei is considered inauspicious, reflecting the unease felt by the ancients during late autumn and the approaching winter.

The character 危 (wēi) means “above the roof beam.” The Shiji (史记) quotes the * Liji* (礼记) as saying, “Walking on the roof beam in the middle of the house is to avoid soldiers.” The Shiji (史记) also states, “危 (wēi) is a roof.” The * Jin Shu* (晋书) states, “The three stars 危 (wēi) govern the roof structure of the celestial market.” The shape of these three stars resembles a pointed roof. ^[1]

Dangerous Moon Swallow

People born under this sign are prone to alcoholism and licentiousness. They are hardworking but also stubborn. Their friendships are short-lived and unresolved. They can handle affairs and administer antidotes, but they are prone to anger.

Preparing, taking, and administering medicine is very auspicious. They are also suited for serious and wicked endeavors, such as digging rivers and ponds, planting hemp and beans, sending merchants to collect taxes, appointing officials, and hiring doctors. They are also suited for stockpiling goods, building boats, brewing wine and other beverages, and engaging in trading. It is auspicious for merchants to return home, but not for spending money.

Wei Advice

While it’s true that it’s good to have a big tree to lean on, what belongs to others may remain theirs for a time. They may be able to share it with you temporarily, but it will never truly belong to you. Your own tree, on the other hand, requires hard work and time to grow. But what belongs to you, no one can take away.

Sometimes saving money can feel difficult or terrifying. It’s important to understand that there is no unconditional freedom in this world. Ultimately, you’ll need to give something in return. If you can’t face your desires and correspondingly exercise self-discipline and control, your health might become the condition for that exchange. The pleasure is truly exhilarating, but the suffering can be devastating.

There’s nothing wrong with not forcing yourself to do things you’re not interested in. However, you must be prepared to handle the aftermath when you withdraw and plan your next step. Be a little more cautious, and one day you’ll thank yourself for your patience. You are a kind and innocent person; you must protect yourself, because you will bring much beauty to this world. ^[2]

Ma Duanlin (1317)

The three stars of Danger (Wei) are not directly related to the ancient prophets. Above Danger are five black stars called Human Star; below Human Star (Ren) are three or four pestle-and-mortar-shaped stars (Chu); above Human Star are seven crows called Chariot Mansion (Chefu). Above Mansion is Heavenly Hook (Tiangou) with nine yellow crystals; above Hook are five crows with the character “Creator Father” (Zaofu). Below Danger are four stars called Tomb (Fenmu); below Tomb are four stars of slanted empty beam (Xuliang); ten heavenly coins (Tianqian) under the beam are yellow. Beside Tomb are two stars that can build houses (Gaiwu), wearing black clothes below Danger.

Danger (Rooftop), sixteen degrees, governs the Heavenly Mansion, Heavenly Treasury, and building houses. Gan Shi said it is the Heavenly Market Temple. Nine feet below is the central path of Heaven. The main structure includes houses, storage, wind and rain, tombs, and ancestral shrines. If they move, it signifies large-scale construction work throughout the land. Zhang Heng said that Xu (Emptiness) and Wei (Rooftop) represent matters of death and mourning, as well as matters of towns, temples, and ancestral shrines, and the official positions of the chief minister. If they move, it signifies death and mourning. If Mars guards the palace, the emperor will lead troops; if Venus guards the palace, there will be famine and war. If Xu and Wei move, construction will begin. If Mars guards the palace, there will be war; if Mercury guards the palace, the lower ranks will plot against the upper ranks. Another saying is that if Wei moves, it signifies obscurity, construction work, and war. A lunar halo or the invasion of the sun, moon, and five planets indicates disaster.

The four stars of Fen Tou (Grave) [Fenmu] are below Wei (Danger), shaped like a grave and govern funerals; if they are bright, there will be many deaths.

The five black stars southeast of the chariot palace are called the Human Star (Ren), resembling a human figure, signifying peace among the people and the ability to pacify distant lands. Another saying is the Sleeping Star, signifying the prevention of licentiousness. If they are not visible, people will use deceitful edicts; if they are visible, people will be safe; if they are hidden, it is ominous.

The three stars of the Inner Pestle (Chu), beside the Human Star (Ren), signify military provisions. If they are upright and aligned, it is auspicious; if they are not aligned, provisions will be exhausted; if they are not upright, the people will starve. The Sui Shu states that when a guest star enters the mortar and pestle positions, war will break out, and rice will accumulate throughout the land.

The four stars of the Inner Mortar (Jiu), southeast of the Human Star, signify spring mortars. If the stars are upside down, there will be great famine; if they are upside down, there will be great abundance. The Sui Shu states that when a guest star enters the mortar and pestle positions, war will break out, and rice will accumulate throughout the land.

The seven stars southeast of Tianjin (Celestial Ford) are called the Chariot Palace (Chefu), located near the river (Milky Way) to the east, reaching Sifei (Deified Judge of Right and Wrong), and govern the official carriage palace. If Venus and Mars guard it, there will be great turmoil in the chariots.

The nine stars of Tian Gou (Heavenly Hook) are hook-shaped, west of Zao Fu (Zao Fu), in the Yellow River (Milky Way), governing carriages, clothing, and regulations. If they are straight, the earth will shake; if they are bright, clothing will be properly arranged.

The five stars of Zao Fu, the charioteer, are south of Chuan She (Transmission House) in the Yellow River (Milky Way), also called Sima (Sima), or Bo Le (Bole). If the stars are gone, horses will be very valuable; if they are bright, it is auspicious.

The two stars of Gaiwu (盖屋), south of Wei (危), govern the emperor’s residence and are also officials of the palace. When Venus guards the area, national war will break out. Comets are even more severe.

The four stars of Xu Liang (Empty Beam) are south of Gai Wu, governing gardens, mausoleums, and temples. They are not places for humans, hence the name Xu Liang. If Venus and Mars guard or invade them, there will be great war.

The ten stars of Tian Qian (Heavenly Coin) [Celestial Money] are northwest of Bei Luo (North Star), governing the accumulation of money and silk. Divination: If they are bright, the treasury will be full; otherwise, it will be depleted. When Venus and Mars guard the area, war and banditry will break out.

The Astronomical Records of the Song and Liang Dynasties: The three stars of Wei are 96 degrees from the southern star. The five stars of Ren (人) are 70 degrees from the southwestern star, entering the Xu (虚) constellation at 6.5 degrees. The three stars of Chu (杵) are 61.5 degrees from the southern star, entering the Wei constellation at 3 degrees. The four stars of Jiu (臼) are 69.5 degrees from the southwestern star, entering the Wei constellation at 3.5 degrees. The seven stars of Chefu (车府) are 56.5 degrees from the westernmost star, entering the Xu constellation at 4.5 degrees. The five stars of Zaofu (造父) are 38 degrees from the northern star, entering the Wei constellation at 11 degrees. The four stars of Fenmu (坟墓) are 96 degrees from the central star, entering the Wei constellation at 5.5 degrees. The four stars of Xuliang (虚梁) are 100.5 degrees from the eastern and western stars, entering the Wei constellation at 8 degrees. The ten stars of Tianqian (天钱) are 118 degrees from the northeastern star, entering the Wei constellation at 3 degrees. The two stars of Gaiwu are 97 degrees from the western star, and 9 degrees from the Void constellation. ^[3]

Song History (1346)

The three stars of the constellation Wei (危) are located southeast of Tianjin (Celestial Ford). They govern the emperor’s ancestral temple sacrifices, as well as earthworks and the imperial palace, markets, building construction, and storage. If they are unclear, it indicates the execution of a guest and the commencement of earthworks; if they are active or obscured, it signifies the construction of palaces and military affairs. A solar eclipse indicates the destruction of mausoleums and temples, a major funeral, and the presence of rebellious officials. A solar halo indicates mourning. A lunar eclipse signifies worry or sorrow for ministers, funerals or mourning, and the collapse of palaces. A lunar halo also indicates war and mourning, and the defeat of the one who initiates the war. If the moon transits here, palace structures will collapse, and ministers will rebel against their ruler; in the coming year, grain prices will rise, and great mourning will occur. When Mercury transits here, high-ranking ministers will be executed, judges will face troubles, and the nation will suffer many disasters. If it remains in place, ministers will rebel; another interpretation is that the empress will fall ill, and there will be war and loss. When Venus transits here, there will be war; alternatively, if there is no war, it will begin; if there already is war, it ends; Crops fail, and fires increase. If it remains in this position, generals face troubles; droughts and fires also occur. If it stays for long, there will be an emergency. When Mars invades its sign, there will be a general amnesty. If it remains in this position, many people will fall ill, military conflicts will arise, feudal lords will plot rebellion, and palaces will be destroyed by fire. If it resides near the upper star, commoners die; if near the middle star, feudal lords perish; if near the lower star, high-ranking ministers die—each with a time frame of a hundred-day or ten-day period, respectively. If it remains for thirty days, eastern armies will rise up, there will be a drought, and close ministers will rebel. If it enters this region, warfare ensues, and decrees of change will be issued. If Jupiter transits or remains here, it indicates war, forced labor, numerous construction projects, events of mourning and weeping, and increased theft and banditry. If Saturn remains here, it indicates drought, illness among the people, construction projects, and the country will be in great war. If it transits this area, troubles arise for the empress; warfare, loss and mourning will follow. Whether entering, exiting, lingering, or staying in position, territory is lost, and bloodshed occurs. If it enters, there will be great chaos, and treacherous ministers will rise up. When a guest star transits here, mourning and weeping occur; alternatively, it indicates excessive rainfall and failed harvests. If the guest star enters this area, construction projects begin, or amnesty occurs within three days. If it leaves, there will be heavy rain and a poor harvest. If it remains in place for some time, the nation declines and famine occurs among the people. When a comet transits here, there will be rebellious ministers and uprisings; its departure signifies a general leaving the country, a change in the government, and great floods and famine. When a comet invades the area, there will be rebellions and uprisings in the country. A meteor’s appearance signifies floods in spring and summer, and disputes or gossip in autumn and winter. If it enters the area, the lower classes will plot against the higher classes. If it reaches Wei, war will break out in the northern regions. The Yi Si Zhan states: When a meteor enters or emerges with a yellowish hue, it signifies peace for the people, a bountiful harvest, and successful construction projects and land reclamation. If they appear black, it indicates floods and disasters for high-ranking ministers. When clouds enter the area, if they are pale or grayish-white, it signifies earthworks or construction projects; if they are blue, it signifies national worry; if they are black, it signifies floods and mourning; if they are red, it signifies fire; if they are white, it signifies worry and war; if yellow when they enter or emerge, it signifies joy.

According to the Han Yongyuan Copper Instrument, Wei spans sixteen degrees; according to the Tang Kaiyuan Traveling Instrument, it spans seventeen degrees. Previously measured as ninety-seven degrees from the celestial pole, the southernmost star is recorded at ninety-eight degrees from the pole, located seven degrees outside the ecliptic.

The four stars of Fenmu (Tomb) are south of Wei (Rooftop), governing mountains, tombs, tragedy, death, and weeping. A large one is called a Tomb, a small one a Grave. When the five stars (planets) transit or remain here, it signifies weeping for the people.

The five stars of Ren (Humans) are located north of Xu (Emptiness) Void Star and east of Chefu (Big Yard for Chariots), shaped like a human. One interpretation is that they govern all people, bringing peace to distant lands and benefiting those nearby; another is that they are called Wu Xing (the Sleeping Stars), governing nighttime travel and guarding against immoral behavior at night. If a star disappears from this constellation, someone will falsely issue imperial decrees, and there will be disturbances caused by women. If all the stars disappear, the prince will have worries. If a Guest Star or Comet transits or remains, many people will suffer from epidemics.

Chu (Pestle) consists of three stars located to the east of Renxing (Human Star); alternatively, they are said to be north of Jiuxing (Mortar Star) and oversee the pounding of military grain. If these stars are incomplete or missing, people will sell their cooking vessels. If the Pestle and Mortar constellations are not clearly visible, the people will suffer famine; if the stars are numerous, the year will be prosperous; if they are sparse, famine will occur; if they move or waver, famine will also occur; if the Pestle constellation is directly opposite the Mortar constellation, it is auspicious; if they are not aligned, the army’s food supplies will run out; if they are aligned vertically, it is auspicious; if they are horizontally aligned, there will be famine.

The four stars of the Jiu (Mortar) constellation are below the Chu (Pestle) constellation, or, according to another account, east of the Danger (Rooftop) constellation. If the stars of Jiu are inverted or covered, a famine year follows; if upright or upturned, an abundant harvest is expected. If a comet transits here, the people will suffer famine, war will break out, and the world will be in turmoil. If a guest star remains in this position, grain will be gathered throughout the realm.

The Seven Stars of the Chariot Palace (Chefu) are located east of Tianjin (Celestial Ford), near the river (Milky Way), arranged in an east-west line. It oversees officials responsible for carriages and managing guest houses for visitors. If the stars are bright and lustrous, it indicates the arrival of foreign guests and that their carriages will be elegant and clean. If Mars remains in this area, military movements will occur. If a comet or guest star transits here, war chariots will be deployed.

Gou (Hook) consists of nine stars located in the western river (Milky Way) near Zaofu, arranged in a hook-like shape. If these stars are in a straight line, an earthquake is predicted; if a planet remains here, the same interpretation applies. It is also said to oversee palanquins and ceremonial attire. If these stars are bright, the ceremonial dress and adornments will be proper.

The Zaofu asterism, consisting of five stars, is located south of Chuanshe (Guest House) or north of Tengshe (Flying Serpent); it represents the official in charge of the imperial carriage team. It is also known as Sima or Bole and governs the imperial stables, carriage teams, and horse tack. If the stars shift position, war breaks out, and the price of horses rises; if the stars vanish, the price of horses skyrockets. If a comet or guest star enters this asterism, a charioteer or groom plots against their master, resulting in a beheading, or alternatively, war breaks out; if the asterism is held steady, military action occurs, and the stable horses are deployed.

Gaiwu consists of two stars located nine degrees south of Wei Xiu and oversees palaces and dwellings. If the Five Luminaries transit here, warfare will arise. If a comet or bright guest star remains in or transits this position, military disasters become especially severe.

The four stars of Xu Liang, located south of Wei (asterism Rooftop), govern gardens, mausoleums, temples, and prayers. They are not places for humans to reside, hence the name Xu Liang (meaning “empty beam”). Another interpretation is palaces, residences, houses, curtains, and sleeping quarters. If Venus or Mars transits here, warfare will occur. If a comet or bright guest star transits this region, wars arise, and ancestral temples are altered.

Tianqian (Celestial Money) consists of ten stars located northwest of Beiluo Shimen (North Gate of the Military Camp); they govern the accumulation of money and silk (wealth), particularly military and treasury reserves. If these stars are bright, it indicates a full treasury; if dim or dark, it signifies emptiness. If Venus or Mars remain in this position, banditry will arise. If a comet or bright guest star enters here, the treasury will be robbed.

According to Bu Tian Ge, all of the above-mentioned stars belong to the constellation Wei Xiu (Fooftop Mansion). The Jin Zhi does not record Ren Xing or Chefu, but the Sui Zhi includes them. The stars of Chu and Jiu appear neither in the Jin nor in the Sui Zhi. Zaofu and Gou Xing are classified under the Ziwei Yuan (Purple Forbidden Enclosure) in the Jin Zhi, while Gaiwu, Xuliang, and Tianqian lie outside the Twenty-Eight Mansions. The Qianxiang Xinshu assigns the four western stars of Chefu to Xu (Emptiness) and the three eastern stars to Wei. Wu Mi’s records classify Zaofu as belonging both to Wei and Shi (Encampment), while the rest align with Bu Tian Ge. According to the Qianxiang Xinshu, there is also a single star called Tiangan, located south of Wei Xiu, within eight degrees of Wei, 132 degrees from the celestial pole, and outside the celestial equator by forty-one degrees. The Jin, Sui Zhi, and other star records do not include it, mentioning only the region between Wei and Shi Xiu near Beiluo Shimen (Fomalhaut). In recent astronomical records, this star is included among those in the region of Gui and Liu, near Waichu (Outer Kitchen) and Tianji. However, although both Tiangan stars in the New Book lie within the degree of Wei, their descriptions differ; for now, they are provisionally appended here. ^[4]