Section 63.1
When aberrations of the Five Phases occur, one ought to remedy them with virtue and disseminate it throughout the world. Then calamities will be eradicated. If one does not remedy them with virtue, before three years have passed, Heaven will send thunder
1 and rain down stones.
When Wood encounters aberrations, in spring there is decay and in autumn there is flourishing. In autumn, trees are covered with ice, and in spring it rains too much. These aberrations occur
when corvée labor is excessive
and when taxes are burdensome.
The populace becomes impoverished and destitute, leading people to flee or rebel, and the thoroughfares are filled with starving people. To remedy the situation,
decrease corvée labor,
lighten taxes,
and distribute the stored grain
to relieve the distressed and destitute.
When Fire encounters aberrations, in winter it is warm, and in summer it is cold. These aberrations occur
when the king is unenlightened,
when the good are not promoted,
when the bad are not dismissed,
when fools occupy positions of authority,
and when worthies go into hiding,
so that cold and warmth lose their proper sequence, and the populace is visited by diseases and epidemics. To remedy the situation,
promote the worthy and excellent,
reward the meritorious,
and grant land to the virtuous.
When Earth encounters aberrations, great winds arrive, and the five [kinds of] grain suffer harm. These aberrations occur
when the humane and worthy are not trusted,
when fathers and elder brothers are not respected,
when lusts and desires are not regulated,
and when [the ruler’s] dwellings and apartments are excessive.
To remedy the situation,
reduce the number of dwellings and apartments,
abandon carved ornamentation,
promote the filially pious and fraternally respectful,
and show sympathy for the populace.
When Metal encounters aberrations, [the determinative stars for the lunar lodges] Net and Pleiades reverse positions.
2 If this happens three times, there will be war. Armies will increase, and bandits will proliferate. These aberrations occur
when [the ruler] abandons righteousness and covets wealth,
when [he] takes lightly the lives of the people and attaches importance to material gain,
so that the people seek profit, and outlaws and rebels proliferate. To remedy the situation,
promote the honest and pure,
establish the upright and forthright,
set aside the martial, and implement the civil.
When Water encounters aberrations, in winter it grows damp, and there is too much fog. In spring and summer, there is rain and hail. These aberrations occur when laws and ordinances are lax, and punishments and penalties are not implemented. To remedy the situation,
be painstaking about prisons and jails,
try cases against traitors and rebels,
punish those who have committed crimes,
and carry out investigations every five days. [63/64/22–63/65/4]