LAJIAIST ASTEOLOGY. 361 



The particular Parkha and Mewa for the several times are found 

 by reference to the almanac ; but the other details are elicited by- 

 divers calculations made upon the astrologer's board, and in consulta- 

 tion with the various manuals on the subject. 



The astrologer's board consists of a large napkin on which are 

 , drawn squares and the other necessary geomantic 

 boarcL ^ '^° °^" ^ figures, all in a definite and convenient relation to 

 each other. This napkin is spread on a table, and 

 the calculations are made with coloured buttons as counters which are 

 kept in a bag — the several elements having each a recognized colour : 

 thus wood is green, fire is red, earth is yelloiv, iron is ivhite, and water is 

 blue. These counters are placed on the coloured squares as in a chess 

 board, and are moved according to rule, either transversely from right 

 to left or vice versa, or longitudinally over the requisite number of squares ; 

 and in addition are kept handy a heap of numerous small white and 

 black counters to register the total results. In the top row of the 

 board are the 60 squares of the GO-year cycle, all named and in the 

 proper colour of their elements. And the succeeding rows of squares 

 are those of the sok, liis, wang-thang, lungta, and Ma series, each with 

 its appropriate succession of coloured elements. The other divisions 

 relate to the Parkhas and Mewas, 



The calculations are made according to rule backwards or 

 ^ , , . forwards a certain number of years in the row of 



Tie calculations. j.\, ni\ i j i.i i i. 



the oO-year cycle squares, and the secondary results 



come out of the vertical columns of the sok, liis, &c., series according 

 to the conflict of their respective elements as therein found ; the results 

 being noted by white or black seeds or buttons, which have the follow- 

 ing values : — 



The seven recognized degrees of affinity or repulsion are 

 „ , , , , expressed in the astrological accounts by the fol- 



Symbols of degrees i ' • • i! • i j j j • j i 



of relationship. lowmg signs 01 Circles and crosses, and durmg the 



calculation the circles are represented by white 

 buttons and the crosses by black buttons or seeds : — 



When the conflict of the elements comes out — Mother, i.e., the hest degree = OOO 



Ditto ditto Friend, i.e., the better „ = OO 

 Ditto ditto < Water +Waterli.e a harmless mix. 



iAartn +Jiarfh i ture ^ .. good = O 



Ditto ditto Son, i.e., neutral = OX 



C Wood + Wood '\ i.e., unmiscihility 

 Ditto ditto XFire + Fire > Sf:. opposition. 



(,7)'on + Iron J Sf bad = x 



Ditto ditto Enemy, i.e., worse =3 x x 



Ditto ditto deadly hate, i.e., worst = x x x 



For example, water meeting iron, i.e., its '''■mother^'' is the very best and 

 .-. = 000, and the same would be true of fire meeting wood. But 



