Inauspicious Stars

Malevolent Stars

Malevolent stars (xiong sha) are symbolic stars in date selection (ze ri) that represent unfavorable energy. When a malevolent star governs the day during date selection, it should be avoided unless there are sufficiently strong auspicious stars to neutralize it.

The Most Severe Malevolent Stars

Three Killings (Rob Killings, Disaster Killings, Year Killings):

• The Three Killings are among the most important malevolent stars in date selection
• The direction of the Three Killings is determined by the Year Branch and Month Branch
• No ground-breaking or construction should occur in the direction of the Three Killings
• Sitting with one's back to the Three Killings is particularly severe

Five Ghosts:

• A day governed by the Five Ghosts heralds disaster, disputes, and illness
• Avoid opening a business, marrying, or moving into a new home
• The Five Ghosts become even more malevolent if they clash with the native's BaZi

Heavenly Punishment:

• Heavenly Punishment (Tian Xing) governs legal penalties, lawsuits, and physical harm
• Avoid litigation, signing contracts, and disputes
• However, a Heavenly Punishment day is suitable for law enforcement and punishing evil

Overview of Common Malevolent Stars

Year Breaker: A day that clashes with the Grand Duke (Tai Sui); highly inauspicious Month Breaker: A day that clashes with the Month Commander; unfavorable for all endeavors Four Departures: The day before the Spring Equinox, Autumn Equinox, Summer Solstice, and Winter Solstice Four Absolutes: The day before the Start of Spring, Start of Summer, Start of Autumn, and Start of Winter Yang Gong Inauspicious Days: Specific inauspicious days in each month, widely circulated in folk tradition Red Gauze Days: Inauspicious days detrimental to marriage White Tiger: Governs bloody disasters; avoid surgery Heavenly Dog: Governs consumption and damage; avoid celebrations Mourning Gate and Wailing Guest: Govern funerals; avoid celebratory events

Resolving Malevolent Stars

Not all malevolent stars are impossible to resolve:

1. Resolution by Heavenly and Lunar Virtues - Heavenly Virtue (Tian De) and Lunar Virtue (Yue De) can neutralize most malevolent stars
2. Resolution by Nobleman - The Heavenly Nobleman (Tian Yi Gui Ren) can mitigate the impact of malevolent stars
3. Suppression by Auspicious Stars - The concurrent presence of multiple auspicious stars can suppress malevolent stars
4. Special Resolutions - Certain malevolent stars have specific resolution methods

Principles of Assessment

• Major malevolent stars (Year Breaker, Month Breaker, Three Killings) cannot be resolved and must be strictly avoided
• Moderate malevolent stars may be used if Heavenly Virtue or Lunar Virtue is present
• Minor malevolent stars have a limited impact and need not be a cause for excessive concern
• Exercise extra caution when multiple malevolent stars overlap

Practical Application

During date selection, first eliminate days featuring major malevolent stars, then evaluate the balance of power between moderate or minor malevolent stars and auspicious stars. If there is truly no perfect day within the available range, choose a day with more auspicious stars than malevolent ones, and apply remedies through the selection of an auspicious hour.