Six Calamities (六厄) — Fate Star of Hardship
Core Meaning
In traditional Chinese metaphysics, Six Calamities (六厄) is classified as a Fate Star (神煞) with a predominantly negative nature, often called the "Star of Stripped Office." It fundamentally symbolizes the obstacles, stagnation, and misfortunes one may encounter on life's journey. Individuals bearing this star tend to experience several notable periods of difficulty, which may manifest in health, wealth, travel, relationships, and marriage. The classical definition — "encountering hardship" — precisely captures its essence of representing adversity, entrapment, and calamity. It is generally believed that if Six Calamities appears in a birth chart without the support of powerful auspicious stars (such as the Heavenly Noble), the person may face obstacles in career, family life, and personal development, making their life path rugged and troubled. Even if fortunate enough to have some of its negative effects mitigated by noble stars, the underlying energy of hardship is difficult to completely eradicate.
How to Find Six Calamities
Six Calamities is determined by using the Earthly Branch of the Year Pillar as a reference point to check the other three Earthly Branches (Month, Day, and Hour Pillars) in the BaZi chart. The specific rules are as follows:
| Year Branch | Six Calamities appears if any other branch is: |
|---|---|
| Yin, Wu, Xu (Tiger, Horse, Dog) | You (Rooster) |
| Shen, Zi, Chen (Monkey, Rat, Dragon) | Mao (Rabbit) |
| Hai, Mao, Wei (Pig, Rabbit, Goat) | Wu (Horse) |
| Si, You, Chou (Snake, Rooster, Ox) | Zi (Rat) |
In simple terms:
- Those born in a Tiger, Horse, or Dog year (Yin, Wu, Xu): Six Calamities is present if any other pillar contains You (Rooster).
- Those born in a Monkey, Rat, or Dragon year (Shen, Zi, Chen): Six Calamities is present if any other pillar contains Mao (Rabbit).
- Those born in a Pig, Rabbit, or Goat year (Hai, Mao, Wei): Six Calamities is present if any other pillar contains Wu (Horse).
- Those born in a Snake, Rooster, or Ox year (Si, You, Chou): Six Calamities is present if any other pillar contains Zi (Rat).
Principles and Classical References
The foundation of Six Calamities lies deeply in the Five Elements' Generating and Overcoming cycles and the Twelve Life Stages theory. The Ming Dynasty classic "Three Lives Through the Ages" (三命通会) explains:
"Calamity means encountering hardship... The Water combination of Shen, Zi, Chen sees Water die at Mao; the Fire combination of Yin, Wu, Xu sees Fire die at You; the Wood combination of Hai, Mao, Wei sees Wood die at Wu; the Metal combination of Si, You, Chou sees Metal die at Zi."
This passage reveals the origin of Six Calamities: it corresponds to the "Death" stage of each Five Elements' energy. For example, the Shen-Zi-Chen combination forms a Water Bureau, and Water energy enters the "Death" stage at Mao. The same applies to Fire, Wood, and Metal Bureaus. This symbolizes a state of exhausted vitality, depleted energy, and extreme imbalance, naturally leading to the imagery of hardship and disaster.
Another classical text, "The Gourd's Center" (壶中子), comments on its practical impact:
"Six Calamities is the hardship star that strips office and demotes rank. General Li Guang's lifelong failure to earn a marquis title was due to this star."
Using the historical example of the Han Dynasty general Li Guang, whose fate was marked by repeated setbacks and who never achieved the highest honors, this passage reinforces Six Calamities' role in obstructing career and achievements. Fortune analysts often use this to remind those with this star to remain cautious, perform good deeds, and take preventive measures to somewhat mitigate the difficulties.