Auxiliary & Malefic Stars

The auxiliary and malefic stars are the 'supporting' stars that sit on your chart beyond the fourteen main stars. The auxiliaries (such as the Six Auspicious — Zuo Fu, You Bi, Wen Chang, Wen Qu, Tian Kui, Tian Yue) add support to a main star; the malefics (such as the Six Malefic — Qing Yang, Tuo Luo, Huo Xing, Ling Xing, Di Kong, Di Jie) add turbulence and testing. They do not anchor the chart, but modify the main star — the same main star with different auxiliary and malefic stars can read wildly different in fortune and strength.

The Six Auspicious are: Zuo Fu, You Bi, Wen Chang, Wen Qu, Tian Kui, Tian Yue — six helper stars of assistance, talent, and benefactors. The Six Malefic are: Qing Yang, Tuo Luo, Huo Xing, Ling Xing, Di Kong, Di Jie — six 'sha' stars of injury, delay, haste, and loss. The auspicious add points in pairs; the malefics test mastery, and handled well can even be put to use.

The main stars (such as Zi Wei, Tian Fu, Tan Lang) are the 'leads' of the chart, defining your essence and life's core; the auxiliary and malefic stars are the 'supporting cast' — they do not set the pattern themselves, but modify, strengthen, or weaken the main star they sit with. Think of it this way: the main star is the dish, the auxiliary and malefic stars the seasoning — the same dish, sugared or spiced, tastes entirely different. You read the main star for the pattern first, then the auxiliary and malefic stars for the fine balance of fortune.

There are four main peach-blossom stars: Hong Luan and Tian Xi (the true peach-blossom) and Tian Yao and Xian Chi (the side peach-blossom). The true ones rule marriage, union, and fruitful celebration, leading to family, and are key to the timing of a wedding; the side ones rule charm, allure, desire, and appeal, prizing attraction itself. For a proper marriage, read Hong Luan and Tian Xi; for charm and affairs, Tian Yao and Xian Chi.