12 Day Stars Method Of Date Selection

The 12 day stars (十二值日星) is one of the most basic methods of selecting auspicious and inauspicious dates to undertake activities. In some circles, it is also called the 12 day officers (建除十二神).

It states that 12 stars (or gods) take turns to rule each day in an endless cycle.

With an underlying meaning to each star, it determines what particular day would be most suitable to take on or avoid certain activities.

It must be noted that the 12 day stars method of date selection is a subset of a bigger and wider Chinese metaphysical concept known as the Huang Dao Ji Ri (黄道吉日).

The dozen stars are individually named according to 12 types of chi and correlate to the 12 animal zodiac signs.

And please, do not confuse these stars with flying stars feng shui.

For simplicity and easier reference, they are labeled as D# in this exercise. The zodiacs will take the usual E# as they are found on the 24 mountains.

1. Jian (建)
2. Chu (除)
3. Man (满)
4. Ping (平)
5. Ding (定)
6. Zhi (执)
7. Po (破)
8. Wei (危)
9. Cheng (成)
10. Shou (收)
11. Kai (开)
12. Bi (闭)

These 12 day stars correlate to the 12 animal zodiac signs.

As always with methods of date selection, there must be a way to plot energy variables into each day on a calendar.

While we are pampered with ready-made calendar schedules of energy forces these days, a simple manual way to map out the day stars to the calendar is to note that the day zodiac that matches the month zodiac will result in the presence of D1 (jian).

When D1 is identified, then it is just a matter of tabulating the rest of the day stars according to their sequence.

Be mindful that the first days of the month in Chinese calendars do not match that of the Gregorian calendar.

And the first month of the year tend to fall in early February of the western calendar, which will be a Tiger month according to Chinese animal zodiac signs.

For ease of comprehension, below is a reference table you can use to find specific day stars.

Remember the legend as stated previously.

Let’s take for example that we intend to plot the day stars schedule for August 2019. As August is of the zodiac Z7 (Monkey), referencing the Hsia calendar we find one of the days in August where Z7 is present is on the 15th of August 2019. This means that D1 will reside on this day. By following the sequence of stars this piece of information would be sufficient to plot the day stars for the whole of August 2019.

If one intends to get into an important business contract, the 15th would be a good day as it is a D1 day, but the 21st would be a bad day as it is a D7 day.

At this point, it is important to give a brief explanation of what each individual day star represents according to the books.

This is so that one will be able to judge whether a particular day with a specific star would be a good or bad day for certain activities. Then select a date that is most suitable.

Before we go on, it is of paramount important to realize that while the following elaboration might describe activities suitable to be undertaken in certain days, classical text does not specifically mention them.

It’s just that energies present for the days are judged to be ideal for certain activities to take place.

1) Jian (D1)

The meaning of 建 is to build.

A D1 day is a good day for marriage proposal, engagement, taking over a new job position or commencing a job with a new employer, doing business, negotiating and entering into contracts, getting medical treatment, starting a trip or long journey, starting construction works, starting school, etc.

It is generally not a good day to attend funerals, and any activities that involve destruction especially groundbreaking rituals.

2) Chu (D2)

除 is translated as elimination and removal.

Thus, it marks a good day for cleansing, detoxing, and letting go.

It’s a good date selection for breaking up relationships, starting a diet, getting detoxed, waxing, haircuts, surgical procedures, housekeeping, starting demolition works, etc.

It is definitely an inauspicious day to schedule a marriage. Ensure you inform your wedding planner about this.

It is also not a good day to conceive a child.

3) Man (D3)

满 represents full. As in a glass that is full, or a kid who is full of happiness.

It is definitely a good day for official opening days of new businesses, entering into big contracts, customary marriages, house warmings, installation and implementation of new systems, etc.

It is also generally a good day to collect debt and receivables.

A day of presiding D3 is not ideal for burials and anything concerning destruction.

4) Ping (D4)

平 is translated as level or flat.

This means that it would be a day of balance without leaning either towards good or bad.
This means that in circumstances when you are at a disadvantage, it can be a good day as you might achieve balance. While it can become a bad day if you are already at an advantageous position.

It is important to note that this day is generally regarded as an inauspicious day as one will not be able to lean towards a winning position.

Ping days indicate dates which one should avoid activities that seek a quick and positive outcome. This is because closure might be unfavorably prolonged.

5) Ding (D5)

定 means to set, to decide, and to commit.

Dates with D5 as the ruling star are good days to commit to actions with long term effects and stability.

Therefore, it is a good day to sign important documents, marriage, start building a house, commencing health treatments, start an exercise regime, opening for business, getting a pet, etc.

It is not a good day for burials, attending funerals, or going on travels.

6) Zhi (D6)

执 means to carry out, to hold and event, or to execute one.

Any activities that concerns new beginnings can take place on a D6 day.

7) Po (D7)

The meaning of 破 is to break and to destroy.

Because of this, it is understandably a good day for demolishing of old buildings.

It is not a good option for commencing new businesses, getting married, signing contracts, etc.

8) Wei (D8)

危 refers to danger as in 危险.

Thus it is not a good day to do anything that seeks a favorable outcome.
Traditionally, wei days mark days for worshipping religious figure.

9) Cheng (D9)

成 means to become, to attain, and to succeed.

It signifies coming to completion and fruition.

Of all the favorable day stars, Cheng is generally accepted to be the most auspicious one.

However, because of it’s tendency to multiply outcomes, one should only undertake positive events and try to avoid negative events as much as possible.

For example, if you choose to pay for a parking ticket on this day, you might have more of these things coming your way real soon. Maybe even a new ticket while you are making payment for the existing one.

10) Shou (D10)

收 is translated as to keep, to receive, or to collect.

It represents a good day to start a course, propose, start a new job, make presentations, etc.

Not a good day to visit the hospital, attend funerals, undergo medical treatments, etc.

11) Kai (D11)

开 literally translates to open.

It’s a good day to mark beginnings, commencements and openings.

12) Bi (D12)

闭 means to close.

It should not be chosen as a day for events that desire a positive outcome.