On Calamity Omens

Original Text

灾煞者，其性勇猛，常居劫煞之前，冲破将星，谓之灾煞。如申子辰将星在子，午却去冲子；寅午戌在午，子却去冲；巳酉丑在酉，卯却去冲；亥卯未在卯，酉却去冲。是灾煞也。此煞主血光横死。在水火，防焚溺，金木杖刃，土坠落，瘟疫克身，大凶。若有福神相助，多是武权。亦如劫煞之类，要见官星、印绶生旺处为佳。《神白经》云：「灾煞畏乎克生处，却为祥。」正谓此也。

Interpretation

The Disaster Omen is characterized by its fierce nature. It often resides ahead of the Calamity Omen and breaks through the General Star, which is called the Disaster Omen. For example, in the combinations of Shen, Zi, and Chen, the General Star is at Zi, while Wu rushes towards Zi; in the combinations of Yin, Wu, and Xu, the General Star is at Wu, and Zi rushes towards it; in the combinations of Si, You, and Chou, the General Star is at You, and Mao rushes towards it; in the combinations of Hai, Mao, and Wei, the General Star is at Mao, and You rushes towards it. These are all manifestations of the Disaster Omen. This omen indicates a violent and untimely death by bloodshed. In the elements of water and fire, one should beware of being burned or drowned; in the elements of metal and wood, there is a risk of being attacked by weapons; in the element of earth, there is a danger of falling; and there may also be the affliction of plagues, which is extremely inauspicious. If there are Auspicious Gods to offer assistance, one is likely to hold military power. Similar to the Calamity Omen, it is better if it is in a prosperous position related to the Official Star and the Seal of Authority. The "Shen Bai Jing" says: "The Disaster Omen becomes auspicious when it is restricted and in a favorable position." This is exactly what it means.