Six Adversities
Obstacles · Frustration · Setbacks
Six Adversities Interpretation
Career Obstacles
Six Adversities is most often used to examine resistance in career development. The person may have ability but still face blocked promotion, missed opportunities, lack of recognition, or effort that does not produce equal returns.
Ability Without Recognition
Classical texts use the image of the general Li Guang failing to receive a marquis title. In modern terms, this is better understood as ability being limited by timing, institutions, resources, or external conditions.
Support Can Reduce the Obstruction
Six Adversities is not a fixed sign of failure. Classical sources explicitly say that protection, support, strength, or noble assistance can improve the result. Strong Heavenly Nobleman, Officer Star, or Resource Star can reduce the obstructive quality.
Reading Note
Six Adversities should not be used alone to predict unemployment, demotion, or lifelong frustration. Its practical weight depends on the Day Master, Ten Gods, pillar position, and whether luck cycles or annual influences activate the same pattern.
What Six Adversities Means in Different Pillars
Six Adversities in the Month Pillar
Often relates to education, work environment, peers, and early career development. Obstacles here may show through limited resources, slow promotion, or effort that receives little recognition.
Six Adversities in the Day Pillar
Relates more directly to the person and the Spouse Palace. Career or practical pressure may influence personal choices and close relationships.
Six Adversities in the Hour Pillar
Often relates to later development, children, and long-term plans. Progress may be slower, results may arrive later, or goals may require more sustained effort.
Six Adversities Combinations
Six Adversities with Heavenly Nobleman
Nobleman support can reduce the sense of obstruction. During difficult periods, help, resources, or opportunities are more likely to appear.
Six Adversities with Officer Star
Officer Star relates to position, rules, and responsibility. If it is weak or damaged, Six Adversities may show more clearly through blocked promotion or institutional pressure; if well supported, formal career progress can still occur.
Six Adversities with Resource Star
Resource Star relates to learning, credentials, and support. When strong, professional skills, qualifications, institutions, or mentors can help reduce career obstacles.
Six Adversities in Luck Cycles
When luck cycles or annual influences activate Six Adversities, stalled progress, limited opportunities, or repeated delays may become more noticeable. Officer and Resource Stars should be checked for support.
How to Find Six Adversities
Lookup Basis
| If the Year Branch is | Look for this branch |
|---|---|
| Shen 申, Zi 子, Chen 辰 | Mao 卯 |
| Yin 寅, Wu 午, Xu 戌 | You 酉 |
| Hai 亥, Mao 卯, Wei 未 | Wu 午 |
| Si 巳, You 酉, Chou 丑 | Zi 子 |
Example
For example, if the Year Branch is Shen, Zi, or Chen and Mao appears in the Month, Day, or Hour Branch, Six Adversities can be considered present.
Classical texts place Six Adversities one position ahead of Traveling Horse, at the 'death' stage of the corresponding trine element, which gives the marker its image of stalled or blocked development.
The traditional method uses the Year Branch. Some modern BaZi systems also use the Day Branch, but the two methods should not be mixed in one calculation.
Under the Year Branch method, Six Adversities can only appear in the Month, Day, or Hour Pillar, so there is normally no separate Year Pillar interpretation.
Check Whether Six Adversities Appears in Your BaZi Chart
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Sources and Classical References
This page references the following classical text; the excerpt retains its original Chinese wording.
San Ming Tong Hui, Volume 3 · Six Adversities · Source: Wikisource
Original text
厄者，遭乎難者也，常居馬前一辰，劫後二辰，死而不生謂之厄。