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流年 · Annual

This Year's Afflictions

The sectors of your home to leave undisturbed this Chinese year — the Grand Duke, the Three Killings, and the flying Five Yellow — with the classical cures. These shift every year.

2026
Year of the Horse · the Chinese year turns around Feb 4.

⚠ Leave these undisturbed

Five Yellow · 五黃South (S)

Misfortune, accidents, disaster and obstacles — the single most dangerous annual sector.

Cure: No renovation, digging, or noise here this year. Weaken with metal (a 6-rod metal wind chime or a metal-and-salt cure). Never add fire, red, or bright activity.

Grand Duke (Tai Sui) · 太歲South (S)

The year's celestial authority. You may FACE the Grand Duke, but never sit with your back to it, and never disturb this direction with renovation or drilling.

Cure: Keep it quiet and undisturbed; a Pi Yao or the year's guardian is the traditional respect-offering. Do not break ground here.

Three Killings (San Sha) · 三煞North (N)

Three combined misfortunes (loss, illness, and setbacks). As with the Grand Duke, face it if you must but never sit with your back to it; avoid renovation.

Cure: Leave it undisturbed this year; the classical cure is the three celestial guardians (Chi Lin, Pi Yao, Fu Dogs). Do not renovate or dig here.

Illness Star (2 Black) · 二黑North-West (NW)

The annual sickness star — worsens health issues, especially over a bedroom, bed-head, or stove.

Cure: Weaken the earth energy with metal; keep this sector clean, dry, and quiet. Avoid sleeping here if you're unwell.

Quarrel Star (3 Jade) · 三碧West (W)

The annual argument star — disputes, gossip, legal friction and robbery.

Cure: Calm it with fire (a red object or warm light); keep the sector peaceful and secure valuables.

✓ Activate these instead

Prosperity Star (9 Purple) · 九紫South-East (SE)

The reigning prosperity star of Period 9 — celebration, future wealth and happy events.

Cure: Activate with light, warmth and life; a great sector for the main door or living area this year.

Wealth Star (8 White) · 八白East (E)

The wealth and prosperity star — money, steady gains, and good opportunities.

Cure: Keep it active, lit and clutter-free; earth or still water enhances it.

Romance/Scholar (4 Green) · 四綠North-East (NE)

Academic success, creativity and romance this year.

Cure: Place a study desk or 4 stalks of lucky bamboo; good for students and singles.

The annual afflictions move each Chinese solar year (which turns around Feb 4). The Grand Duke and Three Killings are traditional 'do not disturb / do not sit with your back to' sectors; the Five Yellow and 2 Black are the flying stars of the year at their most harmful. The cures given are the standard classical remedies (metal for earth-stars, quiet/no-renovation for the Duke and Three Killings). These are precautionary conventions, not guarantees — the strongest and most agreed rule across all of them is simply: don't renovate, dig, or make loud disturbance in the afflicted direction during its year.