A cycle of 12 characters which came to be known as the 建除 (Chien Chu) was in fashion and commonly used by the diviners alive then, deciding dates for important events. This dated back in the early han dynasty (circa second century BC).
The source was believed to be listed in Huai Nan Tzu. The utilization of this method can be seen in the 10th century calendars from Tun Huang; Manchu Imperial Calendars of the Qing Dynasty in Mongolian; nineteenth century Mongolian manual of astrology; Turkish text from Turfan (which incidentally was a town situated on the old route from China to the West).
Due to the heterogeneous historical sources, some even speculate that the 建除十二神煞 may not be Chinese in origin, at all.
Nonetheless, this method is still fairly common in the current era. The bread and butter for many practitioners and routinely found in many Chinese metaphysical publications.
The rules for determining the 12 indicators
- The indicator for the day is found by combining the branch of the day with the branch of the month. However this does not start with the Rat (the first branch) but the Tiger (the second branch).
- In addition, the month in question is not our normal system of 12 earthly branches, but instead based on 24 节气 (Jie Qi).
- Our smart readers may understand now why the Tiger month is the starting point. This is because the first Jie Qi is arrival of Spring, 立春.
- It follows that the month to which Branch I pertains will be the Great Snow (大雪).
The interpretations of the 12 indicators
From the indicator for the day, it is possible to "forecast" whether the day will generally be lucky or unlucky, auspicious or not for certain activities.
Much of the information can also be found in the Chinese almanac.
建 - Establish
This day, 10,000 things are generated. Cut out garments. Pay bills. Barter and trade. Travel. Set up posts. All these things will be extremely fortunate.
But avoid digging, traveling by boat, or opening stores and treasuries.
除 - Discard
This day, sweep away all evil. This is the day of cleansing. Wash and bathe; take purgatives; such are fortunate activities.
But avoid wedding ceremonies, travel, and opening wells.
满 - Fullness
The Heavenly Emperor fills the treasuries to the brim. Organize wedding receptions; change one's residence; go on journeys; all these will be fortunate. A good day for important life events e.g. weddings, receptions, conferences, important meetings. Not a day for menial tasks or jobs around the house - there are more pressing matters to be attended today.
But shun cutting, planting, or unstopping watercourses.
平 - Even
The day of the official gathering and equal dividing. Wedding ceremonies, change of residences, cultivating the Tao, or distempering walls, all such things are fortunate. Time to sit back and contemplate, or make plans for future events, rather than tackle those jobs which were left outstanding - they will just have to wait a little longer. This is the time for sitting back and take stock.
But avoid cutting, planting, excavating ditches or opening sluices.
定 - Arrange
The Heavenly Emperor has placed everyone in their seats. The five grains are in abundance. Cut, plant, organize weddings, yoke the ox and the horse, dig the ground, open up wells. In current time majority no longer bother themselves with such activities (unless you are a farmer). Today is the day to keep your head down, keep busy and mind your own business. This is the day for all kind of activities and by keeping busy and determined, everyone will get their work done faster.
Avoid making accusations.
执 - Grasp
The Heavenly Emperor administers the 10,000 things and bestows Heaven's blessings. Arrange for the opening of wells, cutting and planting and wedding ceremonies. This is the day for staying in and getting work done. Domestic activity will be fortunate. It is wise to keep an eye on the purse-strings too. Traveling may incurr unexpected expenses. If you have a wedding to attend, good. Do not go shopping after that.
But avoid changing address, travel, or opening of storehouses. Moving houses, moving around is not so bright.
破 - Ruin
The great bear indicates conflicts, face-to-face arguments and quarrels. This is a good day for going fishing and punishing criminals.
However, not a fortunate day for most things by all accounts. Pack up and go fishing seems to be the alamanc best advice - it is going to be that kind of a day. Avoid conflicts at all kinds, not least with the law which it appears to be a good day to catching criminals.
危 - Danger
Ascending the dangerous mountain, the wind blows fiercely; there is great peril. Be joyous and drink wine. All else is little use.
Another day when everything seems to be going wrong; avoid trying to get things to work when they won't! The best course of action is to walk away from it.
In fact, the almanac's advice is to go out and have a drink!
成 - Completion
In heaven's annals are the lives of 10,000 things. Arrange wedding receptions, going on long journeys, digging earth. All these will be fortunate. But avoid casting aspersions.
收 - Acceptance
The Emperor's precious treasures are received today. Open the granaries; carry on trade; enter college; arrange weddings; be active; dig the earth; all these things will be fortunate.
This is a day for trading and even drawing on savings for investments for the future. A good day for studying, thinking about academic matters, educations and so on.
Avoid traveling, arranging funerals (to be left for the day after tomorrow. Note: very specific in old text), acupuncture and moxibustion. Avoid visiting the doctor, hospital, dentist, or clinic.
开 - Open
The messenger of HEaven's Emperor is out of danger. Study crafts, complete business dealings, organize wedding ceremonies, travel. Such things are fortunate.
This indicator points to recovery from illness. Good day for sending messages, SMSes, emails, letters, receiving calls. Business matters and accounts should be updated. Short journeys are favorable. Practising hobbies and skills are encouraged. BUT, take heed that heavy work will not be successful.
Avoid funerals and burials, other things are not wholesome.
闭 - Shut
Heaven and Earth; Yin and Yang; Open and Shut. This is the day of burial and concealment. One might set up placards, but other things are not fortunate. For most events, a day of misfortunate and evil.
This is a day always printed in Black in Chinese almanacs; not a propitious day by all accounts. The only positive indicators are for burials and "establishing placards" meaning setting up memorials. IT can be taken as a good day for saving (hoarding), beginning a diet, or other regime, making resolutions. Or, for more positive actions, it could be a good idea for advertising, erecting signs, writing letters, or dealing with correspondence.
Reference & source: The complete guide to Chinese Astrology. Derek Walters. Watkins Publishing London. 2005
