Almanac and Date Choosing
The twelve day officers, the good and bad spirits, and how the almanac weighs them for a day.
Start with these basics
24 Solar TermsThe solar year in twenty-four steps of fifteen degrees. Months in Chinese metaphysics follow these, not the moon.28 Lunar MansionsTwenty-eight stations along the moon’s path, in four groups of seven.FestivalsThe main festivals of the Chinese year, with dates worked out for the next five years.Yearly GuidesA guide to each Chinese year: its dates, directions and festivals, and how the twelve signs meet it.
Learn a few terms
AlmanacA daily guide to what is good or bad to do.Twelve OfficersTwelve day types, from Establish to Close, used in the almanac.Date SelectionChoosing a good day for a task.StarsNamed signs, lucky or not, found from fixed rules.Solar TermsTwenty-four points of the year set by the sun.Lunar MansionsTwenty-eight star groups along the moon’s path.
Try it yourself
Common questions
What are the twelve day officers?
Establish, Remove, Full, Balance, Settle, Hold, Break, Danger, Success, Receive, Open and Close take turns ruling the days, set by the solar month and the day branch. Each has its own good and bad activities.
When good and bad spirits clash on a day, which wins?
The Xie Ji Bian Fang Shu weighs them by strength. It faults the older almanacs for dropping everything a good spirit allows as soon as any bad one appears, whatever their weight. The site’s almanac follows its rules.
Should the day suit my zodiac animal?
Traditionally you avoid days that clash with your animal: someone born in a Rat year avoids Horse days, for example. The date tool can leave those days out.
Read moreDate Selection