Burial Sha (墓煞)
Burial Sha (墓煞), also known as "Warlord Enters the Tomb" (七杀入墓) or "Encircled Sha Holds the Mound" (夹煞持丘), is a distinctive pattern in Bazi (Four Pillars of Destiny) that signifies "a strong beginning but no lasting end." Here, "Sha" specifically refers to the Warlord (Seven Killings), while "Burial" points to the four storage branches: Chen (辰) Loong, Xu (戌) Dog, Chou (丑) Ox, and Wei (未) Goat. The essence of this pattern lies in the Warlord star—representing pressure, boldness, and risk—sitting atop a branch that symbolizes concealment, conclusion, and stillness. This combination often brings dramatic ups and downs in life: early success in youth, but a bleak and lonely later stage.
How to Identify
This pattern is determined by the Day Master. Examine the Heavenly Stem representing the Warlord (Seven Killings); if this stem sits atop one of the four storage branches—Chen (辰) Loong, Xu (戌) Dog, Chou (丑) Ox, or Wei (未) Goat—then Burial Sha is present.
The specifics are as follows:
- Jia (甲) Day sees Geng (庚) Xu (戌) or Geng (庚) Chen (辰)
- Yi (乙) Day sees Xin (辛) Chou (丑) or Xin (辛) Wei (未)
- Bing (丙) Day sees Ren (壬) Chen (辰) or Ren (壬) Xu (戌)
- Ding (丁) Day sees Gui (癸) Chou (丑) or Gui (癸) Wei (未)
- Wu (戊) Day sees Jia (甲) Chen (辰) or Jia (甲) Xu (戌)
- Ji (己) Day sees Yi (乙) Chou (丑) or Yi (乙) Wei (未)
- Geng (庚) Day sees Bing (丙) Chen (辰) or Bing (丙) Xu (戌)
- Xin (辛) Day sees Ding (丁) Chou (丑) or Ding (丁) Wei (未)
- Ren (壬) Day sees Wu (戊) Chen (辰) or Wu (戊) Xu (戌)
- Gui (癸) Day sees Ji (己) Chou (丑) or Ji (己) Wei (未)
Pattern Significance
Those whose charts fall into the Burial Sha pattern are destined for a life marked by dramatic rises and falls. The Warlord (Seven Killings) star grants the individual tremendous pioneering spirit and remarkable courage—especially in youth, when a "fearless calf" energy propels them to quick success, embodying the phrase "early achievement." However, the "entering the tomb" imagery suggests a lack of follow-through, making it difficult to sustain success. The individual may make rash decisions in pursuit of quick gains or suffer setbacks due to stubbornness, causing their career to decline from its peak and making a comeback unlikely. This pattern also indicates weak family bonds, with signs of "separation from kin, harm to spouse and children," and a lonely, desolate old age. If the chart lacks strong supportive elements, the fierce nature of the Warlord star is fully unleashed, leading to a turbulent life with diminished fortune and longevity.
Favorable and Unfavorable Factors
Because Burial Sha inherently carries inauspicious energy, the key to its management lies in seeking "support" and "transformation":
Favorable:
- Talent Tames Warlord (食神制杀): This is the best remedy for the pattern. If the chart has a strong Talent (Eating God) star, it can effectively subdue the negative side of the Warlord, transforming its aggressive force into controlled authority, allowing for steady, sustainable progress.
- Mentor's Aegis (印绶化杀): A strong Mentor (Direct Resource) star can resolve the harshness of the Warlord through benevolence, forming the "Warlord and Mentor" synergy. This enables the individual to evolve from a pioneer into a respected leader, often signifying great honor and achievement.
- Strong Day Master: A robust and well-rooted Day Master can better withstand the pressure and volatility of the Warlord, increasing the likelihood of mastering the pattern and turning danger into safety.
Unfavorable:
- Wealth Star Fuels Warlord (财星滋杀): This is the greatest taboo for the pattern. If the chart or luck cycles bring a strong Wealth (Direct or Indirect Wealth) star, it will nourish the Warlord, "adding wings to a tiger," causing its destructive force to erupt fully—an omen of great misfortune.
- Clash or Punishment of the Storage Branch (刑冲墓库): As the root of the Warlord, the storage branch must not be clashed or punished. If the storage is broken open, it's like releasing a fierce tiger—the Warlord's negative energy is instantly triggered, leading to sudden calamity.
- Weak Day Master: If the Day Master is weak and powerless, it cannot bear the pressure of the Warlord entering the tomb, becoming "the ghost," and the person is fated for a life of poverty and illness, with even the risk of premature death.
Classical Texts
From San Ming Tong Hui (三命通会):
古歌曰：“墓中逢鬼要知之，夹杀持丘骨肉离。犯此凶星无救助，生来福寿少年亏。”如：甲日见庚戌、庚辰，乙日见辛丑、辛未，丙日见壬辰、壬戌，丁日见癸丑、癸未，戊日见甲辰、甲戌，己日见乙丑、乙未，庚日见丙辰、丙戌，辛日见丁丑、丁未，壬日见戊辰、戊戌，癸日见己丑、己未，此谓七杀入墓。
《珞录子》云：“夹杀持丘，亲姻哭送。”如己巳、戊辰、癸丑、丙辰，癸日见戊为官，己为杀，戊己并在辰上，又为癸水库，多主早发早夭。
又曰：癸日生四月，时临戊辰，为官星入墓，主早夭，仍带病，盖本身无气，癸水与宫星俱入墓地逢鬼。或曰：杀非止七杀，乃羊刃、亡劫，与日时或日月夹藏墓中，皆凶。
Explanation:
The ancient verse says: "One must understand the case of meeting the ghost (Warlord) in the tomb; when encircled by Sha holding the mound (Warlord enters the tomb), it foretells separation from family. If this inauspicious star is present without support, fortune and longevity will be lacking from youth." For example, Jia (甲) Day seeing Geng (庚) Xu (戌) or Geng (庚) Chen (辰); Yi (乙) Day seeing Xin (辛) Chou (丑) or Xin (辛) Wei (未), and so on—this is called Warlord Enters the Tomb.
Luo Lu Zi (珞录子) states: "Encircled Sha holds the mound; relatives weep at your departure (implying early death)." For instance, in a chart with Ji Si (己巳), Wu Chen (戊辰), Gui Chou (癸丑), Bing Chen (丙辰), if Gui (癸) Day sees Wu (戊) as Executive (Direct Officer), Ji (己) as Warlord (Seven Killings), and both Wu and Ji appear in Chen (辰), which is also the storage for Gui Water, it often indicates early success but also early demise.
Another interpretation: If the Gui Water Day Master is born in the fourth month (Si, 巳), and the Hour Pillar is Wu (戊) Chen (辰), this is "Executive Star Enters the Tomb," indicating a tendency toward early death and illness. This is because, being born in Si (巳), the Day Master lacks qi (Gui Water is at its weakest in Si), and both the Day Master and its Executive star (Wu Earth) enter the tomb (Chen, the storage for Water), encountering the ghost. Some say "Sha" here refers not only to the Warlord (Seven Killings) but also to other inauspicious stars such as Yang Blade, Lost Spirit, and Robbery Sha—if these are hidden together with the Day or Hour Pillar, or Day and Month Pillar, in the storage branches, it is all considered ominous.
FAQ
What is Burial Sha in Bazi astrology?
Burial Sha, also known as "Warlord Enters the Tomb," is a unique pattern in Bazi (Four Pillars of Destiny) charts. It occurs when the Warlord (Seven Killings) star sits atop one of the four storage branches: Chen (Loong), Xu (Dog), Chou (Ox), or Wei (Goat). This pattern symbolizes strong early achievement followed by a lack of lasting success, often resulting in dramatic rises and falls throughout life. Burial Sha is linked to boldness, risk-taking, and early success, but may also indicate weak family bonds and challenges in sustaining fortune or longevity.
How to identify Burial Sha in your Bazi chart?
To identify Burial Sha in your Bazi chart, first determine your Day Master. Then, check if the Heavenly Stem representing the Warlord (Seven Killings) sits on one of the four storage branches: Chen, Xu, Chou, or Wei. Specific combinations, such as Jia Day with Geng Xu or Geng Chen, signal the presence of Burial Sha. This identification process is critical for understanding your chart’s dynamics and assessing the potential for dramatic life changes, early success, and later challenges.
Why is the Talent star beneficial for Burial Sha pattern?
The Talent star (Eating God) is highly beneficial for individuals with the Burial Sha pattern in their Bazi chart. A strong Talent star can tame the aggressive energy of the Warlord (Seven Killings), transforming it into controlled authority and steady progress. This subdues the negative aspects of the pattern, helping to mitigate turbulence and promote sustainable achievement. In Bazi astrology, harnessing the Talent star is a key remedy for Burial Sha, allowing for a more balanced and fruitful life path.
When does Burial Sha become more dangerous in Bazi analysis?
Burial Sha becomes significantly more dangerous when the Wealth star (Direct or Indirect Wealth) is strong in the chart or during certain luck cycles. The Wealth star fuels the Warlord energy, intensifying its destructive power and increasing the risk of misfortune. This combination, described as "adding wings to a tiger," can lead to dramatic setbacks and instability. Proper Bazi analysis is essential for identifying these periods and taking corrective action to manage the inauspicious energy.
Where can supportive elements help manage Burial Sha effects?
Supportive elements such as a strong Talent star (Eating God), Mentor star (Direct Resource), and a robust Day Master are crucial for managing the effects of Burial Sha in Bazi astrology. These elements can help transform or subdue the aggressive Warlord energy, providing stability and improving the individual's prospects. By strengthening these favorable components in the chart, one can increase resilience, maintain steady progress, and reduce the risks associated with Burial Sha’s volatility and loneliness.