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InChinese astrology, thesymbolic stars, also translated asstar spirits orcalendar spirits, (Chinese:神煞;pinyin:shén shā) represent beneficial and baleful influences believed to be present during particular times (including the year, month, and hour),[1] typically in relation to the specific positions and interactions of theheavenly stems andearthly branches used intraditional Chinese timekeeping and thesexagenary cycle.
Although they do not correspond to any particular observable stars visible in the night sky, they are described in similar terms to observableastronomical objects with the actual influence of any particular symbolic star at a given moment involving multiple cosmic factors, including its relationship to other such "stars" (whether in harmony or in opposition), its phase (ascendant ordescendant), itsaspect, and the time of itsapogee, in addition its relationship to theFive Phases andYin and Yang which are also used to characterise the influence of observable celestial objects such as theseven luminaries.[1]
The term "shén shā" is sometimes translated literally as "gods and devils", but in-fact they do not relate to any ghosts or celestial beings; in this case,shen (神) means beneficial influence andsha (煞) means baleful influence.
The calculation of the symbolic stars is logically connected to theNa Yin (納音) melodic elements theory, Ten Gods (十神) theory, Twelve Gods of Longevity (长生十二神), etc. The symbolic stars are like the “leaves” of the heavenly stems and earthly branches in the big tree of Chinese astrology and can provide a very specific information in the horoscope analysis.
The symbolic stars are used in many methods of Chinese astrology and metaphysics:Four Pillars of Destiny,Zi wei dou shu,Da Liu Ren,Feng Shui,Wen Wang Gua.
In Chinese astrology, there are more than 180 symbolic stars.[which?]
