What Are the Earthly Branch Six Harms?
The Earthly Branch Six Harms, abbreviated "Hai" and also known as "Mutual Piercing," are relationships of covert damage between Earthly Branches. Unlike the head-on collision of clashes, harms involve lateral restraint and sabotage, primarily indicating behind-the-scenes slander, covert obstruction, and relationship breakdown.
Six Harms Correspondence Table
| Harm Pair | Corresponding Relationship (union broken by clash) | Primary Symbolism |
|---|---|---|
| Zi harms Wei | Zi-Chou union broken by Wu clash, affecting Wei | Covert obstruction |
| Chou harms Wu | Zi-Chou union broken by Wu clash; Wu-Wei union broken by Chou | Relationship obstruction |
| Yin harms Si | Yin-Hai union broken by Si clash; Si-Shen union broken by Yin | Disputes and obstacles |
| Mao harms Chen | Mao-Xu union broken by Chen clash; Chen-You union broken by Mao | Covert damage |
| Shen harms Hai | Si-Shen union broken by Hai clash; Yin-Hai union broken by Shen | Hindrance and restraint |
| You harms Xu | Chen-You union broken by Xu clash; Mao-Xu union broken by You | Damage and destruction |
The Mechanism of the Six Harms
The essence of the Six Harms is "a union broken by a clash" -- when one party of a Six Union is clashed, the Six Union relationship is destroyed, and the third party affected becomes the "harmed." For example: Zi and Chou unite; Wu clashes Zi. When Zi is clashed, Chou's Six Union partner (Zi) is taken away, and Chou suffers harm. Thus, Zi harms Wei (Wu-Wei union, where Chou disrupts the Wu-Wei union), and Chou harms Wu.
Effects of the Six Harms
- Covert obstruction: Harms are not as direct as clashes but gradually and imperceptibly destroy relationships and create obstacles.
- Behind-the-scenes disputes: Six Harms in a chart primarily indicate behind-the-scenes slander, covert scheming, and obstruction by petty people.
- Encountering harm in Luck Cycles and Annual Luck: When entering a harm-related Luck Cycle or Annual Luck, the corresponding domains (wealth, relationships, career) may encounter invisible resistance or betrayal.
Severity of the Six Harms
The force of the Six Harms is generally lighter than the Six Clashes but heavier than the Six Breakings. In Destiny Analysis, the Six Harms often serve as supplementary indicators, suggesting possible covert damage, rather than decisive primary forces.