七殺

Pressure

Qī Shā (Seven Killings)

Pressure is one of the ten roles: how a character in the chart relates to your Day Master. Classical books call it Seven Killings.

Challenges, deadlines and courage under stress

What it stands for

Traditional formula: Male

It gives you courage and the drive to go far. It also speaks of children.

Traditional formula: Female

It gives you courage and the drive to go far. It also speaks of an intense partner.

In each pillar

Year pillar

Stem

The coach's whistle

A strict coach blows the whistle at dawn practice. Seven Killings, the star of pressure and courage, shows openly in your childhood, up to about sixteen. Traditionally it points to a demanding early life, with firm rules or challenges that made you tough.

Your childhood may have asked a lot of you, and it tends to have given you real backbone.

Hidden stems

Reading the sky

Think of a child who watches the sky and knows when a storm is coming. Hidden in your childhood pillar, Seven Killings gives a private alertness, up to about sixteen. You may have felt pressure inside that others did not see, and learned to stay ready.

You tend to have learned early to brace yourself, and that makes you strong under stress.

Month pillar

Stem

Iron in the forge

Iron in a forge gets hammered hard, and comes out as a tool. Seven Killings shows openly in your career and family pillar, ages about seventeen to thirty-two. It traditionally brings tough bosses, high stakes and early responsibility, which can build real authority.

Your young working years tend to test you hard, and that pressure can make you a leader.

Hidden stems

The night guard

Picture a night guard walking the halls with a quiet flashlight. Hidden in your career pillar, ages seventeen to thirty-two, Seven Killings gives inner discipline and calm under pressure. Traditionally it suits work that needs nerve, such as rescue, law, sport or tough projects.

In early working life you tend to carry pressure quietly, and rest matters as much as effort.

Day pillar

Hidden stems

A lighthouse in the wind

Think of a lighthouse standing firm in a hard sea wind. Seven Killings sits hidden in the seat of your partner, most active around ages thirty-three to forty-eight. Traditionally it points to a strong-willed partner or an intense bond, where respect and calm talk matter a great deal.

In love you tend to meet strength, so patience and clear boundaries keep things steady.

Hour pillar

Stem

Still climbing

Picture a mountain climber who keeps climbing well past middle age. Seven Killings shows openly in your later-life pillar, from about forty-nine on. It traditionally brings challenges that keep you active, and strong-willed children who need firm, loving guidance.

Later life tends to keep you on your toes, and you tend to rise to meet it.

Hidden stems

The old oak

An old oak keeps its strength inside, even when the leaves fall. Hidden in your later-life pillar, from about forty-nine on, Seven Killings gives a quiet toughness that holds through hard times. Traditionally it also asks you to ease off on worry and the pressure you put on yourself.

In later years you tend to be stronger than you look, and being kinder to yourself helps.

Absent

Calm waters

Calm water lets a boat drift wherever it likes. Seven Killings, the star of pressure, challenge and courage, is absent from your chart, even hidden.

Life tends to push you less from outside; setting your own goals and deadlines helps you move forward.

The other roles

Ten roles