Detailed Introduction
Pacifying Tai Sui is a long-standing and extremely popular tradition in Taiwanese folk religion for warding off calamity and ensuring peace. Around the Lunar New Year, the Tai Sui halls of major temples are always packed with worshippers registering for Tai Sui pacification, praying for safety and good fortune during years when their zodiac sign is in conflict.
What Is Tai Sui?
The Tai Sui Star Deity is a divine figure in Chinese traditional belief who governs the fortunes of each year. "Tai Sui" originally referred to Jupiter (the "Year Star"), and since Jupiter's orbital period is approximately twelve years, it corresponds to the twelve Earthly Branches, giving rise to the system of sixty Tai Sui star deities rotating through a sixty-year cycle based on the Heavenly Stems and Earthly Branches. Each year, a different Tai Sui star deity presides and governs the fortunes and misfortunes of that year. A folk saying goes: "When Tai Sui sits overhead, if there is no celebration, there will be disaster" -- meaning those who offend Tai Sui in a given year are susceptible to volatile fortunes and general difficulty.
Who Needs to Pacify Tai Sui?
The main situations requiring Tai Sui pacification include:
- Direct clash (zhi Tai Sui): Your zodiac animal matches the Earthly Branch of the current year's Tai Sui. For example, in the Year of the Dragon, those born in Dragon years are in direct clash.
- Opposing clash (chong Tai Sui): Your zodiac animal is directly opposite the current year's Tai Sui. For example, in the Year of the Dragon, those born in Dog years are in opposing clash.
- Partial clash: Some traditions hold that zodiac signs in "punishment," "destruction," or "harm" relationships also need pacification, though standards vary between temples.
- Those experiencing poor fortune: Even without a Tai Sui conflict, anyone who feels their luck has been poor may seek pacification for peace of mind.
Methods of Pacification
Traditionally, Tai Sui was pacified by setting up a spirit tablet or red paper bearing the name of the presiding Tai Sui star deity on the family altar, with morning and evening incense offerings. However, in modern times, most people choose to register at a temple for "Tai Sui pacification," allowing the temple to manage the offerings on their behalf. The process is as follows:
1. Prepare your personal information: name, lunar birthday (year, month, day, and hour), and address.
2. Register at the Tai Sui hall service counter and pay the pacification fee (varying by temple, generally from several hundred to several thousand NT dollars).
3. Temple staff will inscribe the worshipper's name and birth data on a Tai Sui lamp or spirit tablet, which is enshrined in the Tai Sui hall.
4. Throughout the year, the temple regularly holds scripture-chanting assemblies to pray for blessings and ward off calamity for all registered worshippers.
5. At year's end, visit the temple to "thank Tai Sui," expressing gratitude for the star deity's protection throughout the year.
Timing
Registration typically takes place from the first to the fifteenth day of the first lunar month (the Lantern Festival), with the ninth day of the first month (the birthday of the Jade Emperor) being the most popular date. Some temples also accept early registration before the Lunar New Year. Tai Sui lamp slots at renowned temples are often in high demand and may sell out quickly, requiring early reservation.
Popular Temples for Tai Sui Pacification
- Songshan Ciyou Temple in Taipei: Tai Sui registration slots sell out every year.
- Longshan Temple in Wanhua: Combines Tai Sui pacification with lighting of bright lamps.
- Dajia Jenn Lann Temple in Taichung: The top choice for worshippers in central Taiwan.
- City God Temples across Taiwan: The City God oversees the judicial affairs of the underworld, and Tai Sui pacification also falls within their domain.
Things to Keep in Mind After Pacification
Pacifying Tai Sui does not guarantee everything will go perfectly. One should still mind their behavior, practice virtue, and do good deeds. During a Tai Sui conflict year, it is advisable to perform more acts of kindness, avoid disputes, and steer clear of high-risk activities. Tradition holds that in conflict years, one should avoid moving, breaking ground for construction, or getting married, though modern thinking emphasizes that one's mindset matters most. Tai Sui pacification is primarily about finding peace of mind and serving as a reminder to be cautious.