What is samjae?
Samjae ("three calamities") is a Korean folk custom: every twelve years, each zodiac sign passes through a three-year period that calls for extra care. People traditionally used it as a reminder to be careful and tidy things up rather than start big new ventures. The Goblin Office reads it not as a frightening prediction but as a calendar for taking a year steadily.
The three years: entering, staying, leaving
- Deul-samjae (entering): the first year. Prepare carefully rather than rushing into new things.
- Nul-samjae (staying): the second year. Protect what you have and look after your relationships.
- Nal-samjae (leaving): the third year. Put your energy into wrapping things up.
Samjae signs in 2026 and 2027
- 2026 (Byeong-o year): Pig, Rabbit and Goat are in their staying year.
- 2027 (Jeong-mi year): Pig, Rabbit and Goat are in their leaving year; their samjae ends in 2027.
- 2028 (Mu-sin year): samjae begins for Tiger, Horse and Dog.
How to go through samjae
- Double-check big contracts and decisions
- Finish what you started before taking on big new things
- Thank the people who help you and look after your relationships
- Keep to your own pace instead of overloading your schedule
Samjae does not mean everything gets blocked. People of the same sign have different saju charts, so their years flow differently.