Morning Star and Evening Star

Morning star (bullish): large bearish candle, small-bodied star gapping or separating below, then strong bullish candle closing well into the first candle's body. Evening star (bearish) mirrors at tops with bearish third candle.

The star is often a doji or spinning top — the market pauses after the first leg. The third candle is the confirmation manual traders wait for. Without a strong third candle, the pattern is incomplete.

Ideal location: end of extended trend at HTF support (morning) or resistance (evening). The first candle should be conspicuously large relative to recent history.

Risk definition: stop below morning star low (or star cluster) for longs; above evening star high for shorts. Target next swing or opposing zone.

Variations include morning/evening doji star where the middle candle is a doji — slightly stronger indecision, same confirmation rules.