Basic Concepts of Zi Wei Dou Shu
Introduction to the Twelve Palaces
A Zi Wei Dou Shu chart is composed of twelve palaces, for example:
List of Palaces
| Houses | Meaning | What to look at |
|---|---|---|
| Life Palace | Life, Personality | Personality, Life's Main Axis |
| Siblings Palace | Siblings | Siblings, peers |
| Spouse Palace | Spouse, relationships | Marriage, romance |
| Children Palace | Children | Parent-child relationships, fertility |
| Wealth Palace | Financial Luck | Earning ability, financial management |
| Sickness and Disaster Palace | Health | Physical condition, illness |
| Migration Palace | Going out, changes | Travel luck, changes |
| Friends Palace | Friends, Subordinates | Interpersonal Relationships |
| Career Palace | Work, Career | Profession, Status |
| House of Property | Real Estate, Family | Real Estate, Family Fortune |
| Fortune Palace | Blessings, Spirit | Enjoyment, Cultivation |
| Parents Palace | Parents, Appearance | Relationship with Parents, Appearance |
Fourteen Main Stars
Ursa Major (6 stars)
| Star Name | Attribute | Five Elements | Properties |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ziwei | Emperor | Earth | Noble, Leader |
| Heavenly Secret | Wisdom | Wood | Intelligent, changeable |
| Sun | Light | Fire | Benevolence, Reputation |
| Wǔqǔ | Wealth | Gold | Resolute, Wealth |
| Tian Tong | Blessings and Virtue | Water | Gentle, Enjoyable |
| Lian Zhen | Career | Fire | Peach Blossom, Decisive |
Southern Dipper System (8 stars)
| Star Name | Attribute | Five Elements | Nature |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tianfu | Treasury | Earth | Conservative, steady |
| Tai Yin | Wealth | Water | Soft, clean |
| Greedy Wolf | Peach Blossom | Water/Wood | Desire, versatility |
| Ju Men | Verbal disputes | Water | Right and Wrong, Research |
| Heavenly Aspect | Seal of Authority | Water | Honest, Service |
| Tian Liang | Protection | Earth | Noble, mature |
| Seven Killings | General Star | Metal | Brave, energetic |
| Po Jun (Destroyer Army) | Hao Xing (Consumption Star) | Water | Destruction, Transformation |
Six Lucky Stars
| Star Name | Properties | Function |
|---|---|---|
| Wenchang | Wengui | Exams, documents, talents |
| Wen Qu (Star of Literature) | Wen Hua (Literary Brilliance) | Eloquence, art, intelligence |
| Zuo Fu | Assistance | Benefactor, help, coordination |
| You Bi | Assistance | Benefactor, help, execution |
| Tian Kui | Ri Gui | Male Benefactor, Prominent Figure |
| Tian Yue (Heavenly Axe) | Night Benefactor | Female Benefactor, Hidden Benefactor |
Six Sha Stars
| Star Name | Nature | Function |
|---|---|---|
| Ching Yang | Punishment Star | Strong, Conflict, Harm |
| Tuo Luo | Inauspicious Star | Procrastination, Entanglement, Malice |
| Mars | Killer Star | Impatience, outbursts, change |
| Ling Star | Sha Star | Insidious, hidden injuries, chronic |
| Earth and Sky | Calamity Star | Ideal, Emptiness, Ruin |
| Earth Calamity | Calamity Star | Mutation, Depletion, Disaster |
Four Transformations Stars
The Four Transformations are the essence of Zi Wei Dou Shu, triggered by the Heavenly Stems:
Meaning of the Four Transformations
| Transformation Stars | Nature | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Hua Lu | Auspicious | Wealth, Smoothness, Attainment |
| Transformation | Auspicious | Power, control, active |
| Hua Ke | Auspicious | Fame, Benefactors, Smoothness |
| Inauspicious | Ominous | Obstacles, Losses, Troubles |
Four Transformations Mnemonic
Jia Stem: Lian Po Wu Yang (Lian Zhen Lu, Po Jun Quan, Wu Qu Ke, Tai Yang Ji) Yi Stem: Ji Liang Zi Yin (Tian Ji Lu, Tian Liang Quan, Zi Wei Ke, Tai Yin Ji) Bing Stem: Tong Ji Chang Lian (Tian Tong Lu, Tian Ji Quan, Wen Chang Ke, Lian Zhen Ji) Ding Stem: Yin Tong Ji Ju (Tai Yin Lu, Tian Tong Quan, Tian Ji Ke, Ju Men Ji) Wu Stem: Tan Yin You Ji (Tan Lang Lu, Tai Yin Quan, You Bi Ke, Tian Ji Ji) Ji Stem: Wu Tan Liang Qu (Wu Qu Lu, Tan Lang Quan, Tian Liang Ke, Wen Qu Ji) Geng Stem: Yang Wu Fu Tong (Tai Yang Lu, Wu Qu Quan, Tian Fu Ke, Tian Tong Ji) Xin Gan: Ju Yang Qu Chang (Jumen Lu, Taiyang Quan, Wenqu Ke, Wenchang Ji) Ren Gan: Liang Zi Fu Wu (Tianliang Lu, Ziwei Quan, Tianfu Ke, Wuqu Ji) Gui Gan: Po Ju Yin Tan (Pojun Lu, Jumen Quan, Taiyin Ke, Tanlang Ji)
Star Brightness
Stars have different brightness levels in different palaces:
- Miao Wang (Prosperous): The star is at its strongest, performing optimally.
- De Di (Favorable): Second strongest, performing well.
- Ping (Average): Moderate, performing normally
- Debilitated: Weak, limited expression
- Fallen: Weakest, difficult to express
Houses and their Trines and Oppositions
Each house has its trines and oppositions:
Trine
- Opposition: Opposite houses
- Trine: Three houses forming a triangle
Square
There are four palaces in total: the three parties plus the main palace.
Example: The three parties and four directions of the Life Palace
- Main Palace: Life Palace
- Opposite Palace: Travel Palace
- Three Harmonies: Career Palace, Wealth Palace
Decade and Annual Cycles
Decade Cycle
- A new decade cycle every ten years
- Proceed sequentially according to the astrological houses
- Yang males and Yin females proceed clockwise, Yin males and Yang females proceed counter-clockwise
Annual luck
- Annual fortune
- Determine the annual fate palace based on the zodiac year branch
- Analyze the influence of annual stars on the natal chart
Monthly and daily fortunes
- Monthly fortunes: Fortunes for each month
- Daily Flow: Daily Auspiciousness and Inauspiciousness
Basic Judgment Method
Look at the Life Palace
- Main Star Traits: Determine basic personality
- Six Fortunate and Six Unfortunate Stars: Check for assistance or conflict
- Four Transformations' Influence: Look at Hua Lu, Hua Quan, Hua Ke, Hua Ji
- Three Sides and Four Directions: Comprehensive judgment of the overall pattern
Look at the matter
- Wealth: Look at the Wealth Palace
- Marriage: Look at the Marriage Palace
- Career: Look at the Career Palace
- Health: Look at the Sickness Palace
- Parents: See the Parents Palace
- Children: See the Children Palace
Pattern Analysis
Auspicious Patterns
- Monarch and Minister Celebration Gathering: Ziwei, Tianfu, etc. in the same palace or meeting in a trine aspect
- Wealth and Protection Enclosing the Seal: Tianliang, Tiantong enclosing Tianxiang
- Science, Power, and Wealth Enclosing: Hua Ke, Hua Quan, Hua Lu enclosing the Ming Palace
- Literary Gui and Literary Hua: Wenchang, Wenqu in auspicious positions
Malicious Formations
- Yang Tuo Jia Ji (Ram and Decapitation surrounding a Taboo): Qing Yang (Ram) and Tuo Luo (Decapitation) surround Hua Ji (Taboo)
- Huo Ling Jia Ming (Fire and Bell surrounding the Life Palace): Huo Xing (Fire Star) and Ling Xing (Bell Star) surround the Life Palace
- Kong Jie Jia Ming (Emptiness and Calamity surrounding the Life Palace): Di Kong (Earth Emptiness) and Di Jie (Earth Calamity) surround the Life Palace
- Punishment and Jealousy Clamping the Seal: Malefic stars clamping important palaces
Learning Suggestions
- First, memorize the main stars: Familiarize yourself with the basic characteristics of the fourteen main stars
- Understand the palaces: Master the meanings of the twelve palaces
- Learn the Four Transformations: Understand the role of the Four Transformations
- Review More Examples: Deepen understanding through actual birth charts
- Progress Gradually: From simple to complex, delve deeper step by step
TIP
Learning Zi Wei Dou Shu requires a combination of theory and practice. It is recommended to chart your own and your relatives' birth charts for practical analysis and verification.