Four Transformations Theory
The Four Transformations are the essence of Zi Wei Dou Shu, representing the dynamic changes of the stars and serving as an important basis for judging the development trends of things.
Four Transformations Basics
What are the Four Transformations
The Four Transformations are four types of changes in stars caused by the Heavenly Stems:
- Hua Lu (Transformation of Prosperity): Smoothness, acquisition, wealth and prosperity
- Hua Quan (Transformation of Power): Control, authority, proactiveness
- Hua Ke (Transformation of Fame): Reputation, benefactors, examinations
- Hua Ji (Transformation of Taboo): Obstruction, loss, distress
The Role of the Four Transformations
- Observing Dynamic Changes: The birth chart is static, the Four Transformations are dynamic.
- Observing Annual Fortune: Combining the annual Four Transformations to see the fortune of the current year
- Examine Causality: When Hua Ji flies into a palace, that palace is impacted.
- Examine Relationships: Use the Four Transformations to understand interactions with others.
Detailed Explanation of the Four Transformations
Hua Lu
Nature: Auspicious star, first auspicious transformation
Meaning:
- Wealth and prosperity, harvest, acquisition
- Smoothness, perfection
- Popularity, Romance
- Fate, Opportunity
Impact:
- Entering the Life Palace: Good popularity, many opportunities
- Into Wealth: Good financial luck, increased income
- Into Career: Smooth career, development opportunities
- Into Marriage: Good relationship, strong romantic luck
Features:
- The best places for Hua Lu are the Life, Wealth, and Career palaces.
- Represents "gain" and "smoothness"
- Brings opportunities and rewards
Hua Quan
Nature: Auspicious star, second most auspicious transformation
Meaning:
- Power, control
- Proactiveness
- Execution, action
- Compete, strive
Influence:
- Entering the Life Palace: opinionated, strong desire for control
- Into career: Has power, status elevated
- Into marriage: Controls emotions, more assertive
- Into wealth: Actively seeks wealth, strong competitiveness
Characteristics:
- Represents "mastery" and "initiative"
- Enhances the power of the stars
- Suitable for competitive matters
Hua Ke
Nature: Auspicious star, third most auspicious transformation
Meaning:
- Fame, reputation
- Benefactors, assistance
- Exams, documents
- Resolve, smooth sailing
Influence:
- Entering the Life Palace: good reputation, many benefactors
- Entering a career: good reputation, helpful people
- Entering a marriage: stable relationship, helpful people
- Entering parenthood: good looks, help from elders
Features:
- Represents "fame" and "benefactors"
- Has a mitigating effect
- Good for exams and documents
Hua Ji
Nature: Malefic star, uniquely malefic
Meaning:
- Obstruction, trouble
- Loss, expenditure
- Persistence, inability to let go
- Karma, karmic debt
Impact:
- Entering the Life Palace: many twists and turns, relatively difficult
- Into Wealth: Financial loss, blocked financial luck
- Into Career: Career setbacks, many obstacles
- Into Marriage: Emotional distress, many twists and turns
Features:
- Represents "loss" and "hindrance"
- The most important star to transform
- Sometimes also represents "persistence" and "focus"
Ten Heavenly Stems Four Transformations Table
| Heavenly Stem | Hua Lu | Transformation | Hua Ke | Inauspicious |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jia | Lian Zhen | Po Jun (Destroyer Army) | Wǔqǔ | Sun |
| Yi | Heavenly Secret | Tian Liang | Ziwei | Tai Yin |
| C | Tian Tong | Heavenly Secret | Wenchang | Lian Zhen |
| D | Tai Yin | Tian Tong | Heavenly Secret | Ju Men |
| E | Greedy Wolf | Tai Yin | You Bi | Heavenly Secret |
| F | Wǔqǔ | Greedy Wolf | Tian Liang | Wen Qu (Star of Literature) |
| Geng | Sun | Wǔqǔ | Tianfu | Tian Tong |
| Xin | Ju Men | Sun | Wen Qu (Star of Literature) | Wenchang |
| Ren | Tian Liang | Ziwei | Tianfu | Wǔqǔ |
| Gui | Po Jun (Destroyer Army) | Ju Men | Tai Yin | Greedy Wolf |
Four Transformations Memory Rhyme
甲廉破武阳
乙机梁紫阴
丙同机昌廉
丁阴同机巨
戊贪阴右机
己武贪梁曲
庚阳武府同
辛巨阳曲昌
壬梁紫府武
癸破巨阴贪Four Transformations Application
Natal Four Transformations
Triggered by the Heavenly Stem of the birth year, affecting one's entire life:
Example: Person born in a Jia year
- Lian Zhen Hua Lu
- Po Jun Hua Quan
- Wu Qu Hua Ke
- Tai Yang Hua Ji
Decade Four Transformations
Triggered by the Decade Palace Stem, affecting ten years of fortune.
Annual Four Transformations
Triggered by the Annual Heavenly Stem, affecting the current year's fortune.
Monthly and Daily Four Transformations
Triggered by the heavenly stems of the current month and day, affecting the fortune of that month and day.
Four Transformations Flying Stars
The Four Transformations can "fly" into different palaces, producing different effects:
Self-Transformation
When the Four Transformations fly back to their original palace, it is called Self-Transformation:
- Self-Transformation of Lu (Wealth): Shallow connections, money comes and goes
- Self-Transformation of Quan (Power): Self-control, strong independence
- Self-transformation into [a] "Ke" (科) star: Self-admiration, self-congratulation
- Self-transformation into [a] "Ji" (忌) star: Self-inflicted trouble, getting bogged down in details
Transformation into
When the Four Transformations fly into a palace, that palace is affected:
- Lu Ru (Benefit Inflow): Receiving benefits from this palace.
- Quan Ru (Power Inflow): Desiring to control the affairs of this palace.
- Ke Ru (Fame Inflow): This palace has a good reputation or noble benefactors.
- Ji Ru (Obstruction Inflow): This palace experiences obstruction or loss
Emanate
Emanating from a certain palace indicates the state of that palace:
- Lu Chu (祿出): Giving, contributing
- Quan Chu (权出): Initiative, control
- Ke Chu: Fame Spreads Outward
- Ji Chu: Loss, Drain
Four Transformations Combination
Lu and Quan in the Same Palace
Great fortune, both wealth and power, successful career.
Lu and Ke in the same palace
Auspicious, both wealth and fame, achieving both.
Quan and Ke in the same palace
Auspicious, having power and fame, high status.
Three Wonders Gathering
Lu, Quan, and Ke in the same palace or meeting, a pattern of great wealth and nobility.
Lu and Ji in the same palace
Mixed blessings, caught between a rock and a hard place, gains and losses coexist.
Power and Taboo in the Same Palace
Good fortune amidst adversity, power is obstructed but held onto tenaciously.
Solution for Transformation and Taboo
The "Hua Ji" (Transformation of Jealousy) is not entirely ominous; the key lies in how one faces it:
- Transform into Focus: Hua Ji represents persistence, which can be transformed into focusing on a particular matter.
- Proactive Prevention: Knowing which areas might be unfavorable allows for early preparation.
- Leverage to Resolve: Resolve through the help of the Six Auspicious Stars
- Adjust your mindset: Don't be too attached; learn to let go
Key Points for Judgment
- Four Transformations for Dynamics: The birth chart shows the static structure, while the Four Transformations show dynamic changes
- Lù and Jì are most important: The influences of Lù (化禄) and Jì (化忌) are the greatest
- Observe the nature of the palaces: The same Jì (化忌) has different effects in different palaces
- Combined with Stars: Different stars in Hua Ji (transformation of jealousy/adversity) have different effects
- Annual Overlays: Natal Four Transformations + Decade Four Transformations + Annual Four Transformations
Case Study
Example: Life Palace in Zi Palace, Tian Ji (Heavenly Machine) alone, born in the year of Yi
- Tianji Hualu: The Life Palace receives Hualu, indicating good interpersonal relationships and many opportunities.
- Impact: Intelligent and flexible, good at seizing opportunities.
- Note: Tianji Hualu may also represent frequent changes.
Tips
The Four Transformations are the essence of Ziwei Dou Shu and require in-depth study. It is recommended to first grasp the basic concepts and then deepen understanding through practical examples.