ZI WEI DOU SHU – Ancient Chinese Art Of

Predicting Your Destiny

Although the true origins of Zi Wei Dou Shu, a form of Chinese astrology that deals with
destiny analysis, is hard to pinpoint the earliest known dates goes back to the days when the
Tang Dynasty was in rule. From its earliest days the fame and popularity
of Zi Wei Dou Shu beliefs and practices continued on through the Sung and Ming Dynasties.
This particular form of Chinese astrology has been a main staple in the Chinese cultures,
especially when dynasties ruled the land. Furthermore, the overall scope of this form of
astrology is so deeply involved in its complexity that during its infancy during the Tang
Dynasty several brilliant astronomers and astrologists became officials of the Imperial Courts
and created charts based on star patterns in order to determine the fate of an Emperor and
his kingdom. With the intended purpose of providing the public access to learn how destiny
and fate are determined this type of astrology has gained popularity in all kinds of social
classes and is even heavily practiced today due to the easiness to utilize.

Despite the fact that there is not a whole lot of terms to memorize in regards to the
astrological form of Zi Wei Dou Shu the terminology is actually quite simple. In fact, the entire
collection of terminology consists of a breakup of the practice’s name. As a result, Zi Wei
refers to the purple rosa multi-flora, or baby rose and is also a considered to be a noble color
among the elite rulers and officials in China and other related parts of the astrological world.
Far beyond that, however, is the reference made to the most well known star charted in
association to this type of astrological practice that means purple-micro. In addition to the
first portion of the terminological string Dou is translated to mean putting together, a
reference referring to the constellation of the big dipper (a series of stars that is used to chart
with the alignment being at the core focus.Finally, the term shu simply means to calculate
and has no further attachment of meaning in regards to any association with the stars. That
said, however, when this entire terminological string is put together the whole name means
to analyze somebody’s life similarly to that of a document.
Palaces
To some, the concept of understanding how the idea of palaces operate as it relates
to Zi Wei Dou Shu and while the basic idea is simplistic to recognize the interesting part
comes in understanding that all palaces work together in harmony through the governing of
approximately 115 stars (major and minor). As the star’s characteristics are the operating
force behind everything when there are no stars, and in particular the major stars, occupying
a single palace another palace will then be studied using the stars in the palace as though
they were operating from the initial palace. There are 12 palaces in total and all have
different life related characteristics, which are as follows:
Life = the character/achievement (personality, etc.)
Parents = Relationship between parents/elders
Happiness = Focuses on the mental aspect in one’s life
Property = Investments
Career = Suited career/job performance
Friends = Relationship status with friends
Travel = Decision to move away
Health = General conditions
Wealth = Financial status
Children = Relationship with children
Marriage = Married life
Siblings = Relationship with siblings
Stars
Stars, as they relate to the astrological form of Zi Wei Dou Shu, are categorized into two
different groups (major and minor) and are then further divided into subcategories. Here is a
list (albeit lengthy) of the stars of Zi Wei Dou.
Major Stars
Tian Ji = Mercy star
Tai Yang = Sun
Wu Qu = Fiance
Tian Tong = Luck
Tian Fu = Treasury
Tai Yin = Moon
Tan Lang = Flirty
Ju Men = Gloom
Tian Liang = Blessing
Qi Sha = Power
Po Jun = Ruinous
Lian Zhen = Wicked
Tian Xiang =Minister
Zi Wei = Emperor
Lucky Stars
Tian Kui = Angel 1
Tian Yue = Angel 2
Zuo Fu = Deputy 1
You Bi = Deputy 2
Wen Chang = Intellect
Wen Qu = Intelligence
Harmful Stars
Tuo Luo = Worry
Qing Yang = Trouble
Huo Xing = Fiery Star
Ling Xing = Siren Star
Di Kong = Misfortune
Di Jie = Calamity
Auxiliary Stars
Lu Cun = Abundance
Tian Ma = Pegasus
tian Xing = Stern Star
Tian Yao = Romance
Hong Luan = Wedding
Tian Xi = Birth
Energetic Stars
Along with the major and minor stars that have been overviewed in the above section
energetic and stable stars also exist within the Zi Wei Duo Shu world. The energetic stars can
best be defined as those that bring the greatest amount of energy and while they are just as
stable as their counterparts they are also stable in their existence. Furthermore, these
particular stars carry a warrior like personality and include stars that will quietly yet effectively
bring about change within the court. There is, however, a bit of a downside to these stars
because of the energy levels they contain. Although energetic in nature, they do have
potential to cause chaos should things turn around for the worse. These energetic stars also
contain several other stars that also contain energy, albeit lower levels. Also, there are some
energetic stars that are more stable then others tend to be.

Stable Stars
On the opposite hand, although all Zi Wei Dou Shu stars work together in harmony in one
way or another the stable stars provide the foundation of the harmony to the entire world.
Here, stable stars are also considered to be energetic and include stars such as the sun that
represents a giving and outgoing personality to the conservative and quietness of what is
called the bank and the moon, respectively. The typically common personality of the stable
star is represented by its appearance to still bring change and movement, much like the
energetic counterpart, but these changes and movements are subtle and not as dramatic.
Other stars that considered to be more stable than others include the star that has a childish
personality that is simple to understand. One final star in this category is the star that has an
elderly personality that is focused on taking care of others despite the price it cost.
Charts & Readings
Understanding the Chart
The Zi Wei Dou Shu chart is built via the 12 palaces that house the 14 major stars and
determine what a person’s “fate will be like in regards to various relationships among friends
and family members as well as other aspects of life such as finances, careers, and more. The
chart itself is designed to be read and viewed in a clock-wise motion and pairs various palaces
up with major stars. Such stars include different aspects of life, as previously described and
are named after things such as blessings, finances, careers, among other stars. That said,
one way in which one can easily understand the chart via the way that it is constructed is by
first and foremost understanding that each direction of life is associated with one of the
major stars, for instance the Emperor star, and is (in turn) paired up with an assisting star
that helps out in relation to the chosen life direction the person is to be granted. The chart
contains stars that bring good harmony as well as chaos.
Readings
Determining what one’s life, or a portion of it, is to be like can be a fairly simplistic
procedure that requires the most basic of all information. When getting
a Zi Wei Dou Shu reading a name (or nickname), birthday, birth time, and career or
occupation will be required in order to get any kind of Zi Wei Dou Shu reading. If it is
preferred to do so in the comfort of your home then the alternative option is to find an online
calculator that is associated with this particular form of astrological knowledge and practice.
The same information will be required for input and if desired the user may opt to not include
their name. While this is provided for security and privacy issues the end result will still show
what various aspects of life will be like as it relates to health, wealth, career, relationships
(family, friends, etc.), and much more. The majority of all readings, especially those online
are free of charge and reveal all palace and star personalities and all other forms of
information in the result.
Elements, Branches & Stems
Elements
The most common Earthly elements that are known to man are metal, wood, Earth, water,
and fire. These elements are closely related to the practice of Zi Wei Shu in that they all work
closely together with each other in an effort to bring harmony even though it is possible that
each of these elements can also create chaos in some form. Furthermore, each of these
elements are all represented by different directions, colors, shapes, and seasons. While there
are other areas of representation for each element these are the mere basics. Along with
each elemental representation also comes a cycle of birth and death that allows each element
to work to create peace and harmony. The following explanation will act as an example of
how all these inner workings play an intricate part in the structure and design
of Zi Wei Dou Shu. Taking each of the five elements it can be easily seen and understood
that, melted metal takes the form of water just as water helps wood (the tree) grow, wood to
create fire, fire to create Earth, and Earth to bring it all full circle and make metal. On the
other hand, just as metal can cut wood wood breaks the Earth which takes in water that can
put fire out, and fire can melt metal. In the end, each of these elements are relied upon
another element that creates another.
Branches
Zi Wei Dou Shu also consists of 12 Earth branches that take on a moving pattern through
the representation of the 12 associated animals from the Chinese zodiac. Each branch has a
season, symbol, direction, and zodiac that it is related to in correlation to time itself. The
following is a list of the collection of Zi wei Dou Shu branches giving representation to each
the element, season, and zodiac respectively:
– Zi Yang – water, the rat, and winter
– Chou Yin – Earth, ox, and winter
– Yin Yang – wood, tiger, and spring
– Mao Yin – wood, rabbit, and spring
– Chen Yang – Earth, dragon, and spring
– Si Yin – fire, snake, and summer
– Wu Yang – fire, horse, and summer
– Wei Yin – Earth, goat, and summer
– Shen Yang – metal, monkey, and autumn
– You Yin – metal, rooster, and autumn
– Xu Yang – Earth, dog, and autumn
– Hai Yin – water, pig, and winter
So as you can see in the above list each branch is, in some way associated with some other
element, season, or zodiac. The only additional note to make in regards to these branches is
that there is also an association to be made between the branch and direction as well as its
symbol (positive/negative). For example, the Zi Yang branch is positive and moves in a
northern direction. In the same aspect, the Yin Yang branch is also positive but flows in a
north eastern direction. Each branch has its own directional flow.
Stems

Like the branches discussed in the above section there are also stems constructed within
the philosophy of Zi wei Dou Shu. These stems use the representation of time to reveal how
things happen. All stems are associated and related to the principle of yin-yang as well as all
five elements. The following are the stems and the symbol, element, and season respectively:
– Jia Yang – positive, wood, and spring
– Yi Yin – negative, wood, and spring
– Bing Yang – positive, fire, and summer
– Ding Yin – negative, fire, and summer
– Wu Yang – positive, Earth, and during all seasons
– Ji Yin – negative, earth, and during all seasons
– Geng Yang – positive, metal, and autumn
– Xin Yin – negative, metal, and autumn
– Ren Yang – positive, water, and winter
– Gui Yin – negative, water, and winter
Much like the branches of Zi Wei Dou Shu it is clear to see that the stems also have a direct
correlation between the stem itself and the various aspects of things such as seasons,
elements, and symbols. Direction also plays an important role with the stem as well and is
characteristic of each stem moving in a different direction with the exception given to every
other stem that moves in an opposing direction. So while Jia Yang moves in what is
considered East 1 Yi Yang moves in East 2.
Relationship
All of these elements and aspects are related to each other and works together with each
other through the Chinese calendar, which revolves every 60 years. During this time all stems
and branches are in interaction with each other and repeat with each cycle on the calendar.
For example year one would be represented by heavenly stem jia and earthly branch zi but
would change components the following year.