Zi Wei Dou Shui is a star system. It has ancient origins and a map of this celestial astrology was found in the Dunhuang Chinese Grotto in 1899, one of the oldest known star maps.

Zi Wei Dou Shu literally means “calculate the purple star” and is a natal chart based on the pole star. There are fourteen major stars depicted, including the Sun (Tai Yang) and Moon (Tai Yin), as well as the nine dipper stars used in Feng Shui (i.e. Tan Lang, Ju Men, Lu Cun, Wu Qu, Lian Zhen , Po Jun, You Bi, Wen Qu and Zuo Fu). Most stars are considered mathematical points in space. The pole star (Zi Wei) is known as the emperor of heaven as it never moves and all other stars revolve around it. A chart in Zi Wei Dou Shu is similar to ancient southern Vedic charts and may have been originally inspired by the Indian Jyotish system.

There are twelve houses on the chart called courts or palaces through which the stars move in regular cycles. The houses used are very close to the more familiar western houses (numbers are shown below), although they do not follow the same order. The western house system progresses according to the season of the year. The palaces below follow a typical life path for an Asian individual in the past.

Karma/Virtue… (the inner self or self that comes before birth) – (12-Pisces)

Parents… (your parents and their resources) -(2-Taurus)

Ming/myself… (developing the self) -(1-Aries)

Brothers… (consciousness of your family) -(3-Gemini)

wedding…(the partnership is fixed early) -(7-Libra)

Children… (children follow soon) -(5-Leo)

Money…(money must be maintained to support a growing family) -(8-Scorpio)

Health…(health must be maintained as well) -(6-Virgo)

Trip… (travel is often needed to expand wealth) – (9-Sagittarius)

Friends/Colleagues…(networking is necessary for continued growth) -(11-Aquarius)

race… (vocation takes a good part of life to fulfill) -(10-Capricorn)

Property… (family wealth and property) – (4-Cancer)

There is also a 13th house known as the Shen or house of the body that coincides with one of the basic twelve, revealing a particularly important area of ​​your life.

The natal chart is determined by the time of your birth with intervals of two hours. The fourteen main stars largely determine the overall meaning of the chart. In addition to the natal chart, there is also a 10-year one. luck cycle, a yearly and monthly cycle that should be compared for best results, especially to determine auspicious dates. Charts can include up to 144 total stars; the minor stars may add a bit of spice, but they have minor significance.

Of the fourteen main archetypal stars, their names and personalities simulate the personalities of a royal court, reminiscent of the Western gods and goddesses who lived on Mount Olympus.

one) Zi Wei: “The emperor” It is considered the most important star (north star) and is the location of the pole star in a birth chart. The house you reside in is often what makes you known in your life and is considered a leadership star. If Zi Wei is in his Ming/Self court, he is often the most successful of his family.

2) Tian Ji: “The Counselor” He is strong in intelligence and knowledge. She carries an energy that is sensitive, sharp and perceptive. It is a frank and active energy that can sometimes be unstable because it brings changes.

3) Tai Yang: “The Masculine or Paternal Aspect” It represents the influence of the Sun, it is masculine and shows an area where you will shine and be influential. It is upright, enthusiastic, altruistic and also represents your father or husband.

4) Wu Qu: “The General or Manager”It is the star of wealth earned through hard work and application. He is calm, firm, bound by duty and promises money where it is placed.

5) Tian Tong: “The lover of life” It is the star of good fortune, of leisure, it has a good heart and it is an area of ​​sensitivity. He is childish, dreamy and idealistic.

6) Lian Zhen: “The politician or charismatic”It is the star of charisma and gives you the ability to convince others of your goals. People of the Lian Zhen type may be indecisive because they like popularity, but they know right from wrong and love peach blossom.

7) Tian Fu: The Treasurer”It is a conservative and tolerant influence that represents treasure and has the ability to store things like wealth that is beneficial for success.

8) Tai Yin: “The feminine or maternal aspect” It represents the Moon, the changing lunar influence and femininity. You are emotional, quiet, reserved and moody and have the power to attract opportunities where you are placed.

9) Tan Lang: “The artist or the talented” It is the star of the arts, desire, romance and personal drive. Tan Lang is curious about life experiences, he is acquisitive and likes material things, and he may also be spiritual in the future.

10) Ju Men: “The Speaker” It is the star of thinking, communication, speech and verbal skills.

eleven) Tian Xiang: “The Administrator”He has a social conscience and represents prudence and perseverance. He is conservative, impartial, and is often called the prime minister.

12) Tian Liang: “The Master or Priest” He has the power to turn bad luck into good luck in the court where he resides. She represents honesty, justice and truth. He is a person of high rank, or someone who has the power to change your fortune.

13) Qi Sha: “The Adventurer or Soldier” He is an assertive star, loves to take risks and can bring about big changes. Qi Sha is brave, fiery and adventurous and she loves challenges or difficult situations.

14) Po Jun: “The Rebel” It represents a collapse to rebuild something better, sometimes with violence. This star is a powerful reformer, revolutionary or transformer similar to a Uranian or Plutonian influence.

Some of the smaller stars represent things like advisors, affairs or angelic protectors with some troublesome stars coming to test one’s progress. The oldest and most traditional Chinese interpretations of these stars can be quite negative, as the survival of ancient man was more tenuous in the past. I have reinterpreted many of these archetypal influences in light of modern times and modern psychology.

Also important are transformation stars that change monthly, annually and every ten-year cycle. These are Quan (power), Ke (fame/name), Lu (happiness), and Ji (trouble). These transforming stars can change the meaning of the other stars quite dramatically as they move through the cycles of time. You have a permanent set of these stars in your natal chart and then a moving set for 10 years. annual and monthly cycles.

When drawing a personal birth chart for a client, I use Zi Wei Dou Shu and Western astrology to do a comparison study. There is a wealth of information available when comparing these two systems that is astonishing in its detailed descriptions of our life potential. Free will always plays into this template, and we make better decisions when we know our hidden or shadowy side. Areas of our personality veiled from us will have a subconscious influence, so it’s best to understand those tendencies, as they can undermine our best efforts to be happy. Many psychologists today (especially Jungians) are increasingly using astrology as a tool to understand human personality and what makes us tick. If you’ve never had your birth chart done before, isn’t it time you found a good astrologer to reveal your life’s potential?