This is where you find out more about the elusive Chinese Astrology system
known as the Zi Wei Dou Shu.
The Zi Wei Stars is variously known as the Purple Star, the Purple Planet
or the Pole Star. Dating from the T'ang Dynasty (618-907 AD), it was first
recorded by the master Astrologer Ch'en T'u Nan aka Ch'an Tze Yee, during the
Sung Dynasty (960-1280 AD).
In Chinese Astrology and Astronomy, the Pole Star stands as the symbol of
imperial stability not unlike the importance of the Pole Star in the Western
Great Bear Constellation.
The Big Dipper is a part of the Great Bear -- a constellation within a
constellation. Although the Zi Wei Stars itself can be equated with the
Pole Star, the other stars in the group do not correspond to other stars
in the Great Bear (or Dipper) Constellation.
The other stars are mostly, if not all, imaginary. Thus, in this manner,
the Pole Star is the centre of the Chinese Astronomical system and the
Astrological calendar.
Its two closest constellations -- Ursa Major and Ursa Minor -- are seen
as the North and South Measures, the measures of each person's life-span.
The God of Birth is found in the Southern Measure and the God of Death,
in the Northern Measure.
At the centre of the entire (Chinese) Universe, stands the Pole Star. All other
stars used in the Zi Wei Dou Shu system are there because of their relation
to the all important Pole Star.
The Heavenly Stems and Earthly Branches of any eight-character horoscope
(known as the Part-Chi, in Chinese -- Part meaning 'eight', Chi meaning
'character', thus called the 'Part-Chi') consist details of a person's birth
day, month, year of birth, time of birth and corresponding values, totaling
eight in all.
This system is based on Twelve Palaces not unlike the Western Astrology twelve
houses only the palaces describe and indicate different aspects of the life. The
Zi Wei Dou Shu system of divination does away with the Western Astrology chart
positions of the Ascendant, Midheaven, Nadir and Descendant points of a
horoscope. And, has no connection whatsoever with transiting planets making
aspects to the natal chart. As such, the place of birth is not required except
for checking the element of the country of birth in association with
compatibility charts.
What IS required:
?The year of birth -- to study the animal and the element of the year
in which you were born. Also the fixed element of your animal sign.
?The time of birth -- to determine the Lunar (Ascendant) sign that ruled
the hour of your birth. See Chinese Ascendant Signs.
?The month -- to know the Moon sign that corresponds to the Western
Sun sign. See Eastern Moon Signs.
You might have noticed that the Day of Birth was left out in the above list.
Actually, the Month and Day are more involved with the Chinese Astrology
system known as The Four Pillars. Here's a breakdown for those interested:
1. The year indicates - the animal sign, aka the Earthly Branch.
- the positive or negative pole.
- the element of the year.
2. The month indicates - the animal sign governing the month.
- the positive or negative pole.
- the element of the month.
3. The day indicates - the animal sign governing the day.
- the positive or negative pole.
- the element of the day.
4. The time indicates - the animal sign governing the time.
- the positive or negative pole.
- the element of the time.
By integrating these factors, their attributes and the effects of
positive and negative forces, and all the possible combinations and
variations, one can not only understand personalities but go on to
predict personal and professional relationships, and forecast what
to expect of any given year.
