THE BEGINNING OF ZI WEI DOU SHU (ZWDS)
In ancient times, observers looking at the night sky noticed that the North Star stood still while other stars circled around it. They associated the North Star with the emperor, which led astrologers to name it the Zi Wei Star. Originating from this star, the divination practice known as Zi Wei Dou Shu emerged in ancient China, with Zi Wei meaning 'emperor.' This method combines elements of astronomy, geography, mathematics, statistics, and logic, as well as practical wisdom and rich experience. Its founder employed the patterns of the Dipper and Nan Dou star clusters, the Zi Wei Yuan star, and other heavenly bodies to reflect an individual's life journey. Through the analysis of these stars' positions and relationships, it was believed one could foresee different facets of human existence.
"Zi Wei" signifies the North Star (Polaris), and "Dou" represents the Dipper and Nan Dou star clusters, thus giving rise to the term Zi Wei Dou Shu. Shu means a method of calculating.
Zi Wei Dou Shu, also known as Purple Star Astrology, was originally created by a Taoist named Lu Chun Yang during the Tang Dynasty (618-907 AD). It was later advanced in the Song Dynasty (960-1127 AD) by Chen Xi Yi.
WHAT IS EXACTLY ZI WEI DOU SHU?
Zi Wei Dou Shu is one of the 5 major arts in Chinese metaphysics. The five major arts are called WU SHU. They are Mountain, Medical, Divination, Destiny and Physiognomy. Zi Wei Dou Shu falls under Destiny. Bazi or the four pillars also fall under this category.
In this blog, the focus will be only on Zi Wei Dou Shu and Bazi.
The system is known for its precision and depth, with practitioners often spending years mastering the interpretation of the stars and their intricate relationships. The 14 major stars in Zi Wei Dou Shu are considered the primary indicators of various life aspects, such as fortune, career, relationships, and health. Each of these stars has its own set of characteristics and can be auspicious or inauspicious depending on their placement and the specific chart being analyzed.
The assistance stars add another layer of detail, offering supplementary information that can refine a reading. Meanwhile, the harmful stars are viewed with caution, as they can indicate challenges or obstacles that a person might face. The minor stars, although less prominent, still play a role in the overall analysis, contributing to the rich tapestry of insights that this system can provide.
The two main schools of thought, San He and Sihua Flying Stars, offer different methodologies for chart analysis. San He focuses on the spatial relationships between the stars and the various palaces within a chart, while Sihua emphasizes the dynamic aspects of the stars as they 'fly' through the different palaces over time. Each school has developed its own unique approach to interpreting the stars, with San He pays close attention to the three harmonies of heaven, earth, and man, and Sihua concentrating on the time dynamics of the stars' movements.
Practitioners of Zi Wei Dou Shu often use up to 108 stars, which allows for an incredibly nuanced and personalized reading. This large number of stars can seem daunting to beginners, but it is this very complexity that enables the system to provide such detailed and individualized insights. The practice encourages a holistic view of life, considering not just the individual's fate but also the interplay of various forces and energies at work.
The method of divination analyzes the arrangement of stars within the twelve houses: life, siblings, marriage, children, wealth, health, travel, friends, career, property, happiness and parents. A diviner evaluates one's destiny by examining the stars in each palace to identify signs of favorable or unfavorable situations.
THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN BAZI AND ZI WEI DOU SHU
Bazi, also known as the Four Pillars of Destiny, and Zi Wei Dou Shu, often referred to as Purple Star Astrology, are two distinct systems of Chinese astrology that have been used for centuries to offer insights into a person's destiny based on their birth date and time. Bazi is based on solar calendar and is structured around the balance of elements and their interactions, represented by eight characters across four pillars, each corresponding to the individual's birth year, month, day, and hour. This system provides a macro view of a person's life, character, and fate, making it accessible and popular for personal guidance and decision-making.
In contrast, Zi Wei Dou Shu is based on the lunar calendar and is a more complex system that involves a dynamic interpretation of the stars and their positions, offering insights that can change over time and reflect different life periods and transitions.
While Bazi is considered easier to learn and provides quick, broad insights, Zi Wei Dou Shu offers a more detailed and nuanced understanding, with a focus on the lunar calendar and the position of the night sky at the time of birth. Both systems, however, stem from the foundational principles of Chinese metaphysics and the I Ching, also known as the Book of Changes, and are used to analyze and predict various aspects of life, including career, wealth, and interpersonal relationships.
ACCURACY IN BAZI OR ZI WEI DOU SHU
Confusion can arise in the results interpreted by Bazi and Zi Wei Dou Shu due to their different methodologies and focus areas. Bazi, tends to provide a holistic view of destiny, analyzing aspects of Qi (energy) while Zi Wei Dou Shu, offers a more detailed and complex analysis, focusing on the method of calculation and the positioning of stars within twelve palaces.
FATE AND DESTINY
The answer lies within the individual. In the realm of destiny reading, there are six distinct attitudes:
1. I want to know so I can take action when necessary.
Do you consult the weather forecast before planning outdoor activities, or do you venture out regardless of the weather conditions, be it rain, storms, lightning, or floods?
Would you take a walk at 6pm knowing that it might rain then? Would you venture out without an umbrella during heavy rain? Would you tend to your garden with a storm predicted for the day?
Have you heard of the Farmer's Almanac? It is a well-known almanac, and it's a misconception to think that farmers work their fields every day of the year without consulting the weather forecast. Indeed, the almanac is a critical tool for them.
No, they are not.
In Chinese metaphysics, it is believed that 33% of our life is determined by Heaven, another 33% by Earth, and the remaining 33% by our own actions.
- Decisions by Heaven determine our birth details.
- Decisions by Earth are shaped by the circumstances we encounter.
- Decisions by human rest upon our choice to be virtuous or otherwise.
Every person is born with a clean slate. For those who believe in Heaven and Hell, it is thought that individuals born into less favorable circumstances may have a greater likelihood of entering Heaven. This is because if they do not become preoccupied with worldly matters, maintain faith in Heaven regardless of their beliefs, and practice patience, they may reach a higher level of Heaven more quickly than those born into more favorable conditions.
In essence, individuals born into poverty may have a greater likelihood of ascending to Heaven compared to the wealthy, provided they comprehend the earthly trials they endure and recognize the responsibilities bestowed upon them.
Examining the lives of two eminent figures, Jesus and Buddha, provides insight into their unique paths. Jesus, not born into affluence, was conscious of his earthly responsibilities. Conversely, Buddha, despite his wealthy birthright, renounced materialism, recognizing life's challenges and his obligations.
Let's ask ourselves, "Can we emulate their paths to comprehend our trials, responsibilities, and duties on Earth?"
Whether you believe in Heaven or Hell is irrelevant, as long as you hold the belief that good deeds lead to a peaceful existence and bad actions result in punishment.
When learning destiny reading, ask yourself what your goal is.
There are three different goals when learning destiny reading:
- Seeking knowledge and enlightenment or
- Making money or
- Both
KNOWING YOUR OWN CHART
WHAT WILL BE YOUR REACTION AFTER YOU SEE YOUR OWN CHART OR THE OUTCOME?
In your opinion, what is considered favorable and unfavorable charts?
If your aspiration is wealth and your chart indicates potential for riches, then both you and the fortune teller would view it as favorable. Conversely, if it suggests the opposite, then it would be deemed unfavorable by both parties.
The term "fortune teller" is used here because, in the past, many individuals practiced this profession with the sole intent of monetary gain. Regrettably, even today, their numbers are still significant. However, in contemporary times, as enlightenment spreads, some of them no longer act as fortune tellers but rather as advisors. They serve as guides or advisors to your life's journey.
Those who serve as guides or advisors to your life's journey will carefully reveal your chart without saying whether it is favorable or not.
If you are reading your own chart, several reactions can occur depending on whether it is a favorable chart or not (in your opinion).
1. One may feel despondent.
2. One becomes frustrated, loses faith in the process, and decides to give up entirely.
3. One comes to terms with it and seeks to find life's meaning in a positive light.
QUICK FACTS ABOUT THE NORTH STAR
*Polaris is currently the north star or pole star, and it is located in the constellation of Ursa Minor, the little celestial bear.
*Polaris is a triple star system formed around 70 million years ago from an interstellar medium of gas and dust.
*It is the brightest star in the constellation, and the 50th brightest star in the night sky.
*It is 1,260 times more luminous than our Sun.
Zi Wei Dou Shu - The Chart Structure
Zi Wei Dou Shu - The Birth Hour
Zi Wei Dou Shu - The 12 Houses
