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Zi Wei Dou Shu (紫微斗数), commonly referred to as Purple Star Astrology, is one of the leading schools of study in destiny reading. A form of fortune-telling in Chinese culture, Zi Wei Dou Shu is an ancient life analytics tool used in mapping out the different aspects of an individual’s life to forecast and provide profound insights into their character and potential life trajectory.

Bazi and Zi Wei Dou Shu are distinct systems that each employ unique approaches to decipher a person’s life based on their date and time of birth. Where the Four Pillars of Destiny (Bazi) system of divination is based on the position of the sun relative to the Earth, Zi Wei Dou Shu is a system plotted based on the Moon’s position to the Earth.

A Bazi chart generates four pillars, each consisting of two characters. This system utilises the sexagenary calendar system, with the pillars instrumental in revealing various aspects of an individual’s destiny. In contrast, Zi Wei Dou Shu utilises a person’s birth date and time to construct a chart that maps the astrological positions of stars into 12 different Palaces, each representing different facets of human existence.

Historical Origins

The origins of Zi Wei Dou Shu provide an intriguing glimpse into its historical evolution. According to texts mentioned in Taoist classics during the Tang dynasty (618 to 907 AD), the creation of Zi Wei Dou Shu is often credited to Lü Dongbin (吕洞宾), a legendary Chinese scholar and poet.

During the Northern Song dynasty (960 to 1127 AD), Chen Tuan (陳摶) emerged as the first documented practitioner of Zi Wei Dou Shu. Over time, Chinese scholars and practitioners began further refinements, drawing insights from their studies on astrological systems and celestial observations, including the positions of stars and planets.

The Ming dynasty (1368 to 1644 AD) marked a significant period of growth for Zi Wei Dou Shu studies. During this time, it garnered a reputation as a comprehensive and reliable divination tool, becoming a closely guarded secret within the imperial family and exclusively employed by the Imperial Bureau of Astronomy in subsequent centuries.

Zi Wei Dou Shu was made more accessible after World War 2 (after 1945), with modern-day practitioners and experts developing various schools of thought. Over the centuries, these practitioners incorporated the principles of Feng Shui and I Ching into the practice, leading to what we know as Zi Wei Dou Shu today.

What is Zi Wei Dou Shu?

Zi Wei Dou Shu is an ancient life analysis method that utilises a person’s date and time of birth. This system maps the astrological positions of the stars into 12 different Palaces that denote the various aspects that an individual will face throughout their life.

This system is based on the idea that the position of the stars at the time of an individual’s birth can reveal important information about their life, personality and potential life trajectory. Key elements of this system include the 12 Palaces (十二宫), 14 Major Stars, Auspicious and Ominous Stars, and 4 Transformation Stars, which are used to analyse different aspects of a person’s life.

By translating an individual’s birth data into a chart with 12 Palaces representing various aspects of human life, Zi Wei Dou Shu interprets the positions of celestial bodies as they are located in the various Palaces. It provides insight and imparts the ability to forecast and decipher the intricate chapters of an individual’s life story.

These palaces, each bearing a unique significance, include the Life Palace (命宫), Parents Palace (父母宫), Mental Palace (福德宫), Property Palace (田宅宫), Career Palace (官禄宫), Friends Palace (交友宫), Travel Palace (迁移宫), Health Palace (疾厄宫), Wealth Palace (财帛宫), Children Palace (子女宫), Spouse Palace (夫妻宫), and Sibling Palace (兄弟宫).

Through the precise arrangement of celestial bodies within the 12 Palaces, Zi Wei Dou Shu creates a microcosm of an individual’s life journey and the influences on various aspects of their destiny — personality, traits, mindset, abilities and interpersonal dynamics.

The positions of the 12 Palaces in each Zi Wei Dou Shu chart may vary, although they are arranged and plotted in a constant and specific sequence. This sequence begins with the Life Palace and continues in a clockwise direction. The presence of certain stars within each palace may be considered either auspicious or inauspicious, each with its connotations and effects on an aspect of an individual’s life. These palaces are assigned phases based on the sexagenary cycle, which is also used in Bazi readings.

How to Plot Your Zi Wei Dou Shu Chart

In contemporary times, technological progress has significantly simplified the process of generating Zi Wei Dou Shu charts, rendering them highly convenient and accessible through online chart plotting tools. However, before embarking on chart plotting, it is imperative to gather the following essential information:

• Your date of birth
• Your time of birth: A precise record of your time of birth. To ensure its accuracy, it is crucial to consider whether daylight savings time was in effect at the time of your birth.
• Latitude of birth location: This detail is critical, especially if you were born in a geographically expansive country. It aids in calculating solar time and contributes to the accuracy of your chart.

Modern Applications of Zi Wei Dou Shu

While Zi Wei Dou Shu is rooted in ancient Chinese astrology, it remains widely practised by many today and serves as a valuable tool for personal guidance and life planning. It offers individuals deep insights into various facets of their lives, including their personalities, strengths, weaknesses, and life paths. Such knowledge proves beneficial for personal growth, aiding in the navigation of career choices and facilitating informed decision-making.

Zi Wei Dou Shu is looked to for guidance in terms of career development. This astrological system lends its wisdom to help individuals discover suitable career paths, pinpoint optimal moments for career transitions, and devise effective strategies for achieving success in their chosen fields.

Zi Wei Dou Shu’s applications extend into relationship compatibility, from evaluating romantic partnerships to assessing the potential of business collaborations. Individuals can harness this divination system to analyse astrological charts, thereby gaining valuable insights into the dynamics, challenges and strengths surrounding their interpersonal relationships.

As a means of personal growth, Zi Wei Dou Shu also empowered individuals to embark on journeys of self-discovery. It assists them in uncovering the purposes that drive their lives, recognising the obstacles they may encounter, and identifying areas where personal growth and improvement are possible.