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The Five Arts (五术) are the cornerstone of Chinese metaphysical philosophy. These arts are defined as Mountain (山), Medicine (医), Divination (卜), Physical Inspection (相), and Destiny (命), capture a well-rounded approach to understanding the secrets of self-improvement and harmonious living.

Key Disciplines in the Art of Destiny

As a key aspect of the Five Arts, the Art of Destiny is an ancient practice that encompasses the intricacies of an individual’s destiny, deciphering their inherent strengths, vulnerabilities, and life trajectory based on the precise moment of their birth. Unlike the Art of Physical Inspection, which focuses on physical attributes and the environment, the Art of Destiny concentrates on the cosmic energies that shape our existence.

Through the Art of Destiny, one can predict future events, thereby empowering themselves to navigate around misfortune and capitalise on favourable opportunities. It is a comprehensive study that explores celestial forces at play, which have a profound impact on human destinies and fortunes.

This knowledge was embraced by the ruling elite and nobility, who sought to wield its insights for strategic advantage. By understanding their destinies, they could navigate life’s complexities with clarity, leveraging their strengths and mitigating their weaknesses for optimal outcomes.

Origins of the Art of Destiny

Astrology, a significant proponent of practices surrounding the Art of Destiny, has evolved over centuries, with notable developments occurring during various Chinese dynasties. Throughout history, astrology has evolved with each dynasty, contributing to the understanding of fate and cosmic influences on human destiny.

During the Western Zhou dynasty (1045 to 771 BC), astrology emerged as a method for predicting the future and determining auspicious dates. This period saw the refinement of calendar systems based on the positions of celestial bodies, such as the Sun, Moon, and constellations. These further refinements helped in understanding the impact of celestial bodies on fortune and prosperity.

In the Han dynasty (202 BC to 9 AD, 25 to 220 AD), the Four Pillars of Destiny — also known as the Bazi (八字) system — were developed. This system calculates an individual’s fate using their birth information and location. Emperor Wu, who reigned during the Han dynasty, consulted astrologers and diviners on important decisions, eventually leading to the creation of the Nine Star Qi (九星气学) system as a popular Destiny practice, alongside astrology.

The Tang dynasty (618 to 907 AD) saw the emergence of Purple Star Astrology (紫微斗数), attributed to the scholar Lu Chun Yang (吕纯阳). This practice later underwent further development in later dynasties, such as by Chen Xi Yi (陳希夷) during the Song dynasty and Luo Hong Xian (罗洪先) in the Ming dynasty, forming its current-day practice.

During the Ming dynasty (1368 to 1644 AD), figures such as military strategist Liu Bowen (刘伯温) and Taoist master Jiang Da Hong (蒋大鸿) made significant contributions to the art of destiny analysis. Liu Bowen’s expertise in divination and destiny analysis aided in devising successful military strategies, whereas Jiang Da Hong’s work, including “The Secret of the Golden Flower”《太乙金華宗旨》, provided valuable insights into astrology and Bazi.

Contemporary Practices of the Art of Destiny

Today, the Art of Destiny continues to occupy a significant place in our contemporary society. The practices of destiny analysis aim to forecast an individual’s destiny in pursuit of abundance, prosperity and progress. Its methods, such as Bazi (八字) and Purple Star Astrology (紫微斗数), have found widespread applications in fields like Feng Shui analyses, business and marketing consulting, and life coaching. These systems are commonly utilised for gaining insights into career prospects, financial matters, health, and relationships, reflecting contemporary aspirations for success and well-being.