The focal point of a Zi Wei Dou Shu chart is the self or destiny palace, or ming gong. It reveals our pre-heaven nature (xian tian)- our personal specifications as determined by our manufacturer. This includes our temperament, talents, character, and potential. We look to the destiny palace to uncover our natural abilities and to see what life will bring our way.
Depending on the date and time of your birth, one or more of 14 major stars will end up in your self/destiny palace. The star energies placed there are your "main life stars," or ming gong zhu xin.
The first step of Zi Wei chart interpretation is figuring out which soul group you are a part of This is determined by what stars are placed in your destiny palace. The soul groups include the imperial (royal) group, the martial (aggressive) group, and the psycho-social/literary (humanitarian) group.
Yours is an imperial or royal destiny if Zi Wei, Wu Qu, Tian Fu, or Tian Xiang resides in your destiny palace. These energies are found in the self/destiny palaces of the "rulers"-those souls favored by birth to lead, to guide, and to be key figures in this life. Yours is a martial destiny if Tan Lang, Po Jun, Lian Zhen, or Sha Qi dwells in your destiny palace. These energies are the fiercest of Chinese astrology and are found in the self/destiny palaces of the "fighters"-those souls characterized by ambitious, aggressive, and authoritative action.
Yours is a psycho-social/literary destiny if Tai Yang, Ju Men, Tian Tong, Tian Ji, Tian Liang, or Tai Yin is placed in your destiny palace. These energies are found in the self palaces of the "teachers"-those governed by intellectual, diplomatic, or humanitarian interests and pursuits.
What does it mean if one of the following major royal (ruling) energies is found in the destiny palace?
Zi Wei: It can be lonely at the top. Ask anyone with Zi Wei in his or her destiny palace. Rulers and leaders by divine right, those with the emperor star placed in this critical life palace are the movers and shakers in this world. This star represents luck, wealth, authority, prestige, protection, and rescue. Those with this most powerful of stars in their destiny palace are fated to be amongst the "royal class"-those souls favored by birth to lead and to guide. This leading energy of the Chinese astrological cosmos indicates a sophisticated, thoughtful, responsible person who may experience isolation and loneliness at times. In general, however, this is a strong individual with an objective, farsighted view of life, able to see problems and challenges from all angles. There is an excellent chance for fame and fortune. This is the classic archetype of the wise king or queen who is destined to be in a position of authority and respect. This king of stars rules the destiny palaces of judges, magistrates, CEOs, and heads of state. The Zi Wei star reveals a soul who is authoritative, pioneering, conquering, and farsighted. Those with this royal destiny are leaders in every sense of the word. They wield influence and evoke respect.
Tian Fu: This star in the destiny is the astral signature of a kind, conservative soul who has chosen to lead a peaceful life. With Tian Fu (literally, "heavenly luck") in the destiny palace, finances play an important role, for better or for worse. Typically, however, it is for the better. This star reveals a conservative and grounded person who enjoys success in examinations and who will have every opportunity to obtain great wealth. This is mainly due to a careful, cautious, and frugal nature. Parents and elders play an important role in forming this person's character and personality, which will ultimately bring success later on in life.
Wu Qu: Ah, the power behind the throne? This major star is the leadership energy of the royal group, responsible for entrepreneurial skills, good luck, and wealth, but also solitude, firmness, and stubbornness. Someone with this star in his or her destiny palace will be the "right hand man" of the powerful and the influential. It also indicates a strong, resilient, independent, yet impatient person who may tend to act too quickly. Wu Qu represents a decisive leader who figuratively leads his or her army into battle. People with Wu Qu in their destiny palace are usually slightly built, but with a resounding, resonant voice. This individual will be an implementer, involved with the details of putting ideas to work.
Tian Xiang: This star provides support and backing to others, as well as personal responsibility and influence. Also known as "the mirror," Tian Xiang indicates duplication or twinning: a twin birth, two sets of parents, two professions, two marriages, and so on. With this energy of duplication, you must be careful not to repeat past mistakes; break out of this circle and you will move forward. You are likely cautious and methodical, and recognized by the care and detail you apply to your dress, home, and office. Responsible and interested in details others may have missed, those with Tian Xiang in their destiny palace are upright and fit into everyone's ideal of the big brother or sister. This helpful soul goes out of his or her way to help others. Whether it is influencing for good or getting embroiled in the bad, this is a person who loves to get involved. What does it mean if one of the following major martial (aggressive, fighting) energies is found in the destiny palace?
Sha Qi: Power, prestige, and presence are the calling cards of this major martial star. These are the bad boys and girls extraordinaire, and danger is their middle name. Risk, turmoil, and, above all, supremacy is their lifeblood. Sha Qi (literally, "bad energy") is the leading star of the ambitious, reckless, and hasty martial group. It brings suspicion and obstinacy, as well as an iron will, an aggressive character, and fearsome efficiency. With Sha Qi, there will always be a certain amount of going against the grain and chafing under restraint.
Po Jun: Brave, arrogant, and dashing, those with Po Jun presiding over their destiny palace reinvent themselves daily and change their colors more often than a chameleon. Today's project is not necessarily tomorrow's passion, as this star represents "out with the old and in with the new." Hopefulness, aggressiveness, a pioneering spirit, and an impulsive temperament characterize those with Po Jun ruling their destiny palace. They are always willing to dissolve ties to make way for bigger and better things. They also love to take risks. They can't tolerate a stagnant environment, but change for the sake of change may overtax their resources. For the person with Po Jun in his or her destiny palace, it will always pay to create a realistic plan and review it thoroughly before taking on the next battle.
Lian Zhen: A little moderation may be sorely needed in the lives of those with Lian Zhen placed in their destiny palace. An "either-or" star, it reveals aggression, debauchery, and licentiousness, or respectability, honesty, and virtue. There is no temperate middle zone with this star presiding over the destiny palace. It represents blood relations, emotional issues, the arts, politics, and privacy. As one of the peach blossom stars, it is also associated with romance, flirting, and affairs. Expressed positively, it can bring success and popularity. If poorly positioned, obstructed, or expressed negatively, however, Lian Zhen may produce a shady individual who has problems with infidelity, gambling, or alcoholism. Excesses may cause confinement.
Tan Lang: This star is a major martial energy of extremes. In the destiny palace, it is a magnet to the opposite sex. It offers that certain special something to the personality, sexual pizzazz perhaps. Tan Lang has no trouble attracting playmates; in fact, those with this major martial destiny fairly ooze sensuality. Because this is a martial star, however, it is also the energy of danger, of love affairs, of intense sensuality, and of problems linked with love. This energy also represents indulgence, sensuousness, the physique, and divination. This star in the destiny palace reveals an individual who is curious, who loves metaphysics and spirituality, and who will have an appreciation for the arts, languages, good wine, romance, and all the sensual pleasures of life. What does it mean if one of the following major civil/literary (humanitarian, diplomatic) energies is found in the destiny palace?
Tai Yang: If you are outgoing, popular, and always on the go, Tai Yang may be shining prominently in your destiny palace. The sun reveals a passionate, romantic, radiant soul who is more of a visionary. Male or female, those with Tai Yang placed in their destiny palace have a powerful masculine presence that is chivalrous, noble, generous, altruistic, just, and blunt. They were born to be in the public eye in some way. Women are especially competent and ambitious. Tai Yang is an especially good energy for those in the legal profession, broadcasting, and any kind of publicity. Although people with this destiny are able to gain prominence with ease, it will be to their advantage to look for real and tangible benefits rather than merely running after fame and reputation.
Tai Yin: The moon represents the mother, the woman, night, the earth, female yin energy, imagination, sensitivity, intuition, reproduction, tranquility, and wealth. It imparts spiritual gifts and reveals a strong connection to women, as well as to men with the moon in their destiny palace. Calm and composed, with intuition bordering on the psychic, those with Tai Yin in their destiny palace are subtle, deep, and discerning. Intelligent, well-known, and blessed with a firstrate social life, Moon natives enjoy the arts and spiritual subjects immensely. However, due to their extreme sensitivity, they can be overly emotional and too easily influenced. These traits are enhanced if the person was born at night.
Tian Tong: This political and civil-minded star bestows intellectual, literary, administrative, and diplomatic abilities and qualities. This humanitarian, gracious, gentle, and peaceful energy brings unity to others. The primary faults here are unpredictability and a lack of perseverance. This is a contented, relaxed lover of life who is happy to let others shine. Goals and ambitions are accomplished through persuasion, reason, and teamwork. Tian Tong represents protection, longevity, and solitude.
Tian Liang: This star is a power-hitter in the civil/literary group of stars. Those souls with Tian Liang in their destiny palace enthusiastically help others, just as an older sibling cares for the younger ones. This star represents protection, longevity, lateness, solitude, control, and litigation. It represents slow, organic growth, older individuals, and long-standing employees and associates who are in it for the long haul. Tian Liang is serious, responsible, disciplined, and a little sad. When found in the destiny palace, it often indicates difficult beginnings, Herculean efforts, and then success. This person has the ability to turn bad into good; the good things tend to come later, after difficulties. With this star in the destiny palace, there is also a tendency to take on too much. This person will have few real friends, but they will be helpful and faithful, and often older. Many with this destiny become priests, judges, or high-ranking officials, or engage in some type of public service.
Tian Ji: Tian Ji represents unity and friendship, the heavenly force that drives the cosmos. This star of intelligence also represents strategy, a pioneering spirit, mechanics, and agility. Placed in the destiny palace, it reveals much movement-changes of residence, traveling, and new locales are likely in store. Those with Tian Ji in their destiny palace are often the power behind the throne. When we pick a flower, we must not forget the humble bee that has prepared it; likewise, when we applaud a great singer, we must also remember the sound engineer and stage manager who made it all possible. Similarly, Tian Ji reveals a soul who keeps everything and everyone on track.
Ju Men: The "giant gate" star indicates that there will be many passages and changes in this life. This energy has a touch of mystery and the unusual. It represents the mouth, and as such reveals a convincing orator or spokesperson. The spoken word and verbal communication will play an influential role for better (eloquence, articulation) or for worse (misunderstandings, verbal gaffes, and gossip). Those with this star in their destiny palace are consummate communicators; as such, they are ideally suited for careers in teaching, sales, politics, entertainment, and the law. When Jun Men rules the destiny palace, prosperity does not come without competition and a great deal of discussion. Careers that rely on eloquence gain wealth; however, be cautious and guard against arguments and/or contentiousness.
