Nine Stars (九星)
The Nine Stars form the Heaven Plate, representing the energy attributes of celestial timing and the broader environment.
| Star | Five Elements | Home Position | Auspiciousness | Symbolic Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tian Peng (天蓬) | Water | Kan 1 | Highly Inauspicious | Thieves, adventure, strategy (auspicious when prosperous) |
| Tian Ren (天任) | Earth | Gen 8 | Auspicious | Farmland, diligence, loyalty, obstruction |
| Tian Chong (天冲) | Wood | Zhen 3 | Moderately Auspicious | Swift and decisive, impulsive, warrior |
| Tian Fu (天辅) | Wood | Xun 4 | Highly Auspicious | Literary success, education, noble people |
| Tian Ying (天英) | Fire | Li 9 | Neutral | Documents, fiery dryness, vanity |
| Tian Rui (天芮) | Earth | Kun 2 | Highly Inauspicious | Illness star, students, social connections (also indicates tolerance) |
| Tian Qin (天禽) | Earth | Center 5, lodged in Kun 2 | Highly Auspicious | Balance and integrity, noble people |
| Tian Zhu (天柱) | Metal | Dui 7 | Inauspicious | Verbal disputes, ruin, support |
| Tian Xin (天心) | Metal | Qian 6 | Highly Auspicious | Leadership, medical arts, core |
Key Points of Usage
- Stars reveal celestial timing and nature: Tian Rui is an illness star when asking about sickness, but indicates a student when asking about studies; Tian Peng, when prosperous, can be the talent of a great general
- Prosperity and decline determine strength: A star's Five Element is prosperous when in season (Wood in spring, Fire in summer, Metal in autumn, Water in winter, Earth in the four seasons); inauspicious stars lose power when resting or imprisoned, and auspicious stars are discounted when out of season
- Zhi Fu (Chief) Star: The leading star of the Heaven Plate (the star where Zhi Fu arrives drives the rotation of the entire plate); the palace where Zhi Fu falls is the most closely watched palace