Case Study (Wu Peifu) & Appendix

Born in the Jia-Xu year, 3rd month, 7th day, Chen hour (38 years before the Republic, Qing Tongzhi 13th year), in Penglai County, Shandong Province. A Water Bureau person with Fate sitting in Zi — the position where Water flourishes. This forms a Water Bureau, called 'Fate and Bureau mutually resplendent,' which necessarily portends good fortune. The Fate Palace has Tianfu in Temple dignity, Wuqu in Flourishing dignity, and Hua Ke in Neutral status, with the Flourishing Ruler star co-present, creating Earth generating Metal.

Tianfu (Earth) can counter Water; Wuqu, though Flourishing, suddenly manifests in Temple dignity. Furthermore, the Resolving Spirit enters the Fate Palace, and Phoenix Pavilion is also present. Hua Ke first governs the blessing of examination success, second governs exceptional talent and wisdom. However, the Examination Star in Zi is merely Neutral — in youth, one only achieved third place in the military county examination. With malefics driven away and the Flourishing Ruler guarding the Fate Palace alongside many auspicious stars, the Resolving Spirit entering the Fate Palace means becoming a great vessel of the world.

The Wealth Palace must be examined together with its Three Harmonies — the Wealth, Migration, and Career palaces are all flourishing. Salary and Horse in mutual gallop, sitting on salary while illuminating salary, with Ziwei-Tianfu-Wuqu-Tianxiang and the Examination Star in conjunction. Examining the Career Palace: with Ziwei-Tianfu in combined illumination, the Flourishing Ruler and Capped-and-Belted positions illuminating, this portends facing south as king, serving as governor-general over frontier territories, with official rank at the very pinnacle.

The Limit reaches the Migration Palace where Qisha (Metal essence) receives assistance from Zuofu (Earth star) and does not fear Fire's generative source. However, many malefic stars reside in that position — which palace Qisha occupies is also a critical matter. During ages 62-71, it is flanked by Fire and Bell Stars while sharing with White Tiger. When Qingyang and Tuoluo additionally flank and the Minor Limit traverses: Qisha's malice also ravages and attacks the person themselves. Without auspicious resolution: that year's death is certain.

Ziwei Doushu is also called 'Tiangang' (Celestial Might). It deploys the Five Elements, using the Eight Trigrams with palace stars as the warp, and a person's birth year stems-branches, day, and hour as the weft, to predict wealth, nobility, poverty, and lowliness. When reading fate: first examine the Fate and Body Palaces — what position they occupy and which major star shares their palace — this is the primary 'Chart.' Next, scrutinize the Body Palace. If the Fate and Body encounter punishment and penal stars with malefics presiding: the determination is made.

Every book must have a beginning. Humans differ from all things in the world — whether solitary or paired, poor or rich, noble or base. Those blessed with wealth, nobility, and longevity cannot change their lot. The Book of Changes clearly distinguishes the transformations of fortune and misfortune. Understanding means facilitating affairs; avoiding calamity means distancing oneself from events and things; discerning what is near with a rounded perspective — then disasters naturally depart. Thus it is said: to know prosperity, decline, fortune, and misfortune. Written in the midsummer of the Yi-Chou year at a traveler's lodging, by Nanbei Shanren.