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Jiu Gong Ming Li: An Introduction To 9 Palace Fate Calculations

9 Star Fundamentals

The basis of Chinese, Japanese, Tibetan and Korean traditional science is Yin and Yang and WuXing, or 5 phases. Yin and Yang are depicted by the famous Taiji symbol, which represents the relationship of dynamic yet perpetual equilibrium that is the foundation of this universe. Remember that this symbol represents a relationship, and not duality per se. A simpler way to say this is that the ancient sages thought of the universe as an activity as opposed to a place. The Taiji describes the most basic part of the activity of the universe, the maintenance of the balance of Yin and Yang.

All forms in manifestation are composed of Yin and Yang in a certain state of balance. It is that dynamic balance that determines the properties of any thing in the Universe. This is why the point of Yin appears in Yang and vise versa: no pure Yin or pure Yang could exist as a form. Modern theoretical physicists even delve into the Yijing (I-Ching), because in the last century it was realized that this ancient view of the universe contained the mathematics of the binary number system, and bore a remarkable conceptual similarity to chaos theory and quantum mechanics. Even in modern astrophysical observations of the universe, ideas such as wormholes, dark matter and black holes hearken back to the ancient idea that when Yin reaches its extreme, it turns to Yang.

Yang is mobile, moves upward, is active, bright and aggressive, while Yin is stable, moves downward, tends toward rest, darkness and defensiveness. The Ki Stars numbered 1, 3, 6 and 8 are more Yang, while 2, 4, 7 and 9 are more Yin. Star 5 Yellow represents Yin and Yang in balance. The Yin and Yang aspects of the 9 Stars represent the activity of the Stars, not the Stars themselves. The Stars themselves are living energies with special characteristics of their own that describe 9 types of Ki.

The 5 phases, or elements, through which active Ki manifests are named after natural phenomena their energy resembles: there is Wood, which represents growth and fertility, Fire which is fame and influence, Earth, the symbol of stability and reliability, Metal representing progress and will, and Water symbolizing adaptability and freedom. The study of Kigaku centers on the various Wuxing transformations of and interactions between the 9 stars. From lifetimes of observation and the writings of the ancients, something has been learned of these behaviours, and through this understanding of how the 9 Ki stars can be expected to act and interact, we can predict events to a considerable degree of accuracy.

The generating cycle describes the "parent/child"relationship between the phases. Wood feeds fire which makes ash (earth) that is refined into metal which melts and forms liquid (water) which in turn nourishes wood. The controlling cycle shows that water controls fire, fire melts metal, metal chops wood, wood breaks through earth, and earth restrains the flow of water. In both these cycles, the result of the interaction of the elements is determined by the strength of the element in question, for instance, very strong wood may not be hurt by very weak metal, or a small bush's roots may not penetrate a concrete block. Of course, this is a very superficial treatment of the relationships between the 5 elements. Please read the article "Phases and Humors - Elements and Essence" in the wisdom library to gain a better understanding of these concepts as they apply to Chinese, Tibetan and ancient Greek occult teaching.

The WuXing also has other interactive relationships, in which they can support each other (metal supports metal), or exhaust each other (fire can make wood weaker). This is the basis of using the Wu Xing to modify the influences of environmental Ki, and bring balance to almost any situation. As an example, an impulsive metal child may grab a shovel (metal) and dig up a couple of beautiful plants (weakening earth and controlling wood). How do the parents deal with it? Well, since water represents wisdom, a conversation about appreciating natural beauty may cause water to exhaust the aggressive nature of metal, in which case the wisdom overcomes the aggressiveness. Sadly, many people are raised with the idea that it is the fire that the child feels after the spanking that melts the metal into water, painfully delivering the knowledge of right and wrong through the medium of vengeance. It may just be that trips to places where the child can exhaust himself swimming or running around with other children would suffice to temper his aggressiveness.

Another example: a man who is very strong in water might be very social and communicative yet unable to get into a committed romantic or business relationship. In this case, the water may be too strong, so he may need to apply some of the child element, wood (by wearing lighter blues and deep greens, listening where the opportunity to learn exists, and not being concerned about the lack of acceptance that may meet his frequent ideas), so that he does not appear superficial or inconsistent to his prospects. Please understand that Ki will always transform, if the opportunity exists, along the line of least resistance: this is why we can affect the transformations to our advantage.