Chinese Astrology
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Chinese astrology was believed to be passed down from the Sumerian and Babylonian cultures to the Chinese almost 5 000 years ago. As such, Chinese astrology can be used to map our internal landscape, e.g. our personal chemistry to see how we react in our own environment over any given period of time. Let us look in particular at how Chinese Astrology evolved, to what is widely believed to be the most accurate form of horoscope in the world.

Chinese astrology was originally known as Five House or Five Planet Chinese astrology. It was based on the five major planets in our Solar system namely Mercury, Venus, Jupiter, Saturn and Mars. Later the Sun and Moon were added to make "7 stars" and this provided the foundation for what is known as the 28 Lunar Mansions. This method provided an extremely accurate horoscope for society as a whole, but was unsuitable for individuals. So two new Chinese astrology systems were developed, one based on the Solar calendar called Ba Zi or Four Pillars of Destiny, the other based on the Lunar calendar was called Zi Wei Dou Shu or Purple Emperor.

Chinese astrology has 10 Heavenly Stems

Chinese astrology was believed to have begun in 2694 BC when the Yellow Emperor decreed that the years should be counted in a cycle of 60 "Heavenly Stems and Earthly Branches". The 10 Heavenly stems represented heavens chi and "providence". They were arranged according to the 5 elements and subdivided into yang and yin polarities. The sequence begins with yang wood (Jia) yin wood (Yi) yang fire (Bing) yin fire (Ding) yang earth (Wu) yin earth (Ji) yang metal (Geng) yin metal (Xin) yang water (Ren) and finally yin water (Gui).

The 12 Earthly Branches in Chinese astrology

The earthly branches represented earth chi, meaning nature or destiny. These are also arranged according to the 5 elements, yin yang polarities and follow the four seasons. They comprise the Chinese zodiac signs of Rat, Ox, Tiger, Rabbit, Dragon, Snake, Horse, Sheep, Monkey, Rooster, Dog and Pig. They show the rise and fall of chi throughout a year.

As there are 12 zodiac signs and 12 months, each sign is fixed, also the Chinese use double hours, so the hours are always the same too. This means that if you were born in a certain month or hour you would have the zodiac sign for that time period within your horoscope. This table shows these periods.

Colour coded according to seasonal elements: Black = Winter, Green = Spring, Red = Summer and Autumn = Gray.

Heavenly Stems and Earthly Branches are partnered to form pillars and multiplying the five elements with the twelve earthly branches produces a cycle of 60 pillars. In about 104 BC this Sexagesimal cycle was also used to count the months and Xu Zi Ping (Song Dynasty 960-1279 AD), counted the days and hours to produce an extremely accurate Chinese horoscope for individuals. Hence the Four Pillars of Destiny were born.

The Four Pillars of Destiny Chinese astrology

The Four Pillars of Destiny Chinese astrology charts have a stem and branch for the year, month, day and hour you were born. Xu Zi Ping found by using the day pillar as the focal point of the chart he could produce much more accurate horoscopes. This information allows a Feng Shui consultant to understand your personal energy and see how it compares with the energy of your home or business. By using subtle cures they can create an ambience that is perfect for you, your family or staff.

This Chinese astrology chart above is for Galileo born 15/2/1564. You can see that he has a huge amount of fire in his chart which must have inspired his discoveries. Why not see how this compares to your Chinese astrology chart with a free Chinese horoscope?. see our Chinese astrology hall of fame celebrity profiles of Jenson Button and CoCo Channel or order a professional Chinese astrology reading below.

You can order a professional Chinese astrology reading now and have up to 8 personal questions answered for just £144.

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Chinese astrology professional readings include Four Pillars of Destiny, Zi Wei Dou Shu, I Ching Divination or Nine Star Ki astrology

Alternatively, You can learn to do Chinese astrology or feng shui yourself from an accredited Feng Shui School or online with our Feng Shui mastery Series. These seven steps to become a professional consultant consist of:

Step ONE - Key Concepts feng shui course

Step TWO - Dowsing and Earth Acupuncture Course

Step THREE Feng Shui Business Course

Step FOUR I Ching and Wen Wang Gua

Step FIVE Nine Star Ki Astrology

Step SIX Flying Star Feng Shui

Step SEVEN Ba Zi - Four Pillars of Destiny Advanced Chinese Astrology

We also offer a Tai Chi Course with Master Stephen Hwa

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All feng shui terms defined in our Glossary

Zi Wei Dou Shu Chinese astrology

Our next Chinese astrology system  is Zi Wei Dou Shu astrology or "Purple Emperor" is based on the Lunar calendar and has up to 144 stars and 12 palaces representing a different aspect of life. This is John Lennon's' Chinese astrology chart.

See our Chinese astrology hall of fame