Zi Wei Dou Shu

Emperor Star · palace position calculated from lunar birth month and Year Stem parity · governs the Ming (Life) Palace when centrally placed · the axis around which all other stars orient

Intelligence Star · palace position adjacent to Zi Wei in the birth chart · activates in the Siblings Palace and Travel Palace · sharpest when unobstructed by malefic stars

Sun Star · strongest in daytime birth charts (Yang hours) · governs the Career Palace and the Parents Palace · most luminous when placed in the eastern palaces of the chart

Finance Star · governs the Wealth Palace and the Career Palace · strongest in Metal-year births · determination sharpest when unimpeded by softer Water stars

Happiness Star · governs the Life Palace, the Happiness Palace, and the Health Palace · most benefic when placed in the south or east of the chart · softens whatever palace it occupies

Prisoner Star / Virtue Star · dual nature — governs both principled authority and hidden transgression · activates in the Career Palace and the Travel Palace · character shaped decisively by surrounding stars

Southern Emperor Star · the counterweight to Zi Wei in the Southern Dipper cluster · governs the Wealth Palace and the Property Palace · stable and protective wherever it is placed

Moon Star · strongest in nighttime birth charts (Yin hours) · governs the Wealth Palace and the Property Palace · most luminous in the western palaces of the chart

Desire Star · governs the Life Palace and the Career Palace · most powerful in Water and Wood year births · character swings sharply between spiritual discipline and sensory indulgence

Darkness Star · governs the Siblings Palace and the Career Palace · brings verbal and communicative power alongside hidden complications · character depends heavily on whether benefic or malefic stars are present

Seal Star · governs the Career Palace and the Servants/Subordinates Palace · the great harmoniser — strengthens benefic stars and mitigates malefic ones · most powerful in earth-sign palace positions

Longevity Star · governs the Career Palace and the Parents Palace · protective and stabilising · dissolves malefic influences and transforms obstacles into delayed blessings

General Star · governs the Career Palace and the Travel Palace · most powerful when paired with strong Emperor Stars · brings dramatic life turning points regardless of placement

Destruction-Creation Star · governs the Wealth Palace and the Career Palace · most powerful in Water year births · brings total upheaval followed by complete renewal wherever it is placed