Five Elements

Nine star astrology, the oldest and simplest form of Chinese astrology, originated in the twenty-ninth century B.C. from divination methods employed by the emperor Fu Hsi. Traditionally associated with the North Star, the seven stars of the Big Dipper, and the star Wega, the nine stars are in fact yin and yang expressions of the five elements. The names given to the nine stars are 1 Water Star, 2 Earth Star, 3 Wood Star, 4 Wood Star, 5 Earth Star, 6 Metal Star, 7 Metal Star, 8 Earth Star, and 9 Fire Star.

Viewing the nine stars in their compass arrangement, called in Chinese the Lo Shu diagram, shown in the following diagram, you can see them with their yin and yang correspondences as well as their corresponding directions in space.

Following the Lo Shu diagram, you will notice that 9 Fire Star and 1 Water Star are in opposite positions. 1 Water Star is called the Great Yin; 9 Fire Star is called the Great Yang. You also will notice that 2 Earth Star, which is yin, and 8 Earth Star, which is yang, are in opposite positions, while 5 Earth Star, in the middle of the diagram, is both yin and yang at once. Finally, 3 Wood Star, which is yang, is opposite 7 Metal Star, which is yin, and 4 Wood Star, which is yin, is opposite 6 Metal Star, which is yang. So you see that the yin and yang qualities are always opposite each other in the Lo Shu diagram, and that they converge at 5 Earth Star in the middle.

Each of the nine stars has a characteristic image that evokes its essential meaning. Here is a table of the nine stars, with their yin and yang qualities, corresponding compass directions, and classical images:

THE NINE STARS

In nine star astrology, because every year and month is ruled by a different star/element, the stars of the year and month you were born describe your personality. Your stars also indicate the best colors for you to use, as well as the best directions in space for the alignment of your key furniture, such as your desk and chair.