a form of forecasting in detail. Destiny and fortune are considered structurally complex and are unlikely to be changed by a single element. An overly simplistic application of - for example - changing one's lucky colors and numbers is not expected to affect or change one's destiny in any significant way. However, practitioners believe that knowledge about future possibilities may allow one to gauge the situation in advance and make decisions from a position of strength. Zi Wei Dou Shu approaches the world and events from the idea that to view things in their proper context, it is important to recognise the "spiritual dynamic of the universe" to find the pattern of change that leads to "fundamental truth". Etymology Zi Wei () - purple rose (). Purple is considered symbolic of spiritual aspiration and the emperor. is used for in ancient/simplifed Chinese writing. The term is also used to refer to the North Star, the most prominent star in the sky. Dou () - star. Shu () - calculation. Zi Wei Dou Shu Chart Structure The 12 Palaces, or Shí Èr Gōng () are arranged and plotted in an anti-clockwise rotation. The presence of certain stars in each palace can be considered either an auspicious or inauspicious omen regarding that part of one's life. In some lineages, these palaces are also assigned phases based on the sexagenary cycle which is also used in Bazi reading. Self Palace () Siblings Palace () Spouse Palace () Children Palace () Wealth Palace () Health Palace () Travel Palace () Friends Palace, or Subordinate Palace () Career Palace () Property Palace () Mental Palace, or Karma Palace, Ancestor Palace () Parents Palace () The 14 Major Stars Different schools ascribe importance to the presence and strength of many different 'stars', ranging from 18 to dozens, often including interactions and transformations between these stars. However, 14 "major" stars are used consistently across different lineages: Zi Wei 紫微(The Emperor Star or The Purple Star): associated with Yin Earth, the leader - organizator, the senior, the monarch, stable development, benevolence, neutrality, wisdom, obligations, human society, power, position, material wealth, the capacity of healing and rescuing. Tian Ji 天機(The Smart Star or Heavenly Secret): associated with Yin Wood, the assistant, the strategist, the clerk, siblings, intelligence, strategy, manipulation, goodness. Tai Yang 太陽(The Sun): associated with Yang Fire, the leader of men, the senior, the male (father-husband-son), the mass,