Introduction to the 48 Divine Forces

The following information is sourced from Ziwei Research Society

Overview

The 48 Divine Forces (Shen Sha) are an important component of Ziwei Dou Shu astrology, influencing human destiny from different perspectives. The 48 Divine Forces are divided into two types: one type is fixed after birth, generating fixed and long-term power, including the 12 Life Cycle Forces and the 12 Scholar Forces; the other type changes with the flow of years, producing fluid and effective power, including the 12 Annual Leading Forces and the 12 Annual Governing Forces.

The 12 Life Cycle Forces

The 12 Life Cycle Forces represent the twelve stages of life development, symbolizing the vitality of one's destiny and influencing health and attitude. They are in sequence:

1. Birth (Chang Sheng): Represents growth and innovation, generally auspicious, with the ability to adapt to and create environments.
2. Bath (Mu Yu): Represents renewal, indicates transformative power, an adventurous nature, and proactive attitude.
3. Coronation (Guan Dai): Represents adaptation to the environment, maintenance of achievements, smooth career, and harmonious relationships.
4. Official Position (Lin Guan): Represents career peak, the most powerful of the twelve life forces, indicating opportunities to hold authority.
5. Emperor's Prosperity (Di Wang): Represents the stage of enjoying blessings, peak of authority and prestige, highest reputation.
6. Decline (Shuai): Transition stage from prosperity to decline, easily attracts jealousy, requiring caution in handling affairs.
7. Illness (Bing): Increasing difficulties, prone to physical and mental obstacles, career stagnation, and depression.
8. Death (Si): Final stage, loss of vitality, needs attitude adjustment to face setbacks.
9. Burial (Mu): Represents storage and accumulation, ability to lurk singularly, or having hidden thoughts.
10. Extinction (Jue): Transition between old and new, facing turning points, difficulties but also opportunities.
11. Conception (Tai): Preparation stage, accumulating strength, requiring patience for opportunities.
12. Nurturing (Yang): Growth stage, nurturing phase, gradually entering a favorable situation, expanding connections.

The positions of the 12 Life Cycle Forces are determined based on the Five Elements of the native:

• Wood: Starting from Hai palace (Pig)
• Fire: Starting from Yin palace (Tiger)
• Earth: Starting from Shen palace (Monkey)
• Metal: Starting from Si palace (Snake)
• Water: Starting from Shen palace (Monkey)

The 12 Scholar Forces

The 12 Scholar Forces include Doctor, Strength Bearer, Azure Dragon, Minor Consumption, General, Memorial, Flying Modesty, Joy, Illness Symbol, Major Consumption, Ambush, and Official Seal. They are Class C stars in Ziwei Dou Shu. The 12 Scholar Forces don't play a significant role in the natal chart but are crucial in the annual flow chart.

1. Doctor (Bo Shi): Star of scholarly learning, represents intelligence, wisdom, thoughtful deliberation, and erudition.
2. Strength Bearer (Li Shi): Controls presence, good at social interaction, with a dual personality.
3. Azure Dragon (Qing Long): Represents auspiciousness, wealth, celebrations, and benefits.
4. Minor Consumption (Xiao Hao): Represents consumption, financial loss, verbal disputes, and losses.
5. General (Jiang Jun): Represents authority, responsibility, dignity, and adventurous spirit.
6. Memorial (Zou Shu): Represents documents, information, news, and communication.
7. Flying Modesty (Fei Lian): Represents sharp speech, impetuousness, and hasty temperament.
8. Joy (Xi Shen): Represents celebrations, family harmony, and increased wealth.
9. Illness Symbol (Bing Fu): Represents disease, adversity, calamity, and accidents.
10. Major Consumption (Da Hao): Represents financial loss, waste, and consumption.
11. Ambush (Fu Bing): Represents conspiracies, hidden dangers, villains, and strikes.
12. Official Seal (Guan Fu): Represents litigation, official troubles, and ill-gotten gains.

The arrangement of the 12 Scholar Forces begins with the Doctor at the Life Palace and proceeds in sequence.

The 12 Annual Leading Forces

This group of divine forces works in the annual flow chart, including: General Star, Climbing Saddle, Annual Post, Rest Spirit, Flower Cover, Robbery, Disaster, Heavenly Disaster, Pointing Back, Salt Pool, Moon Disaster, and Lost Spirit. The positions of these divine forces change with the annual flow.

The 12 Annual Governing Forces

This group of divine forces also works in the annual flow chart, including: Annual Establishment, Dark Qi, Mourning Gate, Piercing Chain, Official Seal, Minor Consumption, Major Consumption, Dragon Virtue, White Tiger, Heavenly Virtue, Hanging Guest, and Illness Symbol. The positions of these divine forces also change with the annual flow.

Summary

As an important component of the Ziwei Dou Shu system, the 48 Divine Forces, together with the main stars and auxiliary stars, can more comprehensively analyze a person's destiny. Understanding the characteristics and functions of the 48 Divine Forces helps to grasp the essence of Ziwei Dou Shu more deeply.