The shared vocabulary of nine systems.
Every term we use — across Human Design, Western Astrology, Ba Zi, Zi Wei Dou Shu, Numerology, Feng Shui, Qi Men Dun Jia, Xuan Kong Da Gua, and Water Formula — defined plainly, cross-linked, and tagged by system.
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◆ 4 terms12 Palaces
The 12 life domains in a Zi Wei Dou Shu chart: Life (Ming), Siblings, Spouse, Children, Wealth, Health, Travel, Friends, Career, Property, Fortune (Mental), and Parents. Stars placed in each palace describe how that area of life unfolds.
14 Major Stars
The 14 primary stars in Zi Wei Dou Shu: Zi Wei (Emperor), Tian Ji (Messenger), Tai Yang (Sun), Wu Qu (Finance), Tian Tong (Blessing), Lian Zhen (Purity), Tian Fu (Treasury), Tai Yin (Moon), Tan Lang (Greedy Wolf), Ju Men (Giant Gate), Tian Xiang (Minister), Tian Liang (Beam), Qi Sha (Seven Killings), Po Jun (Army Breaker). Their palace placements define your personality and life themes.
24 Mountains
The 24 compass directions used in Chinese Feng Shui, each spanning 15°. They combine the 12 Earthly Branches, 8 of the 10 Heavenly Stems, and 4 trigrams to create a detailed directional framework for analyzing site orientation, water flow, and Qi movement.
64 Hexagrams
The 64 six-line symbols from the I Ching, each composed of two trigrams (upper and lower). In Xuan Kong Da Gua, these hexagrams map onto the compass rose to analyze directional Qi. In Human Design, they correspond to the 64 gates of the BodyGraph.
A
◆ 4 termsAscendant
Also called the Rising Sign. The zodiac sign on the eastern horizon at the exact moment of birth. It determines the 1st house cusp and strongly influences how you present yourself to the world, your physical appearance, and first impressions.
Aspects
Angular relationships between planets in a birth chart. Major aspects include conjunction (0°), opposition (180°), trine (120°), square (90°), and sextile (60°). Each aspect describes how planetary energies interact — harmoniously (trine, sextile) or with tension (square, opposition).
Auspiciousness Levels
Water Formula classifies water directions into levels of favorability based on the relationship between your Kua number and the water mouth direction. Ratings range from highly auspicious to inauspicious, guiding decisions about water feature placement.
Authority
Your personal decision-making mechanism in Human Design. Types include Emotional (wait for clarity), Sacral (gut response), Splenic (intuitive knowing), Ego (willpower), Self-Projected (talking it out), Mental (environmental sounding board), and Lunar (wait a full moon cycle).
B
◆ 3 termsBa Zhai
The Eight Mansions system in Feng Shui. Divides people into East Life Group and West Life Group based on their Kua number. Each group has four favorable and four unfavorable directions, determining optimal desk facing, sleeping direction, and room placement.
Birthday Number
The day of the month you were born, reduced to a single digit (or Master Number). Represents innate talents and gifts you carry throughout life. For example, born on the 23rd = 2+3 = 5.
Brightness
In Zi Wei Dou Shu, each star has a brightness rating depending on which palace it occupies. Brightness levels (Miao, Wang, De, Li, Ping, Bu, Xian, Luo) determine how strongly the star expresses its qualities — a bright star is powerful and beneficial; a fallen star is weakened.
C
◆ 2 termsCenters
The nine energy centers in the Human Design BodyGraph: Head, Ajna, Throat, G (Self), Heart (Ego), Sacral, Solar Plexus, Spleen, and Root. Each center can be defined (colored, consistent energy) or undefined (white, absorbing and amplifying energy from others).
Channels & Gates
Gates are the 64 positions in the Human Design BodyGraph corresponding to I Ching hexagrams. When a gate on one end of a channel connects to a gate on the other end, the channel is activated, creating a defined energy flow between two centers.
D
◆ 4 termsDa Xian
The Major Limit periods in Zi Wei Dou Shu, typically spanning 10 years each. Each Da Xian activates a different palace in your chart, bringing its stars and themes into prominence. The sequence of Da Xian periods maps out the major chapters of your life.
Day Master
The Heavenly Stem of your Day Pillar — the single most important element in your Ba Zi chart. It represents your core identity and the lens through which all other elements are analyzed. There are 10 possible Day Masters (5 elements × Yin/Yang).
Day Officer
A daily quality indicator in the Chinese almanac (Tong Shu) that classifies each day into one of 12 officers: Establish, Remove, Full, Balance, Stable, Initiate, Destroy, Danger, Success, Receive, Open, Close. Each has specific activities it favors or discourages.
Dragon Gate
The core methodology of Water Formula Feng Shui. Dragon Gate assesses water direction relationships based on your Kua number, determining which water mouths (entry/exit points of water flow) are auspicious or inauspicious for your property.
E
◆ 7 termsEarthly Branches
The 12 cyclical characters (子丑寅卯辰巳午未申酉戌亥) used in Chinese metaphysics. Each branch corresponds to an animal (Rat through Pig), a two-hour period, a compass direction, and one or more of the Five Elements. They form the bottom row of each Ba Zi pillar.
Eight Deities
Eight spiritual forces in Qi Men Dun Jia that occupy the 9-palace grid: Zhi Fu (Chief), Teng She (Serpent), Tai Yin (Moon), Liu He (Harmony), Gou Chen (Hook), Zhu Que (Red Bird), Jiu Di (Nine Earth), Jiu Tian (Nine Heaven). Each deity modifies the energy of its palace.
Eight Doors
Eight symbolic doors in the Qi Men Dun Jia 9-palace grid: Open, Rest, Life, Injury, Obstruction, Scenery, Death, Shock. Each door carries specific energy — Open, Rest, and Life are generally auspicious; Death and Injury are generally challenging.
Elemental Relationships
In Xuan Kong Da Gua, hexagrams have elemental associations. The relationship between the element of the sitting hexagram and the facing hexagram (productive, reductive, controlling, or same) determines compatibility and the flow of Qi in a building.
Envoy Palace
In Qi Men Dun Jia, the palace where the Envoy (Zhi Shi) resides. While the Chief (Zhi Fu) represents the querent or the main force, the Envoy represents the action to take or the method of approach. Its position guides strategic decisions.
Essence Number
A numerology cycle number derived from your current age and name. It represents the combined vibrational influence you experience during a specific year of life, blending your Personal Year with your name vibrations.
Expression Number
Also called the Destiny Number. Calculated from the full birth name by converting each letter to its Pythagorean number value and reducing. Reveals your natural abilities, talents, and the path of personal development you are drawn toward.
F
◆ 4 termsFive Elements
The foundational framework of Chinese metaphysics: Wood (growth), Fire (expansion), Earth (stability), Metal (contraction), Water (flow). They interact through productive (Wood→Fire→Earth→Metal→Water→Wood) and controlling (Wood→Earth→Water→Fire→Metal→Wood) cycles. Used in Ba Zi, Feng Shui, QMDJ, and ZWDS.
Flying Stars
A time-based Feng Shui system (Xuan Kong Fei Xing) that maps nine stars onto a 3×3 grid. Each 20-year period, each year, and each month shifts the star positions, creating layers of energy that interact with the building's base chart. Stars 1, 6, 8 are generally auspicious; 2, 5, 7 are generally challenging.
Four Pillars
The core structure of a Ba Zi chart: Year Pillar, Month Pillar, Day Pillar, and Hour Pillar. Each pillar consists of a Heavenly Stem (top) and an Earthly Branch (bottom), producing 8 characters total. Together they encode your elemental makeup, timing patterns, and destiny structure.
Four Transformations
Four dynamic influences in Zi Wei Dou Shu that modify star behavior: Hua Lu (wealth/opportunity), Hua Quan (authority/power), Hua Ke (fame/knowledge), and Hua Ji (trouble/obstacles). Each year activates different transformations based on the annual stem.
G
◆ 1 termH
◆ 2 termsHeavenly Stems
The 10 cyclical characters (甲乙丙丁戊己庚辛壬癸) used in Chinese metaphysics. Each stem is associated with a specific element and polarity: Jia/Yi (Wood), Bing/Ding (Fire), Wu/Ji (Earth), Geng/Xin (Metal), Ren/Gui (Water). They form the top row of each Ba Zi pillar.
Houses
The 12 divisions of the birth chart in Western Astrology, each governing a life domain: self (1st), money (2nd), communication (3rd), home (4th), creativity (5th), health (6th), partnerships (7th), transformation (8th), philosophy (9th), career (10th), community (11th), spirituality (12th). House system depends on birth time and location.
I
◆ 1 termK
◆ 1 termL
◆ 4 termsLife Group
In Feng Shui Ba Zhai, people are divided into East Life Group (Kua 1, 3, 4, 9) and West Life Group (Kua 2, 6, 7, 8). Each group shares the same four favorable directions. East Group people thrive facing East, South, North, or Southeast; West Group people thrive facing West, Northwest, Southwest, or Northeast.
Life Path
The most important number in Pythagorean Numerology, calculated by reducing your full birth date to a single digit (or Master Number 11, 22, 33). It reveals your life purpose, natural tendencies, and the path of experiences you will encounter. Life Path 1 = leadership; 7 = seeker; 9 = humanitarian.
Liu Nian / Liu Yue
Annual (Liu Nian) and monthly (Liu Yue) cycles in Zi Wei Dou Shu. Each year activates a Small Limit palace, and each month within that year activates a sub-palace. These short-term cycles layer on top of the 10-year Da Xian to reveal detailed timing of events.
Luck Pillars
Also called Da Yun. 10-year periods in Ba Zi that shift the elemental landscape of your life. Calculated from the Month Pillar, they progress either forward or backward through the stems and branches depending on gender and year stem polarity. Each Luck Pillar brings new elemental influences that can strengthen or challenge your chart.
M
◆ 5 termsMaster Numbers
Special double-digit numbers in Numerology (11, 22, 33) that are not reduced to a single digit. They carry amplified energy: 11 = intuitive visionary, 22 = master builder, 33 = master teacher. Encountering these in a Life Path or core number indicates heightened potential and responsibility.
Midheaven
Also called the MC (Medium Coeli). The highest point of the birth chart, marking the cusp of the 10th house. Represents your public image, career aspirations, and how you are perceived in your professional life. One of the four angles of the chart.
Moon Phase
The current illumination stage of the Moon: New Moon, Waxing Crescent, First Quarter, Waxing Gibbous, Full Moon, Waning Gibbous, Last Quarter, Waning Crescent. In astrology, the Moon phase at birth and current transits influence emotional cycles and optimal timing.
Moon Sign
The zodiac sign the Moon occupied at your exact birth moment. Represents your emotional nature, instinctive reactions, inner needs, and how you process feelings. Changes signs approximately every 2.5 days, making birth time important for accuracy.
Mountain Ring
In Xuan Kong Da Gua, the compass is divided into 64 sectors corresponding to the 64 hexagrams. Each sector covers approximately 5.625°. The mountain ring maps which hexagram governs each degree of direction, used for precise sitting and facing analysis.
N
◆ 2 termsNine Stars (QMDJ)
Nine celestial influences in the Qi Men Dun Jia 9-palace grid: Peng (Canopy), Ren (Duty), Chong (Charge), Fu (Assistant), Rui (Bird), Ying (Prominence), Zhu (Pillar), Xin (Heart), Qin (Celeste). Each star modifies the quality of its palace — some are auspicious (Peng, Ren, Chong), others are challenging (Rui, Zhu).
North Node
A calculated point where the Moon's orbit crosses the ecliptic northward. In Western Astrology, represents your soul's growth direction — the qualities you are developing in this lifetime. The opposite point (South Node) represents past-life patterns and comfort zones.
O
◆ 1 termP
◆ 5 termsPeriod
In Flying Star Feng Shui, time is divided into 20-year periods. The current Period 9 (2024-2043) is governed by the Li trigram (Fire). Each period shifts which flying stars are most timely and powerful, affecting the base chart of every building.
Personal Year Cycle
A 9-year repeating cycle in Numerology. Your Personal Year is calculated from your birth month and day combined with the current year. Each year (1-9) carries a distinct theme: 1 = new beginnings, 5 = change, 9 = completion. The cycle then restarts.
Personality Number
Calculated from the consonants in your full birth name. Represents the outer you — the face you show the world, how others perceive you before they know you deeply. Acts as a filter between your inner self (Soul Urge) and the outside world.
Planets
The 10 celestial bodies used in Western Astrology: Sun, Moon, Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune, Pluto. Each planet governs specific life themes (Sun = identity, Moon = emotions, Mercury = communication, etc.) and its sign and house placement shape your chart.
Profile
A two-number code in Human Design (e.g., 3/5, 6/2) derived from the line positions of your conscious and unconscious Sun gates. There are 12 profiles, each describing your life theme, role, and how you learn. The first number is conscious (Personality); the second is unconscious (Design).
R
◆ 1 termS
◆ 7 termsSan Sha
The Three Killings — an annual Feng Shui affliction that occupies one cardinal sector (90°). Disturbing this sector through renovation, digging, or sitting with your back to it can bring setbacks. Unlike Tai Sui, San Sha shifts to a new cardinal direction each year.
Sector Analysis
In Xuan Kong Da Gua, evaluating a property's compass sectors by their hexagram placements. Each sector is assessed for compatibility with the sitting and facing hexagrams, considering elemental relationships and trigram harmony.
Sitting/Facing
In Feng Shui and XKDG, the sitting direction is where the building's back rests; the facing direction is where it opens to the world. These two directions determine the base chart of a property and are measured with a compass to the nearest degree.
Soul Urge
Also called Heart's Desire. Calculated from the vowels in your full birth name. Reveals your innermost motivations, deepest desires, and what truly drives you at the core. Often describes what you want in life but may not outwardly express.
Strategy
The correct way for your Human Design Type to engage with life. Generators and Manifesting Generators wait to respond. Projectors wait for invitations. Manifestors inform before acting. Reflectors wait a full lunar cycle. Following your Strategy aligns you with your design.
Sun Sign
The zodiac sign the Sun occupied at your birth — the most widely known astrological placement. Represents your core identity, ego expression, and vitality. When someone says "I'm a Leo," they mean their Sun Sign is Leo.
Symbolic Stars
Additional stars in Ba Zi derived from pillar interactions: Peach Blossom (romance/charisma), Nobleman (helpful people), Traveling Horse (movement/change), Academic Star (scholarship), and others. They add nuance to the chart beyond the core elemental analysis.
T
◆ 6 termsTai Sui
The Grand Duke Jupiter — an annual Feng Shui affliction that sits in the Earthly Branch direction of the current year. For example, in a Dragon year, Tai Sui occupies the Southeast (Chen). Never face Tai Sui directly or disturb the sector with renovation.
Ten Gods
The relationship framework in Ba Zi. Each element in your chart has a relationship to your Day Master: Direct/Indirect Resource (support), Companion/Rob Wealth (peers), Direct/Indirect Officer (discipline), Direct/Indirect Wealth (earnings), Eating God/Hurting Officer (output). These 10 relationships describe every dynamic in your life.
Three Wonders
Three special Heavenly Stems in Qi Men Dun Jia: Yi (乙, Wood Wonder), Bing (丙, Fire Wonder), and Ding (丁, Earth Wonder). When a Three Wonder appears in a palace alongside a favorable Door, it indicates an especially auspicious combination for that sector.
Transits
The current positions of planets in the sky, analyzed relative to your natal chart. Transits are the primary timing tool in Western Astrology — when a transiting planet aspects a natal planet, it activates that area of your life. Used for daily, monthly, and yearly forecasts.
Trigram Compatibility
In Xuan Kong Da Gua, two hexagrams are compared by examining the relationship between their component trigrams (upper and lower). Compatible trigrams share harmonious elemental or structural relationships, contributing to auspicious Feng Shui.
Type
Your fundamental energy category in Human Design. There are five Types: Manifestor (initiating energy, ~9%), Generator (sustainable life-force, ~37%), Manifesting Generator (multi-passionate builder, ~33%), Projector (guiding wisdom, ~20%), and Reflector (community mirror, ~1%). Your Type determines your Strategy.
U
◆ 1 termV
◆ 2 termsVariable Arrows
Four arrows in the Human Design BodyGraph that indicate cognitive and behavioral orientation: Digestion (diet), Environment (ideal surroundings), Perspective (how you see the world), and Motivation (what drives you). Each arrow points left (strategic/active) or right (receptive/passive).
Void of Course
A period when the Moon has made its last major aspect in the current sign and will not make another until entering the next sign. During void-of-course Moon, astrologers advise against starting new projects or making important decisions — things initiated may not go as planned.
W
◆ 2 termsWater Features
In Water Formula Feng Shui, any body of water visible from or near a property: rivers, streams, ponds, fountains, drains, or even roads (which carry Qi like water). The direction from which water approaches and exits the property determines its auspiciousness.
Water Mouth
The compass direction where water enters or exits a property's visible environment. In Water Formula (Dragon Gate Eight Method), the water mouth direction is cross-referenced with your Kua number to determine auspiciousness. This is one of the most practical applications of Feng Shui.
Y
◆ 2 termsYin/Yang
The foundational duality in Chinese philosophy: Yin (receptive, dark, cool, internal) and Yang (active, bright, warm, external). Every element, stem, branch, and star has a Yin or Yang polarity. Balance between Yin and Yang is a central goal in all Chinese wisdom traditions.
Yin/Yang Dun
The two modes of Qi Men Dun Jia chart construction. Yang Dun charts are used for the warmer half of the year (spring/summer solstice cycle); Yin Dun charts for the cooler half (autumn/winter solstice cycle). The mode determines how stars and stems are arranged in the 9-palace grid.
See these systems in action
K A X A N T A calculates your complete profile across all nine systems and synthesizes them into one unified cosmic blueprint.