At a glance
- Zi example
- Zi, Shen, Chen, Wu
- Opposition
- Six branch steps apart
Definition and terminology
A common definition takes the focal palace and its two trine partners as three directions, then adds the opposite to make four positions. Wording varies, so verify the author’s definition. Opposite means six branch steps away. This is not simply four paper corners or the same use of cardinal positions in every other system.
Structure and rules
For Zi, the trine partners are Shen and Chen and the opposite Wu. For Mao, they are Hai and Wei, with You opposite. Locate branches before reading domain names and stars. Traditional interpretation compares their combinations and annotations. The same branch group does not carry identical life-domain labels in every natal chart.
Worked reading
With Life at Zi under a common domain sequence, Shen is Wealth, Chen Career and Wu Travel. The framework links self, resources, work and external environment as interpretive topics. No stars are specified. It cannot establish that employment and income must fluctuate together or that travel necessarily improves someone’s prospects.
Context and limits
The framework broadens reading beyond one star or palace, but also increases interpretive flexibility. State the positions and rules used rather than selecting a convenient match after an outcome. Trine-oriented schools emphasize it, while flying-transformation methods may also use it. Different emphases do not imply completely exclusive toolkits.
References & further reading
Historical sources document ideas and rules of their time, not empirical proof of predictive accuracy. Source notes identify the nature and scope of each reference.
- 《紫微斗数全书》全览Primary / tradition source
Public-domain received text for palaces, stars and cycles; modern school names and some transformation tables require separate checking.