Taoist Astrology and the Structure of the UniverseThese three realms contain the main principles applied in Chinese philosophy and
astrology. The ten heavenly stems are based on the yin and yang aspect of the five
elements (related to yin/yang senses/organs/systems). The I Ching and its internal prin-
ciple of the pakua or eight forces relates to the eight extraordinary meridians in the body.
This more prenatal meridian system is nurtured by the eight planets (the sun and moon
form the central aspect) and the eight related star essences. The principles of the pakua
are also found in the Taoist 9 Star Astrology (8 forces + the central Tai Chi = 9). The North
Star and Big Dipper energy are essential to the whole Taoist practice. Taoist masters
observed that in the central star palace, 9 major energy points clearly reflect the changing
energy quality of the universe and our planet. These 9 points are the 7 stars of the Big
Dipper, the light of the yang star, Polaris and the light of the yin star, Vega.
The 12 earthly branches are in relationship with the earthly forces and also the 12
main acupuncture channels.
The heavenly stems have a high frequency energy - related to realm of cosmic law and
Universal energy. The earthly branches have a lower frequency, related to the earth en-
ergy and the surroundings of the earth in the 12 different directions.
The principles of the five elements, the pakua and, to a lesser degree, the related
stems and branches are fundamental for the planetary and stellar meditations. We will go
deeper into these topics as we progress.
Five ElementsEvery part of Chinese philosophy is connected with the five elements. The law of Yin and
Yang, Five Elements and Pakua (eight forces) come from the unmanifested world and
control the whole world of phenomena, including the world of stars and planets and life on
earth. Written evidence of the use of the five elements has been found around 300 B.C.
although they were certainly known and used before that time. Much confusion arises
between the Greek four elements and the Chinese five elements. Both of them have a
clear underlying philosophy. The five basic planets are the physical manifestation
of the five elements.
Ancient Chinese astrology divides the sky into five palaces, also called the five cardi-
nal points. The earth, or Central Palace, is the part of the sky which is visible throughout
the whole year. The other four Palaces can be located as the earth moves through the
four seasons during its annual rotation around the sun. Each of the outer 4 palaces
covers an area of about 90 degrees in the sky.
The one (circle) gives birth to the two (Tai Chi), from there we find the three (e.g,
heaven, earth and man), a further differentiation leads us to the pakua. Inside these eight
trigrams we find the five elements (see figs 3.10 and 3.11). The combination of the eight
trigrams gives us the 64 trigrams. This concept of the order of the universe and an under-
standing of these laws was traditionally necessary to be able to work with Chinese astrol-
ogy.