Qi Men Qi Ju (奇门起局): Setting the Qi Men Dun Jia Chart

Overview

Qi Men Qi Ju (起局, Qǐ Jú), literally "Raising the Chart" or "Setting the Formation," represents the fundamental computational process in Qi Men Dun Jia (奇门遁甲, Qí Mén Dùn Jiǎ) metaphysics. This sophisticated calendrical procedure transforms a specific moment in time—whether past, present, or future—into a structured nine-palace grid (九宫格, Jiǔ Gōng Gé) that maps the interactive relationships between celestial bodies, terrestrial directions, human affairs, and spiritual influences.

Unlike simpler divination systems that rely on randomization, Qi Men Qi Ju operates on precise astronomical calculations derived from the Chinese lunisolar calendar. The practitioner inputs four temporal coordinates—the year, month, day, and hour—then applies complex algorithms involving the twenty-four solar terms (节气, Jié Qì), the ten heavenly stems (天干, Tiān Gān), and the twelve earthly branches (地支, Dì Zhī). The output is a four-dimensional matrix known as the "Four Plates" (四层盘面, Sì Céng Pán Miàn), serving as the diagnostic foundation for interpreting military strategy, business decisions, medical treatments, or personal destiny.

The procedure distinguishes between two primary energetic modes: Yang Dun (阳遁, Yáng Dùn) and Yin Dun (阴遁, Yīn Dùn), representing the expanding and contracting phases of cosmic qi throughout the solar year. Mastering Qi Ju requires understanding not only mathematical sequences but also the dynamic interplay between time and space in traditional Chinese cosmology.

Key Concepts

The Four Plates (Si Ceng Pan Mian)

The completed Qi Men chart consists of four overlapping informational layers, each rotating at different speeds relative to the observer:

• Di Pan (地盘, Dì Pán) - Earth Plate: The static foundation containing the San Qi Liu Yi (三奇六仪, Sān Qí Liù Yí)—the Three Wonders (Yi, Bing, Ding) and Six Yi (Wu, Ji, Geng, Xin, Ren, Gui) arranged across nine palaces. This plate remains fixed to the cardinal directions and serves as the terrestrial reference point.
• Tian Pan (天盘, Tiān Pán) - Heaven Plate: The rotating layer of Jiu Xing (九星, Jiǔ Xīng, Nine Stars) representing celestial influences and weather patterns. These stars orbit around the central palace following specific directional rules depending on Yang or Yin Dun.
• Ren Pan (人盘, Rén Pán) - Human Plate: The domain of Ba Men (八门, Bā Mén, Eight Doors)—Opening, Rest, Life, Injury, Duelling, Scene, Death, and Surprise. These doors indicate the viability of human actions and strategic opportunities.
• Shen Pan (神盘, Shén Pán) - Deity Plate: Also called the Eight Gods (八神, Bā Shén), this layer represents subtle spiritual influences, psychological states, and external assistance or interference.

Yang Dun and Yin Dun (Yang/Yin Escapes)

The universe's energetic breathing determines the chart's mathematical structure:

Zhi Fu and Zhi Shi (The Leaders)

Every chart has two commanding officers determined by the Hour Pillar:

• Zhi Fu (值符, Zhí Fú): The "Value Stem" or Chief Commander, identified through the Xun Shou (旬首, Xún Shǒu, Period Leader). This is the specific star from the Nine Stars that leads the Tian Pan arrangement.
• Zhi Shi (值使, Zhí Shǐ): The "Value Envoy" or Door Commander, corresponding to the Eight Door associated with the same Xun Shou. This door anchors the Ren Pan layer.

How It Works / Step-by-Step Procedure

Step 1: Time Rectification (Zhen Tai Yang Shi)

Before any calculation, convert the birth or inquiry time to Zhen Tai Yang Shi (真太阳时, True Solar Time). Standard time zones (like Beijing Time) are approximations; the sun's actual position at the location determines the real hour pillar. This requires adjusting for longitude differences and equation of time variations.

Step 2: Determine Solar Term (Jie Qi)

Locate which of the 24 solar terms the date falls within. This determines:

1. Whether to use Yang Dun or Yin Dun
2. The specific Ju Shu (局数, Chart Number) from 1 to 9, based on the "Upper, Middle, Lower Yuan" (上中下元) cycle
3. The correct month branch (月建, Yuè Jiàn), which may differ from lunar calendar months

Step 3: Establish the Four Pillars (Si Zhu)

Convert the rectified time into the Ba Zi format:

• Nian Zhu (年柱): Year Stem + Branch
• Yue Zhu (月柱): Month Stem + Branch (determined by solar term, not lunar month)
• Ri Zhu (日柱): Day Stem + Branch (changes at Zi Shi, 11 PM-1 AM)
• Shi Zhu (时柱): Hour Stem + Branch (calculated via the Day Stem)

Step 4: Identify Xun Shou and Locate Leaders

Determine which of the six Jia/Xun cycles (甲子旬,甲戌旬,甲申旬,甲午旬,甲辰旬,甲寅旬) contains the hour stem. The stem that occupies the "Jia" position in that cycle reveals:

• The corresponding star for Zhi Fu
• The corresponding door for Zhi Shi
• The starting palace (usually Kan 1 for Yang Dun 1, etc., modified by chart number)

Step 5: Arrange Di Pan (Earth Plate)

Place the San Qi Liu Yi (Three Wonders and Six Yi) into the nine palaces according to the Ju Shu. For example, in Yang Dun 1, Wu goes to Kan 1 (North), Ji to Kun 2 (SW), etc., following the Hetu (River Map) sequence.

Step 6: Arrange Tian Pan (Heaven Plate)

Place the Zhi Fu star onto the palace where its corresponding stem resides in the Di Pan. Then arrange the remaining eight stars in sequence:

• Yang Dun: Clockwise rotation (Peng, Rui, Chong, Fu, Qin, Xin, Zhuang, Ying, Ren)
• Yin Dun: Counter-clockwise rotation

Step 7: Arrange Ren Pan (Human Plate)

The Zhi Shi door starts in the same palace as the Zhi Fu star, then rotates:

• Yang Dun: Clockwise through休生伤杜景死惊开 (Rest, Life, Injury, Duelling, Scene, Death, Surprise, Opening)
• Yin Dun: Counter-clockwise

Step 8: Arrange Shen Pan (Deity Plate)

Place the Zhi Fu deity (usually representing the chief spirit) in the same palace as the Zhi Fu star, then arrange the remaining seven spirits:

• Yang Dun: Clockwise (Zhi Fu, Teng She, Tai Yin, Liu He, Bai Hu, Xuan Wu, Jiu Di, Jiu Tian)
• Yin Dun: Counter-clockwise

Examples

Example: Yang Dun 7, Winter Solstice Period

Suppose consulting on December 25, 2024, at 10:30 AM Beijing Time (after conversion to True Solar Time):

1. Solar Term: Winter Solstice (冬至, Dōng Zhì) period = Yang Dun
2. Ju Shu: Upper Yuan (上元) of Winter Solstice = Yang Dun 7 (Ju 7)
3. Four Pillars: Jia Chen year, Bing Zi month, Ding Si day, Yi Si hour
4. Xun Shou: Jia Chen Xun (甲辰旬) - Jia Chen is hidden under Wu in Di Pan
5. Zhi Fu: Tian Rui Star (天芮星) since it guards Wu in Yang Dun 7
6. Zhi Shi: Sheng Men (生门, Life Door)
7. Arrangement: Di Pan starts with Wu in Dui 7 palace (West). Zhi Fu (Tian Rui) and Zhi Shi (Sheng Men) both begin in Dui 7, then rotate clockwise for Yang Dun.

The resulting chart shows Sheng Men (growth/wealth) in the West, suggesting favorable outcomes for financial activities in that direction during this hour.

Common Pitfalls

Time Zone and True Solar Time Errors

Most modern practitioners use smartphone apps that default to Beijing Time (UTC+8). However, a consultation in Xinjiang (UTC+6 effectively) or New York requires longitude adjustment. Failing to convert to local true solar time places the hour pillar—and consequently Zhi Fu and Zhi Shi—incorrectly, rendering the entire chart invalid.

The Zi Shi Boundary Problem

In Chinese metaphysics, the day changes at Zi Shi (子时, 11:00 PM - 1:00 AM), not at midnight. Some systems further divide Zi Shi into Early Zi (12-1 AM) and Late Zi (11-12 PM) with different hour stems. Using Western midnight (12:00 AM) as the day boundary creates errors for night-time consultations.

Solar Term Transitions (Jie Qi Jiao Jie)

The month pillar changes not at the 1st of the lunar month, but at the exact moment of the solar term transition (e.g., when the sun reaches 285° ecliptic longitude for Winter Solstice). Using calendar dates instead of astronomical calculations can place the month stem incorrectly, affecting the Ju Shu determination.

Ju Shu Miscalculation

Each solar term is divided into Upper, Middle, and Lower Yuan (三元, Sān Yuán), each lasting roughly five days. The Ju number rotates 1-9 within these periods. Misidentifying which Yuan period a date falls into results in placing the San Qi Liu Yi in wrong palaces—a critical error known as "wrong mountain" (错山, Cuò Shān).

Software Automation Blindness

While modern Qi Men software automates these calculations, practitioners must understand the underlying mechanics to recognize when input errors (like incorrect birth years during Spring Festival periods) produce impossible chart configurations.

Related Terms

• Qi Men Dun Jia (奇门遁甲): The complete system of Mystical Doors and Hidden Stems; a advanced Chinese metaphysical art combining time, space, and strategy.
• Ju (局): The specific chart or formation; there are 1,080 possible Ju combinations (540 Yang, 540 Yin) in traditional systems.
• San Qi (三奇): The Three Wonders—Yi (乙), Bing (丙), Ding (丙)—representing favorable celestial influences.
• Liu Yi (六仪): The Six Yi—Wu (戊), Ji (己), Geng (庚), Xin (辛), Ren (壬), Gui (癸)—forming the structural framework.
• Xun (旬): A ten-day cycle in the Chinese calendar; the Jia stems lead six Xun cycles.
• Gong (宫): Palace; one of nine directional sectors (Kan, Kun, Zhen, Xun, Zhong, Qian, Dui, Gen, Li).
• Ma Xing (马星): The Traveling Horse star, indicating movement and speed, calculated from the hour branch.
• Kong Wang (空亡): Empty Death or Void Emptiness; the two missing branches in each Xun cycle indicating energetic vacuums.