New to astrology? This is the place to start. Tian Qi reads five systems, and this guide explains each one in plain English — what it is, what it is good for, and which one fits your question. You need no background; every term is explained as it appears.
BaZi (八字 / Four Pillars of Destiny)
Your elemental blueprint, read from your birth date and time — personality, strengths, and the decade-by-decade timing of your life.
Zi Wei Dou Shu (紫微斗數 / Purple Star Astrology)
A detailed twelve-palace star map of your whole life — career, wealth, relationships, health — and when each area lights up.
Qi Men Dun Jia (奇門遁甲 / The Mystical Gates)
A chart for a moment rather than a birth — read the energy of right now to time a decision or choose a favourable direction.
Western Astrology
The sky at the moment you were born — Sun, Moon, Rising, the planets, and the twelve houses — read the way the West has for two thousand years.
Horary Astrology
A Western chart cast for the exact moment you ask one clear question — a focused answer drawn from that single snapshot of the sky.
Common beginner questions
Which system should I start with if I'm new to all this?
Start with BaZi. It reads your birth date and time as a simple elemental blueprint of your personality, strengths, and life timing — the most grounded entry point. From there, Zi Wei Dou Shu adds a detailed life map, and Qi Men Dun Jia or horary answer specific, in-the-moment questions.
Do I need to know my exact birth time?
For BaZi, Zi Wei Dou Shu, and a Western natal chart, yes — the hour changes parts of the reading, so an accurate birth time matters. Qi Men Dun Jia and horary don't use your birth time at all: they read the moment you ask the question.
Is this the same as my Chinese zodiac animal sign?
No. Your zodiac animal is only one piece — the branch of your birth year. BaZi and Zi Wei Dou Shu use your full birth date and time (eight characters, or a twelve-palace map), which is far more detailed than the animal alone.
Is astrology fortune-telling? Is my fate fixed?
These systems are read as a map and a weather forecast, not a fixed verdict. They show tendencies, strengths, and timing — the seasons you're moving through — so you can make better-informed choices. What you do with that is up to you.
What's the difference between BaZi and Zi Wei Dou Shu?
BaZi is your elemental blueprint — four pillars and eight characters built from the Five Elements, giving the core pattern of who you are. Zi Wei Dou Shu is a star map — over a hundred symbolic stars placed across twelve life palaces, adding palace-by-palace detail on career, wealth, relationships, and more.
What is Qi Men Dun Jia used for?
Timing and decisions. Instead of your birth, Qi Men casts a nine-palace chart for a specific moment to answer a precise question — the best time to act, the direction that favours you, and whether the door ahead is open or blocked.
What is horary astrology?
Horary is a Western technique that casts a chart for the exact moment you ask one clear, pressing question, then reads that single snapshot of the sky for a focused answer. The moment the question is asked is the chart — it is the West's closest cousin to Qi Men Dun Jia.
How much does a reading cost?
Creating your chart is free. AI readings are priced per reply in small tokens, and you get free tokens when you sign up — so you can try a full reading before paying anything.