9 Star Ki and Relationships
9 Star Ki is an immensely useful tool for understanding the underlying and often misunderstood dynamics that drive our relationships. Have you ever wondered why certain individuals just seem to rub you up the wrong way, or conversely, why you just can't seem to get through to certain types of people under certain circumstances? Many of us are aware that some relationships are naturally more harmonious and require less "effort" than others. However, understanding 9 Star Ki and the 5 transformations can be tremendously elucidating and help us not only to take blame out of the equation, but also to start to learn new tools to help us create more harmony in our lives. By understanding how 9 Star Ki effects the ways in which people perceive the world and the interplay of energies and elements between us, we can learn to appreciate and grow from some of the more challenging relationships in our lives, rather than seeing them as an annoyance or inconvenience.
Relationship Compatibility CalculatorThe 5 Transformations
The 5 transformatios decribe the way in which each of the 5 elements interacts with the others
Each of the 5 elements relates to the other elements in 3 distinct ways, called "transformations". Traditional Chinese medicine use these same transformations to help make medical diagnoses, as well as to prescribe appropriate treatments to bring the body back into balance.
There are 3 different types of transformation or relationship:
Same Element (also known as the 'Sibling Relationship')
In this instance, both Energies share the same element. For example, it could be two 3 Tree Energies or one 3 Tree and one 4 Tree Energy. This combination tends to lead to a strong "sibling" relationship in which there is an effortless and profound understanding between both parties. There is a great potential for mutual understanding, compassion and harmony in the relationship as well as little antagonism or misunderstanding, although it can still happen, of course. However, this type of relationship typically does not result in very passionate romantic relationships as it may lack "spark" and chemistry. It can, however, lead to lifelong friendships and partnerships.
The Supportive Transformation (also known as the 'Cycle of Growth')
In this instance, one of the Energies supports and nourishes the next. For example, Tree Energies support Fire Energies. This is also known as the "Parent / Child" relationship. On the surface, it may appear that it is more of a one-way street. However, in reality, it does work both ways, even if the bulk of the support flows from the parent to the child. This is typically a very stable relationship and as the elements are not the same, there is generally more chemistry than in the previous transformation we discussed, in which the elements are the same.
Traditionally, in parts of China and Japan, families would consult 9 Star Ki astrologers when arranging marriages in order to ensure the maximum possible harmony and compatibility between the married couple. The Supportive Transformation was considered to be the most harmonious and favourable combination.
The Supportive Transformation specific to the elements
| Elements | Description |
|---|---|
| Water > Tree | The Water element nourishes the Tree element, helping it to grow; to develop its creativity and natural exploratory and pioneering nature. For example, Water people tend to show a natural fascination in the ideas of Tree people. Also, being flexible, they can keep up wiht the fast and dynamic pace of Trees, encouraging them and even providing additional ideas and inspiration. |
| Tree > Fire | The Tree element nourishes the Fire by providing constant fuel to burn. For example, Tree people are often naturally complimentary and express their appreciation for others. This helps to boost the somewhat delicate confidence of Fire Energies, so that they can continue to burn brightly and inspire those around them. |
| Fire > Earth | Fire element provides illumination, clarity, warmth and inspiration to Earth elements, supporting them in their endeavours. Earth people are not the most receptive to advice, especially from Tree people (from whom advice may seem like a threat). However, the warm, passionate, inspiring and gently elucidating quality of Fire tends to be much appreciated by those who are Earth element |
| Earth > Metal | The steady, stable and reliable quality of Earth is extremely beneficial and supportive for Metal elements. Metal people are also quite reliable and steady by nature and may struggle a little with the more impulsive and dynaic Tree and Fire elements. Additionally, Metal people can, at time, be quite sharp in the way they communicate. Earth people are typically far more receptive and less impacted by Metal's communication style, resulting in good communication and understanding betwen these elements |
| Metal > Water | Metal people bring great clarity to the Water element, which can, at times, get a little lost in deep waters and lose direction. Just as a knife cannot cut water, Water people typically do not feel cut by the generally more sharp quality that Metal people express. To the contrary, many Water people find the sharpness and directness extremely helpful and clarifying. |
The Challenging Transformation (also known as the 'Cycle of Destruction')
This type of relationship can easily be misunderstood. There is nothing inherently bad about the challenging or 'antagonistic' transformation. In fact, it is an essential part of life. In Traditional Chinese medicine, which uses the elements to understand the organs and their relationship to one another and to one's overall health, it is said that the challenging element is vitally important in order to calm down an overactive one which it controls, in order to bring balance back to the body. For example, the water element is said to govern the kidneys. During accuate kidney failure, there is also a negative impact on the heart (Fire element), which is no longer brought into balance by the Water element, resulting in an increased risk of heart attack.
This combination can be one of the most magnetic and results in the most personal growth. There is often a lot of natural chemistry between people with opposite elements. It is also the combination that is most likely to lead to misunderstandings and conflict. Sometimes this combination can lead to the element that is being challenged feeling thwarted and stifled. This is particularly the case if the challenging element is in a more powerful position emotionally or energetically. For example, a Tree person may feel as though all of their creativity - their "branches", so to speak - have been chopped down before they even had a chance to develop and explore any potential that may have been present. Or, a Fire person may feel their fire has been put out by a Water person, who wanted to do a deep dive into the depths of their terrain. However, as much as there can be greater conflict in this combination, it is in the resolution of this conflict that much progress is made and ultimately challenge leads to greater growth. It really comes down to the delicate balance between "carrot" and "stick".
The Challenging Transformation relative to the elements
| Elements | Description |
|---|---|
| Water > Fire | The Water element runs deep and loves to explore the emotional world, flowing endlessly from one vantage point to the next. Fire people, on the other hand, are more comfortable with the perspective of the midday sun, where everything is illuminated and in plain view. What can therefore happen, is that Fire people can feel rather 'lost' in the world of Water people. They don't have much common ground and it can result in their flame going out. Water people also typically react to Fire's clearly defined opinions and perpsectives on situations, as well as what they view to be right and wrong or appropriate and not. To Water people, the opinions of Fires can sometimes appear harsh, judgmental, narrow-minded and lacking in empathy and they can feel compelled to draw their attention to the deeper, subtler, more diffuse layers of a situation, which can cause Fires to feel confused and misunderstood. However, when Fire people are out of balance, they can indeed become overly critical and narrow-minded and in those situations, the input of Water element brings balance, by injecting a much welcome dose of empathy and emotional sensitivity. |
| Tree > Earth | Tree people love change and are constantly creating new solutions and ideas, which they pursue with passion. This can be extremely disruptive to Earth people, who tend to dislike change not instigated by others. Earth people can feel pushed by Tree people. One can easily invisage a vigorous young sappling breaking up the Earth in the spring time, as it begins its growth upwards. However, when out of balance, Earth people tend to get a bit stuck and stagnate and so the fresh, enthusiastic input of the Tree element is often the perfect remedy to get the Earth person unstuck. |
| Fire > Metal | Metal people tend to be pragmatic, critical and clear and generally have a broad perspective and lots of common sense. However, they can also become overly rigid and stuck in one particular point of view. Fire Energies, who benefit from the perspective of the midday sun, often have a clearer, more balanced perspective than Metal Energies, as well as a warm, dynamic quality to them which is particularly good at gently melting and softening the rigidity of Metal people. |
| Earth > Water | Water people, with their deep, flowing, exploratory nature, can sometimes become undisciplined, chaotic and too thinly spread. Without a container, they can lack direction and purpose. Earth people can be of great importance in helping to provide some structure and support to Water Energies. However, too much Earth element can be overly restrictive and rigid, thwarting Water's natural flexible, exploratory nature. |
| Metal > Tree | Tree people are highly creative, forward-thinking individuals and can be quite pioneering. However, many of their ideas require a great deal of refinement before they are of use. Metal people, with their broad perspective, common sense and critical eye are especially good at seeing the potential pitfalls in the ideas brought forward by Tree people. When this interaction works in a balanced way, the results can be spectacular (one might think of a beautifully pruned tree). However, when exposed to too much or too agressive Metal element, Tree's natural creative powers may be stifled, leading to anger and frustration. |