Benefic and Malefic Planets in Traditional Chinese Natal Astrology: Understanding 恩星 and 难星

Jupiter and Venus are traditionally regarded as the Greater and Lesser Benefics, while Saturn and Mars are known as the Greater and Lesser Malefics respectively. These inherent planetary qualities are well established in traditional Western astrology, and many astrologers regard the placement and overall condition of Jupiter and Saturn as one of several useful starting points in chart interpretation.

But does Traditional Chinese Natal Astrology (七政四余) distinguish between benefic and malefic planets in the same way? Are Jupiter and Venus always treated as benefic, while Saturn and Mars are always treated as malefic?

Not quite. 

Although the nature and significations of the planets in Chinese Natal Astrology bear many similarities to their counterparts in traditional Western astrology, the approach to judging their benefic or malefic influence differs in an important respect. Before determining whether a planet benefits or harms the native, one must first understand the First House Ruler (命主星) in relation to the Five Elements. It is from this that the concept of the Benefactor Star (恩星) and the Adversity Star (难星) are established.

In Chinese Metaphysics, the Five Elements and their dynamic relationships of generation, control, strength, and decline (生、克、旺、衰) play a fundamental role. This applies not only to Traditional Chinese Natal Astrology, but also to virtually every branch of Chinese Metaphysics, including Traditional Chinese Medicine.

Let us consider the following chart.

The First House (命宫) falls in Chou (丑), corresponding to Capricorn. Although translated here as the "First House," readers familiar with Western astrology should note that the 命宫 in Traditional Chinese Natal Astrology is determined differently and should not be assumed to correspond with the First House based on the Ascendant. Chou 丑 belongs to the Earth element and is governed by Saturn. Hence, Saturn becomes the First House Ruler.

Before proceeding further, it is worth making an observation. To truly appreciate Chinese Metaphysics, studying exclusively through English-language materials often means missing much of its underlying richness. This is especially true of those branches of Chinese Metaphysics whose technical vocabulary is deeply intertwined with the Chinese language, such as Qi Men Dun Jia. Chinese characters carry sound, form, and meaning (音、形、意), and many technical concepts are inseparable from the natural imagery embedded within the language.

For example, when an English-speaking student encounters Jupiter, it is natural to think simply of the planet. In Chinese astrology, however, Jupiter is known as 木星 (the Wood Star), corresponding to 木, the Wood element. The moment one encounters the character 木, the mind is no longer confined to an astronomical body, but is naturally led to the wider imagery and qualities associated with wood in the natural world. Wood immediately evokes the image of trees in nature. Trees take root, grow upward, branch outward, and flourish over time. From these observable qualities arise broader associations, including growth and expansion, that are naturally connected with the Wood element.

Likewise, Saturn is known as 土星 (the Earth Star), corresponding to 土, the Earth element. 土 immediately evokes the image of soil and land. Once viewed through this lens, the controlling relationship of Wood overcoming Earth (木克土) is no longer merely an abstract theory, but something readily understood from the natural world itself.

Returning to the chart, the First House Ruler belongs to the Earth element. Earth evokes the image of soil and land. What naturally restrains or overcomes the earth? Trees. Their roots penetrate the soil, while their continual growth gradually spreads across the land. Trees belong to the Wood element, and Jupiter corresponds to this element. Thus, for a native whose First House Ruler belongs to the Earth element, Jupiter becomes the native's Adversity (难) Star.

Conversely, what benefits Earth? Fire. In nature, fire ultimately returns what it consumes to the earth. Fire corresponds to Mars, making Mars the native's Benefactor (恩) Star.

恩 (ēn): That which nourishes, supports, protects, or bestows benefit.

难 (nàn): That which restrains, challenges, afflicts, or brings adversity.

At its most fundamental level, identifying the First House Ruler and applying the relationships of the Five Elements allows us to distinguish what is generally favorable and unfavorable to the native. The discussion here introduces only the basic principle. In actual chart interpretation, determining one's Benefactor and Adversity Stars may involve additional considerations beyond the basic elemental relationships, requiring a more nuanced assessment in practice. Nevertheless, understanding this foundational principle remains one of the essential first steps in chart interpretation.

Where is Jupiter placed in this chart? It is located in the Eighth House (疾厄宫), which falls in Wu 午 (Leo). Is this placement favorable?

The ruler of Wu 午 is the Sun, and the Sun does not favor Wood Star. The Wood Star is also the native's Adversity Star. Consequently, matters signified by the Eighth House tend to bring difficulties or harm to the native. The Sun and Leo govern the heart, spine, and back. The First House Ruler, Saturn, is placed in the Second House (Zi 子 Aquarius) and directly faces the Adversity Star Jupiter in the Eighth House. Saturn also signifies the bones.

Jupiter also rules the Twelfth House (Yin 寅 Sagittarius) and the Third House (Hai 亥 Pisces). With only a few exceptions, the meanings of the houses in Chinese Natal Astrology broadly correspond to those in Western astrology. The relationship between the Eighth, Twelfth, and Third Houses in this configuration should not be difficult to interpret for readers already familiar with basic astrology.

However, that is not the point I wish to highlight here.

We know that the Moon occupies a central role in astrology, and this is equally true in Chinese Natal Astrology. In this chart, the Moon falls in Di Mansion (氐宿) of the Twenty-Eight Mansions, a mansion that is itself not favorable for the Moon. It also shares the same Jing 经 (同经) as Jupiter, meaning they belong to Mansions of the same Element. This closely links the Moon with Jupiter.

The Moon rules the Seventh House. In other words, the ruler of marriage is closely associated with the native's Adversity Star. The Moon is likewise an important significator of the physical body, while also serving as a key indicator of one's happiness and emotional fulfilment. What, then, might this suggest about the native's marriage?

Having considered the Adversity Star, let us now examine the Benefactor Star.

The Moon in Scorpio (卯, Mao) sees Mars, the native's Benefactor Star, in Pisces (亥, Hai) by a trine. This indicates that the native is able to derive benefit, support, and happiness through marriage. One should not, however, interpret this according to the conventional Western doctrine that a trine is automatically a benefic aspect. The underlying reasoning here is entirely different.

Does this contradict the earlier indication between the Moon and Jupiter?

Not at all. Different testimonies need not contradict one another. Each may manifest according to its own indication.

This is the natal chart of Elizabeth Taylor. I have previously discussed her nativity from the perspective of traditional Western astrology. Here, we examine the very same nativity through the lens of Traditional Chinese Natal Astrology.

Different civilizations have all looked upon the same heavens and the same stars. Rather than competing truths, their astrological traditions simply represent different ways of understanding the same celestial reality.