Wu Qu, the Wealth Star
In a Nutshell
The sixth star of the Northern Dipper, whose transformed breath is Wealth, element Xin Metal — governing money and resolve.
Quick facts
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Rank | 6th star of the Northern Dipper |
| Element | Xin Metal |
| Transformed breath | Wealth (Cai); lord of the Wealth palace |
What is the Wu Qu star?
The Wu Qu star is one of the fourteen major stars of Zi Wei Dou Shu, the sixth star of the Northern Dipper. In the star system the Dipper majors are headed by Zi Wei, and Wu Qu stands sixth in the Dipper line. Its transformed breath is "Wealth," its element Xin Metal, and tradition ties it to money, resolve, and follow-through — the star of earning and deciding in the system.
The *Complete Book of Zi Wei Dou Shu* (Book 1, "Questions and Answers on the Stars") calls Wu Qu the sixth star of the Northern Dipper, a Metal star and lord of the Palace of Wealth, and says that in a person it shows as a firm, decisive temper. Traditional commentaries therefore link it to earning and managing money, drive and decisiveness. The original passage is quoted below.
In combination imagery, pairings of Wu Qu with Tian Fu, Tan Lang, and others were much discussed by the old writers — names like "Wu and Tan traveling together" are later labels built on star natures. A good way to learn it: read Wu Qu as the symbol of "earning and deciding" — whichever palace it lands in, that palace's affairs take on a managing, decisive coloring; the details still need the stars sharing and facing its palace. Noting which palace Wu Qu lands in and which stars share or face it is a standard step in reading; its palace is traditionally read together with the Wealth palace. A full Zi Wei chart lays out the stars and palaces at a glance. This page covers only the star's basic meaning and its source, and makes no predictions.
Classical sources
"Wu Qu is the sixth star of the Northern Dipper and belongs to Metal; it is lord of the Palace of Wealth. Sharing a palace with Tian Fu it brings long life… In a person it makes the temper firm and decisive, with both joy and anger, capable of fortune and of calamity."
Plain words: Wu Qu is Metal, the sixth star of the Northern Dipper and lord of the Wealth palace; in a person it shows as a firm, decisive temper.
Source: *Zi Wei Dou Shu Quan Shu* (Complete Book of Zi Wei Dou Shu), Book 1, "Questions and Answers on the Stars" · "What does Wu Qu govern?" — original: 武曲北斗第六星，属金，乃财帛宫主。与天府同宫有寿……主于人，性刚果决，有喜有怒，可福可灾。
*For entertainment purposes only.*