Nine Star Ki is a system which is based on complex and ancient oriental thoughts about the universe and time. Readers interested in the full system should read a comprehensive book on the subject such as Nine Star Ki: Michio Kushi's Guidebook on Love and Relationships, Health & Travel and Getting Through the 1990s by Michio Kushi with Edward Esko and special contribution by Gale Jack (published 1991), or a more basic but still excellent introduction such as An Anthology of I Chingby W. A. Sherrill and W. K. Chu (published 1977).

Nine Star Ki is based on a fundamental understanding that there is a complex sequencing system embedded in the nature of reality. This system was able to identify nine distinctive "states" or conditions. These states occur in a repetitive pattern, going step by step through the same sequence over time. The patterns can be discerened on different levels based upon their intensity and character by observers. The patterns are most discerned by individuals by the year, however, the same nine different states can also be discerned by monthly intervals as well. In the modern perspective, the nine states represent different values of a wave function. This, in a nutshell, is the basis of Nine Star Ki. Pleaes note that what is presented here in this page is only a highlight, the more bare-bones description of the system; there is a great deal of complex thought behind it which I am not presenting.

2. Determining Your Birth pattern.

Now, rather than trying to justify the basis of Nine Star Ki based upon ancient oriental thought, let us put this basic information to work and test the system with the facts of your life. We need two things to use Natal Nine Star Ki -- (1) information about the sequence and character of the nine states, and (2) your own individual birth data.

The following table indicates the Nine Star Ki value for the years 1874 through 2026. (To facilitate finding your year, each year ending in zero is highlighted in red). The numbers at the top and bottoms of the columns are the Nine Star Ki year values.

--9-- --8-- --7-- --6-- --5-- --4-- --3-- --2-- --1--
 1874  1875  1876  1877  1878  1879  1880  1881  1882
 1883  1884  1885  1886  1887  1888  1889  1890  1891
 1892  1893  1894  1895  1896  1897  1898  1899  1900
 1901  1902  1903  1904  1905  1906  1907  1908  1909
 1910  1911  1912  1913  1914  1915  1916  1917  1918
 1919  1920  1921  1922  1923  1924  1925  1926  1927
 1928  1929  1930  1931  1932  1933  1934  1935  1936
 1937  1938  1939  1940  1941  1942  1943  1944  1945
 1946  1947  1948  1949  1950  1951  1952  1953  1954
 1955  1956  1957  1958  1959  1960  1961  1962  1963
 1964  1965  1966  1967  1968  1969  1970  1971  1972
 1973  1974  1975  1976  1977  1978  1979  1980  1981
 1982  1983  1984  1985  1986  1987  1988  1989  1990
 1991  1992  1993  1994  1995  1996  1997  1998  1999
 2000  2001  2002  2003  2004  2005  2006  2007  2008
 2009  2010  2011  2012  2013  2014  2015  2016  2017
 2018  2019  2020  2021  2022  2023  2024  2025  2026
--9-- --8-- --7-- --6-- --5-- --4-- --3-- --2-- --1--

There is one other minor complication, however. Since the original calendar upon which Nine Star Ki is based is a lunar calendar, the years cited above do not actually begin until around Feburary 4th. Dates between January 1 and the approximate date of February 4th are counted as belonging to the PRIOR year.

If your bithday happens to fall around February 4th, in order to find your precise year value would require either finding the exact date/time of the lunar year, or using a process of "rectification". Rectification means simply that you construct two charts, one for each possible year, and you use whichever one has the greater degree of accuracy based on data that you know.

Some of you might wonder what these nine numbers represent. Although this page will not go into this in detail at this point, each of the numbers is a shorthand representation of a series of qualities, some of which are identified as:

1 -- color = White, element = Water, direction = N, trigram = Li
2 -- color = Black, element = Earth, direction = SW, trigram = Kan
3 -- color = Bright Green, element = Wood, direction = E, trigram = Tui
4 -- color = Dark Green, element = Wood, direction = SE, trigram = Ch'ien
5 -- color = Yellow, element = Earth, direction = center, trigram = (none)
6 -- color = White, element = Metal, direction =NW, trigram = Sun
7 -- color = Red, element = Metal, direction = W, trigram = Chen
8 -- color = White, element = Earth, direction = NE, trigram = K'un
9 -- color = Purple, element = Fire, direction = S, trigram = K'an
1 -- color = White, element = Water, direction = S, trigram = Li
2 -- color = Black, element = Earth, direction = NE, trigram = Kan
3 -- color = Bright Green, element = Wood, direction = W, trigram = Tui
4 -- color = Dark Green, element = Wood, direction = NW, trigram = Ch'ien
5 -- color = Yellow, element = Earth, direction = center, trigram = (none)
6 -- color = White, element = Metal, direction = SE, trigram = Sun
7 -- color = Red, element = Metal, direction = E, trigram = Chen
8 -- color = White, element = Earth, direction = SW, trigram = K'un
9 -- color = Purple, element = Fire, direction = N, trigram = K'an
This is far more complicated than you need to know. Below I will tell you very simply what each number means in your chart.

3. The Basis of Natal Nine Star Ki

The result of the Nine Star Ki system is that clearly the entire world is subjected to the same trends at the same time. Thus, this system does not account for any of the variations which we all experience. It was to address this weakness that the Natal Nine Star Ki system was developed, since it produces 81 separately identifiable patterns rather than the basic 9. Thus, it can account for some individual variability by grouping people into subsets of the population based on their birth data, much like Western astrology does.

In the traditional Nine Star Ki system, each individual feels the qualities of that type of year operating on him or her. In 1999 for instance, it was a "1" year, and so everyone felt "1" year influences. In Natal Nine Star Ki, however, each individual is subject to two different influences. One is this same general influence, the other, however, is the influence of his own birth pattern.

The birth year pattern is far simpler than the calendric pattern of traditional Nine Star Ki. At birth, each individual begins with a value of "9", and the progression of cycles begins. Life begins with a tremendous burst of energy, and the birth year represents this period of growth. It is followed by a stabilizing period, an "8" year, in which the life assumes a steady pace in independent growth. Growth, however, is not uniform, and it will go through periods of acceleration. Thus, ages 2 and 3 indicate a speedup, and age 4 represents the first apex of energy. These terms will be discussed below.

It is also interesting to note that birth normally follows conception by nine months, which is also in accord with a Nine Star Ki energy flow on the monthly level. However, it is well to keep in mind that these characterizations represent conceptual phases as much as they represent calendar periods. It would not be realistic to assume that any astrological system could precisely plot events into a calendar without some inaccuracies.

The different values for the years which we will use for Natal Nine Star Ki are abstracted from the more complete descriptions. We will represent each of these by an "energy" quality, and there are four values we will collapse the nine different states into, as follows:

	increasing energy (+) ....... 3 occurrences in the 9 states
	apex of energy (*) .......... 2 occurrences in the 9 states
	collapsing energy (-) ....... 1 occurrence in the 9 states
	stabilizing energy (o) ...... 3 occurrences in the 9 states

Based on Nine Star Ki principles, these energy states occur in a set nine-step pattern throughout our lives. Here is the sequence:

THE TIME/ENERGY SEQUENCE TABLE
------------------------------
9 = * (apex of energy)
8 = o (stabilizing energy)
7 = + (increasing energy)
6 = + (increasing energy)
5 = * (apex of energy)
4 = o (stabilizing energy)
3 = + (increasing energy)
2 = o (stabilizing energy)
1 = - (collapsing energy)
9 = * (apex of energy)

How can we best characterize these different "energies"? This is critical to our ability to understand how well the system describes our lives. Although here I will picture some minor differences within the different categories of energy, it is best to concentrate (at least initially) on the differences between these energies.

Apex of energy represents fulfillment, attainment of fame, major transitions and new beginnings, and enjoying the greatest benefits. The two different numbers express this essential energy in two slightly different ways: "Nine" has the weaker energy level of the two, and represents conditions generally of enlightenment, a new path found, and public recognition. "Five" has the stronger energy level of the two, and represents conditions generally of culmination, harvest, fulfillment, and excess (so negative paths could bring highly negative results).

Increasing energy represents hope, revitalization, enjoyment, positive activities, and concentration of effort. The three different numbers express this essential energy in three slightly different ways: "Seven" has the weakest energy level of the three, and represents conditions generally of expansiveness, enjoyment, and little real effort or concrete progress. "Six" represents conditions generally of ambition, increasing effort, rededication to goals, and perseverance. "Three" has the strongest energy level of the three and, represents conditions generally of a burst of new energy, hope, and growth in multiple directions (although not necessarily in equally productive ways).

Stabilizing energy represents commitment, conservation and retrenching, reform more than innovation, and strong and steady effort. The three different numbers express this essential energy in three slightly different ways: "Two" has the weakest energy level of the three, and represents conditions generally of continuity or declining energy, inactivity, and little innovation or productivity. Note that this is the precursor to a collapsing energy state. "Four" represents conditions generally of concentration, insight, effective communication, and smoothly working relationships. "Eight" has the strongest energy level of the three and, represents conditions generally of reinforcement, stability, and slow steady effort. Note that this is the successor to an apex of energy state.

Collapsing energy represents lack of energy and resources, upsetting situations, and more responding to external difficulties than charting the course which is naturally desired. Investigation of alternatives can be highly beneficial. This is the point from which new directions will spring later, but for now it requires enduring troubles.

Of particular note is that apex of energy (*) is always followed by stabilizing of energy (o), which clearly represents a step down. This does not necessarily mean an absolute decline, since it could mean just a slow down in the rate of progress or a state of rest or inaction. The only collapsing energy (-) state is a product of a longer two-step decline.

It is also noteworthy that this pattern shows two different ways that apex of energy (*) is attained: either a preceding sequence of two increasing energy (+) states, or a "rebound" out of the collapsing energy (-) state.

The sequence shows a complex wave form, higher energy always falling and then building again. It also clearly shows three different waves in the sequence:

wave #1 -- a short steep rise then a moderate drop,
wave #2 -- a long slow rise then a moderate drop, and
wave #3 -- a little rise then a longer, deeper drop.

Here is the yearly sequential pattern graphed in a horizontal display. Each position in the graph represents the level of energy both by the type of symbol used (*, +, o, or -) and the height of the symbol above the base. The base shows both the identifying wave type and the yearly sequence in the progression.

Now, we have enough information to begin constructing and analyzing your individual chart, and the next section will take you through this process.

4. Using Natal Nine Star Ki for Predestination

To use the Natal Nine Star Ki system you must take a piece of paper and write 5 narrow columns and one wide column, thusly:

 (1)    (2)      (3)      (4)     (5)           (6)
YEAR | NATAL# = SYMBOL | YEAR# = SYMBOL | SIGNIFICANT EVENTS
     |        |        |       |        |
---- | ------ | ------ | ----- | ------ | -------------------------------

In column 1: Begin by putting all the years starting from the year of your birth.

In column 2: Begin by putting a "9" in the top row of the NATAL# column. Thereafter decrease it by 1 each time, and after 1 it goes back to 9. This is the sequence of patterns based on your naturally evolving life.

In column 3: Use the Time/Energy Sequence Table (shown above in Section #3) to convert each Natal Nine Star yearly value into an energy symbol.

In column 4: Look up in the Nine Star Ki yearly table (in Section #2 above) the value for the year of your birth. Remember about the late starting period if you were born in January/February. Thereafter, put the next descending number in sequence into the following year. Of course, from 1 it goes back to 9 again.

In column 5: Use the Time/Energy Sequence Table (shown above in Section #3) to convert each traditional Nine Star yearly value into an energy symbol.

In column 6: Use this for your reality check. Look to those energy values which are at the extrermes (* or -) and think back and see what, if anything, of note happened in that year. Jot it down. You can also think in the reverse manner, recollecting major events in your life, and noting them down and comparing them to the energy levels.

Here is a sample of the start of a chart to help you understand how it should look:

Birthdate = January 21, 1946 (so it counts as a 1945 birth year).
(Note: the period covered by the "first year" is only a few weeks long).
 (1)    (2)      (3)      (4)     (5)           (6)
YEAR | NATAL# = SYMBOL | YEAR# = SYMBOL | SIGNIFICANT EVENTS
     |        |        |       |        |
1945 |   9    |    *   |   1   |    -   | -------------------------------
1946 |   8    |    o   |   9   |    *   | -------------------------------
1947 |   7    |    +   |   8   |    o   | -------------------------------
1948 |   6    |    +   |   7   |    +   | -------------------------------
1949 |   5    |    *   |   6   |    +   | -------------------------------

Now, the two different systems must be compared and balanced against each other. When both indicate the same thing, then that is clearly indicated, but when one contradicts the other, the result is not as clear. My analysis indicates that the Natal Nine Star Ki pattern is inherently stronger, although it can be weakened by the other. Conversely, a positive traditional Nine Star Ki energy level will be pulled further down by a negative Natal Nine Star Ki prediction. In doing your reality check, look primarily at the Natal values first. This modified Nine Star Ki system is still undergoing evolution and revision, however, tests thus far for it are generally positive.