The Eight Deities (八神 — Bā Shén)
The Eight Deities represent the most subtle and spiritually potent layer of the Qi Men Dun Jia chart. Where the Heaven Plate Nine Stars describe the cosmic environment and the Man Plate Eight Gates describe human intention, the Deities are described in classical sources as the "dark energy" or hidden spiritual forces operating behind all observable events. Unlike the Stars and Gates, the Deities do not have states of Prosperous or Imprisoned (旺相休囚) — their influence is constant regardless of season. Nor do they enter into standard Five Element production-and-destruction cycles with the palaces. In the context of Fa Qimen (法奇門 — ritual Qi Men), the deities are treated as literal spiritual entities that can be invoked, commanded, and directed by the trained practitioner.
Yang Deities (陽神) — Offensive and Active
Zhi Fu (值符) — The Chief / Duty Symbol: Yang Earth element. The supreme deity of the chart, representing divine authority, protection, and leadership. Zhi Fu is known as the Celestial Noble Person (天乙貴人) — it dissolves all evil and neutralizes inauspiciousness wherever it appears. In classical divination, the position of Zhi Fu is the first consideration: the Yong Shen (用神 — the indicator of the querent or the matter) and the Zhi Fu's position together frame the basic context of any reading. In Fa Qimen, Zhi Fu is invoked for: major protection rituals, wish-fulfillment ceremonies, gaining high-level support from authority figures, legal defence, and reversing serious misfortune. Best for: promotion, reversing bad luck, and situations requiring supreme authority.
Jiu Tian (九天) — Nine Heavens: Yang Metal element. The most aggressive and expansive of the auspicious deities. Jiu Tian represents the full expanse of the heavens — visibility, power that reaches far, and the force that conquers distance. Its quality is forceful, brilliant, and reaching. In Fa Qimen, Jiu Tian is the primary deity for: aggressive exorcism, travel protection, launching major campaigns or ventures, and dispersing negative entities. The exorcism protocol involves standing at the center of an afflicted space, facing the Jiu Tian direction, forming the Thunder Sword hand seal (雷劍訣), and commanding negative spirits to disperse with nine foot-stomps. Best for: fame, long-distance travel, and offensive spiritual or material strategy.
Liu He (六合) — Six Harmonies: Yin Wood element. The deity of union, partnership, and peaceful accord. Liu He acts as cosmic mediator — it is the force that brings opposite parties into agreement, seals contracts, and protects relationships. In Fa Qimen, Liu He is invoked for: relationship healing, business partnership ceremonies, marriage blessings, and reconciliation rituals. It is the ideal deity for any situation requiring two parties to come to mutual agreement. Best for: marriage, contracts, resolving disputes, and creative collaborations.
Zhu Que (朱雀) — Vermilion Bird: Yang Fire element. The deity of communication, messages, and fiery illumination. Zhu Que governs the written and spoken word — petitions, official documents, examinations, and the transmission of intent across distance. When auspicious, it brings swift and favourable communication. When inauspicious, it portends gossip, lawsuits, and unwanted exposure. In Fa Qimen, Zhu Que is activated for: petition burning (burning paper petitions to celestial authorities), talisman empowerment through fire, litigation strategy, and examination success rituals. Best for: exams, correspondence, and sending requests to heavenly authorities.
Yin Deities (陰神) — Defensive and Hidden
Jiu Di (九地) — Nine Earths: Yin Earth element. The counterpart to Jiu Tian — where Nine Heavens reaches upward with aggressive force, Nine Earths descends into stable receptivity. Jiu Di governs concealment, longevity, nurturing, and quiet protection through burial in the earth's stability. In Fa Qimen, Jiu Di is used for: healing rituals (particularly long-term chronic illness), ancestor veneration ceremonies, protection through concealment and withdrawal, and real estate blessings. Best for: real estate, chronic illness healing, and operations requiring secrecy.
Tai Yin (太陰) — Great Yin: Yin Metal element. The deity of secrets, hidden wisdom, nocturnal power, and quiet support. Tai Yin represents the lunar principle — receptive, subtle, and operating in shadow. It is the deity most associated with things hidden or not yet revealed. In Fa Qimen, Tai Yin is activated for: finding lost objects, uncovering hidden information, moon-phase rituals, and obtaining help from unseen or unexpected sources. Best for: private planning, revealing hidden information, and receiving covert assistance.
Problem Deities (凶神) — Obstacles and Confusion
Teng She (螣蛇) — Soaring Serpent: Yin Fire element. The deity of confusion, nightmares, deception, illusion, and disturbing paranormal activity. Teng She twists and binds whatever it encounters, creating tangled situations, frightening dreams, and confusing circumstances. It is generally avoided in practical applications. When Teng She appears alongside an important indicator in a reading, it signals deception, misinformation, or spiritual contamination in that matter. Advanced practitioners occasionally deploy Teng She-binding techniques in defensive magic, but this is not for beginners.
Gou Chen (勾陳) / Bai Hu (白虎) — Hook / White Tiger: Note that classical tradition assigns Gou Chen (Yang Earth) to Yang Dun cycles and Bai Hu (Yang Metal) to Yin Dun cycles — they function as the same deity-role across the two chart types. Gou Chen represents entanglement, bureaucratic obstruction, being caught, and the experience of being trapped. Bai Hu represents violent conflict, accidents, sudden attacks, and the raw aggression of the autumn tiger. Both indicate legal troubles, injuries, and sudden obstacles when they appear on important indicators. In Fa Qimen, these deities can be used defensively — to bind or restrain opponents — but only by advanced practitioners under specific ritual conditions.
Deity Invocation Protocol (九步序列)
To activate a deity's power in Fa Qimen, the classical nine-step invocation sequence is followed: (1) Plot the current hour chart and identify the desired deity's location. (2) Match the deity to the specific goal. (3) Purify the ritual space with incense or sound. (4) Align the body to face the deity's palace direction. (5) Form the specific hand seal (訣) for that deity or its Five Element correspondence. (6) Recite the invocation (traditionally 3, 9, or 108 repetitions). (7) State the intent clearly in the present tense — not as a request but as a declaration. (8) Offer energy by burning a talisman or offering incense to seal the connection. (9) Seal the work with an imperial seal hand gesture to finalize the energy circuit.