Waltzing with the Stars III

When Zi Wei Dou Shu was introduced into Japan, it also began with a story of the stars. It is called the "Clarity School" of Purple Myrtle Astrology.

The name, in the first place, is not right. Zi Wei is a constellation with the Northern Pole Star as the major star. It does not mean Purple Myrtle. The "Clarity School" is very simplistic. The fourteen major stars were divided into good and bad stars. So are other stars. The reading is very mechanical. With a good star in your life palace, you will have a good character and good luck. Zi Wei Dou Shu is far more than that.

In reality, all the stars have good and bad characters. There is no perfect person, and in the same way, there is no perfect star. The Zi Wei Star, for example, is bad more often than it is good. This makes the study of Zi Wei Dou Shu more interesting. Now, let us continue waltzing with the stars.

Zhou Wang was fortunate to have a virtuous queen and some good concubines. Queen Jiang was the daughter of the powerful Eastern Earl. She was able to keep the palace in order with other concubines living together in harmony. Knowing that Zhou Wang has forsaken his duty as the King and indulged in drinking and sex, she went to see him.

Zhou Wang was happy to see the Queen. He asked Tan Ji to dance to the music to entertain the Queen. The thousand-year old fox danced most seductively but the Queen did not even glance at her. She looked solemn and cold.

"My dear Queen," Zhou Wang asked, "Life is short. While we can enjoy, we should forget everything and enjoy ourselves. Tan Ji danced so beautifully. Why did you look so solemn?"

"Your Majesty," the Queen said, "As a benevolent monarch, you should try to help your people live happily with good food and warm clothing. This is the kind of satisfaction you should look for."

The King was angry but he did not say a word. This did not escape Fei Zhong the flatterer’s eyes. An evil plot emerged in his mind.

The next day, Tan Ji graciously asked Zhou Wang to see the ministers, "Queen Jiang was right. You should show people you are a benevolent King."

Zhou Wang left Tan Ji and went reluctantly to see his ministers. While he was in his carriage thinking what to say to his ministers, a thunderous voice yelled at him, "You evil Tyrant!"

Zhou Wang realized that someone was making an attempt to assassinate him. Fortunately, his guards captured the assassin without much trouble. He was very angry but he suppressed his anger and ordered Fei Zhong to find out who was behind the evil plot.

The next day, Fei Zhong reported to the King, "Your Majesty, please forgive me before I submit my report."

"Go ahead! Don't waste time." The King roared.

"Your Majesty, Queen Jiang was behind the whole plot."

The poor Queen, after all kinds of torture and insult, was executed. Her soul was brought to the Moon. Thereafter the Moon represents Queen Jiang's purity, chastity and virtue. Since she came from a powerful and rich family, the Moon also represents wealth.