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Table of Contents 1. Overview ............................................................................................................................. 3 1.1 Quick start ..................................................................................................................... 3 1.2 General button functions ............................................................................................... 3 1.3 Dates and Timezones ..................................................................................................... 5 1.4 For beginners ................................................................................................................. 5 2. Feng Shui Program ............................................................................................................... 5 2.1 Introduction ................................................................................................................... 5 2.2 How to calculate a chart? ............................................................................................... 6 2.3 How to interpret a chart? ............................................................................................... 7 2.4 Creating Floorplans ........................................................................................................ 7 2.5 Adding Personal Notes ................................................................................................. 11 2.6 Saving and Printing charts ............................................................................................ 12 2.7 Copy the chart ............................................................................................................. 12 2.8 Options ........................................................................................................................ 13 2.9 About the Day Star formulas ........................................................................................ 14 3. Four Pillars Program........................................................................................................... 15 3.1 Introduction ................................................................................................................. 15 3.2 How to calculate a chart? ............................................................................................. 15 3.3 What is on the screen? ................................................................................................. 16 3.4 How to analyse a chart? ............................................................................................... 17 3.5 How to interpret a chart? ............................................................................................. 19 3.6 Strength of the Day Master .......................................................................................... 19 3.7 Luck Graphs ................................................................................................................. 21 3.8 Moon Pillar .................................................................................................................. 22 3.9 Adding Personal Notes ................................................................................................. 22 3.10 Saving and Printing charts .......................................................................................... 23 3.11 Copy the chart ........................................................................................................... 23 3.12 Using the Atlas ........................................................................................................... 24 3.13 Options ...................................................................................................................... 25 4. Nine Star Ki Program .......................................................................................................... 26 4.1 Introduction ................................................................................................................. 26 4.2 How to calculate a chart? ............................................................................................. 27 1

fpfs42 4.3 What is on the screen? ................................................................................................. 27 4.4 Creating Directionology Maps ...................................................................................... 28 4.5 Adding Personal Notes ................................................................................................. 30 4.6 Saving and Printing charts ............................................................................................ 31 4.7 Using the Atlas ............................................................................................................. 31 4.8 Options ........................................................................................................................ 32 4.9 About the Day Star formulas ........................................................................................ 33 5. I Ching Program ................................................................................................................. 34 5.1 Introduction ................................................................................................................. 34 5.2 How to use the I Ching Program? ................................................................................. 34 5.3 Visual I Ching................................................................................................................ 36 5.4 Interpretation - I Ching Text ......................................................................................... 37 5.5 Interpretation - Wen Wang Gua ................................................................................... 38 5.6 Copy the Chart ............................................................................................................. 39 5.7 Options ........................................................................................................................ 40 6. Chinese Calendar ............................................................................................................... 41 6.1 Creating a Chinese calendar ......................................................................................... 41 7. Databases .......................................................................................................................... 42 7.1 Using the databases ..................................................................................................... 42 8. How to order? ................................................................................................................... 43 8.1 How to order? .............................................................................................................. 43 8.2 CopyMinder password protection ................................................................................ 44 9. License agreement............................................................................................................. 44 10. Credits ............................................................................................................................. 46

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1. Overview 1.1 Quick start Quick Start These Help files are kept as short as possible, because hardly anybody ever reads long Help documents. Instead of reading the Help, we do recommend you to jump in right away and learn as you go. Play for a day or two, and you will probably figure out most of the basic functionality of the program. If at that point there are still things you don't understand, then is the right moment to come to the Help files and look up more details about the topic in question. A few things you need to know before you jump in: o o

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Stop your mouse above any item in the screen, and you will often get popup information. Use this. In all programs you get started by filling out the input fields and hitting the "Calculate" button : Next explore the other functionality, by clicking on buttons and in the screen. In some places there is also right-click functionality. Nearly all functionality in the program is available via the function button in the screen. If you get stuck or don't know what to do, then hit the "Help" button : This will take you to the relevant part of the Help files, where your currently active screen is explained in more detail. For the more complex parts of the program ( e.g. the Floorplan screen in the Feng Shui program), it is a good idea to print out the Help pages about that part of the software, and keep it next to you as you learn. Check out our Online wiki, where any additional information will be posted. We also offer some free Online Tutorials that will help you to get started with the software. Contact us if you have any questions left or find a bug in the program.

1.2 General button functions Using the program (General) All the important functions of each program can be activated with the buttons at the top of the screen. As much as possible similar functions are represented by the same buttons in each of the 4 programs: At the top left you find these buttons:

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Open Chart Save Chart Print

At the top right you find the navigation buttons: Go to Four Pillars program Go to Feng Shui program Go to Nine Star Ki program Go to I Ching program Go to Chinese Calendar program Go to Options Go to Help

In the top middle you find these general function buttons : Show input screen Calculate the Chart Analyse the Chart Interpretation Show Notes

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Copy the Chart Open Atlas database

More detailed information about the buttons and functions in each program are given in the respective chapters.

1.3 Dates and Timezones Dates and Timezones The Gregorian calendar system is used for dates from October 15th 1582 onwards. For all earlier dates the Julian calendar system is used. All dates before Christ have to be given in astronomical notation. Astronomical notation has a 0 year and uses a "-" symbol for the years before 0. The historical notation has no 0 year , 1BC precedes 1 AD. So, if dates are given in historical notation you need to subtract 1 year to get the correct year input for dates before Christ. For example : 100 BC is equal to - 99. The Atlas database contains longitude and latitude coordinates, and the current timezone for many cities all over the world In many places timezones and daylight savings have changed frequently in the past, so you have to check this information on the internet if you are in doubt. The Atlas query at astro.com is very useful for this purpose.

1.4 For beginners For beginners If you are new to Four Pillars, Feng Shui, Nine Star Ki or I Ching, you will need at least some beginners books to get you started. We maintain a selection of recommended books, which are usually inexpensive, on the fourpillars.net site. Click here to see the books selection. There are also useful links to teachers, email groups, practitioners, where you can learn the art: Click here to see the useful links.

2. Feng Shui Program 2.1 Introduction Feng Shui

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In the Feng Shui program you can calculate and analyse Feng Shui charts for any date between 3000 BC and 3000 AD You can draw simple floorplans or import them from a scan, and have the flying stars drawn in. The program also has two easy methods to find the center of any shape building. Features: Draw your own floorplans Automatic resizing if a scanned floorplan does not fit the window New 'floodfill method' to find the center of the floorplan Database with text info on the Flying Star combinations

2.2 How to calculate a chart? Calculating a Flying Stars Chart To calculate a Flying Stars Chart, first you need to fill out the input screen:

You can use the slider bars to set the construction year and the facing direction of the house (0° is North, 90° is East, 180° is South and 270° is West). If replacement stars are applicable the replacement stars checkbox will be available. Check it if you want replacement stars to be used. You can check "Facing Up" if you want the magic square to be turned with the facing direction to the top for easy orientation. In the "Visiting Stars" frame you can select which visiting stars you want to have displayed on the screen Now, click the Calculate button

to generate the Flying Stars Chart.

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The chart is displayed in the big magic square at the right of the screen. Use the slider bars at the bottom of the screen to study the visiting stars moving through the palaces.

2.3 How to interpret a chart? Interpretation If you click the Interpretation button

the Interpretation texts will appear:

Just click any of the Star numbers with the left or right mousebutton, and the interpretation texts for stars and star combos will be shown. You can edit these texts, or replace them with your own notes by clicking on "Database..." under the "Edit" menu (see also Databases)

2.4 Creating Floorplans Floorplan Tools If you click the Floorplan button

the Floorplan workscreen will be shown:

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You can use this workscreen to create a professional looking floorplan print with the flying starts drawn in. Drawing the floorplan You can either import a floorplan from a scanned image or from another graphical application, or use the "Drawing Tools" to create one on the spot. Use the Open button

to import a saved floorplan image.

Or use the Paste button to copy and paste a floorplan image directly from another application, perhaps a scanner. The program will automatically resize the image so it fits the screen optimally. If you don't have any scan or drawing you can make a simple floorplan with the "Drawing Tools": There are button to draw rectangles, lines or freehand shapes: You can choose different drawing color and line thickness: You can add text by clicking the text button box. Use the erasor button

or the undo button

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and type your text in the if you make a mistake.

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There is also a zoom button , which you can use to zoom in on any part of the floorplan. Just click in the floorplan, drag till you have selected the part you want, and click again. You will now see the zoomed area appear. The information in the "Measures" frame is helpful to draw to scale. Finding the center Once the floorplan is ready you can proceed to find the center of the building and draw in the stars. First select the correct orientation in the "Orientation" frame. The floorplan has to be drawn with the Facing direction up, down, left or right. And in the "Visiting Stars" frame you can select any visiting stars you want to be printed besides the Sitting-Facing-Period stars. There are three methods to find the center of a building: Method 1

The first method uses the rectangle and triangle tool buttons in the "Find Center" toolbox. You can use as many rectangles and triangles as you need (they will appear in thick blue lines as you click on the corners of the building/rooms), but in the end the whole area of the buidling should be covered, like this:

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You need not work millimeter precise, the error will be very small if you are reasonably close to the corners. When the whole area is covered by blue rectangles or triangles, just click the Draw Stars button in.

to have the center of the floorplan calculated and the flying stars drawn

Method 2 The second method is often easier to use, but it requires a smooth drawing to work properly (does not always work with a scanned image) This method uses the "Floodfill" method to cover the whole area of the building.

You need the "Close openings" and "Floodfill" buttons

to perform this task.

Step 1: Use the "Close openings" button to close any open doors or windows on your floorplan (it will draw thick red lines). You should now have something like this:

Step 2: Use the "Floodfill" button and click inside the building until it is completely filled in red color. The result should look like this:

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Step 3: Now click the Draw Stars button calculated and the flying stars drawn in.

to have the center of the floorplan

If you make a mistake you can always click the Undo button

to go back.

Method 3 You can also choose the center of the floorplan manually by clicking on the and then click directly in the floorplan.

button,

You can change the color in which the stars are drawn by clicking on the color box down in the "Find Center" toolbox. *** Once the floorplan is completely ready with the flying stars drawn, you can save it or copy it

for use in another application.

To print a Flying Stars Feng Shui Chart, click the Print button A small window will open where you can check the boxes what you want to have printed out: "Basic Flying Stars Chart Print" and/or "Floorplan"

2.5 Adding Personal Notes Notes

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If you click the Notes button

the Notes textbox will appear:

In this textbox you can write down notes which will be saved together with the chart data. If you open the chart again later you can read your saved information here.

2.6 Saving and Printing charts Saving, opening and printing Flying Stars Feng Shui Charts To save a Feng Shui Chart, click the Save button You will be prompted to enter a filename and select a directory where you want to save your charts. Later you can open a saved Feng Shui Chart again by clicking the Open button Go to the directory where you saved the charts and select the one you need. To print a Flying Stars Feng Shui Chart, click the Print button A small window will open where you can check the boxes what you want to have printed out: "Basic Flying Stars Chart Print" and/or "Floorplan"

2.7 Copy the chart Copy the chart

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You can use the special "Copy the Chart" button to copy and paste the chart data into another application, for example any email or text program. After you click the "Copy the Chart" button a window will open where you can select in which language you want the text to be. You can export the chart text in English or any other language that your computer can display. This can be useful if you participate on various Yahoogroups for example:

As soon as you click the arrow button, the exported text will appear. This text is also available to Paste directly into any other application (e.g. your email program) You can also click the "Html" button. This will export the chart in html format. If your computer has Internet Explorer, then it will be displayed directly in the window. Ohterwise you standard browser will open and display the html format chart. This html format export will normally work with all the available languages. Use the "Save" button

to save your text or html file for use in any other document.

"Copy the Chart" is available in the Four Pillars, Feng Shui and in the I Ching program.

2.8 Options Options You can set several program options by clicking on the Options button 13

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A special window will open:

Use the different Tabs to set the options for the various programs. Click on the "Save" button to save any new settings. Or just hit "Cancel" to leave without changing anything. Setting a new "Language" option will only go into effect after you close and restart the software.

2.9 About the Day Star formulas Day Star Formulas The formula to calculate the daily stars is not agreed upon. In the Options for Nine Star Ki and Flying Stars Feng Shui you have choice between 4 different methods of calculating Day stars: Method 1: Assigns #1 to the first Jia Zi day after wintersolstice and has the stars moving forward till the first Jia Zi day after summersolstice, which is assigned #9 and stars start moving backward from there (till the next Jia Zi day after wintersolstice) Method 2: #1 forward from the first Jia Zi day after 'Beginning of Winter', and #9 backward from the first Jia Zi day after 'Beginning of Summer'.

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Method 3: Same like method 1 but the stars reverse order right at the solstice moment, where they change according to the "sum of 10" rule (if the day star is 3 before the solstice moment it changes into 7 after the solstice moment). This method has an adjustment every 11 years so that the first Jia Zi day after wintersolstice is always a #1 , and the first Zia Zi day after summersolstice is always a #9. Method 4: Perpetual "Sum of 10" method. At each solstice the day number changes according to the "sum of 10" rule. Stars move forward after wintersolstice and backward after summer solstice. With this method the change of chi is always smooth (no jumps) More information about day star formulas will be published on the Fourpillars.net site

3. Four Pillars Program 3.1 Introduction Four Pillars In the Four Pillars program you can calculate and analyse Four Pillars charts for any date between 3000 BC and 3000 AD New in version 4.2: Strength of Day Master pie chart can now also show the 10 Gods Set and save the special type charts The software checks and alerts for possible special chart types. Luck Graphs now work for all types of lives. Moon Pillar and Moon Hour Pillar (experimental)

3.2 How to calculate a chart? Calculating a Four Pillars Chart To calculate a Four Pillars Chart, first you need to fill out the input screen:

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You can use the slider bars to set the hour, day, year and coordinates of the birth. Month and timezone are to be selected from the lists. Select Male or Female and check the DST box if there was daylight savings. You can also use the Atlas database to select the place of birth. This will automatically set the longitude and latitude coordinates and the timezone to the correct values. In many places timezones and daylight savings have changed frequently in the past, so you have to check this information on the internet if you are in doubt. Finally, click the Calculate button

to generate the Four Pillars Chart.

The Hour input box may be colored red after calculating the chart. This indicates the given hour of birth is very close to the start of a new Chinese Hour, Month or Day. Hold the mousecursor over the Hour input box for a few seconds and a text will appear telling you how close it is to the change of Hour, Day or Month. If you are not very sure about the accuracy of the birth time, this may prompt you to consider the alternate chart.

3.3 What is on the screen? What appears on the Four Pillars screen? When you calculate a 4P chart the screen will look like this:

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The Four Pillars at birth appear down in the middle (Hour-Day-Month-Year). You can see Stems and Branches, and the respective strengths of the elements. Stopping the mousecursor over the boxes indicating the strength will display the stages of life of the elements. A small box with the letter V indicates eventual void branches. A blue or red rectangle below the Month Branch indicates a 'Cold/Wet' (blue) or 'Hot/Dry' (red) month of birth and means the temperature/humidity has to be taken into account. The slider bar below the Hour Pillar can be used if you are in doubt of the correct birth hour and want to study alternative charts. Down left you see the Life Palace. If you click the small buttons below the Life Palace (L- C- M-MH), you can also see the Conception Time or the Moon Pillars. Down right you can see the 10 Year Luck periods, with their age range and approximate starting date. Up right in the screen you see the yearly, monthly and daily luck. Here you can use the slider bars to explore the different Luck periods, or Luck year, month and days. This is used to see how the person's birth Pillars are affected on various days in the future (or past). If you stop the mousecursor over the luck Branches you will see the elements hidden in them.

3.4 How to analyse a chart? Analysis Tools If you click the Analysis button

the Analysis Tools will be shown:

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At the left you see a series of buttons which give you access to the different tools. ‘People’ and ‘Areas of Life’ allow you to see the strenghts of the different elements in the chart and the Luck Pillars. Push the buttons for ‘People/Friends’ , ‘Expression/Creativity’,etc. and the according elements will be displayed in color. The Yin elements are given in a lighter shade, so you can easily distinguish between Yin and Yang.

‘Clashes’ shows the clashes in the chart and the Luck Pillars. The clashing elements are displayed in gray color. When the ‘clashes’ mode is selected, then you can use the sliders to change the 10 Year Luck Period or the Year Luck Pillars, and easily see which clashes are active in each period.

‘Combinations’ shows the combinations in the chart and the Luck Pillars. The Heavenly Stem combinations, Directional combinations, Triangular combinations and the Semi combinations are all displayed in the color for the resulting element (according to the same color scheme as was used in ‘People’ and ‘Areas of Life’ :yellow for parallel, red for output, light blue for wealth, purple for power and green for resources ). For the Heavenly Stem combinations there may or may not be transformation into the new element. You have to check if the conditions are fulfilled. The Six combinations are shown in dark blue. The hidden stem combinations are displayed in light orange color. A colored box appearing next to the Stems indicate a so called Jealousy combination. When the ‘combinations’ mode is selected, then you can use the sliders to change the 10 Year Luck Period or the Year Luck Pillars, and easily see which combinations become active in each period.

‘Penalties’ shows specific combinations of branches which are believed to be unfortunate. Penalties are indicated by a grayed box below the Branch.

‘Symbolic Stars’ shows some of the symbolic stars : Flower of Romance, Post Horse , etc. The symbolic stars appear in a text window when you click on the Branches. A red rectangle above the Branch indicates which Branch the symbolic stars are currently shown for. *** 18

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If the box 'Birth Pillars only' is checked, only the clashes and combination within the Four Pillars chart are displayed, without interference from the Luck Pillars. This makes it easier to study the chart. When any of the analysis tools is selected, the according button turns blue. Pushing it again disables the tool.

3.5 How to interpret a chart? Interpretation If you click the Interpretation button

the interpretation texts will appear:

Just click the Stems or Branches with the left or right mousebutton, and the interpretation texts for Stems and Branches, the 60 Stem/Branch combos, and the Melodic 5 Elements will be shown. You can edit these texts, or replace them with your own notes by clicking on "Database..." under the "Edit" menu (see also Databases)

3.6 Strength of the Day Master Strength of the Day Master If you click the Day Master Strength button shown:

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the strength calculation will be

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In the bottom of the screen the Four Pillars remain visible Above it you can now see a DM strength calculation, plus/minus for each of the five elements, and another small table to find the Useful God and the favourable and unfavourable elements. In normal cases the most favourable element will be ranked #1 and the least favourable will be #5. The distribution of the 5 elements is also displayed visually in the pie chart. This pie chart always starts with Resource(in green) at the six o'clock position, and proceeds clockwise with Parallel (yellow), Output (red), Money (blue) and Power (purple). If Resource and Parallel take up more than half of the pie, the Day Master is probably strong, otherwise it is likely weak. If you check the small box "10", then you will get a pie chart with the 10 Gods. Move your mouse over to piechart to see where the various elements are located in the Four Pillars Chart. Towards the top right you now see a selection list where you can set the 4P chart type. If the chart is a special type life, you can set it here. This chart type information will be saved together with the chart. Below the selection list you see an alert box that will sometimes indicate which special types are likely for the chart you have on the screen. Please understand that this is only a rough indication to put the astrologer on right track quickly. Always the proper analysis needs to be done to see if the chart really qualifies as a

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special life or not. This remains the astrologer's job, so don't go blindly by what the box suggests. The proper functioning of the Luck Graph, depends on the correct selection of the Chart type here. So this is a very important step if you want to use the Luck Graphs.

3.7 Luck Graphs Luck Graphs If you click the Luck Graph button

the Luck Graphs will be shown:

Important! For this Luck Graph to be useful, you need to have analysed and selected the correct Chart Type in the DM Strength screen Luck Graphs try to give a visual representation of the ups and down in a person's life. You can see Luck Graphs on a 10 yearly, yearly, monthly or daily scale by using the buttons below the graph. Values above zero (green) generally indicate 'good' times and opportunities, values below zero (red) show more challenging times. Please do not panic when you see your Luck Graph well below zero for the next 20 years. This does not mean you will die soon or have only bad luck in this period. Many people are still succesful during such times. If you take care of your Feng Shui, your health and the people around you, then can do well during 'red bars'; it is only the opportunties are not so plentiful, so you need to use them well. You can click with your mouse on any of the green or red bars in the Luck Graph, and immediately the software will display the Luck Pillars that are relevant for that time.

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This allows the astrologer to see "what is the matter" for that given date.., which opportunites or challenges are to be expected..

3.8 Moon Pillar Moon Pillars If you click the 'M' button down left in the main screen, you will find the 'Moon Pillar' This is an experimental pillar which I have been researching over the last year, so you won't find anything about it in books. The Moon Pillar reflects the phase of the moon at the moment of birth. On full moon the Moon Branch is Horse, while at dark moon it is Rat. In 29 days the Moon Pillar moves through the 12 branches. The Moon Stem depends on the solar month. If you click on the "MH" button, then you will see the "Moon Hour" This is a second experimental Pillar based on the position of the Moon. This one is very similar to the Hour Pillar. If the Moon is culminating in the sky, then the Moon Hour is Horse In about 24 hours the Moon Hour moves through the 12 Branches. The Moon Hour Stem depends on the Day. The Moon is about as big in the sky as the Sun. So its effect is strong. Just think about the tides in the ocean, which are mostly caused by the moon. These Moon Pillars have more to do with how the person 'feels'. A person may be very succesful in life, as given by good Four Pillars, but he may not feel very happy at the same time. This is more related to the Moon Pillars. It is an interesting field of study, and these 2 Moon Pillars can be used for it. More info about these new Moon Pillars will be published on the Fourpillars.net site when I have done more research.

3.9 Adding Personal Notes Notes If you click the Notes button

the Notes textbox will appear:

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In this textbox you can write down notes which will be saved together with the chart data. If you open the chart again later you can read your saved information here.

3.10 Saving and Printing charts Saving, opening and printing Four Pillars Charts To save a Four Pillars Chart, click the Save button You will be prompted to enter a filename and select a directory where you want to save your charts. Later you can open a saved Four Pillars Chart again by clicking the Open button Go to the directory where you saved the charts and select the one you need. To print a Four Pillars Chart, click the Print button A small window will open where you can check the boxes what you want to have printed out: "Basic 4 Pillars print", "Strength of DM and Luckgraph" and/or "Luckgraph only"

3.11 Copy the chart Copy the chart You can use the special "Copy the Chart" button to copy and paste the chart data into another application, for example any email or text program. After you click the "Copy the Chart" button a window will open where you can select in which language you want the text to be. You can export the chart text in English or any other language that your computer can

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display. This can be useful if you participate on various Yahoogroups for example:

As soon as you click the arrow button, the exported text will appear. This text is also available to Paste directly into any other application (e.g. your email program) You can also click the "Html" button. This will export the chart in html format. If your computer has Internet Explorer, then it will be displayed directly in the window. Ohterwise you standard browser will open and display the html format chart. This html format export will normally work with all the available languages. Use the "Save" button

to save your text or html file for use in any other document.

"Copy the Chart" is available in the Four Pillars, Feng Shui and in the I Ching program.

3.12 Using the Atlas Atlas database If you click the Atlas button

the Atlas database will appear:

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First select a country in the left listbox, and the right listbox will be filled with places from that country. Select the nearest place from the list by clicking it and the coordinates and timezone will be automatically pasted to the program's input screen. You can easily find the country and place you want by typing the first letters, the list will automatically scroll down. The US cities are grouped by State. So first you need to select the State's 2 letter code before you will find the city in the list. Once you have selected the city of your choice, just proceed by clicking the big arrow button on the right. You can add, edit or delete places by using the buttons at the bottom of the screen.

3.13 Options Options You can set several program options by clicking on the Options button A special window will open:

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Use the different Tabs to set the options for the various programs. Click on the "Save" button to save any new settings. Or just hit "Cancel" to leave without changing anything. Setting a new "Language" option will only go into effect after you close and restart the software.

4. Nine Star Ki Program 4.1 Introduction Nine Star Ki In the Nine Star Ki program you can calculate and analyse Nine Star Ki charts for any date between 3000 BC and 3000 AD This program features: Analyse the movements of Yearly, Monthly, Daily and Hourly Stars In built country and world maps allow you to create and print directionology maps Now with in built topomaps and satellite photos. 4 different Day Star formulas

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4.2 How to calculate a chart? Calculating a Nine Star Ki Chart To calculate a Nine Star Ki Chart, first you need to fill out the input screen:

You can use the slider bars to set the hour, day, year and coordinates of the birth. Month and timezone are to be selected from the lists. Select Male or Female and check the DST box if there was daylight savings. You can also use the Atlas database to select the place of birth. This will automatically set the longitude and latitude coordinates and the timezone to the correct values. In many places timezones and daylight savings have changed frequently in the past, so you have to check this information on the internet if you are in doubt. Finally, click the Calculate button

to generate the Nine Star Ki Chart.

4.3 What is on the screen? What appears on the Nine Star Ki screen? When you calculate a NSK chart the screen will look like this:

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In the upper left corner you see the NSK numbers of the person. The stars are shown in Day-Year-Month format. Next to it is the "Ming Gua" number. Left in the middle is a textbox where interpretation texts are displayed. Left down you can choose which stars you want to see on your screen. Here you can also select "Directionology" if you want to examine the favourable and unfavourable directions. Unfavourable directions will be shown in gray color. At the right you see the complete magic square grid. Here you can use the sliderbars to study the movement of stars for any date you want. Clicking the "N" (Now) button in the lower right corner will immediately show you the star positions for the current date and time. If you are studying daily or hourly stars, make sure you have set the day star formula of your choice in the Options.

4.4 Creating Directionology Maps Directionology maps If you click the Directionology button

the Directionology screen will appear:

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Here you have a complete Directionology workspace. You can choose different world and country maps from the "Choose Map" listboxes at the top left. You can put city names on the map by selecting the country and choosing the cities from the lists in the "Show City" frame. Clicking the Capital button map.

will put the capital city of the selected country on the

You can use the Open , Save , Copy or Paste buttons if you have your own maps you want to use, or if you want to export the maps into another application. Once you have selected a map to work with, you can draw in the stars over the map. You can select the stars you want to be shown on the map from the "Show Stars" frame. Here you can also choose "Dir:" and select in which color you want the unfavourable stars to be diplayed. The center of reference can either be the geographic center of the country ( click the button to find the geographic center), or any city you choose from the lists in the "Show City" frame. Click the Draw Stars button

to draw the directionology map.

You can also choose the center of reference manually by clicking on the then click somewhere on the map.

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The

button can be used to center the world maps after you have the stars drawn in.

*** The software also contains topographic maps and satellite photos that can be used Here is an example:

With a country and city selected in the "Show City" frame, now click on the Topo Map button

, or on the Photo button

You will see the map appear with your city centered in the middle. The topo maps are useful to judge the 'mountains' and 'waters' around the city. There is also a Zoom button that can be used to zoom in on a part of the map. Just click the Zoom button, next click in the map where you want to zoom. Now drag the mouse till you have selected the area of your choice and click the mouse again. In Topo and Photo maps you can also 'move' to a neighbouring place by right-clicking with the mouse anywhere near the edge of the map.

4.5 Adding Personal Notes Notes If you click the Notes button

the Notes textbox will appear:

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In this textbox you can write down notes which will be saved together with the chart data. If you open the chart again later you can read your saved information here.

4.6 Saving and Printing charts Saving, opening and printing Nine Star Ki Charts To save a Nine Star Ki Chart, click the Save button You will be prompted to enter a filename and select a directory where you want to save your charts. Later you can open a saved Nine Star Ki Chart again by clicking the Open button Go to the directory where you saved the charts and select the one you need. To print a Nine Star Ki Chart, click the Print button A small window will open where you can check the boxes what you want to have printed out: "Basic NSK print"and/or "Directionology map"

4.7 Using the Atlas Atlas database If you click the Atlas button

the Atlas database will appear:

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First select a country in the left listbox, and the right listbox will be filled with places from that country. Select the nearest place from the list by clicking it and the coordinates and timezone will be automatically pasted to the program's input screen. You can easily find the country and place you want by typing the first letters, the list will automatically scroll down. The US cities are grouped by State. So first you need to select the State's 2 letter code before you will find the city in the list. Once you have selected the city of your choice, just proceed by clicking the big arrow button on the right. You can add, edit or delete places by using the buttons at the bottom of the screen.

4.8 Options Options You can set several program options by clicking on the Options button A special window will open:

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Use the different Tabs to set the options for the various programs. Click on the "Save" button to save any new settings. Or just hit "Cancel" to leave without changing anything. Setting a new "Language" option will only go into effect after you close and restart the software.

4.9 About the Day Star formulas Day Star Formulas The formula to calculate the daily stars is not agreed upon. In the Options for Nine Star Ki and Flying Stars Feng Shui you have choice between 4 different methods of calculating Day stars: Method 1: Assigns #1 to the first Jia Zi day after wintersolstice and has the stars moving forward till the first Jia Zi day after summersolstice, which is assigned #9 and stars start moving backward from there (till the next Jia Zi day after wintersolstice) Method 2: #1 forward from the first Jia Zi day after 'Beginning of Winter', and #9 backward from the first Jia Zi day after 'Beginning of Summer'.

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Method 3: Same like method 1 but the stars reverse order right at the solstice moment, where they change according to the "sum of 10" rule (if the day star is 3 before the solstice moment it changes into 7 after the solstice moment). This method has an adjustment every 11 years so that the first Jia Zi day after wintersolstice is always a #1 , and the first Zia Zi day after summersolstice is always a #9. Method 4: Perpetual "Sum of 10" method. At each solstice the day number changes according to the "sum of 10" rule. Stars move forward after wintersolstice and backward after summer solstice. With this method the change of chi is always smooth (no jumps) More information about day star formulas will be published on the Fourpillars.net site

5. I Ching Program 5.1 Introduction I Ching In the I Ching program you can consult I Ching using various methods This program features: Computer or manual cast I Ching numerology Plum Flower method Date/Time method Visual I Ching Database with traditional I Ching texts (Wilhelm and Legge) Wen Wang Gua

5.2 How to use the I Ching Program? Using the I Ching program The I Ching program offers 6 different methods to consult the I Ching.

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Step 1: Formulate your question in the question box . Also set the exact time and place, especially if you want to use the "Date/Time method". Time and place are also needed if you want to use the Wen Wang Gua interpretation method. Step 2: Choose the interpretation method, either "I Ching text" or "Wen Wang Gua" Step 3: Now do the divination with one of the 6 methods provided in the lower half of the screen: Computer Cast Choose yarrow or coin odds, and have the computer generate a random hexagram the moment you click the Go button Manual Cast If you do manual consultation (with real coins or stalks), you can enter the results here and use the software to interpret the result. Just left or right-click with the mouse on the lines to change them according to the result of your consultation, and hit Go button

to proceed

I Ching Numerology Enter numbers or words in the boxes (the second box can be left empty), and click the Go button to generate the hexagram based on a numerology method (using the earlier heaven numbers of the trigrams).

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Plum Flower Method Select a word from both lists, set the number of moving lines, and click the Go button to generate the corresponding hexagram based on the Plum Flower method. The first list gives the upper trigram, the second list gives the lower trigram. You can add and edit the Plum Flower lists by clicking on "Database Plum Flower..." under the "Edit" menu (see also Databases) Date/Time method Select date, time and place and choose one of the 5 methods. Click the Go button to find the hexagram that corresponds to this date - time - place. With the monthly method the hexagram changes only once a month. The daily method gives another hexagram every day. The hourly method changes every 3 hours. Minute1 and Minute2 methods change every 6 minutes. The methods are based on the Chinese solar calendar cycles. More info about these methods will be published on the Fourpillars.net site Visual I Ching This is a new, visual method to consult the I Ching. For more information go to Visual I Ching Step 4: The result of your divination will appear as soon as you have pushed the Go button You can now interpret the result. You can save

your divinations, including eventual notes which you have written in

the notes box, and open

them again later.

5.3 Visual I Ching Visual I Ching Visual I Ching is a new method to consult I Ching. Clicking on an image, whether it be a photograph or a country map or a stock chart, is a very powerful method to consult I Ching because it creates a stronger connection with the subject of your question. It involves the part of our brain that governs the visual senses, which is a very big part of the brain. About 80% of our perception is through the eyes. Click the Visual I Ching button

to open the Visual I Ching workspace:

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Step 1: A whole range of country and world maps is available in "Choose Map", and you can also have different cities displayed by clicking them in the lists. Or you can use Topo Maps or Satellite photos by chosing a city in the "Choose City" part, the click the Topo Map button

or the Photo button

You can also open or paste any other kind of graphical image, like drawings, photograps, stock charts,... and use them for Visual I Ching. The program will resize the picture automatically to fit the window. Step 2: Formulate your question in the question box, set yarrow or coin odds and next click on the button with the 3 coins Now click somewhere in the picture, where it is most appropriate for your question. The computer will generate a hexagram based on the time of the click, and the coordinates and color of the pixel you have clicked. The hexagram is drawn in over the map or image. Step 3: As soon as you have clicked in the picture, the result will appear in the interpretation screen. You can now intepret it.

5.4 Interpretation - I Ching Text Interpretation - I Ching Text

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After you have done a divination the interpretation window will appear. This is what you see if you have set "I Ching Text" interpretation:

In the upper left you can see the hexagram that was obtained. Here you can study the I Ching texts that relate it. You can click on the lines to see the individual line texts, or click on the buttons besides the hexagram to study the trigrams. Down left you can see the Future hexagram, the hexagram of Change and the Nuclear hexagrams. These can also be studied by clicking their lines, numbers or the buttons at the side. The program is very versatile, just play a bit here and you will quickly understand the various possibilities. You can add and edit the I Ching texts, or replace them with your own notes by clicking on "Database..." under the "Edit" menu (see also Databases)

5.5 Interpretation - Wen Wang Gua Interpretation - Wen Wang Gua After you have done a divination the interpretation window will appear. This is what you see if you have set "Wen Wang Gua" interpretation:

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In the top left corner of the screen you see the question, date of divination, and basic info about the Gua that has been obtained. You can use the drop down list to set the "Spirit of Focus" At the bottom of the screen you see the result of the divination Here you find all information needed for the interpretation. Stopping your mouse over what you see here will get more information displayed. If you know the Wen Wang Gua method this should be self-explanatory. In the top right of the screen you have a Chinese calendar Here, you can use the slider bars to go through different dates, and see when clashes or combinations occur, when Branches come out of Void, etc... The Wen Wang Gua method is little known in the West. If you want to learn more about it, please check the links on our website for good courses,books, and email groups.

5.6 Copy the Chart Copy the chart You can use the special "Copy the Chart" button to copy and paste the chart data into another application, for example any email or text program. After you click the "Copy the Chart" button a window will open where you can select in which language you want the text to be. You can export the chart text in English or any other language that your computer can

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display. This can be useful if you participate on various Yahoogroups for example:

As soon as you click the arrow button, the exported text will appear. This text is also available to Paste directly into any other application (e.g. your email program) You can also click the "Html" button. This will export the chart in html format. If your computer has Internet Explorer, then it will be displayed directly in the window. Ohterwise you standard browser will open and display the html format chart. This html format export will normally work with all the available languages. Use the "Save" button

to save your text or html file for use in any other document.

"Copy the Chart" is available in the Four Pillars, Feng Shui and in the I Ching program.

5.7 Options Options You can set several program options by clicking on the Options button A special window will open:

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Use the different Tabs to set the options for the various programs. Click on the "Save" button to save any new settings. Or just hit "Cancel" to leave without changing anything. Setting a new "Language" option will only go into effect after you close and restart the software.

6. Chinese Calendar 6.1 Creating a Chinese calendar Chinese Calendar program If you click the Chinese Calendar button appear:

the Chinese Calendar program will

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Simply select a month and year, and the place for which you want the calendar to be calculated. Next chose the language. Click "Calculate" to generate the calendar. Click "Html" to generate the calendar in html format The calendar shows Stem, Branch and Nine Star numbers for each day and month between the years 1600 and 2999. You can save the calendar for reuse in any other document. The html format is suitable for publishing on the internet or can be included in an ebook. This calendar program allows you to make an accurate calendar tailormade for your location. Not just for Beijing longitude, which is the problem with most printed calendars.

7. Databases 7.1 Using the databases Databases You can add and edit the databases which contain the interpretation texts for each of the programs by clicking on "Database..." under the "Edit" menu:

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Here you can add, remove, delete, edit or change the interpretation texts. You can use copy and paste if you have useful notes on file. Whatever information you have on the Stems or Branches, the Nine Stars and their combinations, the I Ching hexagrams and the line texts, you can all add it to the databases here and it will be within easy reach when you are working with the software. The changes you make to the text are not saved to the database until you hit the "Save" button.

8. How to order? 8.1 How to order? How to order? You can order the software directly on our website: Click here to access the order page. You can pay with creditcard, check, bank transfer, paypal. You can also order via phone or fax, if you don't like to send creditcard details over the internet. Just fill out the order form and follow the instructions on the screen. Our orders are processed by Plimus (plimus.com), a reliable company based in the US. 43

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*** Once you are a registered user, your trial version of the software becomes permanently activated. Just once in a while the program will require you to connect to internet, inorder to renew your password. This now goes fully automatic. Contact us if there are any questions or problem.

8.2 CopyMinder password protection Password The software now uses an automated password protection system called CopyMinder When you purchase the software a Product Key is given to you. This Product Keys takes the form "FPFS4-xxxx-xxxx-xx" (where 'x' can be any alphanumeric character). The Product Key is your personal key to use the software. Make sure you keep it stored in a safe place, as you will need it again if you ever change computer. This system offers a lot more convenience for you. You won't need to email us anymore for passwords. For example when you buy a new computer, you can just re-install the FPFS software and keep using the software with your same old Product Key. Even if Fourpillars.net were to dissapear you would be able to keep using your software, it would then just become a permanently activated software. The software will only require an internet connection once in while, inorder to connect to the CopyMinder password server. It will then renew your license and password automatically and fast. Do not try to use the software on two different computers with the same Product Key CopyMinder can detect such abuse and it would disactivate your software after a while. Also never give your Product Key to any family or friend, for the same reason. It is your responsibility to keep your Product Key secret and stored. Contact us if you have any problems or questions about this.

9. License agreement License agreement FOUR PILLLARS & FENG SHUI 4.2 LICENSE AGREEMENT

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This License Agreement governs your use of the enclosed Software product. By installing and/or using the Software, you agree to be bound by the terms of this Agreement. If you do not agree to these terms and conditions, you are required to remove the Software from your computer LICENSE: This License Agreement allows you to use one copy of the enclosed Software on a single computer. If you install the Software on a network server, you must purchase a separate copy of the Software for each computer that will be used to operate the Software. COPYRIGHT: The Software is owned by Fourpillars.net and is protected by international copyright laws and international treaty provisions. Therefore you must treat the Software like any other copyrighted material. You are allowed to make back up copies of the Software and give copies to your friends, but they will also need to purchase the Software if they want to keep using it beyond the 30 day trial period. The maps and prints you produce with the Software are free of any copyright. OTHER RESTRICTIONS: This License must be retained by you. You may not rent or lease the Software. You may transfer your rights under this License on a permanent basis only if you transfer this License, the Software, and all accompanying printed materials, retain no copies, and the recipient agrees to the terms of this License. You may not reverse engineer, decompile, or disassemble the Software. PRODUCT KEY: When you purchase the software you will receive a Product Key. The Product Keys takes the form "FPFS4-xxxx-xxxx-xx" (where 'x' can be any alphanumeric character). This Product Key is your personal key to use the software. Make sure you keep it stored in a safe place, as you will need it again if you ever change computer. We cannot guarantee that your Product Key can be recovered if you lose it. So in that case you may have to buy the software again. Also do not give your Product Key to anybody as this will be like giving away your software. This software is guarded by the Copyminder system. Once in a while the software will require an internet connection to renew your password. This goes automatic. Do not try to use the software on two different computers with the same Product Key. Copyminder will detect the double use, and after repeated abuse you will be at risk of having your Product Key disabled. NO LIABILITY FOR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES: TO THE MAXIMUM EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, IN NO EVENT SHALL FOURPILLARS.NET BE LIABLE FOR ANY DAMAGES WHATSOEVER (INCLUDING, WITHOUT LIMITATION, DAMAGES FOR LOSS OF BUSINESS PROFITS, BUSINESS INTERRUPTION, LOSS OF BUSINESS INFORMATION, OR OTHER PECUNIARY LOSS) ARISING OUT OF THE USE OR INABILITY TO 45

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USE THIS PRODUCT, EVEN IF FOURPILLARS.NET HAS BEEN ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES. Should you have any questions concerning this agreement, you can always contact us via our website: http://www.fourpillars.net

10. Credits Credits Thanks to Master Joseph Yu , my teacher of Chinese astrology and Feng Shui, for the use of his Day Master strength formula, his valuable feedback on the program, and his generous sharing of the Chinese mysteries. Thanks to He Luo, who provided his personal texts that fill the Nine Star Ki database. Thanks to all users of Four Pillars & Feng Shui for the many good ideas and useful feedback. Thanks to everybody on the various Chinese metaphysics lists for their inspiration. Also a special thanks to Tere Urtubees from Mexico. For so many years she has helped me with any questions in Spanish. Her enthousiasm for Four Pillars astrology has touched many.

Translations The following people gracefully provided translation into various languages. Feel welcome to contact them about Feng Shui related activities and groups in your native language. o

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Bulgarian: Annie Pecheva For more information about learning Feng Shui in Bulgarian, visit www.hanlinqigong.com Bulgarian: Galya Atanasova For more information about learning Feng Shui in Bulgarian, visit http://www.geocities.com/pulseofgems/index.html Czech: Jana Hasanova-Haskova Contact us for her details Dutch (Nederlands): Heluo For free articles and class schedule visit www.heluo.nl Finnish (Suomi): Päivi Vilkki Lisätietoja suomenkielisestä fengshui-opiskelusta: http://www.fengshuimestari.fi 46

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French (Français): Brigitte Maurey Pour plus d'informations au sujet de l'étude du Feng Shui en Français, visitez www.fleurdeprunier.com German (Deutsch): Robert Schmitz For more information about learning Feng Shui in German, visit www.robertschmitz.com Greek (Ελληνικά): Vasso Anagnostopoulou For more information about learning Feng Shui in Greek, visit www.fsrc.gr Hebrew (‫)עבר ית‬: Sharona Poms For more information about learning Feng Shui in Hebrew, visit http://www.fengshuitherapy.co.il Hungarian: Livia Polgar For more information about Feng Shui in Hungary, visit http://www.fengshuihungary.hu Indonesian: Anna Young For more information about Feng Shui in Indonesian, visit http://fourpillars.ning.com/profile/Anna57 Italian: Vittoria Vitale For more information about Feng Shui in Italy, visit http://fourpillars.ning.com/profile/VittoriaVitale Japanese: Naomi Salsi For more information about Feng Shui in Japanese, visit http://www.naomisalsi.com Latvian: Linda Meskova For more information about learning Feng Shui in Latvian, visit www.fengshui.lv Norwegian (Norsk): Eskild Bakken For more information about learning Feng Shui in Norsk, visit www.eskildbakken.no Polish (Polski): Malgorzata Bladek For more information about learning Feng Shui in Polish, visit www.tradfs.com Portuguese (Português): Riceles Costa For more information about learning Feng Shui in Brasil, visit http://riceles.vilabol.uol.com.br

Aline Mendes Para artigos gratuitos e aprender Feng Shui em Português, visite http://www.fsrc.com.br o

Romanian (Româna): Eliza Ghitulescu

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Carmen Cranta For more information about Feng Shui in Romania, visit http://www.tao.ro o

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Russian (Русский): Milana Minaeva For more information about learning Feng Shui in Russian, visit www.fsrc.ru Spanish (Español): Olga Garcia For more information about learning Feng Shui in Español, visit www.fengshuiartcenter.com

Others FreeImage This software uses the FreeImage open source image library. See http://freeimage.sourceforge.net for details. FreeImage is used under the FreeImage Public License (FIPL), version 1.0 *** Blue Marble NG Blue Marble images are used in this software. Blue Marble: Next Generation was produced by Reto Stockli, NASA Earth Observatory (NASA Goddard Space Flight Center). See http://www.iac.ethz.ch/staff/stockli/bmng/#acknowledgements for acknowledgments.

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