The above is what a typical Qi Men Dun Jia chart looks like. Try not to get overwhelmed by what you see.

When a chart is generated, it is based on the date and time you are asking the question. This is usually expressed in the form of the Solar Calendar, meaning there will be 4 Pillars and it is basically the 八字 for that specific day and time the QMDJ chart generated. I won't go into the formula of how the chart is plotted in the introductory course as it gets too technical and dry.

In essence, what you see are the following:

• 9-Sectors: The immediate thing that catches your attention is the 9-square grid which represents your 九宫 (9-Sectors) and it is a representation of the 8-Trigrams. Note that there is a difference between 天盘 and 地盘。
• The 8 Gods: Next, pay attention to the Chinese characters appearing on the top of each square. These are the 'Gods'.
• 8 Doors: The next thing you'll notice is the extra large Chinese words with 門 (门 in simplified Chinese). These are you 8 Doors.
• 9 Stars: The characters below the doors are the 9 Stars.
• Heavenly Stems: Finally, what's left is the Heavenly Stems which are on the right of the 9 Stars. You will notice that there are two Heavenly Stems. The one on top represents the Heavens Trigram (天盘) and the one below is the Earth Trigram (地盘)。

Some other things to take note of would be:

• Where 值符 lands.
• Where 值使 lands.
• Where 天乙 lands.
• Where 空亡 lands.
• The elemental strength in a given season. This should be easy. Spring is dominated by Wood; Summer by Fire, Autumn by Metal and Winter by Water. Earth comes in between the transition of the seasons.