Clients, and even other feng shui practitioners, periodically ask me for a description of the flying stars: their meaning or impact. In a formal teaching environment, I go into greater detail and the truth is that a flying star does not exist in solitude. Flying stars always work together and create their own combined “definition” which may be distinct from the individual meaning.
For example, the 3 wood star can instigate arguments. But when it is paired with the 2 star, we look first at their relationship. Who is doing what? 3 Wood dominates 2 earth. So, in this pairing, we are generally more concerned with the negative traits of the 2 star precisely because it is under pressure from the 3 star. Because of that, the 2 star can take center stage with this pairing. 3 wood (eldest son) and 2 earth (mother) can also indicate tension with that family dynamic.
When looking at the pairings of the 9 stars (9 x 9= 81 combinations), we are generally referring to the mountain dragon (the number on the left of the dash) and the water dragon (the number on the right of the dash). An example of this is the 2-3 combination or 3-2 combination. No matter the order, 2 earth is dominated by 3 wood. The difference between a mountain dragon and a water dragon is that, generally speaking, the mountain dragon influences health and human interactions, while the water dragon mostly influences career and other related events. There are also “shadow” influences from the Period star and the House trigram star, but that is beyond the scope of this article.
Quite often, there is a pairing of stars where one or both are in a negative (untimely) phase for the current Period. For instance, we live in Period 9 right now (2024-2043). The three stars that are in a good phase right now are 9, 1, and 2. The other stars are currently untimely and they can exert more of a negative impact if left unremedied. In every Period, which lasts 20 years, there will be one supremely positive star and two others that are up and coming, second and third in line. They may be “Vice President” and “Secretary of State” in relation to the President.
However, there are some stars where we can still extract a positive influence out of them, all depending on who is using the space and the function of the space. For instance, we differentiate the influence in a home between the sleeping rooms (yin) and other rooms (yang). Understanding the stars on this level takes training. Many of my Case Study lesson plans go into much greater nuance regarding the effects of the flying stars. I cannot emphasize enough that CONTEXT is extremely important.
We also have annual stars which create questions about priority, as it may be hard to determine whether the annual (yearly visiting) star will interact with the permanent mountain dragon or water dragon. This is my job, as a consultant, to let the client know in their annual update report how to prioritize this mixture of changing influences.
The following list will only touch the surface of the flying stars, but can serve as a reminder for clients who want to have a Cheat Sheet to refer to. I don’t expect clients to study the flying stars or feel burdened to study feng shui, any more than a doctor expects his patients to study human anatomy and various pathologies.
The point here is just to satisfy the request for a rudimentary understanding of what an individual star may be capable of. A flying star (an energy imprint in the magnetic field), when it is under pressure from another star, could bring out its negative potential, even if it is in a positive phase for the Period. This requires training in Five Element Theory, which operates uniquely in Feng Shui and is not identically transferable to Chinese medicine or Chinese Astrology. Likewise, a flying star that is in a negative phase could still attract a positive outcome if handled carefully with elemental adjustments. This is why we might add fire to the 3 wood star in some cases, but add water to the 3 wood star in other cases.
The following definitions for the 9 stars are just for Period 9 (2024-2043).
1 Water Star
B+ wealth potential. When under pressure, wealth luck is undermined. Potential for issues with the kidneys, blood, circulation or ears, glands in general. Strong association with the middle son or a middle-aged man.
2 Earth Star
C+ wealth potential and C+ for health. When under pressure, potential for problems with the abdominal area, digestion, elimination, spleen. Potential for loneliness, sickness, bleeding or miscarriage. Strong association with an elderly woman or a mother.
3 Wood Star
Not in a timely phase right now. Potential for problems with the feet, throat, thyroid, nervous system. Potential for gossip, arguments, legal or contractual disputes. Strong association with the eldest son or someone who is second in command.
4 Wood Star
Not in a timely phase, this highly sexual energy can also be used to stimulate romance and creativity, good communication and still supportive for overall health. When under pressure, potential for lower back, hip or leg issues. Potential for career to be undermined. Strong association with the eldest daughter or an independent young woman.
5 Earth Star
Not in a timely phase right now. The 5 star only has a narrow window of positivity during a Period 5, which will not return again until the next century. Potential for arguments, accidents, pain, delays, obstacles, things breaking down. Also related to the stomach, pancreas, spleen and the star most connected to cancer. Not associated with any family member, but holds the image of the “emperor” and a personality type who delegates to others.
6 Metal Star
Not in a timely phase, but still some good can be extracted from it. Power and authority, supports a person who takes on a lot of responsibility. When under pressure, it can cause arguments, power struggles, injury from metal objects and issues with the upper body, head, lungs. Strong association with the father or an older man.
7 Metal Star
Not in a timely phase, and only select professions can still benefit from it. When under pressure, it can contribute to arguments, injury, theft or betrayal, as well as bleeding. The 7 star is also related to the mouth, teeth or breasts. Strong association with the youngest daughter or a young woman.
8 Earth Star
Not in a timely phase, but still able to get a positive influence. B+ wealth luck for a few more decades and can be decent for health for a while longer. When under pressure, it can undermine financial luck or cause problems with the bones, muscles, joints, hands and fingers. Strong association with the youngest son or youth in general.
9 Fire Star
With a reputation for “intensifying” any other star it joins, and causing disasters when untimely, the 9 star is now the major health and wealth star until 2044. When under pressure, it can still contribute to fire accidents, mental illness or problems with the eyes or heart. Strong association with the middle daughter or a middle-aged woman.
One final point to be made is that often a flying star will remain dormant. For instance, if you have a guest bedroom that you walk into once a week for 5 minutes to vacuum, the resident flying stars will not influence you. Focus on the areas where you dwell the most.
Author: Kartar Diamond
Company: Feng Shui Solutions ®
From the Feng Shui Theory Blog Series
