When reviewing a flying star chart, we try to interpret the impact on occupants. A flying star chart is a template for interpreting energy in a house based on when it was built combined with compass alignment. We compare the mountain star and the water star, noted with a dash between the two numbers, such as 6-5. The mountain star (number on left of dash) usually relates to health and relationships and the water star (number on the right side of dash) usually refers to events, career and financial matters.

Noting these stars, as numbers with a dash in between them is the universal, conventional way to depict the flying star chart. We have a pair of numbers for each of the eight basic directions. With nine numbers, paired up with each other, there are 81 possibilities.

This numerical coding represents the stars as trigrams and each trigram is full of meaning and symbolism. When the stars are paired, at first we can consider what kind of relationship these stars have with each other based on Five Element Theory. One element/star might be in a productive relationship, such as 4-9 translating as wood nurturing fire. Another relationship is the domination cycle, such as 7-3, which translates as metal dominating wood.

With any pairing of numbers/stars, we can ponder the symbolism of each star for its attributes related to health. For example, the 4 star is related to the low back and legs. The 7 star is related to the mouth, teeth, or chest. Each of the eight trigrams is related to body areas and functions.

The trigrams, as flying stars, are also predictive of potential events and circumstances. For example, the 3-7 combination can attract theft of legal problems, as much as a problem with the feet, throat or nervous system.

What we feng shui practitioners don’t always do, however, is ponder the third tier of interpretation which is just to look at the trigrams for the family members they represent. This is a shadow influence, always present. For example, the 4-6 combination could indicate problems with the 4 star since the 6 metal dominates the 4 wood. The 4 star is symbolic of the legs, hips, thighs or knees. Someone who sleeps in this kind of flying star energy could have problems with the lower half of the body.

The 4 star is also related to career and creativity. So if the 4 star is under pressure from the 6 star, we could predict challenges with the creative muse or career struggles. But this third tier is to just look at the 4 star as the Xun trigram (eldest daughter) and the 6 star as the Qian trigram (father). Here the father (6 Metal) is dominating the daughter (4 Wood). We might actually see a family dynamic where the father and eldest daughter do not get along or have power struggles. We may even discover the father is abusive to the eldest daughter.

Practitioners and students can review all the 81 flying star combinations and see what kinds of relationships present themselves. With the 8-3 combination we may see that the eldest son (3 wood star) dominates the youngest son (8 earth star).

With the 3-6 combination, the father (6 metal) may dominate the eldest son (3 wood). This is just another layer of the flying star combinations. The flying stars, as paired up trigrams, also turn into hexagrams. The hexagrams are the profound oracle passages from the I-Ching. You can glean yet another tier of understanding from the I-Ching, for the impact of the areas where people dwell.

Author: Kartar Diamond
Company: Feng Shui Solutions ® Since 1992
From the Feng Shui Theory Blog Series