In Flying Star Feng Shui, every dwelling carries an energetic natal chart, a kind of “birth imprint” that reflects the quality of Qi captured at the time of its construction or last major renovation. This chart acts as the permanent blueprint of the house’s character. It explains why some homes naturally support health and prosperity while others seem to struggle despite the best efforts of their occupants.
The natal chart is built on two key foundations:
- The Period of construction: Each 20-year Period has its own prosperity star. A house built during that time is stamped with the energy of that star, which influences its long-term fortune. For example, homes built between 2004 and 2023 are Period 8 houses, influenced by the prosperity of Earth Star 8. From 2024 onward, houses belong to Period 9, resonating with the Fire qualities of Star 9.
- The facing direction: Using a precise compass reading, the side of the building that most strongly “receives Qi” is identified. This is not always the front door — sometimes it is the side with the greatest openness, view, or flow of energy. The facing direction, together with the construction period, determines how the stars are distributed across the nine palaces of the Lo Shu grid.
Each sector of the natal chart is assigned a pair of stars, known as the mountain star and the water star. These two work together but govern different aspects of life:
- Mountain Star: Represents the people side of life — health, relationships, harmony within the family, and personal well-being. It is strengthened by stillness, support, and forms that give shelter (such as mountains, walls, or elevated terrain). In a house, mountain stars are best activated in places where people spend time quietly, such as bedrooms, studies, or meditation areas.
- Water Star: Represents the dynamic side of life — wealth, movement, reputation, and external opportunities. It thrives on activity, circulation, and open space. Water stars are best activated in areas of motion such as entrances, living rooms, or offices, and in some cases by actual water features like fountains or aquariums.
What makes the chart powerful is the interaction between these stars. In some sectors, a favorable mountain star combines with a favorable water star, creating a palace that supports both people and prosperity — the most fortunate combination. In others, one star may be auspicious while the other is harmful, creating mixed results. Sometimes both stars may be difficult, marking a sector that is best left quiet or unused.
The natal chart therefore reveals the DNA of the house: it shows where the strengths lie, which rooms are naturally suited for certain activities, and where caution is needed. Even as the annual and monthly stars fly in to modify conditions, the natal stars provide the enduring background against which those changes play out. For this reason, consultants always begin with the natal chart, for without it, the moving stars of time cannot be interpreted correctly.
Understanding the articulation of mountain and water stars is central to Flying Star practice. By placing bedrooms in sectors with healthy mountain stars, and keeping activity in areas with supportive water stars, we align daily life with the deep structure of the house’s Qi. This alignment is what turns a dwelling into a true home — one that both shelters and sustains.
