Introduction to Xuan Kong Flying Stars and the Position of the Second Black Star
Xuan Kong Flying Stars is an important school of Feng Shui that uses nine stars (the Nine Stars) to analyze changes in energy fields across space and time. These nine stars include: First White, Second Black, Third Blue, Fourth Green, Fifth Yellow, Sixth White, Seventh Red, Eighth White, and Ninth Purple. Each star carries a specific element, distinct auspicious or inauspicious meanings, and shifts position by year, month, day, or hour within a defined cycle.
In this system, the Second Black Star, also known as Ju Men, belongs to the Earth element and resides in the Kun palace (southwest) of the Later Heaven Bagua. This position is special because Kun represents the Earth Mother, nurturing and encompassing, yet also harbors darkness and illness. This duality makes the Second Black a two-sided star: on one hand, it brings financial prosperity and stability when receiving vital energy; on the other, it brings misfortune, sickness, and disputes when in decline.
Characteristics and Origins of the Second Black Star
Element and Direction
The Second Black Star belongs to Yin Earth. In the five-element relationships, Earth generates Metal, so the Second Black can nourish Metal stars like the Sixth White (Qian) and the Seventh Red (Dui). Meanwhile, Fire generates Earth, so the Ninth Purple (Fire element) can strengthen the Second Black. Conversely, Wood controls Earth, so the Third Blue (Wood element) can subdue the Second Black. These are key relationships for interpreting interactions when the Second Black flies together with other stars into the same area.
The Second Black represents the Kun palace in the southwest. Kun symbolizes the mother, the elder woman in the household, softness, and gentleness. In terms of health, the Second Black relates to Earth-associated organs such as the spleen, stomach, digestive system, and tumors or cysts. When the Second Black is weakened or triggered by external factors, it can cause digestive issues, general health problems, and chronic diseases.
Meaning of the Name Ju Men
The name Ju Men (巨門) means 'great gate' or 'giant door.' In Zi Wei Dou Shu, Ju Men is a star governing verbal disputes, gossip, arguments, and misunderstandings. It also represents scholarship and eloquence, but if not properly managed, such speaking ability can become a source of unnecessary trouble. The parallel between Ju Men's meaning in Zi Wei and the Second Black in Xuan Kong reveals a shared reference in Eastern Feng Shui thought: an energy can produce both good and bad outcomes, depending on its state of vitality or decline and how people interact with it.
Auspicious and Inauspicious Meanings of the Second Black Star
When the Second Black Is in Favor (Vital Energy)
When the Second Black is in a vital state (meaning it encounters favorable timing, often when positioned to receive the period's vital energy or strong support from other stars), it ceases to be an inauspicious star. At such times, the Second Black becomes a very beneficial star for finances. It symbolizes abundance, wealth, stability in money and property, and real estate. An old saying goes: 'When the Second Black is vital, wealth surpasses the whole region,' highlighting the extraordinary riches this star can bring at its peak energy.
In this state, the Second Black also signifies growth and multiplication. It can bring luck in conception and childbirth, especially for daughters, due to its yin Earth nature. Additionally, as the star of the Kun palace (Earth Mother), it can offer protection and peace to mothers and women in the household, helping them lead stable and healthy lives.
When the Second Black Is Out of Favor (Declining Energy)
This is the state most frequently discussed in Feng Shui literature. When the Second Black is declining (usually when it does not receive the period's vital energy or is weakened by other factors), it becomes a fearsome inauspicious star, often called one of the 'Three Sha' of Xuan Kong (alongside the Third Blue and Fifth Yellow).
In decline, the Second Black governs the following issues:
- Illness: This is the most typical meaning. It causes digestive disorders, stomach and spleen ailments, difficult-to-treat chronic diseases, or gynecological problems. In severe cases, it may be linked to tumors or cancer, especially when combined with other inauspicious stars.
- Disputes and verbal conflicts: A declining Second Black is the star of arguments, lawsuits, misunderstandings, gossip, and slander. It strains relationships at home and work, leading to frequent conflicts. People living in areas affected by the declining Second Black often face trouble involving speech, signatures, or contracts.
- Misfortune and calamities: The declining Second Black also brings unwanted misfortunes, sudden accidents, and stagnation in career and life. It creates a heavy, gloomy atmosphere, causing fatigue, discouragement, and loss of motivation.
Interactions of the Second Black with Other Stars
The meaning of the Second Black is never isolated; it is always assessed in relation to other stars when they co-occupy a palace. These combinations create various patterns.
The Second Black with Auspicious Stars
- Second Black with First White (Water): This pattern is considered beneficial for emotions and health if the First White is vital. The Water of the First White can temper the dryness and illness of the Second Black's Earth. This combination can bring clarity and reduce disputes, particularly aiding children's studies and exams.
- Second Black with Sixth White (Metal): Earth generates Metal, so the Sixth White (the Wen Chang star of nobility) is nourished by the Second Black. This is a good pattern that promotes leadership talent, career advancement, power, and respect. Here, the Second Black acts as solid support for the Sixth White's growth.
- Second Black with Eighth White (Earth): Both share the Earth element; when together, they can reinforce each other. If both are vital, this signals sustainable wealth and growth in real estate. However, if both are declining, they jointly create significant illness and stagnation.
The Second Black with Inauspicious Stars
- Second Black with Fifth Yellow (Earth): This is one of the worst patterns in Xuan Kong, called 'Er Wu Jiao Jia' (二五交加). Both are major inauspicious stars of Earth. Their combination multiplies negative forces, causing severe health crises (incurable diseases), sudden accidents, loss of wealth, and very heavy misfortunes. This pattern is highly taboo in tradition.
- Second Black with Third Blue (Wood): Wood controls Earth, so the Third Blue (the star of verbal conflict and struggle) can subdue the Second Black. However, this control does not bring good results. It sparks hidden battles, leading to intense disputes, lawsuits, and gossip, especially legal and contractual issues. Health is also affected because Wood controlling Earth can cause liver and gallbladder problems combined with spleen issues.
- Second Black with Seventh Red (Metal): Earth generates Metal, making the Seventh Red (the star of ruin and theft) stronger. This combination can lead to property loss, theft, fraud, and troublesome romantic relationships, attracting harmful people. For health, it may cause respiratory or skin problems because Metal is generated by Earth but can be controlled by Fire if present.
Practical Applications in Daily Life
Identifying the Position of the Second Black Star
To apply this knowledge, first determine where the Second Black is in your living space. In Xuan Kong Feng Shui, this position changes annually and monthly. Identification typically relies on the Luo Tian Chi (a tool for calculating the Nine Stars' movement) to find the governing star for a specific year or month, then fly them to the palaces of the Bagua map.
For example, in Period 8 (2004-2023), the Eighth White (auspicious star) is in the Gen palace (northeast). The Second Black then sits in its natural Kun palace (southwest) in the Later Heaven Bagua. However, in Period 9 (2024-2043), star positions shift. Specialized calculators or lookup tables are needed for accuracy. In 2024 (Jia Chen year), the Second Black flies to the northeast (Gen) palace, so special attention should be paid to that area of the home that year.
Remedies for the Declining Second Black
Once the declining Second Black's location is known, appropriate remedies should be applied to minimize its negative effects or, if possible, transform it into positive energy.
- Limit vigorous activity: Avoid conducting important activities in the area affected by the declining Second Black. For example, do not place the stove, desk, or bed in that spot while it is in decline. Frequent movement and activity there may inadvertently trigger negative energy.
- Use Earth to weaken it: One principle is to use the star's own element to weaken it. However, with the Second Black, adding Earth can strengthen it if it is vital (which would be good), but if it is declining, adding Earth increases gloom and illness. So this method requires careful judgment.
- Use Metal to drain energy: Since Earth generates Metal, placing Metal items (like metal objects, white stones, clocks, or metal statues) in the area helps drain the Second Black's negative energy, reducing its power. This is a widely used remedy.
- Use Water to erode: Although Earth controls Water, a small amount of water (like a small bowl or aquarium) can dampen the Earth, reducing its dry, illness-causing nature. However, caution is needed: if the Second Black is vital, excessive water can cause kidney or ear problems because Earth controls Water too strongly.
- Use Wood to control: Because Wood controls Earth, Wood items (like plants) can be used to subdue the Second Black. Yet, this method may create conflict, leading to disputes as discussed. Therefore, it is typically used only when the Second Black is extremely strong and needs urgent suppression.
Conclusion
The Second Black Star in Xuan Kong Flying Stars is a formidable inauspicious star when in decline, causing illness, disputes, and misfortune. However, understanding its true nature, origins, and interactions with other stars helps us view it objectively and respond appropriately. No star is entirely bad, and the Second Black is no exception. When in favor, it is a star of wealth and stability. The key is to accurately determine its vital or declining state in each specific time-space context, then make reasonable adjustments to your living and working spaces. Feng Shui is not blind superstition but a knowledge system about human-environment interaction, and understanding the Second Black is an important part of that system.
