Reading the Charts
All charts are drawn with the front of the building at the bottom of the page. The numbered stars in each chart represent different types of qi. Written in the form of a triangle, each number has its own special attributes. The way they interact with each other, the environment and the people, combine to give us the Feng Shui of the building.
Flying Star Feng Shui
Mountain stars come first at the top left and are in charge of the inhabitants. They require stillness and solid forms. Mountain stars are dispersed by water and movement. Directly to the right is the water star, in charge of the money and more active pursuits. Water stars are carried on the wind, carried by people and animals, and are encouraged by real water.
At the bottom of the triangle is the time star, providing the environment for the other two. Combinations are written; Mountain-Time-Water. For example: 7 mountain-1 time-8 water, or 7-1-8. In individual charts yearly and monthly stars may be shown at the bottom of the triangles.
George Washington's Sheep
Early Feng Shui Chart
Fourth Period: 1744-1764
Washington’s early additions to Mount Vernon helped to provide interior mountains to the house, adding nice, quiet places for the mountain stars to gather. This added to the stability of the home, and the suitability of the Feng Shui chart.
General Washington also opened up the central hallway at that time, giving the water stars a better flow pattern if the doors were closed, but creating the effect of “wood water” if both doors were opened. This causes qi to rush through the house too quickly. The qi will not be retained, and the house loses the benefits. When the doors are closed there is still room for the qi to pool, but opening both doors at the same time would have caused problems.
When we look to see what’s supported, we immediately see that the 9 mountain star has a large section of the West Parlor closet and fireplace (978). The 1 water star has two windows in the front of the house, and would also have been carried in the front door by anyone passing through. The 9-1 and 9-8 form combinations called, “Happy Events”.
In the Dining Room we find that the 1 mountain star has interior support at the closet, while the 7 water star comes in through the window. The 7 and 1 join in this room to create a combination known to cause exile when the ground slopes away. Since Mount Vernon is situated on the top of a hill, the ground does indeed slope away from the house. This feature will be even more important when annual stars are brought in to play.
Starting at the front of the house we find that the 1 and the 6 water stars are at the door. People coming from the west would bring the 1 and those coming in from the north would bring the 6. The 6 water star brings fame to military officers. When combined with the 1 mountain star it can bring wealth as well. The 6 would be a well used star at Mount Vernon.
The 2 water star is well supported in the Potomac, and the 2 mountain star is somewhat supported at the staircase. The 2′s will cause sickness when supported by the proper forms. When the 7 water star came into the Small Dining Room it would go to the front wall where the 2 mountain star resided. The 7 represents the head and lungs, with the 2 causing illnesses. George Washington suffered for years with mouth problems. Although this was by all accounts a happy home it would not have been a healthy one.
