Tian-Ying

The brightest of the nine stars, and the one most likely to burn past its own limit. On the good side it is light, culture and an open appetite for being seen — and whatever it lights up gets looked at, which is why fame, reputation and appearing in front of an audience all run through this star. Let the fire get too strong and the same star turns: restless, quick to flare, and heading for the reading that carries blood and injury in it. The two ends are one temperature apart, not two separate stars.

• People and roles: performers, publicists and people who work a room, artists and writers, the fashion and beauty trades — every role that is brilliant to look at and meant to be seen. Students, teachers and parents also fall inside its reading.
• Fire, and the civilised arts: when the indicator lands on this star, the matter usually has fire in it somewhere, or else culture, reputation, or showing the face in public.
• Places and objects: busy streets and city centres; lamps and lighting, books, mirrors.
• The body: the eyes, the heart, the small intestine — the first impression of this star carries the blood-and-injury layer and the heat-in-the-heart layer at the same time.

"Mildly inauspicious" is a default reading, not a verdict. Asked about becoming known or about publicity, and asked about fire risk or about a temper, the very same Tian-Ying is being read from opposite ends.

Nature

Some response to their own existence is needed — being affirmed and being wanted is what makes the whole trip count for the person involved. What shows on the surface is confidence; underneath it is the fear of going unnoticed.

Style

The first question is how other people are going to see it. Willing to stand at the front and say the thing out loud, and glad to put finished work on display — the warmer the room, the better this one performs.

Strength

Considerable pull, and considerable warmth. The person involved is good at lifting other people and at heating up a room, and can get an idea seen and passed along.

Impression

Visible on entering; attention travels over on its own. Which also means a great deal gets expected of them, and it takes a long while before anyone sees the offstage version.

Pitfall

Spending themselves for applause, and taking criticism or a flat room far too much to heart. Once the performance outruns the substance, the wheels are turning on nothing.

At the feng shui layer, Tian-Ying answers to whatever gives off light and heat, and to bright, conspicuous places.

• Character: bright, hot and demonstrative, governing reputation, intelligence and innovation.
• Objects: lamps and lighting, candles, stoves, lighters, electrical appliances and mobile phones, along with books and mirrors; anything red belongs here too.
• Places: bright ground of any kind, and open, well-lit spaces such as a living room.

A room word turns up in that list now and then — a living room, for instance — as an example of the quality "bright", not because the nine stars come with a table of rooms. Which room of a house belongs to whom is still a matter for the gates and the stems.