Tow

Tow, meaning 'a Ladle' or 'Measure,' is the nineteenth Chinese sieu, corresponding to phi, lambda, and mu Sagittarii. Ruled by Jupiter, this mansion begins the Black Warrior palace and represents the capacity to measure, portion, and distribute resources with wisdom.

The ladle as a measuring instrument connects Tow to justice, fair distribution, and the careful management of abundance.

Tow begins the Black Warrior palace, which governs the North and the season of Winter. Jupiter's rulership brings expansive wisdom to the act of measurement. The ladle or dipper imagery may also connect to the Big Dipper (Bei Dou), the most important asterism in Chinese astronomy, though the sieu corresponds to different stars.

When the Moon passes through Tow, Jupiter's generous energy combines with the ladle's measuring quality to favor fair dealings, distribution of resources, and wise management. This is a period for ensuring that abundance is shared equitably.

The Black Warrior (Xuan Wu), also called the Dark Warrior, is the celestial guardian of the North and the season of Winter. Associated with the element Water, the Black Warrior is depicted as a tortoise entwined with a snake, representing the union of endurance and cunning, stillness and movement. The North is the direction of depth, mystery, and the storage of vital energy during the dormant season. The seven sieu of the Black Warrior trace the composite creature through the cold, deep regions of the sky, forming the most mysterious of the four celestial animals.