What Are Annual Cycles (Sui Yun)?
Annual Cycles (Sui Yun) is the temporal progression system of Bazi (Four Pillars) analysis. It combines the natal chart (static birth information) with flowing time (Luck Cycles, Annual Luck, etc.) to analyze the auspicious and inauspicious changes the chart owner experiences across different life stages. The static natal chart determines the nature; the dynamic Annual Cycles determine the timing -- "One may have this destiny but not necessarily this luck; if the luck does not arrive, even a good destiny is difficult to realize."
The Hierarchical Structure of Annual Cycles
The Annual Cycle system is divided into multiple hierarchical levels by time span:
| Level | Name | Time Span |
|---|---|---|
| Luck Cycle | Da Yun (10-Year Luck Cycle) | 10 years per pillar |
| Annual Luck | Tai Sui / Liu Nian (Annual Luck) | 1 year |
| Monthly Luck | Liu Yue (Monthly Luck) | Each month (~1 month) |
| Daily Luck | Liu Ri (Daily Luck) | Each day |
| Hourly Luck | Liu Shi (Hourly Luck) | Every 2 hours |
| Minor Cycle | Xiao Yun (Minor Luck Cycle) | Supplements the Luck Cycle |
Judgment Principles for Annual Cycles
- Luck Cycle is primary, Annual Luck is supplementary: The Luck Cycle sets the ten-year tone; Annual Luck triggers specific events.
- The natal chart is the foundation: The chart's structure and Favorable/Unfavorable Gods determine what is favorable and unfavorable. Encountering Favorable Gods in the cycles is auspicious; encountering Unfavorable Gods is inauspicious.
- Three-layer overlay: Natal chart + Luck Cycle + Annual Luck are evaluated in overlay. The more layers that overlap, the more pronounced the effect.
- Solar Terms as boundaries: Luck transitions use Solar Terms (not lunar calendar months) as time boundaries.
Interaction Between Annual Cycles and the Natal Chart
The Stems and Branches in Annual Cycles interact with the natal chart's original Stems and Branches to produce:
- Punishments, Clashes, Unions, and Harms: Activating or suppressing certain Palace Positions and Ten Gods
- Generation, Controlling, Restraining, and Transformation: Shifting the Five Element power balance in the chart
- Activation (Yin Dong): Activating latent Stems and Branches in the chart (such as Filling the Void of Emptiness)
The Starting Point for Annual Cycle Calculation
Solar Terms serve as the boundary, not lunar calendar months or Gregorian calendar months:
- The Luck Cycle's starting age is calculated from the birth Solar Term
- Annual Luck uses the current year's Stem-Branch (Tai Sui) as the reference
The Importance of the Annual Cycle System
"First examine the natal chart, then examine the Annual Cycles" -- the natal chart determines the level of structure and Five Element favorable/unfavorable conditions; the Annual Cycles determine what happens and when. Understanding the Annual Cycle system is essential for achieving accurate temporal prediction.