"How's my year ahead?" is the most common question. But many only check the annual Life palace and say "Zi Wei and Tian Fu this year, good luck" — too crude. Annual reading is four layers: major cycle (decade background), annual (yearly theme), minor cycle (personal state), monthly (timing). Layered together they reveal specific events.
Correct annual reading: first, annual stem transformations — this year's "timing," which palace Lu/Quan/Ke/Ji land in activates that domain; second, annual branch palace — this year's "main battlefield," e.g., 2026 is Bing-Wu, annual Life in Wu; third, minor cycle palace — personal state this year; fourth, major cycle — the decade framework within which the annual unfolds.
Annual Stem Transformations
Each year's stem differs, so transformations differ.
Annual Lu in a palace — resources and opportunities in that domain this year.
Annual Quan — changes and power dynamics in that domain.
Annual Ke — reputation and benefactors in that domain.
Annual Ji — obstruction and entanglement in that domain.
Annual transformations overlay natal — natal Lu meeting annual Lu is "double joy"; natal Ji meeting annual Ji is "double blockage."
Annual Branch Palace
The annual branch lands in its corresponding palace — Zi year in Zi, Chou in Chou, etc.
Annual Life is the palace of the annual branch.
Stars in annual Life determine this year's "external theme."
The twelve annual palaces follow in sequence — annual Life, Siblings, Spouse, etc.
To see a specific domain this year, check the corresponding annual palace.
Layering Four Levels
Major cycle is "background" — the decade's big trend.
Annual is "event" — what specifically happens this year.
Minor cycle is "state" — how you personally feel this year.
Monthly is "timing" — which month it happens.
All four pointing to the same domain — that event likely happens this year.
Layers conflict — major cycle sets tone, annual triggers, minor cycle shows whether you can handle it.
Reading Order
For an annual forecast:
- Major cycle — which cycle now, what theme.
- Annual stem transformations — where is this year's timing.
- Annual branch palace — where is the main battlefield.
- Minor cycle — your personal state this year.
- Monthly — which month is key.
- Layer all four — don't conclude from one star.