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title: Qi Da Xian Jue (Setting Major Cycles) description: The method for calculating and interpreting the Major Cycles in Zi Wei Dou Shu, which divide a person's life into twelve 10-year periods.

Qi Da Xian Jue (Setting Major Cycles)

Overview

The "Qi Da Xian Jue" is a method for calculating and interpreting Major Cycles (Da Xian) in Zi Wei Dou Shu. Major Cycles divide a person's life into twelve 10-year periods, each assigned to one of the twelve palaces. This system provides a chronological framework for analyzing the influences of different life aspects throughout a person's lifetime.

Basic Principles

The Major Cycles in Zi Wei Dou Shu are based on the following principles:

1. Sequential Development: Life unfolds in sequential stages, each with its distinctive characteristics.
2. 10-Year Periods: Each Major Cycle represents approximately 10 years of life.
3. Directional Movement: Major Cycles move in specific directions based on gender and birth time.

Methods for Calculating Major Cycles

Factors Affecting Major Cycle Direction

1. Gender: Different directions for males and females.
2. Day Branch: The Earthly Branch of the birth day can affect the starting direction.

Basic Method

1. Determine the Person's Gender: The direction of Major Cycles differs by gender.
2. Identify the Body Palace: Use the Body Palace determined by the "An Ming Shen Gong Jue."
3. Determine Starting Ages:
   • For males: Start at age 1 from the Body Palace
   • For females: Start at age 1 from the palace opposite to the Body Palace
4. Determine Direction of Movement:
   • For males born on Yang days (Zi, Wu, Chen, Xu): Clockwise
   • For males born on Yin days (Chou, Wei, Mao, You, Si, Hai, Yin, Shen): Counter-clockwise
   • For females born on Yang days: Counter-clockwise
   • For females born on Yin days: Clockwise

Flow of Ages in Major Cycles

Each Major Cycle spans approximately 10 years:

• First cycle: Ages 1-10
• Second cycle: Ages 11-20
• And so on...

Practical Example

For a male born on a Chen day (Yang day) with Body Palace in Yin:

Starting Point and Direction:

1. Gender: Male
2. Day Branch: Chen (Yang)
3. Body Palace: Yin
4. Direction: Clockwise (for males born on Yang days)

Major Cycle Progression:

• Ages 1-10: Yin Palace
• Ages 11-20: Mao Palace
• Ages 21-30: Chen Palace
• Ages 31-40: Si Palace
• Ages 41-50: Wu Palace
• Ages 51-60: Wei Palace
• Ages 61-70: Shen Palace
• Ages 71-80: You Palace
• Ages 81-90: Xu Palace
• Ages 91-100: Hai Palace
• Ages 101-110: Zi Palace
• Ages 111-120: Chou Palace

Interpretation of Major Cycles

Meaning of Each Major Cycle

Each Major Cycle's influence is determined by:

1. Corresponding Palace: The aspects of life represented by that palace
2. Stars Present: The stars located in that palace in the chart
3. Position Relative to Life Palace: Whether it's favorable, unfavorable, or neutral

Timing of Major Cycle Activation

The activation of each Major Cycle begins at the start of the corresponding age range. For example, the third Major Cycle begins at age 21 and continues until age 30.

Advanced Considerations

1. Interactions with Other Timing Systems: Major Cycles interact with Minor Cycles (Xiao Xian) and Annual Cycles (Liu Nian).
2. Star Influences: Stars in the palace of a currently active Major Cycle have increased influence.
3. Transformations Across Cycles: How fortune changes from one Major Cycle to the next.

Theoretical Basis

This method draws on classical texts such as "Zi Wei Da Fa" and "Shen Shi Mi Zhuan." The concept of Major Cycles reflects the ancient belief that life unfolds in orderly, predictable stages corresponding to cosmic patterns.

Applications

1. Long-term Life Planning: Understanding the general trends for each decade of life.
2. Critical Life Transitions: Identifying significant transitions between life stages.
3. Remedial Measures: Determining appropriate times for remedial measures based on challenging Major Cycles.

Conclusion

The "Qi Da Xian Jue" provides a systematic method for dividing life into manageable time periods for analysis. By understanding the Major Cycles, a Zi Wei Dou Shu practitioner can make more accurate predictions about the timing of life events and the evolution of fortune throughout a person's lifetime.