The birth chart and the Da Yun (the 10-year cycles) give the general "weather" of life. But real financial decisions are made closer in — on the horizon of a year or a quarter. In the Chinese calendar, each year has its own annual pillar (流年 (liú nián — "the Current Year"), Liu Nian) — a heavenly stem + an earthly branch. This pillar comes to "visit" your chart and activates some stars, suppresses others. The ability to read annual pillars is the difference between "random fate" and "conscious financial planning."

1 How to Read the Year's Stem + Branch

年
Nián · Year
nián · annual pillar · 流年

Each year has a stem (one of the 10 heavenly stems) and a branch (one of the 12 earthly branches). 60 years is a full cycle, after which the combination repeats. For example, 2026 is the year of Bing-Wu (丙午), the year of Yang Fire and the Horse. Fire over Fire — the strongest fire pillar of the cycle.

Steps for Reading the Annual Pillar

  1. Determine the year's stem and its 10-God. Compare the year's stem with your Day Master. For example, for a 庚 DM (Yang Metal), the stem Bing (Yang Fire) = Qi Sha.
  2. Determine the year's branch and its 10-Gods. Inside the branch are hidden from 1 to 3 stems (their own 10 Gods).
  3. Check for clashes. Chong (沖), Hai (害), Xing (刑), Po (破) — these are conflicting interactions of the year's branch with the chart's branches.
  4. Check for harmonies. He (合), Hui (會), San He (三合 (sān hé — "the Triple Unions")) — supportive combinations.
  5. Assess the overall vector. Which 10-God is activated? Is it Cai (money), Guan (career), Shang Guan (rebellion)?
  6. Cross-reference with the Da Yun. The year operates in the context of the current 10-year cycle.
The basic logic: the year's stem affects the "upper" level (career, reputation, image), the year's branch affects the "lower" level (real events, relationships, health, money "in the wallet"). A good year is one where the upper and lower agree.

2 Which God Comes in the Year

The main diagnostic question of the annual forecast: which of the 10 Gods are activated this year? This gives you the scenario of the year in a single phrase.

A Zheng Cai Year (steady money)

A salary increase, a new stable contract, a raise. A good time to buy property on a mortgage, to take on long-term financial commitments. For a man — a year of a possible marriage or the birth of a daughter.

A Pian Cai Year (risky money)

A major deal, an unexpected windfall, a successful investment. A good time for trading, venture entries, selling a business. Dangerous: impulsive spending, gambling. For a man — a year of a possible affair.

A Zheng Guan Year (career)

A promotion, recognition, a new position. Career growth, but income does not necessarily rise in proportion. For a woman — a year of a possible marriage or the stabilization of a relationship.

A Qi Sha Year (pressure)

Crisis, unexpected challenges, legal problems. If there is control in the chart (Shi Shen) — a year of fighting growth, of overcoming. Without control — a year of losses, conflicts, possible health problems.

A Zheng Yin Year (study, mentor)

New knowledge, a teacher, support from elders. Good for education, writing dissertations, developing methodologies. Income may temporarily decline (you are investing in yourself).

A Pian Yin Year (esoterica, the hidden)

An interest in unconventional knowledge, a spiritual path, mysteries. Less publicity, more inner work. Often a year of re-evaluating values.

A Shi Shen Year (creativity)

A creative upsurge, the birth of products, aesthetics. Good for launching content projects, restaurants, art. For a woman — a possible birth of a child.

A Shang Guan Year (rebellion)

Breakthrough ideas, conflicts with authorities, a break with the old. Good for launching revolutionary products. Dangerous: quitting a job in a flush of emotion, divorce, legal conflicts.

A Bi Jian / Jie Cai Year (equals and robbers)

Activity in partnerships, team projects. But also — competition, division. Jie Cai — a year of heightened risk of losing money through those close to you.

A dangerous pattern: if a year simultaneously activates Shang Guan (rebellion) and Guan (authority) — this is "傷官 (shāng guān — "the Hurting Officer")見官" (Shang Guan meets Guan), a classic danger. Legal conflicts, loss of position, divorce. In such years, avoid lawsuits, serious contracts, and important public statements.

3 The Year's Stem + Day Master Combination

The year's stem sits directly beside your Day Master and forms a special relationship. This relationship sets the tone of the year.

The Same Stem (你他相同)

A Bi Jian year — the "equal-shouldered one." A strengthening of your energy. Good for launching projects "on your own," for competitive activity. But if the Day Master is already strong — this is excess, a year of chaotic activity.

The Opposite Polar Stem (合)

The year's stem enters into He (合) with your DM. For example, for a 甲 DM, this is the stem 己 (Yin Earth). This is a "marriage of stems" — a year of possible unions, agreements, partnerships. The energy "flows" into the combination, which can be either good (a new element forms) or bad (you are "bound" by obligations).

The Controlling Stem (剋)

The year's stem = Guan or Qi Sha for the DM. Pressure from above, responsibility, possible career growth — or pressure to the point of illness. It depends on the support in the chart.

The Nourishing Stem (生)

The year's stem = Yin for the DM. A year of receiving, learning, support. Money does not grow rapidly, but the foundation is strengthened.

The Produced Stem (洩)

The year's stem = Shang Guan or Shi Shen. A year of expression, of releasing energy into the world. Creative, productive. For a strong DM — excellent. For a weak one — depletion.

The Subdued Stem (我剋)

The year's stem = your Cai. The most "moneyed" variant — money strives toward you. But it requires a strong DM to hold it.

4 The Year's Branch + the Chart's Branches Combination

The year's branch enters the physical reality of life and combines with the four branches of the chart: the year branch, month branch, day branch, and hour branch. Each combination has its own strength and meaning.

Chong (沖) — Clash

Six pairs of earthly branches form direct "clashes": Zi-Wu (子午), Chou-Wei (丑未), Yin-Shen (寅申), Mao-You (卯酉), Chen-Xu (辰戌), Si-Hai (巳亥). If the year's branch clashes with a branch of your chart — these are years of volatility, movement, and risk.

He (合) — Harmony

Six pairs of "friendship": Zi-Chou, Yin-Hai, Mao-Xu, Chen-You, Si-Shen, Wu-Wei. These branches form unions. In a year of He with your chart's branch — allies, partners, romantic encounters arrive. Money comes more easily through collaborations.

San He (三合) — Triple Union

Four "trinities": Shen-Zi-Chen (Water), Yin-Wu-Xu (Fire), Si-You-Chou (Metal), Hai-Mao-Wei (Wood). When the chart contains two branches of a trinity and the third arrives in the year — this is a powerful union of an element. If that element is your Yong Shen, the year is golden. If it is Qi Shen, the year is dangerous.

Xing (刑) — Punishment

Complex configurations in which branches "spoil" one another. For example, Yin-Si-Shen — the "triple punishment of ingratitude," which often brings legal or ethical problems.

The key practical logic: a good year = the year's stem = your Cai or a Cai generator, the year's branch in He or San He with your chart, no Chong with the day. A dangerous year = the year's stem = Qi Shen, a Chong with the day or month, the activation of Jie Cai.

5 The Year of the Dragon, Horse, and Other Animals

Each zodiac sign brings its own element. Knowing your Day Master, you can immediately say which animal year will be "yours."

The Year of the Rat (子, Yang Water)

Activates Water. Good for those whose Yong Shen is Water or Wood. Dangerous for those whose DM = Fire and whose Yong Shen is Fire (Water extinguishes it).

The Year of the Ox (丑, Yin Earth)

Activates Earth and the hidden Metal and Water. Good for those whose Yong Shen is Metal, Earth, or Water. A strong year for accumulation.

The Year of the Tiger (寅, Yang Wood)

Activates Wood and the hidden Fire and Earth. Good for a Fire or Wood Yong Shen. A strong "beginning of growth."

The Year of the Rabbit (卯, Yin Wood)

Pure Wood. Activates all the "wooden" themes — education, growth, development. Good for a Fire Yong Shen.

The Year of the Dragon (辰, Yang Earth)

Earth + the hidden Water and Wood. Considered one of the "noble" signs. Good for a Metal or Earth Yong Shen. In San He with Shen and Zi it forms Water.

The Year of the Snake (巳, Yin Fire)

Fire + the hidden Metal and Earth. Activates both Fire and (through the hidden Geng) Metal. Good for an Earth or Metal Yong Shen.

The Year of the Horse (午, Yang Fire)

Pure Fire. The most "fiery" year. Good for an Earth or Wood Yong Shen. Dangerous for those whose Yong Shen is Metal or Water.

The Year of the Goat (未, Yin Earth)

Earth + the hidden Fire and Wood. Warm earth. Good for a Metal or Earth Yong Shen.

The Year of the Monkey (申, Yang Metal)

Pure Metal + the hidden Water and Earth. Good for a Water or Wood Yong Shen (Metal chops Wood — years for discipline).

The Year of the Rooster (酉, Yin Metal)

Pure Metal. Good for a Water Yong Shen. A year of precision, choice, and cutting away the excess.

The Year of the Dog (戌, Yang Earth)

Earth + the hidden Fire and Metal. Dry earth. Good for a Metal or Earth Yong Shen.

The Year of the Pig (亥, Yang Water)

Pure Water + the hidden Wood. Good for a Wood or Water Yong Shen. A year for beginning cycles.

6 Dangerous Years — Chong with the Birth Day

The most dangerous scenario for finances is a Chong (clash) of the year's branch with the branch of your birth day. The day is "you yourself," and a clash with it means, literally, a "shaking" of your life.

Which Pairs Form a Chong

And in mirror: a Horse day — Chong with the Rat, and so on.

What a Chong with the Day Brings

A strategy for a year of Chong with the day: 1) Do not start a new business. 2) Do not make major purchases on credit. 3) Do not sign contracts with long-term liability. 4) Do not divorce impulsively. 5) Guard your health — scheduled check-ups. 6) Do not ignore the signals of your body and your partner.

7 Lucky Years — When the Yong Shen Arrives

The best financial years are those when your Yong Shen arrives. If your useful element is Fire, and a year of Fire arrives (the Horse, the Snake, the Bing/Ding pillars), this is a signal to act decisively.

What to Do in a Favorable Year

The Signals of a "Golden Year"

  1. The year's stem = your Cai or a Cai generator.
  2. The year's branch = San He with Yong Shen support in the chart.
  3. No Chong with the day.
  4. The Da Yun also supports it.
  5. The birth season is activated.

If all five signals converge — this is a "pearl year" of life, one that occurs once every 10-20 years. Use it to the full.

Wealthy people do not work more than everyone else — they recognize their year and, at the right moment, double their effort. In an unfavorable year they rest and read.

8 Months Within the Year

Even in a bad year there are "good" months. And in a good year — two or three dangerous ones. Reading by month is micro-timing.

The Logic of Monthly Reading

Each month is its own pillar (stem + branch). Its interaction with the annual pillar and with your chart gives the month its coloring. Pay particular attention to the months in which:

Months for Different Tasks

Practical use: draw up a yearly calendar in which you mark the "green" months (Yong Shen active) and the "red" ones (Qi Shen active). In the green ones — act; in the red ones — observe.

9 How to Plan Events

The canonical practice is "擇日", the selection of a date. This means that important events (a wedding, the opening of a business, a move, a surgery) are planned for a specific day favorable to your chart. The principle: a good intention + good timing = a result amplified many times over.

Which Events Are Worth Planning

The Basic Method for Choosing a Date

  1. Determine the type of event and its "element" (for example, business = Cai, a wedding = Harmony).
  2. Find your Yong Shen.
  3. In the calendar, choose a day in which the stem + branch contain the Yong Shen.
  4. Check that the day is not a Chong with your birth day.
  5. Choose an hour within that day that also harmonizes with the chart.

This is simplified logic; a full date-selection analysis accounts for 12 factors and is usually performed by a master. On bazi.cards, for premium clients, we calculate the optimal dates for major events.

10 Example — The Year 2026 for Different Day Masters

2026 is the year of Bing-Wu (丙午), Yang Fire and the Horse. Fire over Fire — double fire energy. Let's look at how this year works for each Day Master.

DM 甲 (Yang Wood)

Bing = Shi Shen (creative expression). Wu = Shang Guan. A strong "release" of energy. A year for launching content, media projects, teaching. If the Day Master is strong — an excellent year. If weak — a year of depletion. Finances — through creative products, not through office work.

DM 乙 (Yin Wood)

Bing = Shang Guan. Wu = Shi Shen. Similar, but softer. A year of subtle expression, diplomacy, elegant projects. Good for design, fashion, art, psychology.

DM 丙 (Yang Fire)

Bing = Bi Jian. Wu = Jie Cai. A year of competition, partnerships, teamwork. The danger: losing money through those close to you. A good year for expanding the team, but a bad one for joint investments with friends.

DM 丁 (Yin Fire)

Bing = Jie Cai. Wu = Bi Jian. The same scenario, but from the other side: you are in the role of the "equal," and often feel rivalry. Beware of public conflicts.

DM 戊 (Yang Earth)

Bing = Pian Yin. Wu = Zheng Yin. A strong Yin year: study, a mentor, subtle knowledge. Income may temporarily decline (you are investing in yourself), but the foundation for future years is strengthened. Good for R&D, academic projects.

DM 己 (Yin Earth)

Bing = Zheng Yin. Wu = Pian Yin. A deep year of study. Especially good for metaphysics, psychology, esoterica, an academic career.

DM 庚 (Yang Metal)

Bing = Qi Sha. Wu = Zheng Guan. A year of pressure, responsibility, career challenges. If there is Shi Shen in the chart — a year of fighting growth. Without control — a year of heavy strain on health, especially the lungs. Finances — through career advancement, not through speculation.

DM 辛 (Yin Metal)

Bing = Zheng Guan. Wu = Qi Sha. A year of official career growth, a new position, recognition by institutions. Good for careerists and for those who want to "legitimize themselves" within the system.

DM 壬 (Yang Water)

Bing = Pian Cai. Wu = Zheng Cai. A money year. The activation of all wealth. Good for major deals, selling a business, investment entries. The danger: overestimating opportunities, excessive spending.

DM 癸 (Yin Water)

Bing = Zheng Cai. Wu = Pian Cai. The most moneyed year among all DMs in 2026. The activation of both stable and risky wealth. Good for everything: business, investments, sales, expansion. Just don't forget about the Day Master — if it is weak, everything will slip away.

壬
Rén
Money
癸
Guǐ
Money
甲
Jiǎ
Creativity
庚
Gēng
Pressure
丙
Bǐng
Competition

Get Your Personal Forecast for 2026

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An annual forecast in BaZi is not a "horoscope for the year" in the Western sense — not "you'll be lucky in love" or "be careful on Tuesday." It is a precise map of the interaction of your structure with cosmic time. Every year leaves a trace in your life, and you either pass through it consciously (using the "green" months for important decisions and the "red" ones for rest) or by chance (throwing yourself into something at a bad time and losing money).

The great merchants of old China kept "year masters" at hand — people who calculated which month to open a new shop, on which day to lay down a ship, in which year to expand. This was not magic; it was a strategy of aligning action with time. In our era this skill is more accessible than ever: a free chart calculation, a year forecast, a date selection — all of it on bazi.cards. Your task is not to miss your "golden years" and not to hand your money over to the "dark" ones.