Thirty Years East, Thirty Years West
An old saying goes "Thirty years east of the river, thirty years west of the river," meaning life has ups and downs—today's wealth doesn't last forever, and today's difficulties won't last forever either.
Da Xian (Major Cycles) in Zi Wei Dou Shu precisely embodies this principle.
Each person's life is divided into 12 Da Xian, each spanning 10 years.
Some decades focus on wealth palace, some on career palace, some on relationships.
Whether you're smooth or struggling today largely depends on which Da Xian you're in.
What is Da Xian?
Basic Concept
Da Xian is one of the most important time systems in Zi Wei Dou Shu, representing life's ten-year cycles.
- Time Span: Each Da Xian lasts 10 years
- Lifetime Cycle: From birth to 120 years old, 12 Da Xian total
- Starting Age: Determined by chart's Five Element Bureau (Water 2, Wood 3, Metal 4, Earth 5, Fire 6)
- Da Xian Sequence: Forward or reverse (determined by birth year stem yin/yang)
Power of Da Xian
Da Xian is like life's "seasons":
- Spring: All things grow, suitable for pioneering
- Summer: Prosperous and vigorous, suitable for expansion
- Autumn: Harvest and maturity, suitable for consolidation
- Winter: Hibernation and rest, suitable for accumulation
You can't demand summer's prosperity in winter, nor expect autumn's harvest in spring.
Following Da Xian's rhythm brings twice the results with half the effort; going against it doubles effort for half results.
How to Judge Da Xian Quality?
1. Look at Main Stars in Da Xian Palace
Whichever palace Da Xian enters, that palace's main stars determine the decade's baseline energy.
- Many auspicious stars: Zi Wei, Tian Fu, Tai Yang (exalted), Wu Qu, Tian Xiang etc. → Smooth Da Xian
- Many inauspicious stars: Qi Sha, Po Jun, Tan Lang, Ju Men (fallen) etc. → Challenging Da Xian
2. Look at San Fang Si Zheng of Da Xian Palace
Can't only look at Da Xian palace, must see San Fang Si Zheng coordination:
- Many auspicious stars in San Fang Si Zheng → Overall good Da Xian
- Many inauspicious stars in San Fang Si Zheng → High pressure Da Xian
3. Look at Life Theme Represented by Da Xian Palace
Each Da Xian's entered palace represents that decade's theme:
- Ming Gong (Life): Focus on self-growth and personal development
- Xiong Di Gong (Siblings): Related to siblings, friends, partners
- Fu Qi Gong (Spouse): Romance and marriage are decade's focus
- Zi Nü Gong (Children): Related to children, creativity, investment
- Cai Bo Gong (Wealth): Earning money, financial management theme
- Ji E Gong (Health): Health needs attention, or inner cultivation
- Qian Yi Gong (Travel): Suitable for external development, changes
- Nu Pu Gong (Friends): Network, subordinates, team management
- Guan Lu Gong (Career): Golden decade for career development
- Tian Zhai Gong (Property): Property acquisition, family, stable life
- Fu De Gong (Fortune): Spiritual enjoyment, self-cultivation
- Fu Mu Gong (Parents): Elder relationships, inheritance, authority
Real Case Analysis
Case 1: Ages 30-40 in Wealth Palace Da Xian
Wang's ages 30-40 Da Xian enters Wealth Palace, which has Wu Qu and Tian Fu.
Interpretation:
This decade is golden for earning money. Wu Qu governs wealth, Tian Fu governs accumulation.
Advice: Focus energy on earning and financial management, don't get distracted.
Actual Outcome:
Wang successfully started business in this decade, assets from 0 to 10 million.
After age 40 Da Xian shifts to Health Palace, wealth growth slows but health issues emerge.
Case 2: Ages 40-50 in Health Palace Da Xian
Li's ages 40-50 Da Xian enters Health Palace, which has Tian Liang and Di Kong.
Interpretation:
This decade unsuitable for forcing forward, suitable for inner cultivation and health management.
Tian Liang governs stability, Di Kong governs spiritual pursuit.
Advice:
Reduce work pressure, focus more on health, learn meditation, self-cultivation.
This decade is "recharging period," accumulating energy for next Da Xian.
Case 3: Ages 50-60 in Career Palace Da Xian
Zhang's ages 50-60 Da Xian enters Career Palace, which has Tai Yang and Tai Yin.
Interpretation:
This decade is career's second spring, both Tai Yang and Tai Yin are bright stars.
Suitable for deepening in original field, or transforming to consultant/mentor.
Actual Outcome:
Zhang at 50 retired from company, started consulting firm, income even higher than when employed.
How to Utilize Da Xian?
1. Know Current Da Xian's Theme
Figure out this decade's theme to direct energy to right places.
2. Align with Da Xian's Energy
- Good Da Xian: Invest boldly, go all out
- Weak Da Xian: Contract lines, prioritize stability
- Da Xian transition: Pre-arrange, prepare well
3. Leverage Da Xian Transition Points
The year before and after Da Xian transition is critical for energy shift:
- Year Before Transition: Old Da Xian energy weakens, start feeling less smooth
- Year After Transition: New Da Xian energy activates, start adapting to new rhythm
Smart people start arranging for next decade before Da Xian transition.
Practical Strategies for Da Xian Transitions
From Good Da Xian to Weak Da Xian
Strategy: Quit while ahead, lock in results
- In last years of good Da Xian, convert results to stable assets
- Don't be greedy for expansion, maintain moderate scale
- Reserve buffer resources for next Da Xian
From Weak Da Xian to Good Da Xian
Strategy: Pre-arrange, build momentum
- In last years of weak Da Xian, start learning new skills
- Build new networks and resources
- When new Da Xian activates, immediately sprint full force
Consecutive Good Da Xian
Strategy: Ride momentum, build empire
- First good Da Xian: Lay foundation, build team
- Second good Da Xian: Expand scale, capture market
- Third good Da Xian: Consolidate position, build moat
Consecutive Weak Da Xian
Strategy: Cultivate inner strength, wait for timing
- Don't resist hard, recognize this is cultivation period
- Focus on improving abilities, accumulating resources
- Stay healthy, wait for next good Da Xian
Common Misconceptions
Misconception 1: Give Up Completely in Bad Da Xian
Wrong!
Bad Da Xian only means weak baseline energy, doesn't mean can't do anything.
Just more difficult, requires more caution and effort.
Misconception 2: Only Look at Da Xian, Not Liu Nian
Wrong!
Da Xian is decade's baseline, but Liu Nian is each year's specific fortune.
Even good Da Xian with bad Liu Nian has setbacks.
Even weak Da Xian with good Liu Nian can seize opportunities.
Misconception 3: Think Da Xian Can Be Changed
Wrong!
Da Xian is fixed, cannot be changed.
But you can change strategies for responding to Da Xian, navigate fortune wisely.
Da Xian and Life Planning
Ages 20-40: Critical Foundation Period
This stage typically experiences 2-3 Da Xian:
- If career or wealth-related Da Xian: Sprint full force, establish foundation
- If romance or family-related Da Xian: Resolve personal issues, stabilize life
- If learning or cultivation-related Da Xian: Improve abilities, accumulate resources
Ages 40-60: Golden Harvest Period
This stage is life's harvest period:
- Good Da Xian: Output full force, build career peak
- Weak Da Xian: Transform and adjust, find second curve
After Age 60: Enjoyment and Legacy
This stage should:
- Enjoy fruits accumulated from first half of life
- Pass on experience to next generation
- Pursue spiritual fulfillment
Conclusion
Thirty years east of the river, thirty years west.
Life isn't a straight line, but an overlay of 10-year cycles.
Understanding Da Xian means understanding life's rhythm.
Align with Da Xian, and you can do the right things at the right times,
maximizing your life's value.
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