LESSON L17 / 25 OF 36
Decades: ten years at a time
Know that a decade covers ten years, and find which decade you are in now.
Original app lesson · free on the web
This lesson has been self-reviewed and is awaiting final sign-off. The classical passages have been checked word by word; the plain-language text and the exercises are written by this project.
People talk about entering a new decade. What is that?
Fictional birth data · teaching example · not a real person's chart · 2026-10-12
In plain words
Decades divide a life into ten-year spans, each tied to one palace. The first begins at the phase's number, and every ten years moves to the next palace. Men born in a yang year and women born in a yin year go forward; men born in a yin year and women born in a yang year go backward.
What the text says
Volume 2's rule on decades says yang men and yin women start one palace ahead of the Life Palace and go forward. The direction matches modern practice, but the starting palace does not: this app follows the common modern method and starts at the Life Palace. It is a difference between schools, and the screen says so.
Compare with your own chart
Find which palace your current decade falls in, then see its major stars.
An everyday example
A decade contains many experiences. A decadal layer gives a longer reading context, not an answer for today. Confirm the age interval before discussing a current question.
Check the decadal age interval rather than equating it with today's events.
CHECK YOURSELF
Now, try it yourself.
Answer both questions correctly to complete the lesson. The original explanation appears after each answer.
FIND IT IN THE CHART
Find it on a chart.
Say which palace your current decade falls in.
Open my chart ↗Classical sources
陽男陰女從命前一宮起順行
Yang men and yin women start one palace ahead of the Life Palace and go forward.
Zi Wei Dou Shu Quan Shu, Volume 2, "Placing the Decades"; traditionally attributed in received editions
Classical texts provide cultural context. Everyday examples and exercises are written by this project.
YOUR STUDY / L17