The Grand Cycle (三元九運 - Sān Yuán Jiǔ Yùn)

Time-Space Dynamics from the 'Shen Shi Xuan Kong Xue'

📖 Historical Authority

The "Three Cycles and Nine Periods" system is the temporal backbone of San Yuan Xuan Kong Feng Shui. While many systems exist, modern practice is primarily defined by the work of **Shen Zhureng (沈竹礽)** in the late Qing Dynasty. His masterpiece, *Shen Shi Xuan Kong Xue* (沈氏玄空學), decoded the cryptic verses of Jiang Dahong's *Di Li Bian Zheng* (地理辨正) and standardized the 20-year period divisions.

「三元九運」系統是三元玄空風水的時間支柱。現代實踐主要由清末 沈竹礽 先生的《沈氏玄空學》所定義。他破解了蔣大鴻《地理辨正》中的隱晦詩句，並標準化了每二十年一個「運」的劃分。

1. The 180-Year Engine (一百八十年大周期)

The Grand Cycle is a cosmic clock that aligns the movement of the Big Dipper stars with the Earth's magnetic shift. It is divided into three 60-year "Yuan" (Cycles), corresponding to the Sexagenary cycle (Jia Zi).

Grand Cycle (元)Period (運)Star (星)Trigram (卦)Time Range
Upper Cycle (上元)
1864 - 1923		Period 11 White (貪狼)Kan (坎)1864 - 1883
Period 22 Black (巨門)Kun (坤)1884 - 1903
Period 33 Jade (祿存)Zhen (震)1904 - 1923
Middle Cycle (中元)
1924 - 1983		Period 44 Green (文曲)Xun (巽)1924 - 1943
Period 55 Yellow (廉貞)(Central)1944 - 1963
Period 66 White (武曲)Qian (乾)1964 - 1983
Lower Cycle (下元)
1984 - 2043		Period 77 Red (破軍)Dui (兌)1984 - 2003
Period 88 White (左輔)Gen (艮)2004 - 2023
Period 99 Purple (右弼)Li (離)2024 - 2043
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2. The Era of Fire: Period 9 Analysis (離九運)

Classical Dictum: "離為火, 爲目, 爲文明." (Li is Fire, the Eye, and Civilization.)

From February 4, 2024, the world entered the **Lower Yuan Period 9**. This is a radical shift from the stability of the Period 8 Mountain (Gen Earth) to the intensity of the Period 9 Fire (Li).

The Nature of the Era

  • Element: Fire (Yin Fire)
  • Symbol: Middle Daughter, Beauty, Virtual Reality, AI
  • Direction: South (Li)
  • Organs: Heart, Eyes, Blood

Technical Shifts

In Period 9, the **9 Purple Star** is the "Ruling Wang" (旺氣). Star 1 becomes the "Future Sheng" (生氣). Conversely, the previously dominant Star 8 becomes "Retreating Qi" (退氣).

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3. Zero and Correct Directions (零正神)

One of the most critical applications of the Grand Cycle is determining where mountains and water should be located relative to the property. This logic shifts every 20 years.

LocationPeriod 8 (Gen Earth)Period 9 (Li Fire)Audit Requirement
Correct Spirit (正神)Northeast (NE)South (S)Mountain/High Land should be here.
Zero Spirit (零神)Southwest (SW)North (N)Water/Road/Opening should be here.
Zhao Spirit (照神)East (E)Southeast (SE)Secondary water location.
Advanced Rule: In Period 9, seeing water in the North (Zero Spirit direction) is highly auspicious for generating immediate wealth. Conversely, having a mountain or blocked view in the South (Correct Spirit direction) supports health and reputation.
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4. Classical Controversies: Star Degrees

Advanced notekeeping requires acknowledging the debate between the two primary star degree systems on the Luopan.

Kai Xi Sudu (開禧宿度)

Based on the Song Dynasty calendar. Preferred by traditional **San He** masters who value lineage consistency over astronomical precision.

Shi Xian Sudu (時憲宿度)

Based on the Qing Dynasty calendar. Adjusted for **Precession**. Preferred by **San Yuan** practitioners who believe Feng Shui must reflect current celestial reality.

Note: For Period 9 audits, precision in the **384 Lines** (Da Gua) usually requires the current astronomical mapping (Shi Xian).

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🎯 Conclusion: The Master's View

The Grand Cycle is not just a calendar; it is a description of the **Quality of Time**. As we move deeper into Period 9, the focus shifts from physical accumulation (P8) to virtual influence, spiritual illumination, and technological breakthrough. Auditing a house today requires identifying the "Fire" energy and ensuring it has a path to flow without burning the inhabitants.

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