Annual, Monthly, Daily & Hourly Stars
Overlays do not replace your natal chart—they add timing. Read overlays in order, choose the right palace for the activity, and execute within favorable windows.
Overlay Order & Principle
Read in This Sequence
- Natal (permanent) → sets the baseline potential of each palace.
- Annual → frames the year’s tone and major opportunities/risks.
- Monthly → narrows the window for launches and actions.
- Daily → short events, site visits, openings, micro-adjustments.
- Hourly → minute timing for critical starts and activations.
Rule: overlays can amplify or buffer the natal reading, but shouldn’t be used to contradict it.
Timing Boundaries (Classical)
Most classical lineages use the solar calendar (jieqi). Exact boundaries vary slightly by school; your yearly forecast page will state the precise dates.
Annual Stars
Start / End
Typically begin near **Start of Spring (Li Chun)** in early February and run until the next Li Chun.
Use
Year planning, renovations, risk control, sector selection for key rooms/doors.
Application
Identify friendly palaces for your goals (wealth/people), avoid high-risk palaces when undertaking works.
Tip
Cross-read with Period 9 emphasis; Star 9 visibility sectors often benefit brand/launches.
See: Annual Flying Star Forecasts for this year’s palace map and key dates.
Monthly Stars
Start / End
Follow the **solar months** (jieqi), changing around the 4th–8th of each Gregorian month.
Use
Short campaigns, launches, moves, exams; picking the best month within a supportive annual palace.
Application
Choose months where monthly star supports both the **annual** and **natal** intent of that palace.
Tip
For sustained efforts, chain 2–3 supportive months rather than betting on a single good day.
Daily & Hourly Stars
Daily
Good for short on-site works, opening doors/windows, or making a key visit in a supportive palace.
Hourly
Use the **two-hour double hours** (e.g., 9–11am) to match critical actions to micro-windows.
Application
Pick a favorable **day** inside a supportive **month**, then select the **hour** that aligns with your target palace.
Tip
When conflicting signals appear, defer to the higher-order overlay (Annual > Monthly > Daily > Hourly).
How to Combine Overlays with the Natal Chart
Four Practical Rules
- Match intent to room: Wealth/activity → entrance, living, office. People/health → bedroom, quiet seating.
- Element logic: Favor productive cycles; use controlling cycles to temper difficult combos.
- Minimize contradictions: Avoid choosing an annual-afflicted palace for major works even if the month/day looks good.
- Use forms: External water supports Facing stars; solid backing supports Mountain stars—don’t let forms contradict star intent.
Period 9 Emphasis (2024–2043)
- Star 9 (Fire) timeliness: Great for visibility, brand, recognition—especially in facing/active palaces.
- 1 & 6 support: Mobility/authority contexts pair well with 9 for growth and leadership.
- 8 transitions: No longer the prime; still useful early P9 but don’t over-weight it for wealth/people gains.
Worked Examples
Example A — Launching a Product from the East Palace
- Natal: East palace has favorable Facing star; room is the main entrance (activity).
- Annual: East annual star is supportive → shortlist this palace for launches this year.
- Monthly: Pick months where the monthly star produces or supports the natal Facing star.
- Daily/Hourly: Choose a day/hour that strengthens the East palace; open the door and start the campaign in that window.
Example B — Health Focus in the Southwest Bedroom
- Natal: SW bedroom has a strong Mountain star (people/health).
- Annual: SW annual star is mixed; avoid renovations here this year.
- Monthly: Schedule rest/therapy intensives in months that support the Mountain/Base stars.
- Daily/Hourly: Time key openings (e.g., airing, sunlight) during favorable daily/hourly windows.
Common Mistakes
- Skipping the natal chart: Overlays cannot fix a fundamentally mismatched room/palace use.
- Relying on daily luck alone: A “good day” in a bad annual palace often yields weak or unstable results.
- Forgetting forms: A blocked entrance defeats a strong Facing overlay; a hollow headboard weakens Mountain benefits.
- Using Gregorian months: Monthly stars follow solar terms; boundaries often fall around the 4th–8th each month.
Next Steps
Get your baseline with How to Build a Natal Flying Star Chart, then check this year’s map at Annual Flying Star Forecasts.
For fast lookups, see The Nine Stars and use the Flying Star Calculator for exact placements.
