This post describes the major calendrical cycles described in Chinese cosmology. For more information on some of these, see Correlative Cosmology in Chinese Medicine and Classical Chinese Medicine and the Six Qi.
Constellation – The constellations present in the sky during each lunar month
Great Movement – The yearly cycle, beginning generally with the second new moon of the solar year. It is described (as is each month, day, and Chinese hour (two of our hours), according to the combination of 1 Earthly Stem and its associated element along with one Heavenly Branch and its associated animal. There are sixty possible combinations of stems and branches, so that each year, month, day, and hour combination repeats once every sixty cycles. It takes a full 60 years to complete one cycle of every combination or energy pattern.
Host / Guest Five Movement – The cycle of energy during the year according to five-phase theory. The host / terrestrial order beginning in spring of wood, fire, earth, metal and water remains constant, while the guest / celestial positioning varies. The relationship between the two determines the energetic quality of the season. Think of it like this – summer always comes at the same time each year, but some summers are hot, some are cool, some are wet, some are dry, etc. We expect summer to be hot, and when it is not we say something is off and come up with theories as to why. The Six Qi is a system for describing and charting this.
Host / Guest Six Qi – The cycle of energy during the year according to Six Qi theory. Similar to the Five Movement cycle, the host energies are stable while guest energies vary. This particular cycle is very reflective of climactic influences upon health. Six Qi theory forms the basis of classical Chinese medicine, and describes the penetration of external factors and illness into six progressively deeper layers of the body. It forms the basis for treatment of acute illness such as cold, flu, allergy, etc., as well as more serious and chronic diseases.
Lunar Month – The two-month movement of metal, earth, fire, water, wood is the same every year. The first month of the (Chinese / lunar) year begins in metal, even though the season corresponds with spring and wood. This adds another layer of complexity to this cyclical model, and offers deeper insight into energy patterns, disease, and treatment.
Monthly Branch and Stem – Twelve Heavenly Branches and Ten Earthly Stems repeat continuously to form sixty energetic combinations, each beginning on the new moon.
Season – The most familiar cycle system in the West. Chinese seasons are dated six weeks prior to the solstices and equinoxes, which mark the beginning of new seasons in the West.
24 Seasonal Nodes – These reflect a further refinement of energetic cycles, describing roughly two-week periods of changes and events, primarily atmospheric, in the natural world.
Moon – Full and new moon cycles, the latter being the turning point for each lunar month
72 Material Manifestations – An even further refinement of natural events, primarily terrestrial, than the 24 Seasonal Nodes