10 vs. 3 year cycles?

[candid]

If 10 years represents a full cycle, what does 3 years represent?

[bradford_h]

Precisely 30% of a full cycle?

[candid]

Nothing specifically symbolic then. Ok, thanks, Brad.

[bradford_h]

Hi Candid-
But seriously... back to your good question -
I don't really get the sense that "Cycle" is implied in the use of these time periods, not like it is in the use of "Seven Days". Both seem to me to be used simply as periods of time. Neither have Astrological significance based on planetary orbits, but the ten might relate somehow to the Ten Celestial Stems, of which I'm pretty ignorant.
Ten years seemes to be used a warning not to get into something (03.2, 24.6. 27.3) that you won't be able to get out of without great cost.
Three years seems to refer to really long lasting emotional or psychological states, stretching the limits of mental health (13.3, 29.6, 47.1, 53.5. 55.6, 63.3 and 64.4). This may have some roots in this term being a specified period of mourning.

[candid]

Ah, that makes sense. I was curious especially about 29.6, since it sounds so severe.

Thanks again.

[peter]

It is not a cycle, only a period.

"10" is an ancient Chinese cycle used originally for days. (Steve Marshall can tell more about it.) There are 2 of them (AFAIR) met in the I Ching text - "Jia" (first of 10) and "Geng" (seventh of 10).

[candid]

Thanks, Peter.