A power cycle consists of nine years. Each cycle begins or ends in a “number nine” year. For instance, the last numbers of the following ages add up to nine: 18 to 27, 28 to 36, 37 to 45, 46 to 54, 55 to 63, 64 to 72, 73 to 81. These cycles, devised by the Chinese, were used to predict the various ups and downs in their lives.

The nine-year cycle from the ages of 18 to 27 is a period full of thrust, enthusiasm and restless energy. It’s a searching phase. It’s a time when many young people have to face the outside world of work, new relationships, situations and many challenges. Childhood is left behind, preparations for an adult life begin. We begin to investigate life at this time.

It’s a crucial period when we gain knowledge and understanding, and the more we learn during this period, the more we become extremely aware of our own potential. We become extremely confident and more qualified to determine our direction in life.

It’s an education-seeking period, a time to expand the mind, to learn new things. It’s a also a social time, when we’re most likely to discard old friends and meet new ones through college and work.

It’s a time when we develop our own individuality, and by age 25, we should have our education behind us. If possible, we should avoid marriage before the age of 25 so as to establish ourselves and to feel more secure with our newfound achievements.

Actress Amy Irving once said, “I’m glad I spent my 20s exploring me, exploring different relationships, exploring my career.”

Even as young individuals, many of us have not made up our minds about what we want in life, as we often lack definite goals, yet we make an attempt and strive to find a meaningful outlet for our misdirected energies.

EXPERIMENTAL PHASE

It’s a time when we form beliefs, our character takes shape. We are in an experimenting phase of life. We are moving from the shore into the ocean of life. We must be sure to be flexible enough to adapt to the powerful tides of life; but not to lose sight of our destination. The key to success in this period is to maintain our objectives and ideals clearly while maintaining flexibility.

It’s not unusual in this nine-year period to work during the day and study at night to further our education. It’s a time when we take our place in society whereby we test others and others are testing us. On the whole, it’s one big testing period.

By age 27, we feel more like settling down as our education is behind us. It’s a year of loss and family changes, a time when we hear of others moving away, and when we’re apt to make a residential change or perhaps a job transfer. It’s a good year for completion.

Age 28 to 36 is a cycle of self-development. It’s when many internal changes take place. It’a time for gaining experience. And a time for major indecision, emotional instability, when we’re apt to feel like one big emotional roller coaster.

At 29, a power year (success year) Vanna White hit it really big! A phenomenal success. All of a sudden, she emerged and she didn’t know why. It was when Vanna’s career peaked and she now is considered a hot item in Hollywood.

Twenty-nine is a fantastic period for major financial moves, opening a new business, signing contracts and important negotiations. We can actually feel like something big is about to happen. And it is!

This is a cycle of “change” and personal changes take place especially during the ages of 30 to 35. Studies have shown divorces abound in this time frame. It’s when we feel exceedingly emotional and vulnerable, no matter how successful we are in a career.

A TIME FOR ADJUSTMENTS

It’s a crucial period for adjustments in our personal affairs and for getting them in order, as we can expect better things to come. It’s when we feel confused, doubtful and uncertain about ourselves and our direction. Frustrations and anxieties are felt. It’s a selfish period, when we are lost in thought, preoccupied with ourselves. We are highly sensitive and more emotional than ever. This is a period when we need to work on ourselves, sifting out our emotions. Overall, it’s a tense time.

We should avoid heavy commitments, bide our time, in this time frame, especially from 30 to 34, in order to understand ourselves and to build our confidence before making any emotional commitment.

Once we are past age 34, it will seem like one big black cloud has been lifted and we’ll feel emotionally freer and lighter. Once again, we’ll feel a renewed self.

Age 33 is considered similar to a full moon — emotions surface. Even though 33 is a power year, we need to keep a low profile as much as we can during this 12-month phase. Careerwise, it can be a fantastic year. Oprah Winfrey had one heck of a year at 33. It was a year when she was syndicated and was offered a sitcom as well. A year she received worldwide recognition. So you see, it can be a prosperous year.

But then again, Sylvester Stallone hit rock bottom at age 33 and was quoted as saying that at age 33 he felt he was spiraling into oblivion. “I felt like a treadmill; that I was going against insurmountable odds,” Stallone said.

Jacqueline Onassis lost John F. Kennedy at age 33. Patti Davis, President Reagan’s daughter, at 33 wrote a book about her family; it was a time of rebellion for her.

By ages 35 and 36, we begin to feel better about ourselves, a new confidence is built and we feel we’re on the brink of a new life. And we are. Adjustments are made. Success is determined by how well we did in the period of adjustments, changes and perhaps new circumstances. This is a good time to make important decisions on important issues. It’s a good time to get married or change careers and perhaps expand our existing business.

A PERIOD OF ACHIEVEMENT

Age 37 to 45 is a period of achievement — many things are accomplished in this nine-year interim. It’s a time of fulfillment, self-expression and authority. We gain power, status, authority, responsibility, promotions and awards now. It’s a time of reaping what we have sown in our last cycle, a time of acquisitions.

We now are in a money-making cycle, so if we have a new venture or project in the wind, now is the time to promote it. Be sure to take advantage of every opportunity that comes our way.

Again, it’s a fantastic time to go into partnership, to start a new business and to expand. It’s a good time for continuing studies, going to night school to brush up to be more informed and updated in our line of work. Things change and one must stay on top of things, as many in their 40s are apt to get lax and too comfortable. Be informed, stay fresh, and most importantly be interesting.

It’s a period when status and income begin to rise; when we are moving up the ladder of success. Ages 38 and 43 are power years when recognition is achieved. A great time to expand our business or enter into new partnerships, it’s a building phase. Acquisitions, titles, raises, promotions, new responsibilities, power and influence is gained.

We begin to feel more competitive, confident, and we will have finally arrived. We’ve blossomed. We will continue to meet influential contacts through work and be able to share new status with them.

Many, by the age of 41, who are not accomplished find this is a time of reflection, when they begin to think perhaps I should have done this or done it in a different way. And by age 42, we feel a restless urge and we are ready to say “OK, what’s next?”

Many ex well as celebrities, really don’t level off until their 40s. It is, for many, a time for a residential move usually because their kids are off to college and their house just seems too big.

Ages 47 to 54 are colored by what has been accomplished in the past. There is still a great deal more to gain, which is backed now by years of experience. Joan Rivers and Ruth Westheimer did not achieve recognition and status until their late 40s, even though they had been plugging for years. Nonetheless, it’s a time of reflection on past accomplishments in order to proceed into the future. The key here to future success is to build on what we already have achieved.

Ages 55 to 63 are when the majority of us are more interested in slowing down, perhaps even thinking of retiring rather than achieving any further successes; however, there are exceptions. Jacqueline Onassis, despite her wealth, still continues to work at Doubleday for a mere $200 monthly salary. Nonetheless, it’s a cycle when health and vitality are not what they were in the earlier days, so there is a fresh impulse to take up exercise, to diet and maintain our health the best way we can.

In this particular cycle, we do not usually alter our lives dramatically. It’s a good period in our lives to take up special interests that we’ve had on the back burner for years.

This is a time when many of us are uncertain about whether to go forward or let life go by. It’s a period of growing toward inner life as we become more spiritual with less emphasis on material values.

Age 64 to 72 is a time to reflect and retreat to family after a lifelong search of oneself. It’s a good time to get to know the family, to have family get-togethers, etc. A time to visit, to socialize, to communicate more.

It’s a good time to make sure all our legal affairs are in order. By all means, it’s a good time to take a cruise or vacation, to relax and enjoy life. Think of it as a reward for a lifetime of work.

President Reagan maintains his vigor by chopping wood, dieting, exercising, horseback riding and vacationing often. Famed novelist Barbara Cartland is well into her 80s and continues to write voraciously every day.