Annual years are the stem-branch cycle of each passing year — pillars set the climate, years deliver events; timing is when a year triggers the chart.
The annual logic is 'what gets activated': a year clashing a natal character flips that character's people and matters into view; a year combining the pillar cashes its theme early or late. First ask whether the year favours the Useful God, then which palace it clashes or combines — content and stage follow.