Origin of Tai-Sui (太岁)
Originally, Tai-Sui (太岁), Grand Duke Of Jupiter, was an IMAGINARY Jupiter (岁星 / 木星）, that follows the exact path of Jupiter in the opposite direction, thereafter, transformed into a group of 60 deities.
Ancient Chinese Astronomy,Astrology and Fortune Telling used Chinese Calender that were calculated using 10 Heavenly Stems (十天干) & 12 Earthly Branches （十二地支） ,which combined the 2 will produce the 60 years cycles (六十花甲).
Jupiter revolves the Sun every 11.86 Earth years, and this was how the 12 Earthly Branches came into play in the subject of divination. The celestial sphere was divided into 12 sections, each representing two hours of a day. Jupiter moves into each of these 12 sections yearly, which forms the 12 astrological signs.
Since Jupiter’s period is 11.86 years and the celestial sphere consists of 12 sections, it does not synchronize to give an accurate interpretation of the astrological signs. After a long period, the error will be noticeable, that was how the concept of Tai Sui (太岁) came about. Tai Sui (the year star, also the Great Duke of Jupiter) is an intangible (imaginary) star that was created to correct this error between the 12 branches and Jupiter’s period. It revolves the celestial sphere in exactly 12 Earth years. With the introduction of Tai Sui, the astrological signs can then be interpreted with consistency.
The day that Tai Sui transits into a new section of the celestial sphere is on the Li-Chun (立春) - “Beginning Of Spring”.
Now, You know that Tai Sui is not just the group of 60 Taoist deities; it originated for the purpose of math and science.
60 Honorable Generals Were Deified As Tai Suis
Tai Sui was first recorded to be deified in Eastern Han Dynasty (25–220 CE). It was until the Jin Dynasty, the Emperor Zhangzong (August 31, 1168 – December 29, 1208) started to worship his mother's natal star to pray for a fast recovery from her illness, the Tai Sui worshiping culture (An Tai Sui, 安太岁) got its popularity.
Later on, 60 honorable generals were apotheosized as Tai Suis to assist the Jade Emperor in taking charge of the well-being of the mortal world. Each of them takes turn to be in charge for a year; 60 generals (Tai Sui) match the 60 years of Sexagenary cycle.
In the whole 60 years cycle of the Chinese Lunar Calender, there are total of 60 Tai Suis (六十太岁). One Tai-Sui is in charge of one particular year of the 60 years cycle.
Out of all these 60 Tai Suis, there's an Overall In-charge of all Tai Sui. His name is Yin Jiao (殷郊) – son of the Evil King Zhou of Shang Dynasty 商朝紂王之子 (with 3 Heads and 6 Arms 生有三頭六臂). Due to his fierce looking face, nowadays, he is being given the image of a Little Boy holding the Banner with Dang Nian Tai Sui (当年太岁), or Zhi Nian Tai Sui (值年太岁) written on it.
Praying to the Tai-Sui Deities
On the beginning of a new year, there will be 4 types of conflicts between the Tai-Sui Of the Year (Dang Nian Tai Sui -当年太岁) - and some of the 12 Earth branches (12 Chinese Zodiacs).
The 4 conflicts are:
刑太岁 - Punishment Of Tai-Sui
沖太岁 - Opposing The Taisui
破太岁 - Destruction Of The Taisui
害太岁 - Harming The Taisui
If Tai-Sui (太岁) of that year crosses Your zodiac path, then You will have bad luck.
To pray to Tai Sui (During Chinese New Year / or Thanking Tai-Sui during Year End):
If You have very low budget, You may simply just follow the majority Chinese Folks who go to a Big Chinese Temple and buy incense sticks and Joss Papers and pray to the Tai-Sui Deity in charge of the Year. This method will at least still give You a peace of mind for one year but actually doesn't do much benefit to You.
If You have very high budget, the it is advisable to seek help from a Taoist Master, who caters a proper full set of Tai-Sui Prayer for You, which include hand written Tai-Sui Talismans, filled with Your Date Of Birth and Full Name, and go through a proper Tai-Sui Ritual for You. You may want to seek help from Taoist Sorcery Master. You have to provide Your Date Of Birth and Chinese Name (If You are a Chinese) and the fee for Tai-Sui Ritual is not cheap either.
According to Taoist Practice, the Best & Accurate Day to pay respect to the Lord Tai Sui of the New Lunar Year starts on the day of Li Chun (立春) - The Beginning of the Spring Season.
Related Post: Do you provide "Tai Sui" Ritual Service?
The list of 60 Tai Suis and the specific year each specific Tai-Sui take charge (六十位值年太岁星君之神名)
甲子太岁 - 金辩大将军
乙丑太岁 - 陈材大将军
丙寅太岁 - 耿章大将军
丁卯太岁 - 沈兴大将军
戊辰太岁 - 赵达大将军
己巳太岁 - 郭灿大将军
庚午太岁 - 王济大将军
辛未太岁 - 李素大将军
壬申太岁 - 刘旺大将军
癸酉太岁 - 康志大将军
甲戌太岁 - 施广大将军
乙亥太岁 - 任保大将军
丙子太岁 - 郭嘉大将军
丁丑太岁 - 汪文大将军
戊寅太岁 - 鲁先大将军
己卯太岁 - 龙仲大将军
庚辰太岁 - 董德大将军
辛巳太岁 - 郑但大将军
壬午太岁 - 陆明大将军
癸未太岁 - 魏仁大将军
甲申太岁 - 方傑大将军
乙酉太岁 - 蒋崇大将军
丙戌太岁 - 白敏大将军
丁亥太岁 - 封济大将军
戊子太岁 - 邹铛大将军
己丑太岁 - 傅佑大将军
庚寅太岁 - 邬桓大将军
辛卯太岁 - 范甯大将军
壬辰太岁 - 彭泰大将军
癸巳太岁 - 徐单大将军
甲午太岁 - 章词大将军
乙未太岁 - 杨仙大将军
丙申太岁 - 管仲大将军
丁酉太岁 - 唐傑大将军
戊戌太岁 - 姜武大将军
己亥太岁 - 谢太大将军
庚子太岁 - 卢秘大将军
辛丑太岁 - 杨信大将军
壬寅太岁 - 贺谔大将军
癸卯太岁 - 皮时大将军
甲辰太岁 - 李诚大将军
乙巳太岁 - 吴遂大将军
丙午太岁 - 文哲大将军
丁未太岁 - 缪丙大将军
戊申太岁 - 徐浩大将军
己酉太岁 - 程宝大将军
庚戌太岁 - 倪秘大将军
辛亥太岁 - 叶坚大将军
壬子太岁 - 丘德大将军
癸丑太岁 - 朱得大将军
甲寅太岁 - 张朝大将军
乙卯太岁 - 万清大将军
丙辰太岁 - 辛亚大将军
丁巳太岁 - 杨彦大将军
戊午太岁 - 黎卿大将军
己未太岁 - 傅党大将军
庚申太岁 - 毛梓大将军
辛酉太岁 - 石政大将军
壬戌太岁 - 洪充大将军
癸亥太岁 - 虞程大将军
Related Article: The Proper Tai-Sui Protection Talismans