There's no mandatory schedule, but here's a practical rhythm:
Yearly (recommended minimum): An annual reading at the start of the Chinese solar year (around February 4th) gives you the big-picture weather for the year ahead. Most people find this the sweet spot — enough detail to plan, not so much it becomes noise.
Monthly: Helpful during pivotal years — a wedding year, a career transition year, a year with known clashes. Monthly tracking helps you time specific actions within the annual theme.
Major life decisions: Consult whenever you're facing a big choice: job change, move, marriage, investment. A targeted reading for the specific timeframe can clarify the energetic weather.
As-needed: Some people check only during hard times to understand what's happening. Others check during good times to maximize the tailwind. There's no wrong rhythm — listen to your needs.