Hidden Cycles: The Geometry Behind Market Behavior

Hidden Cycles: The Geometry Behind Market Behavior

31 May 2025, 08:16
Lev Vladimirovic Marushkin
0
924

Welcome to the Hidden Cycles Blog

Hidden Cycles is not just another MT4 indicator — it's a new way of understanding market structure.

Most tools rely on man-made formulas. They lag, break, or constantly need tweaking. Hidden Cycles does the opposite: it applies universal laws of proportion and relation, giving you timeless insight into any market. Inspired by principles seen in nature and geometry, this indicator is designed to reveal the invisible framework behind price action.

Whether you’re a swing trader, a reversal trader, a trend follower, or simply tired of inconsistent tools — this blog will guide you through everything Hidden Cycles offers:

  • A complete explanation of every single input

  • How to choose the right mode for your trading goals

  • Deeper insights into the geometry behind the market

  • How to trade with Hidden Cycles: General Advice.

This blog is your official reference for Hidden Cycles.

🆕 Updated for Hidden Cycles v1.30

Version 1.30 adds two tools for measuring price movement: HC Level Count and SPEED. You can now follow directional progress through the Hidden Cycles levels and measure the current move’s angle using the Square’s own price and time proportions.

This update also introduces individual colors for every Action Lane and Trend Slope Line, refines the Balance calculation for larger candle bodies, and improves calculation and chart-refresh handling.

The explanations below include the new settings and show how these additions fit into the existing Hidden Cycles geometry.

Let’s begin with the full breakdown of the indicator’s settings — from top to bottom.

✅ Full Hidden Cycles Input Explanation


==== [A] General Settings ====

Mode
Choose the desired operating mode of the indicator. You can select between the following modes:

  • Grid_Mode – Displays levels based on fixed step size.

  • AUTO_Grid_Mode – Automatically calculates rhythm based on last day’s close.

  • Square_Mode – Manually define price and time square.

  • AUTO_Square_Mode – Full automatic mode using selected reference area.

Tag
Enter a unique text label (e.g. "1", "AUDUSD_H1") to distinguish between multiple instances of the indicator on the same or different charts. This ensures that buttons and visuals don’t interfere across instances.


==== [B] Grid Mode Settings ====

GridStepInPoints
Set the number of points (not pips) between major levels. For example, setting this to 12500.0 will space major levels 12500 points apart, starting from price level 0.

LinesAboveBelow
Choose how many levels (lines) to draw above and below the current price. This applies only to major lines.


==== [C] Square Mode Settings ====

SquareStartTime
Set the exact datetime (format: D'YYYY.MM.DD HH:MM') where your manual Square should begin. This defines the first vertical time line of the square.

SquareBarsIntoFuture
Defines how many candles forward the Square should project its geometry. Must be positive and divisible by 8.

SquareTopPrice
Set the price level that acts as the top (8/8) of the square. Important: you must also define a matching bottom.

SquareBottomPrice
Set the bottom (0/8) level of your custom Square. Together with SquareTopPrice, this defines the full vertical range of the square.

SquareTimeframe
Set the timeframe the square is based on — as an integer value corresponding to the chart timeframe. This must match the timeframe of the chart where the indicator is attached. If the value does not match, Square Mode will not function properly. You can also use 0 to follow the current chart timeframe.

Available timeframe values:

  • 0 = Current chart timeframe

  • 1 = M1 (1 Minute)

  • 5 = M5 (5 Minutes)

  • 15 = M15 (15 Minutes)

  • 30 = M30 (30 Minutes)

  • 60 = H1 (1 Hour)

  • 240 = H4 (4 Hours)

  • 1440 = D1 (Daily)

  • 10080 = W1 (Weekly)

  • 43200 = MN1 (Monthly)

Example: Use 1440 to define a daily square. If so, the indicator must be placed on a D1 chart, or the Square will not display.


==== [D] AUTO_Square_Mode Settings ====

HorizontalLinesReferenceArea
Select which reference area the automatic square should be based on:

  • LastDay → M15 chart required

  • LastWeek → H1 chart required

  • LastMonth → H4 chart required

  • LastQuarter, Last6Months, LastYear → D1 chart required

Last6Months refers to the previous calendar half-year.

TimeLinesResetEvery
Select how often the vertical time lines should reset:

  • OnceDay, OnceWeek, OnceMonth, OnceQuarter, Once6Months, OnceYear, or FixedDate

Once6Months is the half-year reset option.

FixedResetDate
Only used when TimeLinesResetEvery = FixedDate. Enter the reset date in format "MM.DD" (e.g., "03.13").

TimeLinesBarsIntoFuture
How far (in candles) the vertical time lines should be projected into the future. Must be positive and divisible by 8.


==== [E] Horizontal Lines Settings ====

Major_0_8_Color / Width / Style
Visual settings for the strongest horizontal level (0/8 and 8/8). Choose color, thickness, and line type.

Major_1_8 to Major_7_8...
Same as above, applies to other major levels (1/8 through 7/8). Customize color, thickness and style per level.

Minor_1_8 to Minor_7_8...
Settings for mid-step levels between major lines (dividing space between majors into further 8 steps).

Baby_1_8 to Baby_7_8...
Settings for ultra-fine levels. These divide the minor segments further into smaller levels.

HL_ButtonX / Y / Width / Height / FontSize
Position and appearance of the “Horizontal Lines” on-chart toggle button. Use pixel values to shift the button’s position.

HL_ButtonText / OnColor / OffColor / TextColor
Set the label, button colors (active/inactive), and text color of the Horizontal Lines toggle button.


==== [F] Time Lines Settings ====

TimeLine_0_8 to TimeLine_8_8 – Color / Width / Style
Same as with horizontal levels, but for vertical lines (time lines) that divide the Square into 8 time segments.

TL_ButtonX / Y / Width / Height / FontSize
Position and size of the “Time Lines” toggle button.

TL_ButtonText / OnColor / OffColor / TextColor
Text and color settings for the “Time Lines” button.


==== [G] Decision Rings Settings ====

EnableDecisionRings
Set to true or false to enable or disable Decision Rings.

DecisionRingOuterColor / MidColor / InnerColor
Choose different ring colors based on size.

DecisionRingMidRatio / InnerRatio
Set how large the inner and middle rings are (in relation to outer ring = 1.0).

DR_ButtonX / Y / Width / Height / FontSize
Customize on-chart button for Decision Rings.

DR_ButtonText / OnColor / OffColor / TextColor
Customize button appearance and label.


==== [H] Action Lanes Settings ====

Action_Lanes_Width / Action_Lanes_Style
Set the shared width and line style for the diagonal trend channel lines — the Action Lanes. These settings apply to both upward and downward lanes.

AL_UP_1_Color to AL_UP_15_Color
Choose an individual color for each of the 15 upward Action Lanes.

The numbering follows their position across the Square:

  • 1 starts with the short segment at the upper-left corner.

  • 8 is the main upward diagonal.

  • 15 ends with the short segment at the lower-right corner.

AL_DN_1_Color to AL_DN_15_Color
Choose an individual color for each of the 15 downward Action Lanes.

Here, the numbering runs from the upper-right corner toward the lower-left corner:

  • 1 starts with the short segment at the upper-right corner.

  • 8 is the main downward diagonal.

  • 15 ends with the short segment at the lower-left corner.

All Action Lane colors default to Purple.

📌 These individual color inputs replace the former Action_Lanes_Color setting. Width and style remain shared.

UP_Button / DOWN_Button – All visual inputs
On-chart buttons to toggle UP/DOWN Action Lanes separately.


==== [I] Trend Slope Lines Settings ====

Trend_Slope_Lines_Width / Trend_Slope_Lines_Style
Set the shared width and line style for the sloped trend lines designed to anticipate momentum moves.

TS_UP_1_Color to TS_UP_7_Color
Choose an individual color for each of the seven upward Trend Slope Lines.

TS_DN_1_Color to TS_DN_7_Color
Choose an individual color for each of the seven downward Trend Slope Lines.

In both directions, the numbering runs from the shallowest line (1) to the steepest line (7). Line 4 is the main diagonal, corresponding to 45° in the Square’s own geometry.

All Trend Slope Line colors default to Orange.

📌 These individual color inputs replace the former Trend_Slope_Lines_Color setting. Width and style remain shared.

TrendSlope_UP_Button / DOWN_Button
Separate toggle buttons for UP and DOWN Trend Slope Lines.


==== [J] Hidden Cycles Triangle Settings ====

Hidden_Cycles_Triangle_Color / Width / Style
Color, line width and style of the main Hidden Cycles Triangle.

HT_Button...
Toggle button for showing/hiding the triangle.


==== [K] Triangle Fast Reverse Settings ====

Triangle_Fast_Reverse_Color / Width / Style
Second inner triangle to show fast reversal zone.

TFR_Button...
Toggle settings.


==== [L] Triangle Fast Reverse 2 Settings ====

Triangle_Fast_Reverse_2_Color / Width / Style
Another variation of fast-reversal triangle.

TFR2_Button...
Toggle settings.


==== [M] Triangle Breakout Settings ====

Triangle_Breakout_Color / Width / Style
Triangle lines used for breakout scenarios.

TB_Button...
Toggle display of Triangle Breakout visuals.


==== [N] Volume Settings ====

Percentage_Label_X / Y / FontSize
Location and size of the label showing percentage volume change between the last closed candle and the preceding closed candle.

Percentage_Positive_Color / Negative_Color
Color when volume increases or decreases.

Volume_Button...
Settings for the on/off toggle for volume label.


==== [O] Balance Settings ====

Balance_Label_X / Y / FontSize / Color
Position, font size and color of the Balance label — a price reference based on the last closed candle, useful as a short-term support/resistance reference, especially on H4 and D1.

Normally, Balance shows the midpoint between that candle’s opening and closing prices.

In v1.30, there is an exception for larger candle bodies: if the body spans at least one minor HC level step — one-eighth of the Square’s full price range — Balance shows the candle’s closing price instead.

The comparison uses the candle body, excluding the wicks. A body exactly equal to this threshold also uses the closing price.

The threshold follows the configured Square in Square_Mode or the calculated Square in AUTO_Square_Mode.

Balance_Button...
On-chart toggle button.


==== [P] Moving Averages Settings ====

MA1_Period to MA5_Period
Length of the moving average. Set your desired period for each of the 5 individual MAs.

MA1_Shift to MA5_Shift
Shift the MA forward or backward by this number of candles.

MA1_Method to MA5_Method
Choose MA method by number:

  • 0 = Simple (SMA)

  • 1 = Exponential (EMA)

  • 2 = Smoothed (SMMA)

  • 3 = Linear Weighted (LWMA)

MA1_AppliedPrice to MA5_AppliedPrice
Choose price source by number:

  • 0 = Close

  • 1 = Open

  • 2 = High

  • 3 = Low

  • 4 = Median (HL/2)

  • 5 = Typical ((H+L+C)/3)

  • 6 = Weighted (H+L+C+C)/4

MA1_Color to MA5_Color / Width / Style
Customize visual appearance of each MA.

MAx_ButtonX/Y/Width/Height/Text/Colors
Settings for each MA’s on-chart toggle button.


==== [Q] Chart Options ====

Set_Chart_to_Foreground
Set true to move the chart to the foreground so all lines appear behind it.

Auto_Scale_to_Square
If true, chart is scaled so the square fits properly.

Offset_Top
Defines how many points are in between SquareTopPrice and the absolute top of the chart.

Offset_Bottom
Defines how many points are in between SquareBottomPrice and the absolute bottom of the chart.

AutoScaleBtn...
Settings for the Auto Scale button.

Labels_Shift / Labels_Text_Size
Controls how far labels are shifted from their anchor point and how big the label text appears.


==== [R] Helper Square Button ====

HS_ButtonX / Y / Width / Height / FontSize
Helper Square toggle button. Draws a support visual square if desired.

HS_ButtonText / Colors
Customize label and appearance.

The Helper Square is available in AUTO_Square_Mode and extends the current Square’s geometry into the preceding time block.


==== [S] HC Level Count Settings ====

HC Level Count tracks directional progress through the minor Hidden Cycles levels using closed-candle prices. Numbers beside the candles show how the count develops during upward and downward moves.

HCLC_ButtonX / HCLC_ButtonY
Position of the HC Level Count button, in pixels from the chart’s upper-left corner.
Defaults: X = 10, Y = 650.

HCLC_ButtonWidth / HCLC_ButtonHeight
Size of the button.
Defaults: Width = 100, Height = 20.

HCLC_ButtonFontSize
Font size of the button text.
Default: 10.

HCLC_ButtonText
Text displayed on the button.
Default: “HC Level Count”.

HCLC_ButtonOnColor / HCLC_ButtonOffColor
Button background colors when the count labels are enabled or disabled.
Defaults: Green / Red.

HCLC_TextColor
Color of the button text.
Default: White.

HCLC_LabelOffsetPixels
Distance between a count label and the corresponding candle’s high or low. Upward-count labels appear above the candle; downward-count labels appear below it.
Default: 10 pixels.

HCLC_LabelFontSize
Font size of the count numbers.
Default: 8.

HCLC_UpColor / HCLC_DownColor
Colors of the upward-count and downward-count labels.
Defaults: Green / Red.


==== [T] Speed Settings ====

SPEED displays the current detected move’s angle in whole degrees. Positive values indicate the upward counting direction; negative values indicate the downward counting direction.

The angle is calculated using the Square’s own price and time divisions, so it remains independent of chart zoom and visual scaling.

SPEED_ButtonX / SPEED_ButtonY
Position of the SPEED button, in pixels from the chart’s upper-left corner.
Defaults: X = 10, Y = 680.

SPEED_ButtonWidth / SPEED_ButtonHeight
Size of the button.
Defaults: Width = 100, Height = 20.

SPEED_ButtonFontSize
Font size of the button text.
Default: 10.

SPEED_ButtonText
Text displayed on the button.
Default: “SPEED”.

SPEED_ButtonOnColor / SPEED_ButtonOffColor
Button background colors when SPEED is enabled or disabled.
Defaults: Green / Red.

SPEED_TextColor
Color of the button text.
Default: White.

SPEED_Label_X / SPEED_Label_Y
Position of the angle label, in pixels from the chart’s upper-left corner.
Defaults: X = 10, Y = 55.

SPEED_Label_FontSize
Font size of the displayed angle.
Default: 12.

SPEED_UpColor / SPEED_DownColor
Colors of the angle label for upward and downward moves.
Defaults: Green / Red.

Visualize_Speed
Set to true to display a line connecting the two closing-price extremes used in the measurement.
Set to false to display only the angle label while SPEED is enabled.
Default: true.

SPEED_Line_Color
Color of the measurement line.
Default: White.

SPEED_Line_Width
Width of the measurement line.
Default: 2.

SPEED_Line_Style
Style of the measurement line.
Default: Solid.


📌 HC Level Count and SPEED — Availability and Visibility

HC Level Count and SPEED are available in Square_Mode and AUTO_Square_Mode.

Both require at least 1,001 bars of history on the current chart. Their buttons are hidden while fewer bars are available.

Square_Mode must use its configured chart timeframe, and AUTO_Square_Mode must have a valid, successfully calculated Square.

The two features have separate buttons:

  • You can display SPEED while hiding the count labels.

  • You can display HC Level Count while hiding SPEED.

  • You can display both together.

Both are enabled by default for a setup without previously saved visibility settings. Their button states are remembered for the instrument and TAG, just like the other display controls.


🧭 How to Choose the Right Mode for Your Trading Goals

The Hidden Cycles Indicator offers four powerful modes. Each one serves a different purpose — whether you’re researching, learning, or live trading. Here’s how to pick the right one for your specific needs:


🔹 Grid Mode

Use if you want full control.

This mode is perfect when you want to draw horizontal levels using any custom step size (e.g. 1000 points, 12500 points, 333.33 points — anything!). You can visualize round numbers, psychological levels, personal zones, or any repeated structure starting from absolute price zero.

Best for:

  • Custom research

  • Multi-instance round number visualizations

  • Experimenting with custom spacing

  • Visual reference levels


🔹 Auto Grid Mode

Use if you want to detect the market’s current rhythm.

Here, the step size is calculated automatically using the last day’s closing price and a formula inspired by fractal-based geometry (think: Murrey, Gann, etc.). No need to guess — just let the indicator show you the natural horizontal level spacing of the market right now.

Best for:

  • Market rhythm research

  • Understanding current structure

  • Spotting valid level clusters

  • Cross-checking between instruments


🔹 Square Mode

Use if you want to define your own price–time block.

Set a custom start time, price top/bottom, and bars into the future. The indicator will draw both horizontal and vertical geometry based on your definition — but it won’t update or adapt. It stays static.

The fixed part is the Square’s price and time boundaries. Price-dependent tools such as HC Level Count, SPEED, Volume, Balance, and the Moving Averages can still update as new candles become available.

Best for:

  • Backtesting a specific market phase

  • Comparing past behavior vs now

  • Manual analysis of hand-picked price/time blocks

⚠️ Note: Square Mode requires using the correct chart timeframe. If you set SquareTimeframe = 1440, then apply the indicator to a D1 chart.


🔹 AUTO_Square_Mode (🔥 Core Trading Mode)

This is the most powerful mode of the Hidden Cycles Indicator — and the one specifically designed for real-world trading.

In AUTO_Square_Mode, the indicator automatically calculates both horizontal and vertical market geometry using universal price and time proportions. All you have to do is choose one of the six built-in Reference Areas (like Last Week, Last Month, Last Quarter, etc.), and the indicator will handle the rest — completely auto-updating over time.

📌 But that’s not all:

To get the full benefit of this mode, you must also configure the Time Lines Reset Settings correctly. These inputs define how often the time grid resets (e.g. once a month, once per quarter, or a fixed calendar date). A correct configuration here is essential to getting meaningful rhythm and timing guidance from the indicator.


📥 Set Files Included for Fast Setup

To save you from manually adjusting 50+ inputs, I’ve included ready-to-use universal set files in the comments section of the product page.

These set files are not optimization sets like in most indicators (which try to fine-tune entries for specific pairs and constantly need re-tuning). Instead, these are universal layout and geometry presets for AUTO_Square_Mode — built for real trading and ready for all instruments.

✅ You get:

  • 1920x1080 layout set

  • 4K resolution layout set

⚙️ These sets can also be easily modified to use in Grid Mode, Auto Grid Mode, or Square Mode — simply switch the mode and adjust the relevant few inputs. No need for new files.


📌 Important Timeframe Matching

Each Reference Area is built for a specific timeframe, and the indicator must be applied to the correct chart:

Reference Area Must be used on...
Last Day M15
Last Week H1
Last Month H4
Last Quarter D1
Last Half-Year D1
Last Year D1

If you select the wrong TF, the indicator will display an error and not draw the geometry.


💡 Pro Tip: Multi-Period Mastery

One of the most powerful ways to use Hidden Cycles is by opening multiple charts of the same pair, each with a different reference period in AUTO_Square_Mode. For example:

  • 3x D1 charts → Last Year, Last Half-Year, Last Quarter

  • 1x H4 chart → Last Month

  • 1x H1 chart → Last Week

  • 1x M15 chart → Last Day

This gives you an incredible multi-timeframe view of the market’s rhythm — from short-term intraday swings to long-term structural turning points.

⚠️ Important: Even though you use one instance of the indicator per chart, you must set a different TAG for each one — since it’s the same pair across all charts in the same MT4 terminal.

🧭 I also recommend using a free Symbol Changer indicator to quickly switch symbols across all open charts at once. Many great options exist in the MQL5 Market — and I will soon provide a clean, optimized version for FREE.


Deeper Insights into the Geometry Behind the Market

Markets are often seen as chaotic, unpredictable forces — but that’s only the surface. Beneath every price move lies a deeper structure governed by the same universal laws that control everything in existence: proportion, balance, and cyclical rhythm.

From the orbit of planets to the tides of the ocean, from musical harmony to the shapes in nature — nothing happens randomly. As Faraday once said: “There is nothing in the Universe but mathematical points of force.” And Gann followed up with: “Everything in existence is based on exact proportion and perfect relation.”

If this is true for the universe, it’s also true for the markets.

Financial markets are not an exception — they are part of that very same structure. What seems like noise is actually a pattern. What appears random is, in fact, a rhythm. Every chart, every price, every movement is part of a measurable and predictable cycle — if we know how to look.

That’s where geometry comes in.

Geometry is the visual language of mathematics in motion. It allows us to measure where something happens, when it happens, and what is happening — the trinity of all structure: space, time, and matter. When applied to trading, this geometry reveals the underlying grid that markets move within.

These are not trendlines, not indicators, and not opinions. This is the mathematical division of price and time — into precise, proportional intervals. Each movement becomes part of a larger shape. Each reversal, breakout, or consolidation becomes part of a universal rhythm — one that repeats across all instruments and timeframes.

This rhythm has structure:

  • It divides space into eighths: major, minor, and baby levels.

  • It divides time into natural turning points.

  • It reflects the balance between momentum and exhaustion.

The key to understanding this rhythm is observation. Just as a musician can anticipate the next note, a trained trader can anticipate the next reaction — not because of guesswork, but because the geometry shows where decisions happen.

This is the foundation that made Hidden Cycles possible — not a random algorithm, not curve fitting, but the application of timeless, measurable truth. Once you train your eyes to see it, the market becomes a living structure — full of zones, layers, and motion — where nothing is random, and every move makes sense.


🔍 How to Trade with Hidden Cycles – General Advice

Trading with Hidden Cycles is not about following rules — it’s about understanding structure, rhythm, and proportion. The tools this indicator provides don’t just react to price; they expose the invisible forces guiding it.

Below you’ll find key principles, practical advice, and deep insights into how to use Hidden Cycles effectively — no matter your style or asset class.


🧠 Start With the Right Mindset

Most indicators are rigid. Hidden Cycles is adaptive — not to the market, but to universal geometry. The indicator expects the market to follow its logic — and the more the price respects a certain element (e.g., level, angle, or zone), the more relevant that structure becomes for your trade.


🔘 Use the Buttons Wisely

All geometry in Hidden Cycles can be toggled on/off individually via on-chart buttons. This allows you to:

  • Start clean: Disable all geometry first

  • Activate only what’s useful right now

  • Keep your chart focused and uncluttered

This is critical because not all geometry is always relevant — you want to focus only on what the market is currently reacting to.

🧩 Example workflow:

  1. Turn off everything

  2. Enable Horizontal Lines (+ optional Helper Square)

  3. Observe how price reacts — is it respecting certain levels?

  4. Then selectively enable features like Trend Slope Lines, Action Lanes, or Time Lines — check if they align with price

  5. If something doesn't add value right now, turn it off again

With v1.30, you can also enable HC Level Count to follow progress through the levels and SPEED to see the current move’s measured angle. Their separate buttons let you choose the combination that suits your chart.


💡 Hidden Cycles Remembers Your Setup

The indicator automatically remembers your button settings, based on:

  • The instrument (e.g. EURUSD, GBPJPY, etc.)

  • The TAG value used

You can safely switch between charts or symbols — when you return to a previous setup, your layout is exactly how you left it. This is especially useful when doing multi-pair or multi-timeframe analysis.

This also applies to the HC Level Count and SPEED buttons.


🧮 Horizontal Levels – Know Which One is in Play

Hidden Cycles is built on closed prices, not wicks.

That means: where the candle closes determines which level the market is reacting to — not the high or low.

But what if the close is between two levels?

➡️ Use the baby 4/8 level (i.e., the midpoint between two main lines).

Here’s how it works:

  • If price moves up and closes at or above the baby 4/8 level → the higher level is considered reached.

  • If price moves down and closes at or below the baby 4/8 level → the lower level is considered reached.

✅ Example (upward move):
Price closes between 6/8 and 7/8
→ At or above baby 4/8? → Treat as 7/8
→ Below baby 4/8? → Still 6/8

✅ Example (downward move):
Price closes between 1/8 and 0/8
→ At or below baby 4/8? → Treat as 0/8
→ Above baby 4/8? → Still 1/8

Using the line chart briefly can help spot this more clearly.


🟦 Even vs. Odd Levels – Understand the Personality

The Hidden Cycles geometry (lines, slopes, lanes, timelines) uses even and odd logic — and their behavioral traits differ:

Type Lines Behavior
Even (0/8, 2/8, 4/8, 6/8, 8/8...) Strong! Often slows price and causes smoother, gradual turns
Odd (1/8, 3/8, 5/8, 7/8...) Weaker! Reactions are more aggressive when they happen — fast reversals or sharp spikes

This is true not just for horizontal lines, but also for:

  • Trend Slope Lines (even only → stable structure)

  • Action Lanes (alternating even/odd)

  • Time Lines (0/8, 2/8, 4/8 stronger than 1/8, 3/8, etc.)

Example: Action Lanes Behavior

Imagine a strong uptrend, and price is bouncing between diagonal Action Lanes:

  • Support (lower Action Lane) = even → provides a slow but steady base for price

  • Resistance (upper Action Lane) = odd → creates sudden sharp pullbacks

✅ Typical behavior:

  • Controlled, step-by-step rises from even diagonal support

  • Sudden, snappy pullbacks off odd diagonal resistance

Knowing this pattern can help you enter calmly and exit precisely.

The individual Action Lane and Trend Slope Line colors in v1.30 let you visually distinguish the lines you want to follow.


🔁 Rhythm-Based Trading: “3-Level Move Rule”

Price often flows in measured steps. One of the most useful principles (inspired by classical rhythm-based models):

📏 A clean move across three Hidden Cycles levels (e.g., 5/8 → 6/8 → 7/8 → 8/8) is a common structure.

After this, expect one of two things:

  • A pause or retracement

  • A full reversal, at least temporarily

🎯 Strategy Tip:

  • After 3 levels = Take partial profits or move SL to BE

  • Use this as a rhythm benchmark for scalping, swing, or longer holds


🔢 HC Level Count — Follow the Move Through the Levels

HC Level Count puts the directional level-counting process directly on your chart.

One counting step corresponds to one minor HC level interval: one-eighth of the Square’s price range. The counting grid continues above and below the Square, so movement beyond its price boundaries can still be counted.

The numbers represent progress through these level steps. A single closed candle can advance the count by several steps.

📌 How a Level Is Confirmed

The count uses closing prices of completed candles and the baby 4/8 midpoint rule:

  • During an upward move, a close at or above the midpoint between adjacent minor levels can confirm the higher level.

  • During a downward move, a close at or below that midpoint can confirm the lower level.

The count increases while price continues to confirm levels in the same direction.

🔄 How a Direction Change Is Confirmed

The indicator distinguishes between a level actually reached by a candle close and a level credited through the baby 4/8 midpoint rule.

For a reversal of one level:

  • If a close actually reached or passed the last counted level, the usual midpoint confirmation is sufficient in the opposite direction.

  • If that level was credited only through its midpoint, without a close reaching the actual level price, the reversal requires a close at or beyond the next actual minor level in the opposite direction.

An opposite move confirming two or more levels reverses the counting direction without that additional one-level requirement.

Once a reversal is confirmed, a new count begins in the opposite direction. Its starting value reflects the number of opposite levels confirmed by that candle, so it can begin above 1.

👀 Reading the Labels

Upward-count labels appear above the candles; downward-count labels appear below them. Their colors are customizable.

Labels appear when a candle advances the count or confirms a reversal. Candles whose opening and closing prices are identical receive no label, although their closing prices still participate in the calculation.

The calculation starts 1,000 candles back with an initial upward count of 1 and processes the closed candles forward. Labels are displayed within the current Square’s time range. In AUTO_Square_Mode, this also includes the Helper Square’s time range when it is enabled and available.

Counts are rebuilt using the current Square and this rolling history window. Changing the Square or its reference area can therefore change the historical count labels.

This gives you a numerical view of the level movement discussed above, while keeping the surrounding geometry visible.


📐 SPEED — Measure the Current Move’s Angle

SPEED uses the directional moves identified by the same counting logic.

It measures from:

  • The extreme closing price of the most recent completed opposite move;

to:

  • The extreme closing price reached so far in the current move.

For upward moves, the extreme is the highest close. For downward moves, it is the lowest close.

The measurement endpoint follows that closing-price extreme. During a pullback, it can remain on an earlier candle until a new extreme or a confirmed direction change develops.

📏 The Square Defines the Measurement

SPEED uses two units:

  • Price unit: one minor HC level interval — one-eighth of the Square’s price range.

  • Time unit: one-eighth of the Square’s configured candle span.

An upward move covering one price unit in one time unit measures +45°. The corresponding downward move measures −45°.

Larger absolute angles mean more price movement per time unit within the selected Square’s proportions.

The calculation uses chart bars and closing prices. The displayed result is rounded to whole degrees.

🔍 Why the Reading Stays Consistent When You Zoom

Zooming, resizing, or stretching the chart changes how a line looks on your screen. SPEED’s numerical angle stays unchanged because its units come from the Square’s price and time divisions.

Enable Visualize_Speed to see the line joining the exact closing-price points being measured. You can also hide this line and keep only the angle label.

SPEED becomes available once the calculation has identified a previous completed move and a current move that can be measured. Its calculation continues when HC Level Count labels are hidden.


🧠 Multi-Period Confluence = Maximum Clarity

Want a clearer view of the market? Use multiple reference areas in AUTO_Square_Mode.

💡 Pro Setup:

  • Open 6 charts with the same symbol

  • Use different timeframes and reference periods:

    • D1 → Last Year, Last Half-Year, Last Quarter

    • H4 → Last Month

    • H1 → Last Week

    • M15 → Last Day

  • Assign each chart a unique TAG

Now you’re seeing the short, medium, and long-term geometry together.

You can also use a symbol sync indicator to change all charts with one click. Many are available — and I will soon provide one for free.


🛠️ Universal Set Files — Plug and Play

Setting everything up can be time-consuming.

That’s why I provide ready-to-use universal .set files for:

  • 1920x1080 (Full HD)

  • 3840x2160 (4K)

These are not like traditional set files optimized for a specific pair or strategy.

Instead, they contain complete visual and layout configurations, especially for AUTO_Square_Mode.
They can be easily adjusted for other modes as well.

✅ Save time
✅ Avoid setup mistakes
✅ No re-optimization needed — ever

You’ll find them in the Comments section of the MQL5 product page.

📁 Updating an Older Layout for v1.30

When adapting an older .set file, check the new individual Action Lane and Trend Slope Line colors, together with the HC Level Count and SPEED button and label positions.

The former shared line-color settings have been replaced by individual color inputs. After choosing your preferred colors and positioning the new controls for your screen, save the updated layout as a new .set file.


⚙️ v1.30 — Calculation and Display Updates

The main calculation now runs when new candles become available, when initialization or history updates require it, and during relevant chart interactions. This reduces repeated calculation between candles. The built-in Moving Averages follow the same update schedule.

HC Level Count and SPEED use completed candle closes.

Buttons, symbol/timeframe changes, scaling, and chart-view changes can refresh the display without waiting for another market tick, provided the required chart data is available.

Redraw handling has also been refined for both the main and Helper Square Decision Rings when scaling or changing the chart view.

Hidden Cycles v1.30 requires no DLL imports. “Allow DLL imports” can remain disabled.


Wishing you all the best and many green pips! Questions? I am always here to help! :)

Visit the product page: Hidden Cycles Indicator on MQL5 Market