The Mysterious Qimen Dunjia, Part 2: Supernatural Qi—Reception and Intercalation

Lecture Two: Supernatural Connection and Intercalation

In the previous lecture, we discussed that the number of positions in Yin-Yang escape is determined by the solar terms. However, when determining the positions, it is not based on the solar terms alone; we also need to consider the day’s Heavenly Stem and Earthly Branch. So how do we determine the positions based on the day’s Heavenly Stem and Earthly Branch?
First, let’s talk about the Heavenly Stem of the day.

Since each position lasts five days, the Heavenly Stem on the first day of every position must be either Jia (甲) or Ji (己). Jia is the first of the Ten Heavenly Stems, and when determining the position, we start with Jia. The sequence Jia, Yi, Bing, Ding, Wu covers five days and forms one position. The next position starts with Ji, followed by Geng, Xin, Ren, and Gui—another five days—after which we return to a five-day sequence beginning with Jia.

Next, let’s discuss the Earthly Branches of the day.

Each solar term has a consistent pattern for the Earthly Branch on the first day of the upper, middle, and lower trigrams. Before explaining this pattern, we need to cover the concepts of Meng (孟), Zhong (仲), and Ji (季) as they relate to the twelve Earthly Branches. As we know, there are twelve Earthly Branches and twelve months in a year, so each Earthly Branch corresponds to a month, known as the month’s establishment. The first month establishes Yin (寅), and the months from the second through the twelfth establish, in order, Mao (卯), Chen (辰), Si (巳), Wu (午), Wei (未), Shen (申), You (酉), Xu (戌), Hai (亥), Zi (子), and Chou (丑). If we categorize these twelve into spring, summer, autumn, and winter, three months make one season. Thus, Yin, Mao, and Chen represent spring, and the others follow suit. In each season, the first month is called “Meng,” the second month is called “Zhong,” and the third month is called “Ji.” Therefore, Yin, Shen, Si, and Hai are the four Meng, while Zi, Wu, Mao, and You are the four Zhong, and Chen, Xu, Chou, and Wei are the four Ji.

Now, let’s discuss the pattern of the Earthly Branches on the first day of each trigram for every solar term. Regardless of the solar term, the Earthly Branch on the first day of the upper trigram is one of the four Zhong—namely Zi, Wu, Mao, or You; the Earthly Branch on the first day of the middle trigram is one of the four Meng—namely Yin, Shen, Si, or Hai; and the Earthly Branch on the first day of the lower trigram is one of the four Ji—namely Chen, Xu, Chou, or Wei.

When we combine the two points discussed above, the pattern of the Heavenly Stems and Earthly Branches on the first day of each trigram for every solar term is as follows: the Heavenly Stem and Earthly Branch on the first day of the upper trigram of each solar term is either Jia-Zi or Jia-Wu, or Ji-Mao or Ji-You; the Heavenly Stem and Earthly Branch on the first day of the middle trigram is either Jia-Shen or Jia-Yin, or Ji-Si or Ji-Hai; the Heavenly Stem and Earthly Branch on the first day of the lower trigram is either Jia-Xu or Jia-Chen, or Ji-Chou or Ji-Wei.

Therefore, to determine which position the day belongs to, we need to see which solar term this day falls under. Broadly speaking, the twelve solar terms from the Winter Solstice through Grain in Ear (芒种) are associated with Yang escape, while the twelve from the Summer Solstice onward are associated with Yin escape. More specifically, once we determine whether this trigram is Yin escape or Yang escape, we look at which solar term and which trigram this day belongs to, thereby identifying the position of the day.

The upper trigram of a solar term does not necessarily start on the calendar day the solar term begins. The first day of the upper trigram of a solar term may sometimes fall before the solar term, and sometimes after; only in rare cases does it coincide with the solar term. The first day of the upper trigram of a solar term is called “Fu Tou” (符头). If the first day of the upper trigram arrives before the solar term, this is called “Supernatural Connection” (超神). If the first day of the upper trigram falls after the solar term, this is called “Connection to the Term” (接气). If the first day of the upper trigram coincides with the solar term, this is called “Proper Grant” (正授).

“Supernatural Connection” may begin with the Fu Tou leading the solar term by one or two days, but gradually it can lead by more days. When it exceeds nine days, an intercalation must be made, which means repeating a solar term—specifically, repeating the upper, middle, and lower trigrams of a certain solar term. For example, during the Grain in Ear solar term, the upper, middle, and lower trigrams are Yang escape positions six, three, and nine. After the lower trigram of Grain in Ear, we continue from its last day (the fifth day of the lower trigram of Grain in Ear) and arrange the Yang escape positions six, three, and nine in day order before starting the upper trigram of the Summer Solstice with Yin escape position nine. The intercalated trigrams are called “Intercalated Qi” (闰奇).

It is important to note that intercalation does not occur during just any solar term. It is limited to two solar terms: Grain in Ear and Major Snow (大雪). If it is not during these two solar terms, even if the lead exceeds nine days, intercalation cannot be made. Why are these two solar terms chosen? Because they occur just before the two solstices. Yang escape begins at the Winter Solstice, and Yin escape begins at the Summer Solstice. Intercalating before the two solstices allows for the adjustment of the Fu Tou before the start of Yang and Yin escape, ensuring that the Fu Tou and the solar term are as closely aligned as possible.