The ancient text of Huangdi Yinfujing contains information which indicates that current Qi Men Dun Jia has been falsified and deviated from the original imperial form!

A rare good example of research into the Chinese astrology and Feng Shui can be found in Professor Ho Peng Yoke's 2003 book "Chinese Mathematical Astrology". The book discusses basic aspects of the methodologies of the sanshi arts of Tai Yi Shen Shu, Qi Men Dun Jia and Da Liu Ren.

• What is interesting is the collation of historical informations about the sanshi divination methods. This includes the Mandarin text of the Qi Men Dun Jia ancient document "Huangdi Yinfujing", its English translation and sundry comments.

Ho noted that, during lectures, he had been asked which is the best divination method but had politely replied that he would not judge as he was not a practitioner. However, the book has subtle reservations about the validities of the sanshi arts. Ho pointed out that, although there are historic mentions of usage during say the Sung dynasty period, there is no assurance that current versions are true to the more ancient and original versions. That is, deviations down the ages cannot be ruled out, which may mean that current versions may not be valid anymore.

Some discrepancies include:

• With respect to Tai Yi, his reservations show up. Tai Yi has a 360 years cycle. But there are different versions about when the cycle actually starts, 1984, 1924 or 1804. Differences in starting the cycle will certainly lead to obvious contradicting results. As no one can prove what is the real starting year, what assurance is there that the modern Tai Yi has the correct methodology?
• He pointed out that the ancient imperial Tai Yi had only one forward sequence and no reverse sequence.
• Such uncertainity can also be seen in that, in Qi Men Dun Jia, where there are at least 3 different ways for positioning the 9 Jiu Xing stars.

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Astronomical Basis of "Fortnightly Periods"

Huangdi Yinfujing has noted the planets Venus and Mars. It also refers to the seasonal fluctuations of the solar shadow (Yin Yang) between the two solstices. It is evident that Huangdi Yinfujing refers to real astronomical factors as the basis of the operation of Qi Men Dun Jia.

Hence, I have asked a number of people what 2 weeks natural event would be signified by "fortnightly periods". Many said they do not know. They actually know but do not realise what they know. One person, a Taoist priest, brightened up and answered correctly that the "fortnightly periods" refers to the span between the new and full moons. He knew because he has to deal with the new and full moons in his vocation.

In Western and Hindu astrology, the Moon phases, especially those of the new and full moons, have significant astrological roles. This is not surprising, as modern science shows that the Moon, being the largest celestial body near the Earth, exerts strong tidal pulls. These tidal pulls have been associated with rhythmic cycles in many forms of biological phenomena. The roles of the Moon in both solar and lunar eclipses have adverse astrological significance. Some modern scientists also see associations between eclipses and natural disasters like earthquakes.

• Why should the Chinese astrology differs from those of Western and Hindu astrology in not adopting the new and full moons dates?

  This fortnight period is also seen in the Lo Shu magic square of 9. In the magic square, the numbers in the 3 squares in any direction total up to 15, the duration of days from the new moon to full moon periods. When the Lo Shu on the tortise back was invented circa 2205 BC by Ta Yu, it was a period when the lunar cycles were used, long before any solar calendar emerged.

  In fact, any art using the Lo Shu magic square should wake up to the fact that they have to use the real lunar period of new to full moons. Current usage of the 24 Solar Terms are not compatible with the true new to full moon periodicities. Using the solar calendar will doom the accuracy.

Hence, Clause 83 "Time corresponds to the changing of the fortnightly periods" is actually stating that the dating calculation has to be based on the new and full moon periods. That is, in line with its astronomical aspects, Huangdi Yinfujing is saying that the real lunar cycle of the Moon including its new moons to full moons cycle must be taken into consideration.

Sanshi Arts Err in Using Solar Calendar!

Some clauses in Huangdi Yinfujing also refer to Da Liu Ren and Tai Yi. Thus, the above discussion has serious implications for the sanshi arts, for all three of them, Qi Men Dun Jia, Da Liu Ren and Tai Yi, use the solar calendar and do not use the new and full moon "fortnightly periods" but that of the 24 Solar Terms. By using the solar calendar the sanshi arts of Qi Men Dun Jia, Da Liu Ren and Tai Yi use the artificial two weeks in each Solar Term. They are unable to track and have deviated from the real lunar effects.

There are historic evidence of a switch to the 24 Solar Terms, indicating the real new and full moons were previously used:

• "Operators of the Liuren cosmic board have come to use the 24 fortnightly periods, i.e. 24 positions of the sun along the ecliptic for the day when the calculation is performed, while retaining the ancient Counter-Jupiter cycle to determine the deity at the time. It is interesting from the point of view of the history of Chinese astronomy and history of the Liuren method to note that Shen Gua had already remarked on the Jupiter-Stations, and hence the system of the naming of the year after the imaginary positions of Counter-Jupiter by using the branches was already out of step with the calendar during the eleventh century. (Ho 2003. p.115-116)

The switch to the 24 Solar Terms was eventually accompanied by deviations in the calendar datings.

Ho had suggested that the Huangdi Yinfujing is a brief text with the essentials of Qi Men Dun Jia. This is not true, as there are many other important aspects of Qi Men Dun Jia not summarised within Huangdi Yinfujing. For Huangdi Yinfujing to merely summarise the esentials of the art would not give the imperial circle any advantages. Why look at a small incomplete text when you can view the whole larger Qi Men Dun Jia? It has to be be that Huangdi Yinfujing contains secrets not found within the usual Qi Mern Dun Jia texts.

The word "Yinfu" means "secret tally". Thus, Huangdi Yinfujing was supposed to be a secret document of the imperial circle. There has always been suspicions that the imperial circle practised superior forms of astrology and Feng Shui which they did not want the common people to know. This suspicion is confirmed by the Huangdi Yinfujing. The imperial circle reading the Huangdi Yinfujing would realise they must use the real new and full moons periods for their astrological calculations. The imperial circle would have their astronomers track the day to day movements of celestial bodies like the Moon.

• But the people, having no access to the imperial astronomical equipment and forbidden to use the planetary tables, would have to use the calendars. The dating of the people would certainly in error!

If the luni-solar calendar had been used, as in Zi Wei Dou Shu, the error would not have been so great. But using the solar calendar inputs an artificial and false "fortnightly periods" into the methodologies of the sanshi arts.

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