In more detail
The month branch changes at one of the twelve jie solar terms. Its seasonal associations belong to the traditional calendar framework, rather than a measurement of local weather at the birthplace.
Seasonal Command
The characters
- 月yuèmoon; month
- 令lìngcommand; season
Together, 月令 reads “the month’s command”: the month in charge of the season.
Sources
- 三命通会 卷二 · 论地支、论人元司事:月提与月令
These terms describe a traditional symbolic framework. Chart interpretation and our naming method remain experimental.