- The remembered birth time is approximate, such as "around noon."
- DST or true-solar correction places the result close to a two-hour boundary.
- The time lies in Zi hour and the day-rollover school is disputed.
1. The two-hour branches
The twelve earthly branches divide the day into twelve traditional periods. A correction of only a few minutes matters when the result is near the edge of one period, while a larger correction may have no effect near its center.
2. Compare facts before stories
- Keep the same year, month, day, city and time-standard policy.
- Generate the previous and next plausible hour pillars.
- Mark which structures change: hidden stems, Ten Gods, interactions and later calculations.
- Do not select a candidate only because one interpretation sounds more flattering.
3. Evidence that can improve the source time
Birth certificates, hospital records, contemporaneous family notes and known clock conventions are stronger than retrospective life-event matching. Rectification through events is school-dependent and can easily overfit a preferred story.
4. Use a confidence label
| Input | Suggested label | Reading scope |
|---|---|---|
| Minute-accurate, away from boundary | High input confidence | Detailed chart may be reviewed |
| Known two-hour range | Moderate input confidence | Avoid fine timing claims |
| Boundary or conflicting records | Boundary review needed | Retain adjacent candidates |
Precision rule: confidence describes the source input and method coverage. It does not claim that a traditional interpretation is scientifically predictive.