Severance(絕)

Severance is also called “the womb (Po, 胞)” and opens the door to the next stage, Conception. As old ties fall away, it can become easier to change direction.

Traditional readings associate Severance with frequent change and a reluctance to stay in one place. In the day branch, it generally describes your relationship with a partner; in the month branch, your work and social life; in the hour branch, your later years and what your efforts yield.

In Seowoon's calculation table, each Day Master reaches Severance at the following branch: Gap (甲) at Sin (申), Eul (乙) at Yu (酉), Byeong (丙) at Hae (亥), Jeong (丁) at Ja (子), Mu (戊) at Hae (亥), Gi (己) at Ja (子), Gyeong (庚) at In (寅), Sin (辛) at Myo (卯), Im (壬) at Sa (巳), and Gye (癸) at O (午). Yang stems (Gap·Byeong·Mu·Gyeong·Im) move forward through the branches, while yin stems (Eul·Jeong·Gi·Sin·Gye) move backward. Mu Earth follows Byeong Fire, and Gi Earth follows Jeong Fire (the shared Fire–Earth method).

Schools that do not reverse the order for yin stems assign different positions to yin Day Masters. Check this methodological difference first when comparing results from other sources.

This is read as the courage to embrace change and boldly open new paths, with an independent spirit and strong intuition.

Severance in the day branch suggests frequent changes and fresh starts in relationships. In the month branch, it points to career changes or moves into new fields.

It suggests a talent for clearing out the old and starting over. The strength lies in turning things around and getting back up after a crisis.

You may change your mind before seeing things through or move on before building a firm foundation. A common suggestion is to pause before making major decisions.

It is considered a good fit for opening new paths (entrepreneurship·new ventures), work involving movement (trade·travel·business trips), and managing change (restructuring·consulting).

In romance, it suggests moving quickly when attracted to someone and enjoying change. Common advice is to take time to build a steady foundation together.

As Severance represents a phase of depleted energy, traditional readings recommend keeping a steady daily rhythm so that too many demanding changes do not pile up.

Health readings based on the 12 life stages are traditional metaphors for phases of energy, not diagnoses. Have any physical symptoms assessed medically.

People often say “Severance means relationships will end”, but this stage marks the transition from an old cycle to a new one. An ending also creates room to begin again. Its meaning depends on the Ten God associated with that position in the full chart.