A void target is not dead. It is unfunded for the current cycle. The timing question is: when does the calendar fill it?

The tradition gives three methods. They are not equal.

The primary candidate should be the branch that clashes the void branch. Matching the void branch can also fill it, but some lineages treat that as stronger only after the current ten-day cycle has passed. A combining branch is weaker and should be marked as such.

Primary Clash-fill

The next day whose branch clashes the void branch wakes it up. This is the strongest void timing method.

Secondary Value-fill

The next day whose branch matches the void branch can fill it. Some schools require the next ten-day cycle.

Tertiary Combine-fill

The next day whose branch combines with the void branch may fill it, but this is weaker and should not headline the reading.

How to calculate it

Step 1 Name the void branch

Identify which branch on the target line is missing in the current cycle.

then
Step 2 Find its clash partner

That partner is the primary branch event to watch.

then
Step 3 Add backups

Report value-fill and combine-fill only as lower-confidence alternatives.

When value-fill falls inside the same ten-day cycle, name the school question. Some readings treat the matching branch as sufficient. The stricter reading waits until the line has actually left the current void cycle, or prioritizes clash-fill instead. Do not hide that ambiguity if it changes the date.

Example

Suppose the target line carries Dog and Dog is void.

Primary Dragon day

Dragon clashes Dog, so Dragon day is the primary fill date.

Secondary Dog day

The same branch can fill by value. Mark the school question if the date falls inside the same cycle.

Tertiary Rabbit day

Rabbit combines with Dog. This is a fallback, not the main date.

Fallback Dragon month

If the day window passes, the same logic can step up to month scale.

The example gives day-scale candidates. For longer questions, the same branch logic can move to month scale. The state rule gives the branch event; near-vs-far decides which calendar layer should carry it.

Source basis: Yehe Laoren, Zengshan Buyi; timing source synthesis, void timing section.

Traps

Trap Making combine-fill primary

Combination sounds harmonious, but for void timing it is the weakest method.

Trap Hiding the school question

Value-fill can differ by an entire ten-day cycle. Report the ambiguity when it matters.

Trap Calling void hopeless

Void is a state. The timing method exists because the state can resolve.

Continue to Bound Timing