The 12th Lunar Month and Hexagram 19

New Year's is always an interesting time for me now that I'm studying Chinese Medicine. For one, there is a mismatch between the solar calendar that we follow here in the west and the lunar calendar favored by the ancient Chinese. Chinese New Year this year doesn't happen until February 4th, at which time we will begin the year of the Earthen Ox. Because I've been following the energetics of the seasons for over a year now (according to the 24 seasonal nodes) I have to admit January 1, 2009 seemed a bit premature for celebration as the Winter energy, especially here in Portland, is still quite strong. Secondly, the typical celebratory script of getting shitfaced and staying up all night is also contra-indicated for this time of year [note to reader: i managed to ignore this prescription this year and am still paying the price as i write this. i blame the bellinis!]

But what I actually want to write about is not my debaucherous ways but the energy of the lunar month that we are currently in, which began on December 27th and continues until January 25th. This is the 12th Lunar month, represented by the Earthly Branch 丑 and Hexagram 19, Lin 臨.



This hexagram represents the continued endurance of the Yang Qi as it has "returned" in the previous month, but still faces an uphill battle. It is often translated as Endurance and Approaching.

Here is my translation of the text from the YiJing for Hexagram 19.

《臨》元亨，利貞。至于八月有凶。

Successful, Benefitial. As for the 8th month (august) it is ominous. 



《彖》曰：《臨》，剛浸而長，說而順，剛中而應。大「亨」以正、天之道也。「至于八月有凶」、消不久也。
Gradually firm and enduring, speaking with direction, responding with a firm center. Big success with correctness, this is the way of Heaven. Ominous challenges will soon disappear.



《象》曰：澤上有地，《臨》。君子以教思�窮，容保民�疆。

The marsh above indicates earthliness. The noble man uses this to teach the poor of thought, and contains and protects those on the outside.

[if anyone has insight to these two characters that are missing, i'd appreciate a hand digging them up!]

We can see from this translation that this is generally a beneficial gua for action though the action is quite specific in that it is centered in both directions (from the outer to the inner and the inner to the outer). There is an indication that there are obstacles present, but that if we hold to the correctness of the Dao, they will fade and be overcome naturally. The indication of teaching represents that of action, even with those who are not aligned with the way (the "poor" and those on the "outside").

Stephen Karcher writes:

Nearing describes your situation in terms of something approaching, particularly something great approaching something smaller. It is the first arrival and point of new contact. The way to deal with it is to move towards what is approaching without expecting to get what you want immediately. Look at things with care and sympathy. Welcome the approach of others. Keep your expectations modest. This contact opens a whole new cycle of time. It is particularly favorable for what is growing. So beware. Trying to rush to completion and an early harvest will cut you off from the spirits and leave you open to danger.