Month of the Wood Dog (甲戌 Jia Xu)
On October 8, 2024, the Chinese solar calendar marks the beginning of the Cold Dew period (寒露 Hán Lù), corresponding to the Wood Dog month (甲戌 Jia Xu).
Cold Dew is the penultimate solar term of autumn and the 17th of the 24 solar periods of the year. During this time, temperatures drop significantly, and as the air gets colder, many regions experience misty rain or fog.
Month of the Dog
Following the 24 seasons of the Chinese solar calendar, with Cold Dew, we also enter the 9th solar month of the year, specifically the month Xu (戌), known as the Month of the Dog, corresponding to the 11th Earthly Branch.
Hexagram of the Month
The Yi Jing (I Ching) includes 12 sovereign or seasonal hexagrams associated with the 12 Earthly Branches. The ninth month (the Month of the Dog) is linked to Hexagram 23 (Splitting Apart).
Taoist Energetics, Seasons, and the Five Elements
In Taoist energetics, the Cold Dew solar period represents the fifth stage of autumn, governed by the element of Metal.
During this time:
- Metal is prosperous.
- Water is strong.
- Earth is weak.
- Metal is captive.
- Wood is dead.