Months

Months (zla ba)

• The twelve months (zla ba bcu gnyis) of the lunar year are generally named according to the seasons of the year as follows: first spring month, mid spring month, last spring month, first summer month, mid summer month, last summer month, first autumn month, mid autumn month, last autumn month, first winter month, mid winter month, and last winter month, However, the same months may also be named sequentially after the twelve animal signs (starting with the tiger), after the numbered months of the lunar year (starting with the eleventh), or after the twelve sectors of growth and decline.
• The winter solstice occurs in the first spring month of the tiger, coinciding exactly with the full moon of the constellation Mögaśiras, whereas the summer solstice occurs in the first autumn month of the monkey, coinciding exactly with the full moon of the constellation Jyeṣṭhā. According to the ancient Chinese system, it is also important to examine the negative influences present in the twelve-day mid-period of the month (zla sgang, Ch. zhong xun), and the presence or absence of an intercalary month (zla bshol, Ch. run yue); while a further subdivision may be made according to the twenty-four meteorological phases of the year (dus tshigs nyer bzhi, Ch. er shi si jie qi). The calculations pertaining to the natal month (skyes zla) and the trigram indicative of the natal month (skyes zla spar kha) are important for natal horoscope, on which see Part IV, pp. 000-000. Also, on the calculation of the nuptial months for giving away a bride (zla ba'i rdzong lugs), see Part V, pp. 000-000. GD (from the Glossary to Tibetan Elemental Divination Paintings)