Things Luni-solar Calendar Used To Tell Us
Spring
The Year of Rabbit begins anew:
the next day of the first new moon is yipchun(입추)—
a time to foreshadow for the arrival of spring,
a time for worms to wiggle under frozen ground,
A day after the first full moon is woo soo(우수)—
a time for even the iced-Taedong river to thaw,
a time for the Crucian carp to rise in the river.
The day after the second new moon is kyungchip(경칩)—
a time for the frogs to wake up from their winter’s sleep,
a time for the worms to crawl out of the burrows.
The second day of the second full moon is chunbun(춘분)—
a time to sow spring barley, a time for the geese to fly back home,
a time for day to get even with night, a chill wind makes the ox’s horns curl.
The third day of the third new moon is chyungmyung(청명)—
a time of the bright and clear sky, a time to till the land for spring sowing,
a time for the cuckoo to return, a time to plant a “my tree” for girl’s wedding chest.
The three days after the third full moon is gokwoo(곡우)—
a time for the spring rain, for the young shoot to lift its head,
a time for the croaker to groan in the ocean.
Summer
The four days after the fourth new moon is yiphwa(입하)--
a time for the frogs to croak, a time to weed,
a time to raise the silkworms, and for the melons to flower.
The fourth day of the fourth full moon is so-han(소만)—
a time to tighten the belt to get through “the barley hill”, a time for the wood owl to hoot,
a time for the bamboo to turn yellow, a time of summer’s doorsill.
The five days after the fifth new moon is mangzong(망종)—
a time to harvest barley, and to replant the rice seedlings,
a time for the praying mantis to hop, the fireflies to buzz in the night.
The seventh day of the fifth full moon is hazee(하지)—
a time of the longest day, a time to harvest potatoes,
a time for the deer to grow new horns, a time to pray for rain.
The seven days after the sixth new moon is soshur(소서)—
a time for heat to rise, a time for the cricket to hang on to the wall,
a time for the cicada’s shrill to pierce the sky.
The eighth day of the sixth full moon is taeshur(대서)—
a time for the big rain, a time for the hottest heat.
Even the goat’s horn could melt in this heat.
Autumn
The eight days after the seventh new moon is yipchu(입추)—
a time for the fresh breeze in the night, a harbinger of fall,
a time for the dog to bark at the sound of rice stalks’ growing.
The ninth day of the seventh full moon is cheorseoh(처서)—
a time for the mosquito’s mouth to go aslant by the cooling air.
The ten days after the eighth new moon is baekno(백노)—
a time of the white-morning dew to descend,
a time for the swollen rice stalks to bear the bloom.
The eleventh day of the eighth full moon is chuboon(추분)—
a time for day to meet night halfway, the thunders to stop,
a time for the insect to find a place to hide.
The twelve days after the ninth new moon is hanlo(한로)—
a time for the swallows to bid a farewell, the geese to return
a time for chrysanthemums to bloom.
The thirteenth day of the ninth full moon is Sanggang(상강)—
a time for the frost to form, the trees to drop their leaves,
a time to finish the harvest, a time for the chrysanthemums to intoxicate the air.
Winter
The thirteen days after the tenth new moon is yipdong(입동)—
a time of bare trees, dry grasses, a time to get ready for the freeze to begin,
a time for animals to find their burrows.
The fourteenth day of the tenth full moon is soseol(소설)—
a time for the snow to fall, a time to wish for cold weather for the barley.
The thirteen days after the eleventh new moon is taeseol(대설)—
a time for deer to drop their old antlers, for the mountain bats to stop crying,
a time to pray for big snow to blanket the barley fields.
The fourteenth day of the eleventh full moon is dongzhy(동지)—
a time of the longest night, a time of the tiger’s nuptial bliss,
a time to eat red bean soup and to be ready for the sun’s rebirth.
The thirteen days after the twelfth new moon is sohan(소한)—
a time to be cold, a time to see the geese flying over the ridge,
a time for the blackbirds to build nests, and the pheasants to cry in the field.
The fourteenth day of the twelfth new moon is taehan(대한)—
a time to be snug at home, a time to brace for the last cold spell,
and a time to look after neighbors.