What Is Approaching Office (Lin Guan)?
Approaching Office (Lin Guan) is the fourth stage of the Twelve Growth Stages, also known as "Establishing Salary" (Jian Lu). It symbolizes the phase when a young adult enters government service and makes their mark on the world. At this stage, the Five Elements' qi is already highly mature and begins formally establishing accomplishments. Its strength is second only to Imperial Prosperity, ranking among the top positions within the twelve stages.
Life Metaphor
After Capping, the student robe is shed and the official court dress is donned — one steps for the first time onto a post that is truly one's own. Approaching Office is that golden period of life when one "rolls up one's sleeves and gets to work": you have already learned all the necessary skills, your body is in its prime, and the world before you unfolds like a vast map, every region marked "to be conquered."
The energy of Approaching Office is "grounded forward momentum." It is not as ostentatious as Imperial Prosperity, but every unit of its force lands on solid ground. People under Approaching Office often possess an enviable "in one's prime" state — not the youngest, nor the most senior, but the most capable of delivering results.
Approaching Office Positions for Each Heavenly Stem
| Stem | Approaching Office Branch |
|---|---|
| Jia | Yin (Wood) |
| Yi | Mao (Wood) |
| Bing | Si (Fire) |
| Ding | Wu (Fire) |
| Wu | Si (Fire) |
| Ji | Wu (Fire) |
| Geng | Shen (Metal) |
| Xin | You (Metal) |
| Ren | Hai (Water) |
| Gui | Zi (Water) |
Note: A Heavenly Stem's Approaching Office position is precisely the Earthly Branch of the same Five Element (Yang Stems occupy the primary qi branch; Yin Stems, the same). This is the basis for identifying the "Establishing Salary structure" (Jian Lu Ge).
Characteristics of Approaching Office (Establishing Salary)
- Powerfully strong: At the Approaching Office position, the Heavenly Stem's Five Element gains Root Connection in the Branch — strong, stable, and enduring.
- Establishing Salary structure: When the Month Pillar's Earthly Branch is the Day Master's Approaching Office position, it is called the "Establishing Salary structure," one of the standard Bazi structures.
- Enterprising and pragmatic: Approaching Office symbolizes a state of steady effort and merit-building, emphasizing action and practical results.
Distinction from Imperial Prosperity
Approaching Office is the rising slope just before the peak; Imperial Prosperity is the absolute summit of energy. Approaching Office is more pragmatic and enterprising, while Imperial Prosperity carries a sharper edge. Both belong to states of strong and vigorous energy.