*REPOSTED for S.H readers experiencing Summer in Jan read 'Greater Heat'insights Reader’s Note : The 24 solar terms* are a ‘code of living’; assisting us in living in tandem with seasons and beat to our internal circadian rhythm. The Ancient Chinese knew nothing of the Southern Hemisphere when making their astrological calculations. However, anyone experiencing the opposite season, could consider reading the 24th Solar Term of ‘Major Cold’ ’ for its cultural customs, gardening, dietary suggestions and climate cues. Please Note - We practice authentic Classical Feng Shui, so regardless of your domicile, ‘FENG SHUI’, ‘CHINESE MONTH’ & ‘ZODIACAL ANIMAL’ observations below will remain as per dates below.
The Yin Fire Goat still governs the remaining days of July. Sol shifts focus on 23 July, beginning the 12th Seasonal Node of ‘Greater Heat’ signalling Summer’s end*. While in the Western zodiacal system, the Sun will ingress into the sign of Leo, and the New Moon on 29 July 3:54am(AEST) completes the Solar Leo vibes.
☼ 12th Solar Term : Greater Heat (Dà Shú)
23 July ⎯ We’re now in the final increment of Summer, known as ‘Greater Heat ‘ (Dà Shú). This Solar term falls on 23 July in the Georgian calendar and correlates with the Sun’s ingress into the western Zodiacal sign of Leo. However Solar terms reign for an approximately a fortnight and ends 7 August, when we welcome Monkey month. This Node marks the final seasonal marker of Summer, as observed in the N. Hemisphere. During which, the sun’s (solar) celestial longitude, i.e it’s apparent position on the ecliptic, is at 120° in the sky.
Image by Kobayashi Kiyochika ‘Fireflies at Ochanomizuvia’ Los Angeles County Museum of Art, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
The Summer Solstice has past, so the most yang time of the year is now upon us - the zenith of Yang. With much heat, comes humidity and moisture. The nodal shift of the sun indicates the hottest moment of the year is upon us. As I write (Jan 2025) California experienced catastrophic fires; in 2024 parts of UK, US and Greece experienced unprecedented heat, 2023 in the US experienced the same, under the same seasonal term of GREATER HEAT, the creation of ‘fire clouds’ formed as blazes raged across the State of Oregon and the Pacific Northwest.) Although peak heat is on point with Ancient Chinese observations; Chinese seasons actually commence 1½ months before the comparative seasons in the Western Calendar — illustrating the shift in Climate shift.
The Chinese almanac system also further subdivides each Seasonal term, into more detailed increments of time, known as 72 Material Manifestations (wuhou). The first of the five day divisions is called ‘Fucao hua wei ying’ which translates to ‘Decaying Grass Transforms Into Fire flies’. Summer grasses are withering and fireflies are loving the warm humid marshes. The second five day increment is called 'Tu run ru shu’, meaning ‘The Earth Lies Wet Beneath Sweltering Heat’ and final increment of this node is ‘Dayu shixing’ translating to ‘Heavy Rain Falls Intermittently’.
🌐 JULY IN THE SOUTHERN HEMISPHERE
Image ⓒ FENGSHUIISM
Winter (July in S.H) is certainly upon folks Down Under, with dark nights, freezing fog and wind chill. Therefore folks in the S. Hemisphere will of course feel more attuned to the 24th Solar Term of ‘Major Cold’ seasonal correlations, which relate to the final fortnight of Winter — however note, Goat month and Feng Shui always remain as per N.H. The Opposing Seasonal Marker is just referenced for those experiencing opposing season in July/August for timely cultural customs, gardening, dietary suggestions and climate cues.
👥 CULTURAL CUSTOMS
As it’s the hottest period of the year, with sweltering heat, torridity and raininess; which is good for agricultural crops. However, natural disasters are common occurrences like floods, droughts or typhoons. Therefore, the importance of harvest and planting is paramount. The climate combo of heat and moisture can also undermine our health. In the west, fitness camps say ‘Summer bodies are made in Winter’; in the East they say ‘treating winter disease in summer is essential’. One simple recommendation suggests the daily drinking of fresh and cool boiled water.
Image credit : Fireflies by xenmate Flickr (CC BY-SA 2.0)
As the ‘Decaying Grass Transforms Into Fire flies’ the wuhou suggests the Muddy marches are a haven for lightning bugs, more commonly known as fireflies. These soft-bodied beetles are the true creators of nature's original light show. During balmy summer nights, spectators travel to see glow shows away from city light pollution. These critters spend up to two years as larvae but flying adults last for just two weeks. Sadly they have become a consumer commodity in China and sold as romantic gifts for a lover as these bugs are said to glow when attracting a mate. Or reared for Glow shows. China’s rarest fireflies, may already be gone. With harvest rates of 17 million per year for glow shows, it won’t take long before the lights of China’s bio-luminescent beetles are extinguished forever.
Worth mentioning too is the continued ritual of the ‘Major Heat Ship’ which is filled with animals for sacrifice such as pigs, sheep, chicken, fish and shrimps. Fishermen take turns carrying the ship through the streets lined with people praying for blessings of good harvests and health. Drums are played and fireworks lit; with the ship finally drifting to sea and set alight.
Litchi is as is nourishing as Ginseng, when consumed during ‘Major Heat’.
Dietary customs are well known in China, no matter which solar term is marked. Each term is governed by an internal organ and dietary suggestions are adhered to, for fear of exposing oneself to disease or lack of harmony in the body. The latter half of the month of the Goat falls under the ruler-ship of the Small Intestine and the Spleen. And the tradition of consuming Litchi; a nutritious fruit, soaked in cold water first prior to eating is common on the first day of this solar term. It's said Litchi is as nourishing as Ginseng, when consumed during ‘Major Heat’.
Mizao is another traditional food, a fermented rice, cook with brown sugar to reinforce the vital energy of the human body during this node. Eating pineapples is also customary and the tropical fruit is said to be at its best in this term.
And grass jelly served with milk or with your fresh fruit.
🌿 SEASONAL GARDENING
Chinese folk adhere to the philosophy, to sow out of season is useless, as the outcomes have already been predetermined by forefathers that observed the universe. It’s time wasting and the Chinese Farmer’s almanac (Tong Shu) is therefore a Farmer’s/Gardener’s Bible. Foremost in the minds of Chinese agricultural farmers is the current peak of Yang, which brings natural disaster, so pulling up and transplanting rice seedlings is foremost in their minds.
July in the N.H - Unless you live in a tropical climate, harvesting pineapples might be last thing on your garden goals. Since July is an optimum month for flowers and herbs to flourish, harvest now for premium flower specimens when they are lush and luxe. If you’re interested in starting your own apothecary then July sees lavender, lime flowers, lady mantle and honeysuckle all in full bloom ready for drying.
Since the sun has just crept into Leo territory, a plant aligned with planetary ruler of the Sun - is the feathery fronds of Fennel. Favoured by the ancient Greeks and Romans it’s perhaps an easier herb to cultivate. The aromatic is topped with a yellow crown of flat topped blooms during July and August. The hardy perennial is a cinch to grow by seed. Pop the seeds into a sun drenched bed in April and you can pretty much consider it established year on year. It’s an ideal herb for digestion, especially the seeds; fitting for a month governed by the Small Intestine. And timely for some Leo planetary magick, if that should rock your boat.
Fennel print via Etsy Lupen Grainne
Fennel by Jules jules stonesoup via Flickr. CC02
Another ideal herb for digestion for the gardener interested in growing herbs for healing, will no doubt be the Queen of the Meadows - Meadowsweet, a staple in an apothecary Herb Garden. Ideally suited to damp terrain, near rivers and streams. Its sweet fragrant creamy white flowers and leaves will be ready for harvesting and drying for tinctures. Never fear if you missed the window this year - propagate by root division in Spring or a second option in Autumn.
Late July gardening in S.Hemi - Cold and frost prevention is foremost in the minds of cooler regions for gardening folk Downunder. But Hellebore and Violets are a sight to behold in warmer temperate climates. Temperate regions can plant, artichokes, beetroot, cabbages, chicory, garlic, kohlrabi, leeks, onions and parsnips. Also refer to the opposing solar term for specific seasonal customs including Gardening insights.
As ever, wherever you’re experiencing the current solar term - stay safe!
ⓒ FENG SHUi iSM 2021 - Written 2017 updated July 2025
“Living eye to eye with environmental wisdom ”
— FENG SHUi iSM
* The Chinese seasons commence 1½ months before the comparative seasons in the Western Calendar. The relevance of the ancient Chinese Almanac and the 24 Solar Terms (or seasonal nodes, as they are sometimes referred to, were not only for agricultural purposes; individuals took cues from the Nodes and adopted various seasonal diets and exercise. Calculated via the sun's annual motion, they discern the year's change in season by way of phenology and climate. Phenology, is one of three methods used to decipher seasons - it uses the changes in plant and animal behaviour - such as animal migration, types of plants, and changes in colours in the landscape - to determine when the seasons begin.
