*** updated NOV 2024 ***

Reader’s Note : The 24 solar terms are a ‘code of living’; assisting us in living in tandem with seasons and beating 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 7th Solar term of ‘Beginning of Summer’ 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’ & ‘PIG MONTH FORECAST’ observations below will always remain as per dates below.

To Game of Thrones devotees the ubiquitous phrase - ‘Winter is coming’ carries meaning, but I’m guessing the Chinese had first dibs on the phrase! In Chinese culture, Seasons commence about one and a half months before the comparative seasons in the Western Civil calendar. The 19th Seasonal Node nods to ‘Winter’s Coming’ or the ‘Beginning of Winter’*(Lì dōng 立冬). This solar term denotes the midpoints between the equinoxes and solstices. Commencing on seventh day of 10th Lunar month (7 Nov 2024) is swine month — Yin Wood Pig. It’s also the midpont of Scorpio which denotes astrological Samhain, the Wheel of the Year.

Hexagram #29 governs the season of winter

Pheasant couple and plum blossom (1900 - 1930) by Ohara Koson (1877-1945). Original from The Rijksmuseum

☼ 19th Solar Term 'Winter is coming' (lì dōng 立冬)

The upcoming solar term is one of eight key solar terms and opens the first node of Winter - a primary indicator of one of the four classic seasons. Chinese seasons, BEGIN AT THE MIDPOINTS between the solstices and equinoxes; not the actual pair dates. Nov, 8 is the astronomical midpoint between the autumn equinox and winter solstice and thus marks the 19th seasonal node’s commencement. It’s denoted by the Sun’s position on the celestial longitude of 225°. An easy way to remember this is when Pig month begins. Regardless of hemispheres, or wherever you’re resident, in the Chinese zodiacal system the Yin water Pig (Hai) also begins on the 7 November, til 7 December.

Days become increasingly shorter, clocks have adjusted and the solar rays will set much earlier on the horizon. Autumn’s crops are harvested and stored, ready for consumption over winter. Meteorologically speaking the climate indicators of winter vary considerably, but generally we see less rain and the temperature drop quickly with dewy misty skylines. China’s footprint is vast, so like many other Northern regions, winter doesn’t begin at the same time for all.

The Chinese almanac system also further subdivides the seasonal terms into more detailed increments of time, known as the 72 Material Manifestations, pentads or (wuhou). The first of the five day divisions is called ‘Water Begins to Freeze’ (Shui shi bing). The second is ‘Earth Begins to Harden’ (Di shi dong) ending the solar term with the final wuhou of ‘Pheasants Dive Into the Watery Abyss to Become Giant Clams’ (Zhi ru dashui wei shen). The Manifestations are a nod to *phenological cues that indicate Winter is gaining ground.

䷜ I CHING HEXAGRAM #29

THE ABYSS Hexagram governs for the next three months - It’s one of the four timeless Hexagrams. When a trigram, element repeats, its power is amplified. Doubled water (Kan), forms The Abyss. Emotional waters, encourage one to follow your heart - of truth-not the romantic heart. Follow your truth, maintain a sanguine attitude and a stable mind induces respect and results in success.

🌐 NOVEMBER IN THE SOUTHERN HEMISPHERE

Yang is growing for folks domicile in Southern Hemisphere and the Chinese 7th Solar Term of The Beginning of Summer (Li Xia) which lasts 15 days approx., will likely be resonating for folks down under. It’s worth reading the opposing term for a seasonal perspective for Gardening cues, cultural customs and seasonal dietary traditions — just ignore dates when reading — and other aspects follow the 7th solar term.

Duck for LiGong Start of Winter - pic by Tim Sullivan on StockSnap

👥CULTURAL CUSTOMS

In many traditions a new season was welcomed with ritual, in ancient China it was known as ‘welcoming winter’ and followed by a traditional meal to nourish winter - laden with high-calorie food such as duck, beef, mutton; usually stewed with four particular Chinese medicines.

The Start of Winter, when the Autumn crops have been placed in storage, was when the festival for the people of the Manchu Eight Banners began, they were an administrative/military division during the Qing Dynasty and known as Bannermen; another Game of Thrones source reference?! Traditionally incense was burned and sacrifices offered to ancestors on this day.

As usual, dietary and culinary customs are many during this two week increment, one of which is the traditional seasonal ritual of eating Dumplings at the ‘Start of Winter’. Apparently in the Eastern Han Dynasty (AD25-220), Zhang Zhongjing, a Medical Saint, saved many people in Henan province from a typhoid epidemic, and their ears' from being frostbitten around the ‘Start of Winter.’ He cooked mutton, hot peppers and herbs, to dispel the cold and increase body heat and he wrapped the ingredients in a dough skin and shaped them into an ‘ear’ shape - which of course is what we now know as ‘dumplings’. I can’t help but draw a link with the chosen shape as in TCM the ears are also governed by the water element and Pig month is elementally classed as Water. So if you’re unsure what’s on the menu for dinner tonight, then dumplings might do the trick.

As the tenth lunar month begans on 1 Nov, the tradition of ‘send off winter clothes’ was also a common custom. To the ancients the tenth lunar month was known as ‘Pomegranate Month’ and depicted in ancient paintings by the pairing of geese with marches.

🌿GARDENING

Note : follow are Insta channel for Weekly Lunar Almanac for your hemisphere.

The seasons are visually and symbolically depicted with natural phenomena - like the barren mountains of Winter. While in the Tang Dynasty plants and animal pairings became popular depictions. But three flowers remain linked to Winter - Pine, Bamboo and Plum and are known as the three friends of Winter. Together they combine to symbolically imply, perseverance and an unyielding spirit for their ability to not only remain green in winter (bamboo) but also to bloom (plum) and noted for their longevity (pine). Plant Pine trees when Luna is in the sign of Aquarius. S.H readers should hold off till June to plant Plum trees in Tropical zones.

While on the subject of Bamboo, the plant is said to represent hard work. It should never be planted in the rear of a property or you could find you work hard, but your wealth will dwindle. But if your local council allows Bamboo planting, it’s ideally placed in the front of a property. Bamboo is also used as a feng shui remedy and sometimes fashioned into wind chimes or a certain number of Bamboo shoots are used to remediate a specific negative flying star. The Bamboo plant in magical circles is said to break hexes.

November N.H OR May S.H - *Samhain sees crops come indoors, dried or ready for preserving. Win the war on weeds especially under a waning moon. Deadhead annuals. Cover up parsley with cloches to protect. Start a composting heap (stay tuned on insta for dates )and pop leggy herbs into compost. Mulch and prep soil for future planting beds - especially strawberry beds and plant out when ready. Construct and mend tools and sheds. Tend to garlic. Autumn bulbs may appear. Plant out your lilies for a show around Xmas. PEST of the month - Slugs. But keep a close eye for the tiny aphids that will wage war on plants and suck sap from buds and new growth - use nature’s remove methods, like soapy water or white oil. Ladybirds love to dine on aphids so plant flowers to attract the red bug to your patch of paradise. The last of the Chrysanthemums maybe in bloom. Deadhead where necessary.

NOV. S.H - as previously mentioned refer to opposing solar term for specific seasonal gardening insights.

*Be sure to check out the new issue of Wellbeing Astrology 2025, with my latest article on the Wheel of the Year; includes a insights of working with the wheel via Southern hemisphere perspective.

ⓒ FENG SHUi iSM written 2018 - updated 2024

“Living eye to eye with environmental wisdom ”

— FENG SHUi iSM

* 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, climate and the tilt of the sun varying shadow length on the ecliptic to decipher a season.

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. The Chinese seasons commence 1½ months before the comparative seasons in the Western Calendar. The 24 solar terms are used to insert leap (intercalary) months in the Chinese calendar to keep it in sync with seasons.

** Note - The Lucky Money days formula are calculated with the Chinese calendar which begins on Feb 4th or 5th of each year, not Jan. 1st.