UPDATED 2024* 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 8th Solar Term of Lesser Fullness of Grain (Xiao Man) 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 ancient Chinese believed that we should live in harmony with the natural cycles of our environment. As folks in the N. Hemisphere inches ever closer to the darkest (yin) point of the year in less than a month, retreating indoors and staying warm in Winter is paramount. Nov. 22nd will kick start the next solar term of ‘Minor Snow’ (xiao xue).
Luna is now in her last quarter phase, in the 10th Lunar month. This Seasonal Node, also known as Lesser Snow heralds the Sun’s entrance into the western zodiacal sign of Sagittarius. The closing week of Pig month is primed to hand over the baton to the Rat on December 7th.
☼ 20th Solar Term ‘Minor Snow’ (xiao xue 小雪) till 7th Dec.
When the Sun’s celestial longitude - it’s apparent position on the ecliptic - reaches 210° in the sky the 20th solar term commences, ending when it reaches the longitude of 225°. Meteorologically speaking as the term suggests the seasonal node speaks to when we see the first dusting of snow and the chill of winter sets in. Night takes hold over daylight and folks retire earlier to stay warm. This year I’s seeing my social media feed awash with rare pic of snow in Paris and early snow falls in my motherland.
China’s footprint is vast, and winter doesn’t begin at the same time for all of China. The element of Yin Water in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) is associated with the kidneys, ears and feet. During the winter months it’s vital to nurture and nourish ones kidney Qi as it can easily be depleted. Symptoms such as tinnitus, ear balance and other water related illness may crop up. Honour the fundamental principles of winter through – rest, reflection and conserving energy. So it’s wise to take care of the aforementioned parts of the body like wearing a hat /ear muffs to keep ears warm and to minimize the emotions of fear and anxiety, which maybe heightened this month.
A nod to *phenological cues that indicate Winter is gaining ground can be seen in the 72 Manifestations. These subdivisions of time each last approx five days (pentad) and are known to the Chinese as wuhou. The first division in this solar term is called; ‘Rainbows Stay Hidden and Out of Sight ‘ (Hong cang bujian) the second is called ‘Heavenly Qi Ascends, Earthly Qi Descends’ (Tianqi shangteng, diqi xiajiang) and the final wuhou increment is called ‘All is Shut Up and Has Reached Its Wintry End’ ( Zhechong xianfu’ ).
🌐 IN THE SOUTHERN HEMISPHERE
Summer has arrived with a bang in the S. Hemisphere. Temps have escalated unseasonably quickly and no one is in any doubt that Summer is established, well and truly before its Gregorian calendar marker. Therefore folks down under will be more attuned to 8th Solar Term of Lesser Fullness of Grain (Xiao Man).
👥CULTURAL CUSTOMS
Thanksgiving in the U.S falls under this solar term. It’s a N. Hemisphere festival which originally began as a day of giving thanks for the blessing of the harvest of the preceding year.
A dietary custom for 'Minor Snow' is the eating of Daikon (an Asian radish) and small amounts of bitter greens and drinking nourishing soups - with one dietary caveat - to avoid eating ‘Spicy’ foods/soups.
🌿GARDENING :: 23rd Nov- 7th Dec
Note : Also refer to our social media for Weekend Wisdom posts with insights into current lunar phases and signs. The gardening tips below are for (late Autumn/Winter) season.
Gardening wise Luna is waning with the last quarter moon commencing on Sat 23.
Chinese Weather lore notes “if the sky is full of snow during Minor Snow, next year will be a harvest year’. The theory being the low temps kill nasties in the soil, thus making plants thrive and the snow also keeps soil warm!
Nov. in N.Hemi. (or May in S.Hemi. if reading for seasonal cues) - Some traditional garden tasks may include protecting and covering plants, especially parsley or chervil. Focusing on clearing and dead heading especially hydrangea is a worthy pursuit if frost is not an issue in your region. Pruning fruit trees is also key, choose a suitable moon phase, follow SM for lunar tips. Pop cuttings and trimmings in the compost heap. Try position compost heaps/bins in a warm winter sun spot to speed up the process. If you let your veggie patch lie fallow then prep your beds for early Spring crops. A green compost like Lupins, red clover or chickweed are ideal to set nitrogen into the soil.
As many folks will have harvested their veggies by now and the preserving process is common place at this time. Doing so under the best zodiacal sign with garner better results - that last longer. Or seed harvest in an appropriate air or fire sign as per almanac instructions. Sweet cicely and angelica seeds can be planted and covered with netting now. There is still time to plant winter veggies like Leeks, Boc choy and chives, but they are nearing the end of propagation from seed. Cauliflower, broccoli, peas and broad beans are other ideal winter veg with opportunities to plant out till August.
And for ornamental gardeners, bare root roses need planting at this time. Do take care of where you position your rose bushes, avoiding the entrance to your home is best Feng Shui practice. Lavender and cornflowers have a few more months to plant from seed. But carnations, foxgloves, hollyhocks and stock are nearing the end of their seed planting window by May 31st in temperate (Sydney) regions. Stay tuned for next month it will see a busy month for planting perennials.
For late May early June in N.H - refer to this opposing solar term for specific seasonal customs including Gardening insights ◘
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NOTES :: * 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.
