*** 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 12th Solar Term of ‘Major Heat’ 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.
Dragon’s Solar year draws to a close with the final 14 days of the final Solar Term of the year. The 24th Solar term of ‘Greater Cold' (dà hán) 大寒 commences on 20 Jan (7am AEDT), book ending the year on 3 Feb. While Western eyes were on 1 January marking a new beginning, Chinese Lunar New Year begins in 29 Jan 2025. Folks busily preserve and prepare foods for the impending Lunar Festival ahead.
🌞 24th Solar Term of ‘Greater Cold' (dà hán) 大寒
We’re edging toward the end of the 12th lunar month and halfway through Ox month in the Hsia calendar. It’s the 24th seasonal node — the final node in the 24 Solar Term system — occurs when the sun shift to 300° on the elliptic, commencing the final term of ‘Winter’, known as ‘Greater Cold' (dà hán). In the Georgian Calendar 2o Jan also marks the sun’s ingress into Aquarius. The 24th solar term lasts until 3 Feb 2024 (4 Feb @1:10am for AEDT) when Li Chun - the Spring festival, better known as a New Solar Year. By then both the Solar and Lunar New Year will have commenced the Yin Wood Snake reigns.
The seasonal nodal shift indicates a decrease in the yin year with the seed of yang gradually increasing. The cold, bitter, icy winds now reign and extreme cold and snow are upon us. The Chinese Solar calendar also further subdivides the Seasonal terms into more detailed increments of time, known as 72 Material Manifestations (wuhou).
The first five day increments is called 'Ji shi ru’ translates as ‘Hens Begin to Breed’, in time for the next seasonal node which begins the cycle of life again - Spring. In English folklore it’s said if a hen goes to roost at an usual time this presages a death in the owner’s family! Some say it’s an ill-omen bird with the ‘devil in it’ and such birds are oft put down. While others praise its phenology prowess, for should a group of hens gather on a mound and preen their feathers, this bodes for rainy weather ahead. The second Material Manifestation is ‘Zhiniao liji’ meaning ‘Birds of prey act fierce and swift’. And the final increment of ‘Greater Cold’ is ‘Shuize fujian’ which indicates that ‘Rivers and Lakes are frozen within’.
72 manifestations - Frozen lake bled by Smihael. Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 3.0
🌐 IN THE SOUTHERN HEMISPHERE
Approx a month ago the longest summer night has passed for folks Down Under but the hottest balmiest temps are still to come. Therefore folks in the S. Hemisphere will of course feel more attuned to the 12th Solar Term of ‘Greatest Heat. This term marks the final seasonal node of Summer. . . .
👥CULTURAL CUSTOMS
Retailers are cranking out supplies of New Year paraphernalia for the Eve of the Spring Festival. As this is the final month of Winter the last of the preserving and pickling is carried out in advance of the long festivities. Unlike the western calendar that assigns months with names; the China lunar months are assigned numbers, but in times past, lunar months had names and the 12th month was given the name of “Preserving Month’. And some ‘year-end sacrifices’ are also conducted.
The tradition of eating ‘dispelling cold cake’ still continues in Beijing today. A kind of Sticky rice cake, but main ingredient is copious amounts of sugar, which is said to warm the body. In Chinese the word for ‘rice cake’ has the same pronunciation as the words ‘higher in a new year’, therefore implying the cakes are symbolic of good luck.
The ubiquitous fried spring roll is traditionally consumed at this time of year, especially so in the Anhui province. Stuffed with meat or vegetables the flavor can be salty or sweet.
Each seasonal node is governed by an internal organ and this term falls under the rulership of the Liver. The dietary customs of eating foods to support this organ is encouraged, such as Mutton soup.
🌠 FENG SHUI & Chinese Zodiac
Still time for some annual adjustments prior to the Feng Shui New Year (in two weeks time 3/4 Feb.). The Grand Duke will remain in South East, shifting a few degrees in the Year of the Snake. Take note of your front door, master bedroom and other high occupancy room and see if they occupy this sector. Plan ahead for those building/renovating and avoid initial digging in this area. Identifying the prosperous annual energies is always important. Consultations for home or business and annual updates see links.
Lovely frosty morning . Everything tucked up under glass image via by Charlie McCormick (@mccormickcharlie) Instagram
🌿 SEASONAL GARDENING
Late January in the N.H ↔︎ July in S.H - Heavy frosts are still possible. On a fine Winter’s morning a dusting of frost makes a spectacular sight - but dreaded by the forgetful gardener who forgot to cover and fleece protect their crops. While underneath the fallen wet leaves, the stunning Christmas rose or ‘Hellebore’ and Violets adds a splash of colour to winter gardens. Snowdrops and tulips will soon rear their heads. If the weather is mild and conductive to planting out (check average last frost dates) then do so, or use the time to plan when it’s possible to transplant seedlings into the garden.
Some folks let their veggie patch lie fallow in winter, so prepping soil for spring is an ideal winter gardening activity. Add manures both green and animal and add any additions such as lime, fertiliser and minerals. The best time to tilt your soil is after a frost, as it breaks apart soil clods. Avoid tilting when soil is water logged and wet.
Another course of action in Winter months is storage and planning for the year ahead. In times past living from the store was common and eating ones preserved meats and foods was encouraged. British folklore suggests a mild January results in a Wintry February through to the end of May, which could result in poor crops. As food shortages, caused by Covid shipping shortages come to the fore (yes, we should all be getting locally be larger supermarkets still import). An in addition the shortage of staff due to global illness, see food producers to food suppliers delivery empty shelves. This year we could do worse than follow the way of the Solar Terms, and preserve what’s in abundance and start producing and eating our local produce.
For more S.Hemi Gardening - Refer to the opposing solar term for more seasonal gardening customs and insights.
Wherever you’re celebrating the current solar term - Enjoy it!
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“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 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.
I’m of the opinion the 24 solar terms are a ‘code of living’; assisting us in live in tandem with seasons and beating to our internal circadian rhythm.
