Your MOON LORE :: PERSONAL + BUILDING + GARDENING + GROOMING for 23rd October 2018.

Frost Descends (Shuang Jiang 霜降)

As the Northern Hemisphere prepares for the Yin part of their year the Southern Hemisphere inches closer to the Yang season of summer. Today, marks the beginning of Scorpio, when the sun returns to the cold, moist, yin and semi fertile sign in the western Zodiac. Which correlates to the start of 18th Solar Term - Frost Descends (Shuang Jiang 霜降) seasonal node in the Chinese Solar Lunar Calendar. In the Northern Hemisphere, it marks the last two weeks of Autumn before the next seasonal node begins, signalling Winter. Days are shorter, clocks will FALL back shortly and the winter sun starts to set much earlier. With morning scenes capturing the transient sprinkling of frost that dusts garden foliage.

The Descend of Frosty autumn conditions see people eating persimmons, which is said to prevent lips cracking. Eating Apples during this period is also encouraged, as the Western proverb goes, "An apple a day keeps the doctor away." And eating chestnuts in this two week period is said to be beneficial for one's health. The warm sweet flavour is nourishing for the spleen and stomach, invigorating the circulation of blood, relieving coughs. But since it’s the 1st day of the seasonal node - Frost Descends it's customary to dine on duck tonight.

While it’s interesting to note the opposing 6th Solar term Grain Rain (Gu Yu) correlates more to the climate in the Southern Hemisphere when it’s warm and bright, days are stretching and rainfall is helpful to grain! But regardless of hemisphere, Scorpio season also begins today and Halloween is just around the corner, which reminds me of Chestnuts. But if you're not keen on roasted chestnuts then you might remember playing conkers - Anyone else remember this autumn pursuit? Conkers are also known as Buckeye - and anything resembling an eye is said to be credited with magical powers . . .

🌕 CHINESE ALMANAC

No matter your location it’s a Full 满 (Man) day in the Tong Shu, which brings plentiful abundance for those that tap into the daily energies and brings fecund rewards to those that seek something in return. A host of activities are encouraged to support abundance.

👥 PERSONAL

The fruitful and auspicious vibe makes it ideal for moving house, signing contracts of any nature, opening a business or travel. The day bring good tidings should you find yourself walking down the aisle or if you’re planning a proposal - then grin a little brighter as you’ve chosen a stellar day for marriage and engagements.

And if you’re taking time out to honour your chosen god/deity or celebrating the universes abundance - whichever rocks your boat - the moon is free of VoC all day long, for any rituals you maybe planning.

On the other hand if you’re a keen baker, then the day will deliver optimum results with your dry baked goods. Dehydrating fruits or your harvested produce will also benefit from the moons transit through the hot, dry, fire sign of Aries.

🌿GARDENING

The waxing Gibbous moon is in Fixed Aries and ploughing, tilling and cultivating is encouraged. Classified as a hot, dry, fire sign this Semi Barren sign is ideal for harvesting roots, intended for seed - like potatoes. Harvesting on this waxing moon is especially beneficial for seeds heads, as Aries is related to the Head. Seeds will be quick to germinate, so use for an early crop of garden produce.

If you’re in the S. Hemisphere then warm fecund conditions are ideal for planting onions and beets. Onions are a sacred plant associated with Aries and the planet Mars.

🏡 BUILDING

Renovations and installing equipment all have the green light today and if you have a paint brush in hand then you’re on point with the Aries energies. The hot dry sign is the No.1 moon sign for painting the home, maybe avoid ceilings as they are overhead since the sign rules the head.

✂️ GROOMING

Get yourself down to the Salon if you’re keen to encourage your straight locks to curls as the Aries Ram moon, might see you with some enviable corkscrew curls on this FULL day.

Enjoy your day and the next increment of seasonal nodes.