Seasonal Shift - Descending into Winter
Photo by Chirayu Sharma
Today has an intense energy and it’s not surprising that the U.S. election outcome was announced this day as well. Today marks the halfway point between the Fall Equinox and Winter Solstice for the Northern Hemisphere. Even though Winter Solstice is more than a month away, today is actually considered the beginning of winter according to the Lunisolar calendar. This calendar is used by agricultural societies to monitor the changes in seasons and weather patterns for optimal farming production. It is also used as a guiding timeline for healthy lifestyle choices and seasonal living.
Unlike the common belief that seasons change overnight, the Lunisolar calendar highlights the seasonal transitions and everyday small changes of the elements. It tracks the positioning of the sun by dividing the year into 24 segments called Solar Terms (also called Jie Qi and Zhong Qi). I personally call Solar Term days “energy pivots” because they are often powerful, synergizing and electric. They help identify the rhythm and timing for the year, either slowing down or speeding up. Solar Terms measure the gradual energetic changes from the deepest point of contraction in winter to the fullest expansion in summer.
The Winter Solstice does not represent the beginning of winter in this system; alternatively it represents the peak winter energy or the mid-point of winter. The seasons must rise and fall. We ascend to the top of the mountain peak in summertime and then descend to the bottom of the valley in wintertime. Today’s Solar Term activates the descending energy of winter towards the valley. We are currently descending to the point of ultimate contraction and introspection for the year.
Winter is associated with the Kidney and Urinary Bladder Meridians and the Water Element in Traditional Chinese Medicine and similarly the Root Chakra, which connects with the idea of foundation, security, and stability. The Kidney and Urinary Bladder Meridians house the emotion of fear, which shows up in times of survival and scarcity. This time of year encourages the most imaginative, creative and visionary forces as we fully let go, transition, and deep dive into the Water Element. Up until this point, we’ve been embraced by the Metal Element of Fall, which is more about gathering, sorting, and purging.
Like the cavernous depths of the ocean floor, the Water Element allows us to connect with our deepest emotional, mental, and physical needs. We can access the quietness in our hearts and heal the core of who we are. This gives us opportunity to release the things that no longer serve our highest good and make room for more abundance and growth in springtime. True transformation can occur if we let ourselves follow nature and live with the seasons.
SOLAR TERM DAYS 2020 TO 2021 (dates change yearly):
SPRING SHIFT
FEBRUARY 4 - Start of Spring / Spring season begins
FEBRUARY 19 - Rain Water / Rainfall increases
MARCH 5 - Insects Awaken / The animals wake from hibernation
MARCH 20 - Spring Equinox / Day and night are equally long (mid-point of Spring)
APRIL 4 - Pure Brightness / It is warm, bright and green everywhere
APRIL 19 - Grain Rain / Rainfall is helping the growth of grain crops
SUMMER SHIFT
MAY 5 - Start of Summer / Summer season begins
MAY 20 - Fullness of Grain / Kernels plump
JUNE 5 - Grains in Ear / Wheat grows ripe (beginning of busy farming season)
JUNE 21 - Summer Solstice / Longest daytime and shortest night of the year
JULY 6 - Slight Heat / The days are warming up
JULY 22 - Great Heat / The hottest time of year
AUTUMN SHIFT
AUGUST 7 - Start of Autumn / Autumn season begins
AUGUST 22 - The End of Heat / Heat hides and hot summer days are gone
SEPTEMBER 7 - White Dew / Dewdrops appear and cooler days arrive
SEPTEMBER 22 - Autumn Equinox / Day and night are equally long (mid-point of Autumn)
OCTOBER 8 - Cold Dew / Dew is very cold
OCTOBER 23 - Frost Descent / Frost appears and temperatures begin to drop
WINTER SHIFT
NOVEMBER 7 - Start of Winter / Winter season begins
NOVEMBER 22 - Light Snow / It begins to snow
DECEMBER 7 - Heavy Snow / It snows heavily
DECEMBER 21 - Winter Solstice / Shortest daytime and longest night of a year
JANUARY 6 - Lesser Cold / The days are getting colder
JANUARY 20 - Greater Cold / The coldest time of year
References:
Anonymous. (2020). 24 Solar Terms. Travel China Guide. Retrieved from https://www.travelchinaguide.com/intro/focus/solar-term.htm
Anonymous. (2020). 24 Solar Terms. Your Chinese Astrology. Retrieved from https://www.yourchineseastrology.com/calendar/24-solar-terms.htm