*** archived post - published for S.H readers 2023 ***

* Reader’s Note : The Ancient Chinese knew nothing of the Southern Hemisphere when making their astrological calculations. The 24 solar terms are fundamentally a ‘code of living’; assisting us in living in tandem with seasons and beating to our internal circadian rhythm. Therefore, anyone experiencing the opposite season (Summer in Dec.) in an opposing Hemisphere, may enjoy reading the -22nd Solar Term ‘Winter Solstice’- for its cultural customs, gardening, dietary suggestions and climate cues. However, regardless of your domicile, please note any ‘FENG SHUI’ and ‘CHINESE MONTH’ and ‘ZODIACAL ANIMAL’ and moon phase observations at the time of writing, will remain unchanged.

The term Solstice is ubiquitously observed among many cultures; typically referring to a single day occurrence. However, when referring to the 10th Solar Term - ‘Xia zhi’ - it’s approx. a 14 days period, collectively referred to as ‘Summer Solstice’ or ‘Great Heat’. From a Feng Shui perspective it’s one of the more significant 24 Solar terms. On 21 June (2022) the day is normally reserved for the single day observation of the Solstice and also marks Sol annual shift into the sign of Cancer.

SOLSTICES FROM A FENG SHUI PERSPECTIVE

Feng shui consultants, use the solar aspect of the Chinese luni-solar calendar. The calendar charts numerous cycles of time in various increments. One cycle divides the year into 24 seasonal markers – two markers per month – indicated by the sun’s position on the ecliptic. The origin of the Chinese luni-solar Calendar was to mark the interplay of the two opposing yet complementary forces of yin and yang energies - a philosophy of balance in the cosmos. After the Dec. ‘Winter Solstice’, daytime light – the sun (the male and Yang energy), will grow increasingly longer – the yang sun energy grows, in the deep dark yin winter night. The June ‘Summer Solstice’ changes again with the yang (day) waning and the Yin (night) waxing. To the Chinese, Solstices’ are a culmination marker and not the beginning of a season.

The solstice markers are significant to Feng Shui, especially Flying Star Feng consultants, as it indicates a shift in energies– should we need to calculate a Daily Flying star chart. A buildings energy map for a built structure uses permanent, monthly and annual stars to calculate the chart for a building. But Daily Stars (energies) are generally used less frequently, as it’s such a brief energy. The two Solstice’ markers influence how to calculate the daily stars fluctuating directional energies; mirroring the phenomenon of Yin and Yang - waxing and waning naturally occurring at this time. The daily stars number sequence progresses in reverse order on the Lo shu, at the beginning of the Summer Solstice, with a specific fixed digit always assigned to the Central Palace.

🌕 10th Solar Term - ‘Summer Solstice’ (Xia zhi - 夏至 )

This midsummer Node, is the fourth and final seasonal indicator of Summer observed in the N. Hemisphere. To the Chinese, Solstices’ are culmination markers and not the beginning of seasons. During ‘Summer Solstice’ the sun’s (solar) celestial longitude, i.e it’s apparent position on the ecliptic, is at 90° in the sky.

As far back as 724 BC, the ancient Chinese astronomer Yixing began observing astronomical observations such as the North Celestial Pole, and using a early form of sundial he first determined - the two solstice’s and equinox’s pairings - just four of the 24 solar terms.

The instrument was known as a ‘gnomon’ (圭表 guibiao) - vertical rod/stone pillars inserted into the earth and used to observe the sun's meridian altitude by way of measuring the length of the shadow to determine four seasons. And later the 24 seasonal nodes.

Later in the 13th Century AD., Guo Shou Jing, a Chinese astronomer, engineer and mathematician built the towering Dengfeng Observatory. Standing at 9.46 meters tall it is in essence a giant gnomon, with a ‘sky ruler’ (shigui ) built on the ground to measure the length of the shadow. The precision of its measurements is within 2 millimeters accuracy! At the all important Winter Solstice, the shadow exactly (just off by 2mm) as long as the ‘sky ruler’. The key function of the ‘guibiao’ was to identify the date of the ‘Winter Solstice’ and confirm the number of days of a tropical year.

This current Summer Solstice nodal shift indicates the most yang energies and the seeding of Yin energies. Yang being sunlight, it’s obvious then that daylight reigns; however the hottest temps are up to a month later. In the most northern parts of China, daylight can last up to 17 hours.

The Chinese almanac system also further subdivided the Seasonal terms into more detailed increments of time, known as 72 Material Manifestations (wuhou). The first of the five day divisions is called 'Lujiao jie' which translates to 'Deer Shed Their Horns '. Antlers are found in members of the deer family, generally found only on males, with the exception of the reindeer. Deer grow and naturally shed their antlers each year.

The second five day increments is called 'Tiao shi ming' which translates to - Cicadas Begin to Sing. It's the male insect that belts out the high decibel sound to attract a mate in the high temps of summer. Cicada have a deeply symbolic mean in Chinese Culture, symbolizing rebirth and immortality. In ancient China jade sculptures of cicadas were placed in the mouths of the deceased for burial. The amulet a symbolic aid in reincarnation - akin to cicada nymphs emerging from the ground, after long periods of dormancy - up to 13 -17 years in some cases, and shed their exoskeleton.

🌐 IN THE SOUTHERN HEMISPHERE

The North heralds the zenith of the Sun while the South bids it adieu in favour of the longest night. For folks Down Under the June Solstice, marks the ‘Winter Solstice’ - settling for Xmas in July celebrations in lieu of Yuletide. Therefore folks in the S. Hemisphere will of course feel in sync with the 22nd Solar Term of ‘Dong Zhi’ known as the ‘Winter Solstice’ bringing the shortest daytime and longest night-time skies.

👥CULTURAL CUSTOMS

Midsummer’s Eve is packed with tradition. And China is no exception. In ancient times Solstices’ were celebrated by way of festivals the world over and in the Song Dynasty it was a three day affair. The now ubiquitous Chinese fan, was traditionally presented with sachets of seasonal flowers, to aid with pesky mosquitoes.

The word Solstice means ‘sun’ + stit- ‘stopped, stationary’. And an amazing phenomenon is seen in Hani, Southwest China where at time of the Solstice, the sun’s shift can be visually observed, a term coined as “upright pole with shadows”. Check out this amazing image that illustrates the point! Courtesy of Photo/VCG]

Dietary customs are well known in China and no matter which Solstice governs the day, noodles are always on the menu.

Spain maybe famous for the siesta but there is a custom that Chinese TCM practitioners encourage during the Summer Solstice ‘fortnight’. It’s recommended to take a brief 1/2 hr nap during ‘Wu’ hours - 11-1pm, which cover midday when yang sun is at its highest, in order to adjust our bodies to the change in Yang to Yin conditions. Doctors orders - a nap at lunchtime it is then! (Perfect for peeps Down Under reading this in December and celebrating Xmas during the 10th solar term. A snooze under a shady tree post festive food coma sounds perfectly apt.)

In Celtic circles the Wheel of the Year was observed, which is essentially a sun clock, with the eight wheel spokes pointing to seasonal markers. Ireland’s iconic Celtic crosses offer great visual references and insights – especially Dunleek Celtic cross. A 9Cth stone carved cross, with it’s highly decorated East facing panel displaying seven raised spirals in the centre. They are believed to represent the dance of heavenly bodies around the sun, long before Copernicus put forward his heliocentric theory. All the spheres revolve about the sun, indicating their advanced knowledge, that the sun is the center of the universe. At the time it was believe there was only five planets, plus the sun and the moon.

Except for a few days around the time of the Solstices’, the Sun rises and sets in different positions along the horizon. The Earth orbits counter-clockwise around the Sun as viewed from the North Pole - the motion is measured from the ecliptic, illustrating the perspective of the sun's annual orbit as viewed from earth. Newsflash, the sun doesn’t always rise ‘True East’ or set ‘True West ‘ every day. It’s worth noting also that on the Summer Solstice, we also have the longest sunset.

🌿GARDENING :: June N.Hemi ↔ Dec. S.Hemi

Since Solstices’ are all about solar energies, I’ve decided to focus on plants planetary correspondence to the Sun. There are few plants capable of tandem planting in opposing hemispheres, but the Marigold is one. Well at least if you live in warm and humid regions in Oz, it gets the thumbs up all year round. And in temperate N. Hemisphere it’s oft seen both in flower beds and veggie gardens during the summer months. It’s a herbalists go to for comforting the heart and soothing the spirit.

Worth mentioning too is ‘St. John's wort’, a perfect embodiment of the Solar Force and apparently it’s a cinch to grow, but its namesake is also of interest. As around the time of Midsummer’s Day (24th June) when the Solar forces are at their highest, the plant comes into bloom. Midsummer’s Day is also John the Baptist feast day in Eastern Orthodox and Roman Catholic circles, but more commonly called St. John’s Eve, June 23rd. ‘Wort’ also means Medicinal herb in Anglo-Saxon times. Known by many herbalist folk, its medicinal notoriety is legendary. And in spiritual circles the humble plant was commonly associated with the fairies. If gathered on Midsummer’s and worn, it’s said to quell an anxious and overly stimulated mental mind. While harvesting the flower on Midsummer’s Eve, was said to bolster your chances falling pregnant and have a bub by the same time next year. But picking before dew dried upon the petals, would aid in wedlock. The plant is also dried over the Midsummer’s bonfire, and then hung in homes to keep wandering malefic spirits at bay when the portals veils are thin. In times past the vibrant yellow flower was also used as a natural plant dye.

Wise gardeners may know to spreading ashes on Hydrangea plants to change the Ph of the soil and thus change it’s the colour of it’s bloom. But ash from ritual fires especially that of the Midsummer bonfires, are especially favoured to spread over crops to ensure a good harvest. Rosemary is another plant also aligned with the Sun and I’ve written about this fantastic plant in previous posts. And Mistletoe, a new addition to the plant lore archives.

For June gardening in S.Hemi - refer to the opposing 22nd solar term for specific seasonal customs including Gardening insights.

Wherever you’re domicile, Happy Solstice ⧇

“Living eye to eye with environmental wisdom ”

— FENG SHUi iSM

*Note :: Did you know that the Chinese 24 Solar terms were listed in UNESCO’s list of Intangible Cultural Heritage back in 2016?

Personally, I see nothing intangible about them, nonetheless I’m delighted to see they’re recognized and preserved for future generations. Chinese Solar terms (jieqi) first appeared in historical records around 1600-1046 BC. As the author of ‘The Book of Time’ - which is sadly only available in Chinese - says the Solar Terms ‘reflect how the lives of ancient Chinese were closely tied to seasonal natural phenomena. By watching this natural phenomena they were able to come up with a system for regulating their lives’.

* 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.

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.

ⓒ FENG SHUi iSM - written originally in 2018 and amended in 2023