* reposted for S.H readers experiencing Autumn in February - UPDATED 2023 * 

* 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 1st Solar Term of ‘Beginning of Spring’ 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 observations below will follow Monkey Month.

Game of Thrones, may well have made famous the slogan “Winter is Coming”, but the Chinese Almanac (Tong Shu) can take credit for ‘Autumn is Coming’.

The cross quarter festival of Lughnasadh or Lughnasa kicked started the month on 1 August; marking the solar point between Solstice and the next Equinox. 7 August 2024 we’ll welcome the beginning of Monkey month; which every year indicates the Mid-Point of the Chinese Year. It’s followed five day later by a Full Moon Festival - The Hungry Ghost Festival.

☼ 13th Solar Term ‘Autumn Begins' (Li Qiú)

The 13th solar term* of ‘Li Qiú’ commences on the 7 August, known as the ‘Beginning of Autumn’. This solar node is the beginning of a new season; that of Autumn in the N. Hemisphere. When the sun’s (solar) celestial longitude - it’s apparent position on the ecliptic - is 135° in the sky, the unmistakable season of Autumn sparks Fall; when trees lose leaves forming an autumn carpet of leaves underfoot.

Chinese almanac system also further subdivides the Seasonal terms into more detailed increments of time, known as 72 Material Manifestations (wuhou). The first of the five day pentads is called ‘Liangfeng zhi ‘ Cool Winds Arrive. The cool change, blow winds via the South West. The second increment is called 'Bailu jiang’, meaning ‘White Dew Descends’ and final increment is ‘Hanchan ming’ translating to ‘Autumn Crickets Sing’. To the Chinese, Crickets are harbingers of good luck and they were often held captive in elaborate cages because when they sing they are said to activate luck. Dried hollow double gourds, a pumpkin like vegetable that’s seasonally available in Autumn, were oft used to house crickets.

The 13th solar term coincides with the beginning of Primate (Monkey) month every year, and it indicates the Mid-Point of the Chinese Year. We’re half way into the Year of the Yin Water Rabbit (2023). Chinese seasons begin at the midpoints between the solstices and equinoxes, which correspond with yin inter-cardinal positions on the Chinese Lopan. The transition point from the end of Summer, to beginning of Autumn on the Lopan, is the centre degree of Kun trigram (mother). The direction correlates to the South West (SW) which also correlates with Monkey’s position of SW3. The entire sector is known as the 'Gate of Cool winds' and the opposite direction of North East is known as the 'Gate of Burning Winds'. This axis in Feng Shui terms is an EARTH axis and often referred to as the ‘Gates of Mysteries’ or ‘The Devil's Pass’.

👥CULTURAL CUSTOMS

Covid-Kilos entered the lexicon of 2020 and it looks like it’s here to stay—both—kilos and Covid! With that in mind an interesting custom might take on a new light. Traditionally on the first day of this solar term - ‘Start of Autumn’, people often weigh themselves and compare their weight to when the term - ‘Start of Summer’ commenced. Weight loss during the Summer is a cue to flesh out by eating different kinds of food - especially meat. I think I speak for many, when I say thanks to Covid kilos, I’m honouring this specific culture custom to a ‘T’!

The former seasonal Node focused on Melons and the huge water content offering cooling properties. Now with greengrocers awash (or your own orchard) with an abundance of stone fruits it’s no surprise that eating peaches is common on the first day of the 13th seasonal marker; and it’s also uber significant over the last few years. If you followed my New Year folklore note then the custom —although not Asian in origin —is worthy of mention in current times. The folklore dictates that after eating a Peach, the stone should be kept until New Year's Eve and then thrown into the stove where it burns to ash. The belief is that it prevents and keeps plagues at bay for the whole year! Let’s hope the plague that’s plagued since 2020 will finally subside.

Running parallel to all things Solar is a highly significant Lunation. One of five Full Moon Festivals in the Chinese Calendar, it’s the Hungry Ghost Festival, marked with a swag of traditions. Read more via links.

🌐 IN THE SOUTHERN HEMISPHERE

A new phenological season is also commencing for folks in the S. Hemisphere who will of course feel more attuned to the 1st Solar term of the ‘Beginning of Spring’ (Li Chun). When the season of Spring is celebrated in the Northern Hemisphere, it coincides with the Feng Shui New Year (solar) which commences every year on the 4/5 February - which incidentally is NOT the same as the beginning of Chinese Lunar New Year. One seasonal node marks the beginning of a New Year — the opposing is the mid-point of the Chinese Year.

CELTIC & PAGAN CUSTOMS

At this time of Year in Pagan and Wiccan circles Lughnasadh — the Autumn harvest festival is unfurling for folks domicile in the Northern Hemisphere. While Imbolc, the beginning of Spring is celebrated in the Southern Hemisphere. More deets on each of the opposing markers via hyperlinks above.

🌿GARDENING

With food price surges many are taking a keen (or reluctant) interesting in growing your own food. The nodal switch to Autumn is especially important to farmers, with a noted shift toward yin vibes. In just six weeks time another Equinox will occur and Yin / Yang will balance with both poles equidistant from the sun.

It’s said that if it thunders on the day of the ‘Start of Autumn’, crops will fail in Winter. Or if it’s sunny on the day of the ‘Start of Autumn’, the weather will be favorable and crops thrive. If the northern wind blows before the ‘Start of Autumn’, it will probably rain afterwards. And should a Northern (NE) wind blow after the ‘Start of Autumn’, there will most probably be a Winter drought.

Gardening wise take note of the Lunar phase for the duration of this solar term. Loosely speaking for the next five or so days, Luna is increasing in light so planting and growing above ground root producing crops is favoured. After the Full moon the celestial night luminary shall be decreasing in light, so plant below ground crops. The zodiac sign will also hold significance for specific varieties and gardening tasks.

Luna also has many planetary aligned plants, one of which is Mugworth; which will now be displaying flowering tips ready for drying or astro magick. Hyssop is another herb with strong moon links and ideal for purification or spiritual cleansing work. In times past it was mentioned in scriptures that the herb was used to cleanse ‘holy places’.

Garden chores for peeps in the experiencing Autumn, sowing Parsley seeds in garden beds in the first week of - August (N.H), February S.H. Lovage seeds shall be naturally self seeding about now. Other timely gardening tasks include taking cuttings of Lavender, hyssop, rosemary and sage. And it’s Fruit season, especially delicate stone fruit (like the aforementioned Peach) so harvesting beckons. Clary sage seeds and roots will be ready for drying, as will Costmary, Flax and Dill seeds. Garlic bulbs will be ready for plucking from the earth and drying off - try aim for a fiery moon sign to ensure they keep longer and dry better. And finally, if ornamental flowers are your jam, then according to your month of birth, August is gladioli month.

NOTE: Chinese seasons commence 1½ months before the comparative seasons in the Western Calendar. Southern Hemisphere readers should read the opposing solar node, for gardening insights and tips.

🐵 MONKEY MONTH + FENG SHUI :: 7 Aug-8 Sept (released later to subscribers)

We’re testing a New Blog format. Our MONTHLY FORECASTS are now available as separate posts click pics below all the deets.

We hope you enjoy ‘Living eye to eye with this months Monkey wisdom’ ⧇

ⓒ FENG SHUi iSM Originally written in 2018 - updated 2023

* 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.