*Reader’s Note : The 24 solar terms* are a ‘code of living’; assisting us to live 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 4th Solar term of Spring Equinox (Chun Fen) 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.
The Equinoxes work in pairs; marking the moment the Sun crosses the celestial equator – from North to South and vice versa at the time of the opposition. If you’re unfamiliar with Asian Solar Terms, then the word ‘Equinox’, may only hold a singular astrological date and meaning that’s done and dusted on one day. However, to devotees of Solar Terms, Qiu Fen 秋分 (Autumn Equinox), represents a two week long occurrence beginning on 23 Sept 14:52 Beijing and ends 7 Oct. The same period in the Pagan Calendar, represents ‘Mabon’ on the Celtic Wheel of the Year. While we remain in Rooster Month; in Western astrology the Sun enters the astrological sign of balance and checks, kicking off Libra season.
☼ 16th SOLAR TERM - Autumn Equinox (Qiu Fen 秋分)
To Asian communities ‘Qiu Fen’ or the ‘Autumn Equinox’ is the 16th solar term in the Hsia Calendar and commences on Sept 23 2023. Not every solar term is so literal in name to Westerner’s ears, with terms such as ‘Pure Brightness’ or the previous two week seasonal term called ‘White Dew’. This solar term is named the ‘Autumn Equinox’ and so begins a two week long seasonal node.
Chinese seasons BEGIN AT THE MIDPOINTS between the solstices and equinoxes; not the actual four points. To follow the Asian ethos it’s actually the second half of Autumn, and signifies the midpoint of Autumn. At Qiufen, the day and night are equally divided after this day direct sunlight moves to the south and night skies gradually grow longer. The sun’s (solar) celestial longitude - it’s apparent position on the ecliptic - is now 180° in the sky.
The Chinese almanac system also further subdivides the seasonal terms into more detailed increments of time, known as the 72 Material Manifestations (wuhou). The first of the five day pentad’s is called ‘Thunder Begins to Retract its Sound (Lei Shi Shou Sheng), followed by ‘Hibernating Insects Reinforce their Shelters’ (Zhi Chong Pei Hu ) and ending with ‘Water Begins to Dry Up’ (Shui Shi He). The Manifestations are a nod to *phenological cues that indicate Winter is approaching.
🌐 IN THE SOUTHERN HEMISPHERE
While Yin is contracting in the Northern half of the celestial sphere, Yang is growing in the Southern half. To many Southern indwellers nature’s Springtime cues will have commenced already. The Asian 4th solar term of Spring Equinox (Chun Fen 春分) will therefore be resonating for folks down under.
The first five day seasonal manifestations of ‘Chun Fen’ is ‘Swallows Arrive’ (xuan niao zhi 玄鳥至). I now live in the Southern Hemisphere, and I’m waiting on two migrating fork tailed song birds to circle my door looking for a suitable spot to build a nest, as they do every year. In Europe folklore notes that fortune favours households where the timid swallow builds its nest. A few years ago a pair of Egyptian native Ibis visited. According to Scott A. King an animal totem writer, the ibis bird symbolises sacredness. It’s linked to Thoth, a lunar God responsible for guarding the Moon Gates— they’re welcome back anytime!
👥CULTURAL CUSTOMS
We’re mid way through the zodiacal month of the Yin Metal Rooster and it’s the eight lunar month which to Ancient Asian folk was known as Osmanthus month, a native flower of to Eastern Asia, that normally blooms at this time. There’s even a Chinese term called ‘Guihuazheng’, which means ‘osmanthus mugginess’ as hot days and cool nights couple with the perfume from the flower is potent.
In TCM the season of Autumn relates to the Lungs and the eight month, to the kidney. Chinese herbs and various foods are consumed to protect the lungs and acupuncture is also popular in Autumn. Four animals in the Chinese zodiac system, relate to cardinal directions. These celestial animals represent two hour increments of time and 5-7pm (rooster hours) in the evening relates to the Autumn Equinox. (For folks reading this but experiencing Vernal Equinox, follow Rabbit hours (5-7am) as per the Spring Equinox post). These units of time are said to be ideal for the practice of Qigong or Taiji. If you’re not a devotee of either then use the time to exercise or meditate instead. At this time of the year (mid-autumn) the moon and earth are closest with the most powerful magnetic field for Qigong practitioners.
Traditional Asian customs include air drying paddy in Qifen. It’s also the best season to consume crab, with the boon of aiding the body to clear heat. Another culinary tradition includes the custom of eating Qiucai, a Chinese vegetable that grows in the wild and is akin to wild amaranth. It’s paired with fish to make a soup. Of course it’s harvest time and all manner of produce is ripe for the picking, especially olives, pears, papaya, chestnuts and beans.
A lesser known custom is sacrificing to the moon, which this year falls 29 Sept. In times past the first day of the two week long Qiu Fen (Autumn Equinox) was know as the festival ‘sacrificing to the moon’ and sacrificing to Sun at the Vernal Equinox. Naturally the prerequisite was a full moon to occur on the day - which can’t be guaranteed when following a solar calendar - so it’s more recently observed on the Mid Autumn festival that’s lunar based and occurs on the upcoming Full moon. An altar to the moon was the chosen place for the nighttime ceremony. If rituals aren’t your jam be sure to just take a moment and appreciate the Biggest and Brightest moon of the year!
☼ CELTIC & PAGAN CUSTOMS
In the Celtic/ Pagan Wheel of the Year, the season of Autumn reaches its apogee, marked by Mabon a mid point between Imbolc and Beltaine. While in the Southern Hemisphere, we will be celebrating the Spring Equinox also known as Ostara. Both points on the wheel mark equal share of- daylight and night darkness. Daylight is on the increase and conquers the dark in Ostara and visa versa in Mabon. This is equally so in the Chinese Calendar as we are at the balance point of Yin and Yang - the height of Yang is the longest day (Summer Solstice) and the height of Yin is the longest night (Winter Solstice), so we’re at the midpoint and the points of balance at the Equinoxes. For more details on the equinoctial points via a previous post here.
My native homeland - Ireland, is home to numerous megalithic passage tombs; passage graves consist of narrow passages made of large stones and one or multiple burial chambers covered in earth or stone built in the Neolithic Ages. On the mornings around the Spring and Autumn Equinoxes on Carnbane East at Loughcrew, the 5,000 year old Cairn celebrates the rising sun illuminating the passage and chamber of Cairn ‘T’. The sunlight is shaped by the stones of the entrance and sol’s light passes threw descending on the backstone, while moving from left to right illuminating a series of solar symbols.
🌿GARDENING
Note : Also refer to our Monthly Lunar Gardening Almanac (currently paused) for times, phases and signs in your hemisphere. Chinese seasons commence 1½ months before the comparative seasons in the Western Calendar.
Chrysanthemums . . . . . I just love a big blousy white chrysanthemum. I favour white especially as it’s a ‘metal’ colour and autumnal links elementally speaking. It’s one of the few flowering plants of Autumn that can survive a frost.
The multi petaled pompom bloom is a native of China and represents happiness, laughter and speaks to nobility and integrity. In Asian communities the yellow chrysanthemum is a symbol of joy and a wish for peaceful retirement, when depicted with nine quails. When it’s illustrated on scrolls with cicadas and grasshoppers, it implies a potential promotion.
Classed as one of the five most important flowers with links to feng shui- white magnolia, orchid, chrysanthemum, lotus and peony. It’s stoic and hardy reputation is revered in China and has long been hailed a longevity elixir. It’s petals can be used to make a soothing, herbal tea as well as flavoring wine. From a health perspective, Chrysanthemum tea is a remedy to remove heat from the body and contains anti-aging properties while calming the liver. And in folk magic such a tea infusion is said to cure drunkenness! The white puff ball versions are a great addition to a garden in need of a Metal remedy and it preforms double duty, acting as a protection plant.
If you missed a harvesting opportunity, fear not as they are easy propagated by a simple cutting. Best grown in an open, sunny position. They tend to prefer well-drained soil. Preferring a cool to mild climate and a spot where they are protected from wind.
We hope you enjoy marking the Equinox ‘Living eye to eye with this months Rooster wisdom’. Happy Equinox, Mabon / Ostara season ◘
ⓒ FENG SHUi iSM
Originally written in 2018 - updated Sept 2023, please respect my content and refrain from coping this material. I’ve had to pause publishing due to plagiarism.
* 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.
ⓒ FENG SHUi iSM