*** UPDATED Feb 2024 ***

* 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 13th Solar Term of ‘Beginning of Autumn’ 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.

Officially speaking the Year of the Dragon has commenced. The Feng Shui fraternity observes 4 February as the beginning of their Solar New Year; and this year it’s cause for double celebration. Behold a major cosmic state of change is occurring. We’ll bid adieu to 20-years of Earth elements transitional governance. Wood Dragon years always opens the door to a New Age — Now, Fire’s vigil begins till 2043. We bid farewell to Rabbits ’s reign as the Yang Wood Dragon year triggers the Lower 60-year ERA of a wider 180-year Great Cycle - The fiery Age of 9 is upon us.

Chinese calendar is Lunisolar, incorporating both Sun (solar) and Moon (lunar ) cycles. The SOLAR New Year commences when the first of 24 Solar Term called ‘Start of Spring’ (Li Chun 立春) is set in motion on 4 Feb 2024 @8:29am UTC (7:29pm AEDT, 12:29am PST).

☼ 1st SOLAR TERM - Start of Spring (Li Chun 立春)

February 4, 2024 — commences the 1st of the *24 solar terms. This new solar term/node kicks off a new Season; biding adieu to Winter and ushering in Spring in the N. Hemisphere. The Big Dipper points North East and the first seasonal node the ‘Beginning/Start of Spring’ (Li Chun) is denoted by the sun’s (solar) celestial longitude, it’s apparent position on the ecliptic of 315° in the sky. The Ancient Chinese called the first lunar month of the year; 'Start Month’ as it’s in tune to the nature of undertakings of the month ahead. Emphasis on ushering in the season of Spring is highly significant, as the fruits of your labour depends on a good start to the season.

The Lunar month was visually depicted in paints by the pairing of storks (crane) with a Pine tree. While the season of Spring, is oft depicted by swallows and Orchids. Depending on when the New Year falls, rituals and group celebrations various traditions may over lap with Lunar New Year Customs and traditions observation during the 15 day lunar observations of the Spring Festival. LUNAR New Year of the Yang Wood Dragon 甲⾠ begins on 10 Feb. 9:59am AEDT (9 Feb - 5:59pm New York & 10:59pm UTC) when the first New Moon of the Chinese Year commences.

Li Chun is first and foremost an Agricultural festival and all things fecund are on the minds of Farmers. SO much so the first day of Li Chun is called Farmer’s Day in ROC. And it’s customary to send a picture of an Ox ploughing /tilling a field during this two week festival marker. The first of the seasons buds appear with Orchids the favoured flower when decorating homes. The flush of pink and red plum blossoms are well established and are arranged in a pot and offered at sacrificial ceremonies to the Gods of the Land - Lord of Land or Land Master. Worshiping the Earth God (Tudi Gong) deity stems from ancient agricultural society, where land was held in high esteem due to Mother Nature’s earthly abundant gifts. However specific veneration happens on a specific lunar day; follow our Insta posts for details.

The 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 divisions is called ‘Dongfeng jiedong’ meaning ‘The East wind liberates from icy shackles’ in fact this is oft shown as a pattern/design with plum blossom over cracked ice to symbolize Spring. The following wuhou is ‘Zhechong shi zhen’ which translates to ‘Hibernating insects begin to stir’. And the final five day increment is ‘Yu shang bing’ which indicates ‘Fish rise up to the ice’ - ice fishing is a popular form of fishing.

🌐 IN THE SOUTHERN HEMISPHERE

A new pheonolgical season is also commencing for folks in the S. Hemisphere who will of course feel more attuned to the 13th Solar Term of the ‘Beginning of Autumn’. When Autumn is celebrated, it polarity pairing is Springtime - 1st seasonal node is the beginning of a new year — while the 13th node is the exact midpoint of the Chinese Year.

👥CULTURAL CUSTOMS

Note — if you’re reading this in the future from an opposing hemisphere i.e. August (Spring downunder) and not February when the New Year customs take place, then disregarded any Lunar NY customs below.

As Feb 4/5 is the exact midpoint between the Winter Solstice and the Spring Equinox. Customs vary, sometimes overlapping depending when SOLAR or LUNAR new year fall. In 2019 the Chinese Lunar New Year and the Solar New Year doubled up in a matter of hours on Feb. 4th; so lunar and solar customs crossed over. The Lunar New Year is more widely known and celebrations are marked with a host of daily traditions to welcome the New Year. This year (2024) the Solar New Year begins 4 Feb., before the first New moon of the Chinese year on 9/10 Feb — such years are known as ‘blind years’ with no ‘beginning of spring’ aka Li Chun in the Lunar calendar. The 15 day long Lunar customs and tradition when the Lantern festival occurs. Read more on the Lantern Festival here.

Therefore cultural customs are many at this time of year, some intertwined with New Year celebrations and moon rituals, others to do with the opening Solar term. Such as the dietary custom of picking young tea leaves for the first brew of Spring — a Solar custom. No matter which custom is observed Homes and businesses are hives of activity. De-cluttering and Spring cleaning likely happens pre the Lunar New Year, in preparation for the incoming energies. But if Li Chun occurs beforehand then cleaning and decluttering is especially high on the list, as “Start Month” sets the tone for a fresh new start.

LICHUN CUSTOMS

Food and festivals are natural bedfellow. So dietary wise one custom is especially popular. Eating Spring Pancakes Rolls, now you know where the name came from - the Chinese name is called chūnbǐng. Either deep fried or steamed pancakes with spring veggie fillings. Also food related but more skill based than culinary consumption is egg balancing - the art of Balancing an egg upright. . . the phenomenon is said to only happen on the day of LiChun.

There is a tradition that’s very popular in Singapore and some other Asian regions. LiChun has become an auspicious time of Year to deposit cash into bank accounts. This new tradition perhaps stems from a custom of starting a new Year debt free and paying off debts before the New Year begins. And ‘the like for like’ adage echoing the concept of starting off with a healthy bank balance will manifest in good fortune for the whole year.

✳︎ CELTIC & PAGAN CUSTOMS

This time of year marks Spring as the solar term title indicates, this is known as Imbolc for folks domicile in the Northern Hemisphere in February - and Lammas, the Autumn harvest celebrations in the Southern Hemisphere both festival markers in the Pagan Wheel of the year system. This year (2024) the Groundhog day predictions for the US and Canada, forbodes an early Spring. In Oz I’ve been observing the wooly bears (caterpillars) and it forebodes a hard winter — time will tell.

🌿GARDENING :: 4 Feb - 4 Mar (or mid Aug in S.H)

Note : Also refer to our Monthly Lunar Gardening Almanac🌱 for times, phases and signs in your hemisphere. Chinese seasons commence 1½ months before the comparative seasons in the Western Calendar.

February in the N.Hemi or Early-Mid August in S.Hemi — sees Spring blossoms first appear. The hardy Plum blossom, also known as the Three Friends of Winter, is the harbinger of Spring. Jasmine, magnolias, snowdrops and early cherry blooms will soon pop up everywhere followed by a carpet of Daffodils and Narcissus. Underneath the earth’s surface a hive of root and vital growing occurs. As farmers follow this calendar system it’s deemed the day a year’s work begins and ideas for planting. Sowing, watering and feeding are vital tasks for the diligent gardener. That said in colder climates where Winter can easily return, take care not to plant out tender cuttings or seedlings too soon.

Observing the Zodiac signs and lunar phases will also assist in choosing the ideal garden chore for the next two week increment - the length of each Solar Term. Luna is in the sign of Sagittarius (till 6 Feb 11:08pm AEDT) when she departs for Capricorn terrain on Tuesday. The waning moon’s union with the Saturn ruled Capricorn sign deemed ideal for butchery. Although a fecund sign, Luna’s phase nodes to weeding and clearing etc prefect for a big garden clean up before the Lunar new year starts.

The quality of soil, is vital to success. And what you sow, you will reap in the coming months. Prep new herb beds by digging and composting and mark in your diary to add lime to the beds six weeks later. Set up shelter to protect seedlings when transplanted.

If your Garden mint (a Venusian herb) ran wild last year, now’s the time to plant runners into rich moist soil. Garlic cloves are best set into the ground now, ready for it’s valued antiseptic qualities and wound healing, ripe in August/Sept. time. And it’s ideal to plant out rooted cuttings of Horseradish as well.

Should you fancy adding a medicinal herb to aid with migraines then sow some Feverfew under a glass cloche to protect from frosts. If astrological magic is your Jam then now’s the time to plant a Hawthorn tree, check our archived posts on the best positioning on your plot.

🐅 CHINESE ANIMALS + FENG SHUI :: 4 Feb - 4 Mar

Tiger month commences and New Feng shui cures should be in repositioned by 10 Feb. If you’ve had a full consult with us you can book an Update for Age of 9 & annual remedies. DM us here for a competitive quote.

Wherever you call home or wherever you’re domicile. We wish you a Happy, prosperous and abundantly successful Yang Wood Dragon 甲⾠ New Year ⧇

FOOT NOTES

* 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. Solar terms - encourages a harmonious relationship with nature and sustainable development.

¹ The Western calendar (Gregorian) was adopted for civic purposes in China in 1949. However the combined Chinese lunisolar calendar is still used to determine festivals and cultural customs. The calendar follows the exact astronomical position of the sun's longitude and the moon's phase. But in Feng Shui and in Four Pillars Chinese astrology, the Chinese solar calendar is used, not the Chinese lunar calendar.

ⓒ FENG SHUi iSM 2008, updated 2023