*** *** REPOSTED SEPT 2023 FOR SOUTHERN HEMISPHERE READERS EXPERIENCING SPRING ******
* Reader’s Note : The 24 solar terms are a ‘code of living’; assisting us in living in tandem with seasons and beating 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 in an opposing Hemisphere, could consider reading the 16th Solar term of Autumn Equinox (Qiu 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’ and ‘ZODIACAL ANIMAL’ observations below will remain unchanged.
For most folks the March (Vernal*) Equinox, has singular astronomical phenomenon; when the length of a day and night are said to be equal. To devotees of the Pagan Calendar, the equinoxes represent Mabon or Ostara festivals, held over a few days. And to the Ancient Asian forefathers of Chinese calendrical calculations, it also signaled more than a given day; it was the beginning of the fortnight long 4th Solar term commencing on 21 Mar 2023 @ 05:35am, Beijing.
And a New moon follows just hours afterward on 22 March @1:23am. And this lunation see the inserting of an intercalary (leap) month and an extended Rabbit month. The sun also enters a new astrological sign, kicking off the Aries season, the beginning of the Western Astrological Year.
☼ 4th SOLAR TERM - Spring Equinox (Chun Fen 春分)
No matter where you’re living on the globe, a cyclical seasonal change is occurring. 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 opposing. In the Chinese calendar, the ‘Spring Equinox’ - Chun fen 春分 correlates to the fourth seasonal node of the 24 traditional Chinese solar terms*, indicated by the sun’s celestial longitude of 0° and ends when it reaches 15°. ‘Fen’ means ‘seasonal equinox’ or mid spring moon. This is defined by the moment the sun crosses the celestial equator. To Westerner’s ears, not every solar term is so literal in name, with the previous solar term known as ‘The Waking of Insects’. This 4th Seasonal Node commences on 21 March 2023 and continues for the following 15 days.
We’re 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 the midpoint and the points of balance - are the Equinoxes.
Those domicile in the N.H know the visual phenological cues of Springtime will have commenced already. Deciphering when a season starts depends on which method is used to denote a season commencing– astronomical, meteorological or phenological. Note, if you follow the astronomical method of deciphering the Vernal (Spring) Equinox; important in the Gregorian calendar, it’s a single day marker used to determine Easter Sunday. Calculated as the first Sunday after the first full moon occurring on or after the Vernal Equinox.
The Chinese almanac system (Tong Shu) 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 divisions is called ‘ xuanniao zhi 玄鳥至’ meaning ‘Swallows Arrive’ which begins on the Vernal Equinox. In Celtic and Chinese circles alike, the tradition of bird watching was honoured on the morning of the Spring Equinox, watchers kept an eye out for the return of migrating birds and a feast was marked to celebrate the occasion. In times past the swallow was plentiful in China due to the city's traditional roof shape, which offered ideal nesting places. With the city of Beijing known as the ‘Capital city of Swallows’. Generally speaking, should a swallow nest in the eaves of your home, it's considered a lucky omen. Also seen as a weather barometer - If they fly low it meant to rain; flying high means good weather.
Chinese folklore refers to the migration of the swallow in Autumn, as the swallow being transformed into 'a mussel by the sea'. In Europe it was believed that they hibernated - some say under water. But in Ireland and Scotland it is oft regarded as the Devil’s bird. While in Ancient Greek mythology, the fork tailed messenger represented a departed soul specifically that of a God/ or Goddess who could transform into a swallow. The second wuhou was ‘Lei nai fasheng 雷乃發聲’ which translates to ‘Thunder Starts Resounding’. And the final five day increment is ‘Shi dian 始電’ which indicates ‘Beginning of Lightning’.
🌐 IN THE SOUTHERN HEMISPHERE
Autumnal indicators are visible in the Southern Hemisphere. To Aussie and NZ communities ‘Qiu Fen’ or the ‘Autumn Equinox’ the 16th solar term* will be upon us. Readers domicile in the S.H should also read that term for its insights. Regardless of your domicile, please note ‘FENG SHUI’ and ‘CHINESE MONTH’ and ‘ZODIACAL ANIMAL’ observations always remain unchanged.
👥CULTURAL CUSTOMS
It’s still the second lunar month which in Ancient Asian times was known as Apricot month, due to the preponderance of Apricot trees in full blossom. Cherry, apple and plum fruit trees are also in bloom at this time.
In Japan, the March Equinox Day is a public holiday and known as ‘Shunbun no Hi’. Many people in Japan are followers of a religion known as Shintoism - Marie Kondo is also a devout follower. The Shinto people were animistic, so they believed that every natural object possessed a spiritual force and worship nature in all forms. During Spring, trees and flowers thrive, so eventually the Vernal Equinox became the official day for celebrating the Shinto religion. A time when the famous Cherry blossom trees (sakura) in Japan are in bloom.
Every solar term has a Dietary customs. And avoiding spicy foods, dried foods and overly rich foods such as ginger duck and sesame chicken. Instead enrich your diet with Spring fodder like ‘green foods or Spring Vegetable’ that nourish the liver, such as mung bean sprouts, broccoli, edamame beans and cabbage. Eggs are also key to this solar term. A food for sure, although not referenced for consumption - it’s the ability to Balance an egg on this day, note aforementioned balance point of the Year.
It’s customary to send a picture of a Cow/Ox (with a farmer tilling) to households to express your good wishes for the coming season. it’s often the ‘Spring Ox picture’ as seen in Chinese Almanacs. It’s sent on a big red or yellow card with the solar term of Chun fen 春分 printed. The Line drawn Spring Ox hold a myriad of visual clues to the astrological agricultural forecast for the year ahead. The 2023 spring Ox image forecasts drought . . . . . (yes we predicted same in our Forecast, months prior, written in March 2022). Personally, Sprin Ox pic or not, I’d happily settle for the image of a cow any day. Anyone that follows my social media posts will know of my love of Bovine creatures, and I just love the excuse to partake in this tradition.
Chinese people also worship their ancestors by sweeping ancestors’ tombs on the Vernal Equinox. Before sweeping the tomb, descendants needed to hold a ceremony in the ancestral temple. In Japan too and many other Asian countries, ancestral places of rest are visited on this day.
☼ CROSS CULTURAL CUSTOMS
In Northern China the Sun God Taiyang Xingjun - is venerated; like all festivals is according to the Lunar calendar so, it’s 1st Feb in Lunar calendar (1st day of the 2nd Lunar New Moon). Worship the ‘sun at the altar’ in temples, where emperors venerated the Great Mong God (the Sun) on the vernal equinox.
Veneration of ancestor’s was also commonplace in ancient Ireland, my native homeland. It’s 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. More on Mabon/Ostara here .
🌿GARDENING
The garden is one of the few places of respite. Astro mags and avid gardener’s will no doubt be keen to establish herbal apothecary gardens to maintain a stock of nature’s first medicines during testy times. Avid gardener’s or newbies may simply wish to nourish their family, as supermarket shelves grow sparse with supplies.
Gardening wise, sow seeds like marigolds, nasturtiums and cornflower directly into the soil of their planned flowering position, ideally in full sun. Readers will recall the previous term’s insights into the protection magic of the humble marigold. While the nasturtium will aid in repelling aphids from destroying your crop. But more importantly small amounts of the edible peppery salad leaves of the nasturtium are loaded with Vit C - High potency Vit C has been reported by the Chinese doctors to be have shown promising results in the fight against Covid19. (Note we are not doctors, so if consuming do so with care, only eat small amounts and know with certainty how to correctly identify plants - consult a herbalist if unsure for quantity and identification info). Be sure to follow our Social Media pages for impromptu ALMANAC DAYS posts with planting by the moon sign and phase.
Stay safe this Equinox / Mabon / Ostara season ◘
It's an ideal time to conduct a space clearing. Should you need professional assistance with a cleansing ritual in your home or workspace, we are here to assist for local Sydneysiders. Check out the health benefits of our Sacred Space clearing or remote consultation via these links or call us for an obligation free chat, to see how we can help.
ⓒ 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.