*** REPOSTED FOR S.H READERS experiencing this SOLAR TERM in NOV (updated May 2023) ***

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, could consider reading the 19th Solar term of ‘Beginning of Winter’ 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 solar calendar shifts gear into the first Fire governed animal sign of the Yin Fire Snake and Feng Shui energies adjust accordingly. May 7 also heralds the seventh solar term of Lixia 立夏 - 'Beginning of Summer', in the Chinese calendar system which commences 1½ months before comparative late Spring vibes in the Western Calendar. In the lunisolar calendar the fourth lunar month began under the New Moon on 1 May @ 10 Taurus. To the Ancient Chinese the month was simply known as 'Locust Tree' or 'Cherry blossom' month and depicted in paintings by the swallow and wisteria.

☼ 7th Solar Term :: Beginning of Summer (Lixia 立夏)

The sun, moon and stars were our ancestors' source of wisdom and each cosmic force was keyed into their calendar systems. Some cultures kept separate calendars for each luminary and some combined them like the Chinese lunisolar calendar. Chinese seasons begin at the midpoints between the solstices and equinoxes. May 7 is the 'Beginning of Summer' (Lixia 立夏), the 7th of 24 Solar Terms (using the lichun solar - sun aspects of the calendar) and ends on 20 May. Seasonal nodes last approximately a fortnight long hence the 24 divisions of time compared to the Gregorian 12 month system (see below for more info on solar terms).

The ‘Beginning of Summer’ is the first seasonal marker of Summer, Lixia means farewell to spring. The suns (solar) celestial longitude (apparent position on the ecliptic) is now at 45° in the skies, with the Big Dipper handle pointing to the South East. The nodal shift indicates that Spring has past and Summer dawns when nature begins to flourish. The earth has began to warm up and crops begin to rapidly grow. LiaXia marks the peak season of growth. It maybe summer but thunder and rain storms also increase, vital for growth.

Summer is elementally linked to the element of Fire which is linked to the ‘heart’ but in TCM the organ associated with 4th lunar month is the spleen (Earth). Solar terms are nature’s cues to abide by health guidelines, so nourishing the heart and protecting the spleen are suggested guidelines.

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 divisions is called ‘Louguo ming’ meaning ‘Mole Crickets Croon’ as crickets and frogs are hard to differentiate when croaking - some ancient texts say ‘Croaking green frogs’. The following manifestation is ‘Earthworms Emerge’ (Qiuyin chu) worms thrive in wet, moist and humid conditions. Ending the solar term with the final wuhou of ‘Snake Gourds Grow’ (Wanggua sheng). The Manifestations are a nod to *phenological cues that indicate that Summer is advancing.

🌐 MAY IN THE SOUTHERN HEMISPHERE

For those domicile in celestial Southern parts of the globe, we bid adieu to Autumn’s colourful display in May. For folks down under the opposing 19th Solar Term of Winter is Coming (li dong) will commence.

👥 CULTURAL CUSTOMS

Like every seasonal marker the Chinese use each of the 24 nodes as a cue to eat seasonally. The ‘Li Xia’ egg maybe the most noted of dietary customs for this seasonal marker. Eggs are soaked in a special brew consisting of black tea dust or walnut shells, which are then boiled until they turn dark red or brown. They are sometimes called ‘tea eggs’. It’s said that the shape of an egg represents the heart, which links in with the elemental link to Fire and summer. Everyone is encouraged to consume a red egg on ‘Li Xia’ to protect their heart and nourish their bodies.

The heart is said to liken a nest egg", so eating eggs when summer comes, the effect is to "rely on the heart". And "eating eggs and leaning on your heart" is a poetic line for Lixia customs - like eating bamboo shoots, leaning on your legs; eating beans, leaning on your eyes.

Children partake in Egg striking and egg-fighting competitions. Striking their rounded and pointed ends of their eggs to see which shell would crack first. And its a tradition to try three new things in Lia Xia.

In the Pagan calendar, May Day (1st) has just past. It’s also known as Witches New Year and Beltane in the N. Hemisphere. And it’s Samhain for my Southern hemisphere readers.

🌿 GARDENING

Note : follow are Insta channel for Weekly Lunar Almanac for your hemisphere.

When Luna changes Phase, it’s a gardener’s day of rest - for 12 hours either side of a change of moon/phase. So post eclipse vibes Taurus’ solid temperament, is considered advantageous for most planting and transplanting, especially root growth plants.

The moon shifts signs from semi-fertile earthy Taurus, it will strut on into the Barren air sign of Gemini. Farmers of old oft said ‘All fields should be weeded for three days in a row after ‘Li Xia - the current solar term) so if you’re trying to rid pesky weeds, it might be a good use of a barren sign.

May N.H OR November S.H - As it’s Snake month, you could try your hand at growing Snake gourds! They’re a summer vegetable that’s noted as one of the seasonal wu hou periods of time. Using a raised bed helps raise the soil temperature, as they need warm soil at nighttime temperature. Wait until temperatures are sustainable above 50° F throughout the night, to ensure successful results. Maybe try an established seedling as in NSW temps won’t start to rise till July, but if you’re in the N. Hemisphere follow the above conditions, or ideally wait till the end of this solar term in approx 15 days time (may 20th). Snake gourds have five delicate petal flowers and the white fringed flowers makes a pentagon. Just LOVVVVE this flowers’ symbolism for a dash of planetary magic pinging the Taurus Venus link again.

Deadhead germanium to encourage new flower-heads. While purple rain graces the streets in many burbs as Jacaranda Trees naturally sheds its purple flowers. By the end of this two week term, Wisteria is likely to be showing off as well. Noting the colour purple features heavily as the intro to summer.

In the veggie patch, Thinning out seedlings and re cropping fragile herbs like Basil and coriander planted up for Summer salads. Pop some chamomile in a sunny spot. Make sure you’ve shade options for midday sun for aforementioned fragile leafy crops like lettuce etc. as they droop in high temps. If you love Rosemary hedges and always miss the best window to start one, then now’s the time to pop some cuttings into soil. Astro mags or apothecary devotees should gather their hawthorn flowers for drying. Wait for a Fire or air sign for best drying results..

🐲 CHINESE ANIMALS

During the month of the Chinese Zodiacal Snake from 7 May; luck will be strongest for those born in the years of the Snake with the Rooster and Ox completing the compatibility trio. While those born in Monkey years find a soulmate energy with the serpent energies of the month. Tigers may Clash and find the month combative.

If you were born in years ending in a 6 or 8, according to the Chinese solar calendar then this month is your ‘Lu Cun’ month - lucky money month! Such days are said to bode well matters pertaining to money or take some calculated financial risks, which may help mitigate the aforementioned Locked period in a home.

As ever, check out our Feng shui consult pages for information about our services. And if you wish to receive early access to our unique East meets West - Daily Almanac series a week in advance, we are starting to pre release. ◘

“Living eye to eye with environmental wisdom ”

— FENG SHUi iSM

* 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.

ⓒ FENGSHUIISM 2023 - Originally written in 2018, updated in 2023