Have you ever heard of a Tong Shu? No, it’s not a relation to Jimmy Choo - or anything to do with shoes for that matter. It’s a Chinese Almanac and farmers in particular, religiously reference it in much the same fashion that devout folk reference the bible.
Read more10th Solar Term + Summer Solstice
"Rising Sun" by Liu Kuo-Sung (1932) China
The term Solstice is ubiquitously observed among many cultures, but in the main it refers to a single day occurrence. However, when referring to the 10th Solar term - ‘Xia zhi’ - it’s approx. a 14 days period, collectively referred to as ‘Summer Solstice’ or ‘Great Heat’. From a Feng Shui perspective it’s one of the more significant 24 Solar terms. On June 21st. 2020 @ 1:31pm the day normally reserved for the single day observation of the Solstice the Sun enters the sign of Cancer.
On June 21st. 2020 the day normally reserved for the single day observation of the Solstice, coincides with a New Moon @0deg of Cancer and it’s an Annular Solar Eclipse to boot!
Read moreFeng Shui Winter Solstice and Hemispheres
The December Solstice, is known as the Winter Solstice in Northern Hemisphere; but since December is a Summer month in the Southern Hemisphere, 21 Dec is a Summer Solstice. As I currently live in Oz; the longest day of the year beckons. Both Solstices’ always reminds me of my Celtic homeland roots. I miss celebrating classic winter Yuletide vibes when the December Solstice occurs Down under - a warm Xmas is mind bending for this European!
Read moreMISTLETOE , DRUIDS, JUPITER & SATURN
Image credit Mistletoe by Loriental Photography
I’ve been musing…. and it’s led me to Mistletoe’s door. Are we entering the Age of Mistletoe or The Return of the Druids? Mistletoe, a little freeloading plant has remarkably synchronicities and on point themes that weaves a symbolic narrative of the prevailing astro weather. Even main stream media find the skies more inciting that Covid chitchat. Chatter of the Great Conjunction between Jupiter and Saturn, exact back on the December Solstice in 2020 was food for thought. Mistletoe musings unearthed some fascinating lore, far more interesting than stolen kisses, dare I say. And if we were living in bygone times the Xmas staple would be the Ancient’s secret weapon to this current health situation.
Read moreCHRISTMAS GIFT VOUCHERS
Sample gift voucher ⓒ FENG SHUi iSM
Seasonal Greetings to one and all.
This year especially, giving a gift with meaning seems even more appropriate. If you’re drawing a blank when it comes to choosing the perfect seasonal gift, then we've got an awesome suggestion. Give the gift that keeps on giving Sheng Qi - positive, prosperous abundant vibes.
Read moreCHRISTMAS FENG SHUI STYLE
Image credit unknown
A few years ago, I received this message. “Aiming to get rid of all the Red Christmas decorations this year; any wise advice?” Well, as it so happened I did, hence the genesis of this post. In 2020 we had covid cancel culture overshadow Xmas, while Yuletide 2021 just about slipped through with Insta worthy bedecked trees the benchmark for success. Chrimbo 2022 danced with a credit crunch, as a global energy crisis forces light shows aficionados who overload the grid, to thankfully reconsider the visual assault on everyone’s senses, and owner’s hip pockets. Xmas 2023 — tests inflation. Shopping malls may well be dripping with ubiquitous tinsel tinged displays . . . but has the “magic” that surrounds true Yuletide faded?
Read moreWitches Sabbath + Samhain + Beltaine
At sunset on Oct 31st, the transition point between two luminaries will exchange the baton from day to night. Forget midnight, it’s sunset that marks the close/ beginning of a Celtic day in their calendar. It’s Hallows Eve, (Halloween) a significant Celtic/Pagan festival marker and 1st of Nov. is Samhain. While those domicile in the S.H shall be celebrating Beltaine’s Eve, or as it’s more commonly known the Eve of May Day. To N.H folk it’s Celtic New Year’s Eve.
Both domiciles mark two major festivals or Witches Sabbaths; the beginning of Summer (S.H) and the beginning of the opposing season of Winter in the N. Hemisphere.
Read more17th Solar term : Cold Dew 2023
Golden season. Image by ck_ck.
A week has past since the full Moon Festival (Mid-Autumn Festival) that followed the Equinox. The 17th Solar Term of Cold Dew (Hanlu 寒露) gets under ways on 8 Oct., as does a New zodiacial month - Yang Water Dog month. Followed by the New Chinese lunar month, kick starting the 9th or Chrysanthemum month; as it was known to the Ancients.
Read more2023 Autumn Equinox (Qiu Fen) 16th Solar Term
16th solar term of ‘The Autumn Equinox’ (Qiu Fen). Image by #unknown
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.
Read moreGrooming Almanac
Reintroducing our Grooming Almanac.
And we’re offering this month for free, as a little taster.
Read moreSamhain + Beltaine + Witches Sabbath
At sunset tonight, the transition point between two luminaries exchanging the baton, and a Celtic day will come to a close. It’s the eve of a Celtic/Pagan festival marker. Known by many names - those domicile in the N.H will be celebrating Walpurgis Night, Beltaine’s Eve or as it’s more commonly known the Eve of May Day. To S.H folk it’s Celtic New Year’s Eve or Samhain’s Eve.
Both domiciles mark two of the major festivals or Witches Sabbaths; the beginning of Summer and the beginning of the opposing season of Winter.
Read moreSamhain + Beltaine + Hemispheres
Samhain and Beltaine are intrinsically linked due to their polarity, standing opposite on the Celtic wheel of the year dial. The Wheel of the year marks eight Festivals which observe a combination of; the sun’s path on the ecliptic, agricultural cues, religious veneration as well as pagan and seasonal changes. But we must beat to our circadian rhythm, and honour the season that unfolds before us, regardless of the ‘date’ linked with the Wheel of the Year.
Read moreMoon Lore | Full 满 (Man) Day
MOON LORE Series :: Wisdom from moon beams and the ancient Chinese Almanac for PERSONAL + BUILDING + GARDENING + GROOMING pursuits.
Heads Up for 11th Oct. 2018.
Heads Up for 11th October 2018
Today brings plentiful abundance for those that tap into the energies of a Full 满 (Man) day. According to the Chinese Almanac (Tong Shu) such fecund days brings rewards to those that seek something in return.
Read moreMoon Lore | COLD DEW + New Moon
Heads Up for 9th October 2018.
Find out what the new Moon in Libra holds in our MOON LORE Series :: Wisdom from moon beams and the ancient Chinese Almanac for PERSONAL + BUILDING + GARDENING + GROOMING pursuits.
Read moreGardening Moon Lore | Full 满 (Man) Day
Moon Lore series.
Welcome †o our regular posting on Moon Lore - Gardening and Grooming by the wisdom of moon beams and the ancient Chinese Almanac.
Read moreAUTUMN IS COMING
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’. Well, from a N. Hemisphere perspective at least.
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