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For those who live in North Asia of Northern part of North America, they probably have just enjoyed the most beautiful season in the year with autumn red leaves in full display. Thise in Japan, Korea, Northern China and Canada are some of the most spectacular.
For this year, we will be entering the Winter Phase on November 7. It is “立冬” (Li Dong), where conditions of winter are essentially established. From then on the temperature will drop quite quickly.
Please fer to posting Character of Autumn for ome general characteristics of Autumn.
Winter covers 6 Minor Qi periods, i.e. 立冬，小雪，大雪，冬至，小寒，大寒 and will end on Feb 4, 2010.
Given 立冬 (Li Dong) is the transition phase between Autumn and Winter, the weather will be more erratic, and the body falls sick more easily as it tries to cope with the changes.
Just an early heads up on 2010. The Main force will be Strong Metal, supplimented by Strong Heat and Wind Wood. This will essentially put loads on the Lung, Heart and Liver systems. In that sense, the risk of epidemics like H1N1 is actually higher next Spring, as the Lung system will be more vulnerable.
That said, the Winter this year, which will be colder and probably wetter than average year, will reduce the body’s general positive Qi and therefore more susceptible to external elements. Keep yourselves very warm for those in the cold countries.
So what are some of the characteristics and key pointers of Winter phase?
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It is the crystalising/storing/recharging phase (藏 “cang”),
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Yang Qi (vitality energy) needs to be conserved and recharged in the deep of Winter,
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Seeds of new lives have been formed and awaiting the coming Spring to grow,
In modern society, most people no longer observe these rules of the nature. Girls wear super short skirts, men drink till the small hours, everything against the very rules of Winter.
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Winter is represented by water and the color black.
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While water is cold in winter, for water to possess life, it has got to have Yang Qi in it. Therefore in the Book of Change (易经, “yi Jing”), the symbol for water is a Yang element sandwich between 2 Yin elements.
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With the Yang energy in the middle, this water is able to rise (otherwise it is dead water).
The Yang Qi, which needs to be nourished over the winter in the deep of the earth, will start to rise after 冬至 (“dong-zhi”, Winter Solstice, Dec 22, 2009), though the temperature will still continue to drop until February.
Do not disturb the Yang Qi too much during this conservation period. It is similar to waking up somebody in the deep of his sleep.
“stay tune, to be continued….”
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Already turned much colder in Japan today. Cold winds.
Over here, it’s super humid & rainy. Perspire easily & skin gets rashes & itchy again.
Ch,
It will be colder and wetter this winter.
Will be going to Shanghai & it’s vicinity during Christmas season, hope it will not be colder this yr.
Hmm … Tomorrow will be 8 degree colder than today, and then stays the same for 3 days. But further Saturday will be 5 degree colder than Friday. That will be a drop of more than 10 degree within a week. Already felt a colder and wetter autumn this year. Looks like this winter is on track for colder months than last year. The calendar is pretty accurate on season change.
Why next year is again a very heaty year? It seems 3 straight years xy2 mention about heat.
xy2, colder and wetter means the influenza virus may not be so active?
It is usually cold and dry most winters here.
Lesser elements like virus thrive better in wetter environment.
Take good care, keep warm in cold countries and drinks warm water regularly.
Thanks xy2.
I’ll look at it another way, more viruses, more business for doctors then.
Of course don’t wish for any deadly virus, just the ones that cause a bit of a nuisance and send you to the doctors and get you a few days off work!
This writing about the oriental philosophy pushed me into a status of “numb” for a while.
However, your writing displays a good combination of the Oriental philosopy and the scientific knolwedge, and it makes the writing flow as smooth as a small stream of water in deep, quiet mountains. But, it also makes your writing as insightful as Einstein as it is supported by the philosophical insights of the East.
I particularly liked the following part, and think it is quite truthful: “In modern society, most people no longer observe these rules of the nature. Girls wear super short skirts, men drink till the small hours, everything against the very rules of Winter.”
I will come back soon.
At formal parties, men wear smartly, clad from neck to toe, only exposing their heads & hands. Women expose themselves as much as possible with minimum coverage over private parts. They are putting their health at risk for the sake of society’s wants?
I often wonder, how the women do that, coz I would bring along an extra covering if I wear sleeveless to an aircon room.
There is a Chinese expression :
“… 情人眼里出西施…”
Meaning the beholder is much at fault.
So the exposure itself is actually no the real issue.
Remember the Sixth Patriah’s enlightment:
“… 不是风动，不是幡动，仁者心动…”, ie,
“… It is not the wind that moves, nor the flag that moves, it is the beholder’s heart that moves…”
Have fun.