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The Great Cold Season marks the coldest weather of the year, the last among the 24 solar terms. So, when does the Great Cold Season start, what are its characteristics, and what does it signify?
Read on to understand more about the Great Cold Season and the recommended actions according to astrology and feng shui beliefs.
1. What is the Great Cold Season? When does it occur?
The Great Cold is the final solar term among the 24
Great Cold (‘great’ implying big, and ‘cold’ meaning chilly) refers to the coldest period in a year. It's also the last solar term in the cycle of 24 solar terms.
The Great Cold begins around January 20 or 21 and ends on February 3 or 4 in the Gregorian calendar. It follows the Lesser Cold and precedes the Beginning of Spring, marking the start of a new cycle. During the Great Cold, the sun is positioned at 300 degrees, farthest from the North Pole and closest to the South Pole.
Explore these functions:
- Convert Gregorian calendar to Lunar calendar
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2. What are the characteristics of the Great Cold Season?
What are the characteristics of the Great Cold Season?
During the Great Cold, the Northern Hemisphere is farthest from the sun, receiving the weakest heat and light. Coupled with the accumulated heat from previous months, the Great Cold has three main characteristics:
- Extremely low temperatures, the peak of extreme cold. The sky is nearly devoid of rain, with only chilling winds and frost, snow and ice.
- Overcast skies, no sunshine, short days and long nights. The weather is dry, cold, harsh, and severe.
- Life is on the verge of revival, plants prepare to sprout. Birds fly south to avoid the cold, gradually returning.
3. The significance of the Great Cold Season in feng shui
The Great Cold Season is suitable for weddings, construction of houses...
Following the Great Cold Season is the Beginning of Spring, heralding the approaching New Year. Hence, this is the time when people in East Asia prepare for the traditional Lunar New Year, suitable for business activities, trading, and shopping.
Additionally, the Great Cold Season corresponds to the Hexagram Lam in the Book of Changes. This hexagram signifies abundance of vitality, bringing luck, prosperity, and promising future.
The Great Cold Season often falls in the 12th lunar month (corresponding to the month of the Tiger). Therefore, according to astrology, those born during this period possess many positive traits. They are principled, orderly, virtuous, calm, and trustworthy individuals. This leads to wide career paths, successful careers, and favorable circumstances.
Furthermore, individuals whose elemental signs are Earth during this solar term encounter much luck in life. They enjoy good health, perseverance, determination to seize abundant opportunities and accumulate wealth. However, those whose elemental sign is Earth should be cautious to avoid stagnation and financial losses.
The Yang energy and vitality from the Great Cold Season resolve prolonged obstacles and disadvantages throughout the year. Therefore, those planning to build, marry, or undertake significant endeavors in the year but not in their auspicious years can choose this time to proceed.
4. Practices for nurturing vitality during the Great Cold Season
·Nurturing vitality during the Great Cold Season
The Great Cold Season marks the imminent revival of all things, yet remains extremely cold and harsh. Therefore, it's necessary to dress warmly, limit outdoor activities when temperatures drop. Engage in exercises such as qigong, yoga, walking, martial arts... Get enough sleep, drink enough water (warm water) to prevent illnesses such as colds, pneumonia, and bronchitis.
To maintain a healthy body, it's advisable to consume more kidney-nourishing foods. In traditional Chinese medicine, when feeling cold in the limbs, one can use deer antler, turtle shell (to nourish the kidney yang). For those who sweat profusely, feel mentally fatigued, ginseng, and red dates are recommended.
If experiencing pale complexion, insomnia, frequent dizziness, one can use dang gui, astragalus to nourish the body. For internal heat, flushed cheeks in the afternoon, one may nourish the kidney yin with cordyceps, American ginseng.
·Cultural Practices
Eating sticky rice during the Great Cold Season is a long-standing cultural tradition
In addition to nurturing vitality, folk traditions also preserve many cultural practices during the Great Cold Season. Among them, the most common and simple is the tradition of eating sticky rice (including layered sticky rice, square cakes, and square glutinous rice cakes). This type of food has a warming, sweet taste, nourishes the lungs, invigorates the spleen, nourishes blood, strengthens the spleen, and has a warm flavor. Not only does it provide nutrition, but it is also the best way to resist the freezing weather.
Chicken stew, herbal chicken soup were also popular dishes consumed during this period by ancient people. Not only are they delicious and nutritious, but they also help keep the body warm.
- For livestock farming, production
Farmers need to be cautious of weather-related losses. Careful observation of the environment, temperature, and proper sanitation measures to prevent diseases in poultry and livestock. Additionally, diligent care and proper sheltering facilitate favorable growth and development of crops.
In summary, the Great Cold Season marks the complete end of the 24 solar terms cycle in a year. It's essential to thoroughly understand this solar term to plan accordingly for work, health, and life.
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