Frost’s Descent, 23 October to 6 November
The journal
Knowledge
Seasons, herbs and the Chinese tradition: a plain letter, following the 24 breaths of the solar calendar.
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End of Heat
23 August to 7 September
Kudzu (葛根 Gé Gēn), root of the great heat
A conquering vine in summer, a giant root under the earth: kudzu (葛根 Gé Gēn) is a plant of stubbornness, from which China has for centuries drawn a silky starch and even a summer cloth.Read the article -
End of Heat
23 August to 7 September
End of Heat (处暑 Chǔshǔ): the withdrawal begins
Around 23 August, 处暑 (Chǔshǔ), the “End of Heat”, slides summer towards autumn: the nights turn cool, the withdrawal begins. In your cup,... -
Beginning of Autumn
8 to 22 August
The long end of summer: the Earth, the Spleen and the damp
Between summer and autumn, Chinese thought slips in a fifth season: the long end of summer (長夏 chángxià), time of Earth, of the sweet fla... -
Beginning of Autumn
8 to 22 August
The table at the end of summer: light, warm, at the hour of late-season damp
When August grows heavy, the table turns light and warm: clear broths, round aromatics, brief cooking. The dietetics of the late season c... -
Beginning of Autumn
8 to 22 August
Beginning of Autumn (立秋 Lìqiū): the discreet turning point
On 8 August, nothing changes and everything tips: this is 立秋 (Lìqiū), the beginning of the Chinese autumn, the most discreet turning poin... -
Major Heat
23 July to 7 August
Chrysanthemum (菊花 Jú Huā), flower of summer
A flower drunk as much as it is sung: the chrysanthemum (菊花 Jú Huā) runs through Chinese poetry as it does through its teapots. -
Major Heat
23 July to 7 August
Major Heat (大暑 Dàshǔ): the peak, the damp, the Earth opens
On 23 July, the Major Heat (大暑 Dàshǔ) carries summer to its peak, a moist peak in which Fire already tips towards Earth. For this thresho...
