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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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... -
Minor Heat
7 to 22 July
Drinking summer: the tradition of refreshing infusions (凉茶)
In the muggy South, summer is drunk standing, in one go: this is the culture of 凉茶 (liáng chá), the “cool teas” of the stalls with their ... -
Minor Heat
7 to 22 July
三伏 San Fu: summer, the season of moxibustion
At the heart of summer, China counts its heaviest days: the 三伏 (Sān Fú), attended for centuries by moxibustion, 艾灸 (ài jiǔ), the mugwort ... -
Minor Heat
7 to 22 July
Minor Heat (小暑): seeking gentle coolness
From 7 to 22 July, the Chinese solar calendar crosses Xiǎoshǔ, the Minor Heat. What the tradition observes in this breath, and how it inv...
