Gui Chou (癸丑) Spring Equinox Snow
By Su Shi (苏轼)
The snow is rare after the Spring Equinox, with half-blooming peach and plum trees not fully showing their might.
One should be ashamed that the fallen plum blossoms are recognized, yet they drift like willow catkins in the sky.
Not distinguishing the Eastern Lord’s seasonal essence, thus the new craft releases the Yin mechanism.
From now on, creation is even harder to predict; warmth must be retained with winter clothing.
Today marks the Spring Equinox, one of the twenty-four solar terms.
“The Spring Equinox is when Yin and Yang are equal, hence day and night are balanced, and cold and heat are moderate.”
According to the lunar calendar, “The Dipper points to Ren (壬) for the Spring Equinox, approximately traversing the celestial sphere, where the day and night are equally divided in the northern and southern hemispheres, and it is also the midpoint of spring, hence named Spring Equinox.”
For philosophy-loving Chinese, the Spring Equinox signifies the return to the origin of time and space, marking the true arrival of spring.
In ancient times, the Spring Equinox was divided into three phases: First, the black crow arrives; second, thunder begins to sound; third, the first lightning strikes.
This indicates that after the Spring Equinox, swallows return from the south, and when it rains, thunder and lightning will occur in the sky.
“At the Spring Equinox, wheat begins to sprout, a moment is worth a thousand gold coins,” indicating that after the Spring Equinox, the climate is mild, rainfall is abundant, and sunlight is bright, marking the beginning of the spring growth phase for winter crops.
Spring Health Preservation: The Importance of Yin-Yang Balance
1. Avoid Reducing Clothing Too Early
In spring, it is advisable to rise early, engage in outdoor activities, and stretch the body to enhance daily energy. Special attention should be paid to keeping warm, nurturing Yang and conserving Yin.
Due to the early spring weather’s characteristic of “sudden cold and sudden warmth, changing three times a day,” clothing should not be abruptly reduced. Removing winter clothing too early can easily lead to cold injuries to the lungs, causing respiratory diseases.
Pay attention to keeping the lower limbs and feet warm; it is best to maintain a slightly sweating state to help dispel the cold that has been lurking in the body during winter.
2. Exercise for Good Spirits
The plan for the year is made in spring; spring is thebest season for investing in physical health.Exercising more in spring will enhance immunity and disease resistance, reducing the incidence of flu and other diseases throughout the year, and keeping the mind sharp and less fatigued.
People can choose outdoor activities based on their age and physical condition, such as Tai Chi, jogging, flying kites, and spring outings.
However, it is essential to exercise moderately and avoid excessive intensity that leads to profuse sweating, as excessive sweating can result in significant loss of body fluids, harming the body’s righteous Qi.
3. Preventing Spring Fatigue and Illness
Spring is warm and sunny, yet many feel drowsy. Fatigue, dizziness, and sleepiness in the morning are common phenomena known as “spring fatigue.”
Spring fatigue does not require more sleep; rather, it is due to seasonal differences in internal circulation. As the weather warms in spring, skin blood vessels dilate, enhancing circulatory system function, increasing blood supply to the skin’s capillaries, and increasing sweat secretion. This adds to the load on various organs, resulting in relatively less blood supply to the brain, leading to feelings of fatigue and drowsiness.
So how can we alleviate and prevent spring fatigue?
First, ensure adequate sleep, going to bed early and rising early, overcoming negative and lazy thoughts; second, actively participate in exercise and outdoor activities to improve blood circulation; third, appropriately increase nutrition.
Additionally, spring is warm and windy, making it ideal for bacteria and viruses to thrive, leading to illnesses such as flu, pneumonia, and bronchitis. Therefore, it is crucial to maintain hygiene, wash and sun-dry clothes and bedding, eliminate pests, ventilate rooms, and enhance defense capabilities. During outbreaks, avoid public places to prevent infection.
Diet: Yin-Yang Complementation, Nourishing the Spleen and Protecting the Liver
Spring health preservation should align with the characteristics of spring’s Yang energy rising and all things beginning to grow, gradually transitioning from “nourishing Yin in autumn and winter” to “nourishing Yang in spring and summer,” with a focus on protecting Yang energy.
On the Spring Equinox, a day of equal day and night, and balanced Yin and Yang, dietary choices must also emphasize Yin-Yang complementation, with nourishing the spleen and protecting the liver being key points of health preservation during this phase.
Pay attention to fresh foods, supplementing vitamins and minerals
Confucius said: “Eat according to the season.” Each season has seasonal vegetables that grow in accordance with its climatic conditions, rich in nutrients, such as leeks for nourishing Yang, and bean sprouts and garlic sprouts for promoting vitality.
In the vibrant spring, one should eat more fresh fruits and vegetables, and appropriately add coarse grains like corn, wheat, and black rice to the diet, supplementing with multivitamins if necessary.
When cooking cold foods like fish, shrimp, and crabs, use warming ingredients like scallions, ginger, and wine to prevent the dish from being too cold, which can harm the spleen and stomach.
Don’t Forget to Nourish the Liver and Protect the Spleen
The liver is the central station for metabolism in the body, and spring is the time when the liver is most active, which can easily lead to excessive liver Qi.
One should consume foods that protect the liver and strengthen the spleen, such as jujubes, honey, yam, and lotus seeds, cooked with glutinous rice to make porridge, which not only protects the liver and nourishes the spleen and stomach but also helps dispel spring fatigue and has the effect of nourishing Qi.
Recommended Teas
Longjing (Dragon Well) and Jasmine Tea
What tea to drink in spring? Naturally, it is the freshest green tea.
Among green teas, Longjing is the most famous, and now the pre-Qingming Longjing is available; hurry and brew a cup to savor the taste of this spring. Green tea is rich in tea polyphenols, which not only refresh the mind but also make one look younger.
The fragrant and delicate jasmine tea has won the hearts of many with its gentle character, and it has always been a favorite among friends. In spring, when people are prone to spring fatigue, the refreshing jasmine tea can also invigorate the mind, making it very suitable for consumption in spring.
Spring Equinox, the sound of rain falling softly,
Willow banks with a gentle breeze bring guests home.
In the northern regions, the season leans towards late,
Can you tell that the green waist is already plump?
The Spring Equinox is indeed a good season,
Mastering the methods of health preservation during the Spring Equinox,
Prevents diseases and promotes health.
Wishing everyone to bask in the spring light, with a bright heart.
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