Feng Shui and Summer Solstice Xia Zhi 夏至 : Feng Shui for Modern Living

Everything in the universe has a “Reason and a Season“ and this has been my strong conviction and belief. As days go by this affirmation not only reaffirmed my belief but unveiled many facets and events of the life’s struggle, achievements, situations and inter personal relationships too

Time is the healer

Being a passionate Feng Shui enthusiast I had the good fortune to learn from some of the Traditional Grand Masters the nuances and skills of Classical Feng Shui and Modern Feng shui too. It was at the “right season” I got my official recognition and accreditation as a “Master” and for sure the Universe had a ‘reason” for this to be bestowed upon me.

The recognition was a motivational pat on my shoulders to move ahead and continue to do whatever good I can to fellow beings and give them an opportunity to overcome their limitations through the skilful adaptation of Feng shui.

As time flies, energy changes so do the seasons. Do seasons and weather have an influence on our wellbeing or is it a myth? It’s a well known fact that torrential rains can destroy good crop yield and lack of rains can cause famine. This has a direct impact on the wellness and existence of human life on mother earth. In other words a balance of everything including flow of energies is quintessential for life on Planet Earth to exist.

Seasons and astrology

The study of astrology be it Indian, Western or Chinese takes into account not just the latitude and longitude and birth data but also the season of birth. The season of birth is broadly classified as spring, summer, autumn and winter. The influence of the season on the individual’s birth data postulates the life ahead and the fortunes.

The seasonal changes are also broadly referred to as Equinox and solstice. What is an equinox or solstice and how does it connect to astrology? In short, an equinox or solstice establishes the relationship between mankind here on Earth to the Sun at any given season and they also mark the beginning of a new season.

Each year we will come across two equinox points which relate to spring and autumn and two solstice points which are summer and winter. The points also correspond to the four cardinal directions or axis viz, East, West, South and North. The cardinal axis is of great importance in western astrology as it denotes the angle of the birth chart which is an energy point and they are the harbingers of major life events.

In the Year 2018, the Summer solstice will take place on the 21st June. The word Solstice is from Latin sol (sun) and sistere (to stand still) in other words from earth the sun appears to standstill during this season The colloquial term “midsummer” refers to the day on which the solstice occurs.

During a solstice, the Sun will reach its highest or lowest point relative to the celestial equator or the giant imaginary circle that’s on the same plane as our equator. In the period of Summer Solstice, the Sun will appear to stop and then begin declining in the slightest way each day in a southward direction.

The date of the Summer Solstice marks the longest day of the year because at that point the Sun stops right over the Tropic of Cancer which is the northernmost point. In the entire period of summer solstice the day has the longest period of daylight, except in the Polar Regions, where daytime remains continuous for 24 hours every day during a period ranging from a few days to six months.

Feng Shui and Farmers calendar

The Month from 6th June to 6th July relates to the Zodiac Horse which pertains to the element Fire. The Summer solstice on 21st June which falls in the month of Horse also signifies the peak moment of Yang energy of the year as the sun exerts its most powerful energy on this day, once a year. This also means that the Yang energy will now reach its peak before beginning to transform into Yin.

Interestingly, ancient China had classified the seasons and the four major solar terms as early as the Shang Dynasty (17th Century BC -1046BC). However in the Han Dynasty (202 BC – 220AD) the terms were further classified and what was known as the “24 solar terms “was established.

The “24 solar terms” were based on the sun’s position in the zodiac throughout the year and was consider most important by the framers for agriculture and planning of crops. It was even followed by common people and most importantly in Chinese astrology and Feng Shui practices and was referred to as the “Farmers calendar”.

The 24 solar terms was based on the one full circle of the earth on the ecliptic path which is 360 degrees. This was divided into 12 sectors of 30 degrees each and it was further divided into 15 degrees to give the 24 divisions which gave in detail each recommended activity of the year and the type of energy.

The twenty-four solar terms can be divided into three groups as follows:

Group 1 – reflects the seasonal changes (including 8 terms) like “Start of Spring, Start of Summer, Start of Autumn and Start of Winter “mark the four seasons. “Spring Equinox, Summer Solstice, Autumn Equinox, and Winter Solstice “reflect the height changes of the sun from the astronomy aspect.

Group 2 – relates to natural phenomena (including 4 terms) like “Insects Awaken, Pure Brightness, Grain Full and Grain in Ear” which had a significance in farming and harvesting.

Group 3 – implies the climate changes (including 12 terms) like “Slight Heat, Great Heat, the End of Heat, Lesser cold and Greater cold “express the temperature changes. “Rain Water, Grain Rain, Light Snow and Heavy Snow “reflect the precipitation levels. “White Dew, Cold Dew and Frost Descent “is about the variation and degree of the temperature.

Interestingly the Farmers calendar has also made a reference on the summer solstice which falls on 21st June. It is the time when the tail of the big dipper is pointing exactly to the East and the sun is moving above Tropic of Cancer. The Farmers calendar mentions that it is the season of hot summer in the Northern Hemisphere and is filled with excess Yang energy a very good time for animals and plants indicating prosperity.

Feng Shui and Flying star

In the classical school of Feng shui especially the Flying Star school of Feng shui also known as Xuan Kong Fei Xing the essential aspects taken into account is the integration of the principles of Yin Yang, the interactions between the five elements, the eight trigrams, the Lo Shu numbers, and the 24 Mountains, by using time, space and objects to create an astrological chart to analyze positive zones and negative zones of a building.

Although normally most follow the annual changes of energy and focus on the annual afflictions, the energy is changing monthly, daily and hourly too. Hourly change are relatively having less impact so are the daily changes, however annual and to certain extent monthly changes have an influence on the occupants’ of a home , hence these changes are given importance.

Interestingly, from the start of Summer Solstice until the next Winter Solstice, the daily flying stars progress in a descending order (… 3,2,1,9,8,7,…). Also on the very first Yang Wood Rat day or Jia-zi day after Summer Solstice the, daily Star 9 rests at the centre palace and then the centre palace star starts descending.

In short the Feng shui energies are changing and the seasonal influences also have a relevance in the quality of the Feng shui energy from the Flying star school of Feng shui.

Significance in I Ching

he most popular and interesting branch of divination in Chinese metaphysics known as I Ching can also be used to understand the energy pattern of seasons and its implications. The Summer solstice in June has a reference inxx I Ching divination and this period is represented by hexagram 44 (Kou) which comprises of the Chien “Heaven” trigram (3 yang yao or lines) above the Xun “Wind” trigram (1 broken yin yao under 2 unbroken yang yao).

Thus, the complete hexagram number 44 comprises 5 yang Yao and 1 yin Yao below – demonstrating of course that the yin begins to appear soon after the peak of Yang. At this point, yang begins its decline and Yin energy increases as winter approaches or one can say peak of the Yang is giving in to the start of Yin. The message in this hexagram as advised by Tao The Ching is to “Handle difficulties when they are still small”.

So how do we handle the solstice and thereafter?

This is the time to thank the universe for bestowing the gift of sun, the positive energy giver which also ensures growth, life and yang energy on Mother Earth. It is also the moment to take a break and reflect on the events which has shaped up our respective lives so far. Utilising this peak energetic moment would be most beneficial to all.

Explore the following simple yet powerful simple tips:

Sun’s energy relates to power and expansion, hence try to distance from anything or any people who suck your personal and spiritual power in other words do a spiritual cleansing.
Set your goals and intentions during this period for commencing a new cycle and phase of your life.
Take action, decide what you want and allow the power of the universe to encourage , increase confidence, and give you the strength to your pursuits.
Fire rules the heart and circulatory system, focus on cardio vascular exercises and supplements which nourishes the circulatory system.
Adapt a diet supportive to cardio functionality especially if your four pillars (Chinese astrology) is a fire deficient chart. Consume warm food and more of ginger, pepper, citrus, meat, corn and cherries.
On the contrary if the Four Pillars of destiny reflects excess of fire element it is recommended to consume a food which cools your body like sprouts, apples, watermelon and lime apart from ore consumption of water through the day.
For the body to adapt to the energy changes, make small changes in your life style especially sleeping habits and try to sleep before the Zi ( Rat) hour (between 11 pm and 1 am) as the Yang starts to take the upper hand on the Yin during this hour and you may have more difficulty falling asleep.

Spiritual Connect

Finally, this is a phase to pursue holistic practices like meditation and mind, body and soul cleansing and would be of great benefit. From holistic perspective the solstice is an important day as the sun moves between the tropics during this phase and this energy shift is unique and powerful which could change the aura and the frequency as the human body resonates with the universe.

Interestingly, the summer solstice is linked to the Bai Hui, the acupuncture point (Traditional Chinese Medicine TCM) on the top of the skull, which will be more open for energies and become more sensitive. This point is also referred to as the “Crown Chakra” or the “Crown Energy point”.

This is said to be the spot where the universal energy flows down into the human body through all the other energy points or “Chakra points” down the spine and reaches the base of the spine or “Root chakra “at the bottom. This makes this period very favourable for any meditation, holistic practices and creating the inner balance and cleansing the various energy points.

If you can, try to cleanse the space where you prefer to do the meditation, cleanse the air if you wish with incense or aroma and calm down your thoughts and focus on the universal energy and visualise a golden ball of light above your head and the light penetrating through the “Bai Hui” or “Crown Centre” or “Crown Chakra” point and entering your body and washing away your resentment, anger, grudge, jealousy, stress and replacing it with happiness, joy, love, care and compassion.

Although one may adapt any of the metaphysical sciences, the individual must be receptive to the universe and allow the energy to flow not only in the building but also into their mind, body and soul.