On Nov. 22nd, we enter the final climate period of 2025. Explore what classical texts can teach us about how to stay healthy during the winter season of the Wood Snake Year.

The climate pattern for Winter of 2025 is characterized by excessive “Fire Qi” that can manifest as unseasonal warmth. This pattern is described as carrying an increased risk of epidemic disease, and was last seen in winter 2019 when COVID-19 was developing…

We have reached the season of the longest day and the peak of Yang/Active energy for the entire year. This is a special time, when warmth, growth and our personal energy is expanding at its greatest rate.

In the Classical Chinese writing, this is the time of year everyone should redouble their efforts at work and productivity with the goal of…

This is the time of Peak Yang Energy as we approach the longest day of the year. Energy is abundant in the environment and also in ourselves! Paradoxically, however, this is a time to conserve our energy and be mindful about what we commit ourselves to…

Symbolically, this is a time to consolidate the lessons and accomplishments we have made so far this year. To “harvest” the little works we have done and prepare for the larger works of the summer. Put aside the spring cleaning, and look towards larger home and garden projects for the dry season, as an example. The ancient Chinese “Book of Rites” indicates

During this two-week period, from May 5th to May 20th, it is customary to celebrate the arrival of Summer by engaging in activities mirroring the season’s abundance, brightness and joy…

In the seasonal node of Grain Rains, Spring growth is supercharged by the arrival of early summer energy. The Yang energy of the Sun meets with seasonal rains (Yin), making good on the old saying, “April Showers Bring May Flowers.” This is a moment when the momentum of Yang - warming, active, outward energy - begins to really kick into gear and get all the Yin energy collected over winter to spring into motion.

Welcome to  清明 Qingming “Clear and Bright” - the 2-week period after the spring equinox when the luminosity of the longer days brings sunshine, clarity, and a renewed sense of purpose to our lives. Clear and Bright begins on April 4th and finishes right before Easter…

This year, instead of talking about the months again, we will be looking at the 節氣 Jieqi, or “Seasonal Nodes.” These are 2-week periods throughout the year that describe the climate and agricultural activity of that period. The Jieqi are further divided into 5-day periods…