7·23 Today's Major Heat｜The Height of Summer, Cherish and Await the Autumn Breeze

When will the scorching sun pass, the cool breeze nowhere to be found.

Scriptures serve as a pillow, melons and plums drift up and down.

The orchid grove is quiet again, the thatched hut is deep and deeper.

The intense heat is just like this, how could one cherish the shade more.

— (Song) Zeng Ji

Today is Great Heat. Great Heat is the twelfth solar term in the twenty-four solar terms. The weather is much hotter than Minor Heat, hence the name Great Heat. The "Collected Explanations of the Seventy-two Pentads of the Monthly Ordinances" says: "Great Heat occurs in mid-June. Heat means hot; the heat is divided into minor and major, with the beginning of the month being minor and the middle being major, indicating the heat is even greater now." The Great Heat solar term falls around the "Middle Fu" period of the "Three Fu Days," the hottest time of the year, with the highest temperatures and steaming heat rising between heaven and earth, like a steamer. From today onwards, "there is nothing long before the eyes, a cool breeze under the window. Heat dissipates through a calm heart, coolness arises from an empty room."

Ancient Chinese divided Great Heat into three pentads: "First pentad: decayed grass becomes fireflies; second pentad: soil moist and sultry; third pentad: heavy rain falls at times." During Great Heat, due to high temperatures and rainfall, bacteria easily breed, many dead plants become damp and decay, and at night, fireflies can often be seen flying over the decayed grass and leaves searching for food. Additionally, the soil is hot and moist, which is very suitable for the growth of water-loving crops like rice. The three pentads indicate that in this hot and rainy season, rain can fall from the sky at any time.

Folk Customs of Great Heat

Great Heat is the hottest season of the year, also the fastest growing period for crops. Droughts, floods, and wind disasters are most frequent across regions, making harvesting, planting, drought resistance, and flood drainage agricultural activities quite intense. Despite this, Chinese people still take time during this day each year to hold various folk activities, expressing their good wishes for life amid the fiery summer.

The night heat remains as intense as the noon heat, opening the door to stand briefly under the bright moonlight.

— Yang Wanli "Chasing Coolness on a Summer Night"

During this period of frequent high temperatures, pay attention to preventing heatstroke, arrange work reasonably, balance work and rest; replenish water timely, try to drink less ice water; adjust travel times to avoid high-temperature periods; pay attention to indoor cooling; avoid staying up late and ensure sufficient sleep; maintain food hygiene.

In daily diet, besides eating more fresh fruits and vegetables, one should also eat more foods that clear heat and dampness, benefit qi, and strengthen the spleen, such as lotus leaf mung bean porridge, dried shrimp winter melon soup, old duck soup, and coix seed crucian carp soup.

In summer, excessively high temperatures can cause mental tension and emotional fluctuations, and the high heat lowers the body's immune function, so nurturing the heart is a good way to prevent emotional ups and downs and disease.

Daily routines should meet seasonal needs, such as going to bed late and rising early to follow the natural changes of yang flourishing and yin deficiency, while relatively insufficient sleep can be compensated appropriately with a nap.

"Heat dissipates through a calm heart, coolness arises from an empty room."

Hot and stuffy weather easily causes irritability.

Warm reminder from United Intelligence Certification Company:

Pay attention to self-regulating emotions and appropriate diet.

Exercise should also be moderate.

Avoid being overly excited, impatient, or angry.