“Light Snow” (Nov. 22 through Dec. 6) is the second solar term of winter, and it is unlike any other, according to traditional Chinese wisdom. During this time, the yang energy from the sun moves toward the heavens, and the yin energy retreats deep into the earth.
At this time, a unique phenomenon unfolds in nature as yin and yang’s extreme separation creates a gap, and energy circulation stops. Symbolically, winter represents death.
As the fine snow starts to fall, winter deepens, like powdered sugar sprinkling onto cookies and cakes. This snow is often wet or mixed with rain. It’s light and melts easily. Some may find this type of snow very poetic; a scene that presents an atmosphere of serenity and purity.
In ancient China, during the time of Light Snow, if there was no snow, the farm owners would lay off their permanent staff, or send them away for a long break. This comes from their previous experience.
Impact on People
Those who already suffer from depression may find it gets worse during this period of time.Traditional Chinese Medicine believes in moderation, and suggests that we avoid the seven extreme emotions, as they affect one’s mood and harm health. These emotions are joy, anger, worry, thinking, grief, fear, and shock.
Dr. Shang Wu, from the Qing Dynasty, recommends we appreciate beautiful flowers if we are stuck in emotions. Music can also help dissolve one’s worries.
5 Tips to Live in Harmony With ‘Light Snow’
- Sit on a chair. Lift your feet off the ground and knock your feet together 12 times.
- Soak your feet in warm water before going to bed.
- Go to bed early, and get up late to preserve yang energy.
- Wear a turtleneck or a scarf to protect the neck area.
- Cover up your waist and lower back with clothing made with natural fibers, such as cashmere, wool, silk, or a cotton blend.
Seasonal Foods
This is the perfect time to make preserved meat and vegetables.A traditional recipe is to make a spice rub from ground peppercorns, anise, fennel, clove, cinnamon, and sea salt. Cover the meat with the spices and store it inside a clay pot for 15 days in the fridge to avoid bacteria growth. Next, hang the preserved meat in a cold and airy area for 3 to 7 days. Finally, use peanut shells or cypress branches to smoke the meat until it is nicely dry and well preserved.
Warm milk tea is excellent to repel the winter chill. Enjoy it with nuts or a ginger biscuit. Warm fruit wines are also great. It is wonderful if you add in goji berries or preserved fruits before heating. Just a little bit is enough, and be careful not to drink too much. Some may find it pleasant to add cinnamon bark powder and honey to sweeten the heart.
Bean soups, such as kidney beans, red beans, white beans, soybeans, or peanuts with ginger root, are delicious and help one to feel joyful during cold days.
Slow cookers or clay pots are the best tools for slow winter cooking. Ginger is also excellent. The warming powers of ginger and cinnamon are especially helpful to push excess humidity out from inside our bodies. Those who don’t enjoy ginger can use coconut milk and cinnamon instead.
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