24 Solar Terms · Energy & Adjustment

Twenty-four nodes across the year; each carries its own energetic bias and disease tendency, with adjustments for the season.

24 solar terms dial

Swipe through the terms

立春

Time markerGregorian Feb 3–5 · solar longitude 315° · branch 寅

立春Spr

Time markerGregorian Feb 3–5
Solar longitude 315° · branch 寅

Nature / phenology

First of the 24 terms; spring qi establishes. East wind thaws, hibernators stir, yang is born, all things revive.

Energetics

Wood qi stirs, yang first rises, Jueyin wind-wood in command. Heaven’s qi turns from winter storage to spring birth; cold and warm alternate, wind grows.

Disease tendency

Spring abounds with wind; easy wind invasion. Liver qi stagnates or flares — headache, dizziness, pressure swings, allergies.

Adjustment

Sleep early rise early, walk the courtyard. Eat pungent-sweet dispersing foods: chive, cilantro, scallion; less sour. Press LR3 to smooth liver qi.

雨水Spr

Time markerGregorian Feb 18–20
Solar longitude 330° · branch 寅

Nature / phenology

East wind resolves, scatters into rain. Ice melts, rain increases, plants stir, earth returns to spring.

Energetics

Wood qi grows, dampness begins. Taiyin damp-earth and Jueyin wind-wood alternate; climate turns from dry-cold to humid.

Disease tendency

Dampness burdens spleen: poor appetite, bloating, loose stools. Wood overcomes earth — spring liver excess harms spleen-stomach.

Adjustment

Strengthen spleen, drain damp: yam, coix, red bean. Exercise to sweat out damp; no cold greasy food. Press ST36 often.

惊蛰Spr

Time markerGregorian Mar 5–7
Solar longitude 345° · branch 卯

Nature / phenology

Spring thunder startles hibernating insects. Yang rises, temperature warms, peach blooms, orioles sing.

Energetics

Wood qi strong, shaoyang qi bursts. Yin-yang clash makes thunder; spring thunder wakes the world’s life.

Disease tendency

Liver yang easily rises, pressure swings. Spring allergies peak: hay fever, hives. Irritable, quick to anger.

Adjustment

Keep calm, avoid rage. Green vegetables clear liver; chrysanthemum-goji tea levels liver yang. Comb hair 100 times morning and night to open yang.

春分Spr

Time markerGregorian Mar 20–22
Solar longitude 0° · branch 卯

Nature / phenology

Day and night divide evenly; yin and yang are half. Swallows arrive, thunder sounds, lightning begins. Cold and heat balanced, heaven and earth at peace.

Energetics

Yin-yang balanced; wood qi reaches equilibrium. Shaoyin fire appears, weather warms, all things thrive.

Disease tendency

At the yin-yang turn, old illnesses relapse. Allergic rhinitis and asthma spike. Stagnant liver qi destabilizes mood.

Adjustment

Keep yin-yang balanced with even hot/cold diet. Eat seasonal greens like shepherd’s purse and bamboo shoots. Practice tai chi or ba duan jin to harmonize qi-blood.

清明Spr

Time markerGregorian Apr 4–6
Solar longitude 15° · branch 辰

Nature / phenology

All things grow, clean and bright. Paulownia blooms, voles turn to quail, rainbows appear. Sky clears, earth brightens.

Energetics

Wood qi peaks, clear qi rises. Heaven and earth bright, plants lush, yang abundant, life surges.

Disease tendency

Wind-heat colds common. Liver fire rising causes red swollen eyes, dry bitter mouth. Old injuries and rheumatism relapse.

Adjustment

Walk in spring, move gently to stretch sinews. Chrysanthemum-mulberry leaf tea clears liver and eyes. Light diet, less trigger foods. Honor ancestors, keep calm.

谷雨Spr

Time markerGregorian Apr 19–21
Solar longitude 30° · branch 辰

Nature / phenology

Rain grows the hundred grains; all things are nourished. Duckweed appears, cuckoos flutter, kingfishers land on mulberry. Late spring rains feed the grain.

Energetics

Wood qi fades, fire stirs. Dampness heavier, temperature rises — the turn of spring into summer, all things flourish.

Disease tendency

Dampness burdens the spleen, joint pain worsens. Eczema, athlete’s foot appear. Big temperature swings invite colds.

Adjustment

Drain damp, strengthen spleen: red-bean coix congee often. Keep warm and dry, avoid wet places. Sweat moderately to release damp.

立夏Sum

Time markerGregorian May 5–7
Solar longitude 45° · branch 巳

Nature / phenology

Summer qi arrives, all things grow. Mole crickets sing, earthworms surface, snake gourd sprouts. Heaven and earth join, all things flourish.

Energetics

Fire qi rises, Shaoyin fire in command. Yang grows strong, temperature climbs, thunderstorms increase.

Disease tendency

Heart fire easily flares — restlessness, insomnia. Excess sweat drains fluids and qi. Digestion weakens, appetite drops.

Adjustment

Nourish heart and calm spirit; nap briefly. Eat red foods for the heart: date, tomato. Sour-plum drink generates fluid. Press PC6 to settle the heart.

小满Sum

Time markerGregorian May 20–22
Solar longitude 60° · branch 巳

Nature / phenology

Things become just full. Bitter herbs flourish, weak weeds die, wheat ripens. Summer crops fill with grain.

Energetics

Fire qi grows, dampness increases. Hot and rainy, damp-heat steams, muggy discomfort.

Disease tendency

Damp-heat inward: skin eczema, prickly heat. Spleen-stomach damp-heat kills appetite. Irritable, poor sleep.

Adjustment

Clear heat, drain damp: mung-bean soup, winter-melon soup. Keep skin dry, wear breathable clothes. Light diet, no spice or grease.

芒种Sum

Time markerGregorian Jun 5–7
Solar longitude 75° · branch 午

Nature / phenology

Grains with awns can be sown. Mantises hatch, shrikes cry, mockingbirds fall silent. Busy sowing and reaping.

Energetics

Fire qi strong, Shaoyang minister fire in command. Temperature jumps, damp-heat weave — one of the most yang-charged spans.

Disease tendency

Heat-stroke risk rises. Hyperactive heart fire: mouth ulcers, restless sleep. Damp-heat downward: urinary infections.

Adjustment

Prevent heat, drink warm water. Nap at noon to nourish heart. Bitter foods calm fire: bitter melon, lotus heart. Avoid midday sun.

夏至Sum

Time markerGregorian Jun 20–22
Solar longitude 90° · branch 午

Nature / phenology

Sun reaches north, day longest, shadow shortest. Deer shed antlers, cicadas sing, pinellia sprouts. Yang peaks, yin is born.

Energetics

Fire qi at its extreme; from yang peak a thread of yin is born. Most yang, also the turn where yin first appears. Heaven and earth exchange qi, all things fruit.

Disease tendency

Cardiovascular disease spikes. High heat: heat-stroke. Yang peak injures yin; yin-deficient fire types worsen.

Adjustment

Nap to nourish yang, sleep late rise early. Light yin-nourishing diet: lily-tremella soup. Don’t crave cold drinks that harm the spleen. Quiet mind, cool naturally.

小暑Sum

Time markerGregorian Jul 6–8
Solar longitude 105° · branch 未

Nature / phenology

Heat — the weather turns hot but not yet extreme. Warm wind arrives, crickets hide indoors, hawks train. Heat begins.

Energetics

Fire qi continues, summer heat grows, dampness also heavy. Shaoyang fire and Taiyin damp coexist, damp-heat steams.

Disease tendency

Summer-damp colds common. Spleen-stomach damp-heat: diarrhea, vomiting. Prickly heat, eczema. Irritable.

Adjustment

Clear summer heat: mung-bean soup, watermelon-rind water. Cool without craving cold; don’t set AC too low. Clean food guards the gut.

大暑Sum

Time markerGregorian Jul 22–24
Solar longitude 120° · branch 未

Nature / phenology

Heat at its thickest, hottest of all. Rotting grass makes fireflies, earth is steaming, heavy rains come. The year’s hottest span.

Energetics

Fire qi at the extreme, damp-heat steams. Yang floats outward, the interior is left empty. Brutal heat, all things lush.

Disease tendency

Heat-stroke is most dangerous now. Damp-heat inward: jaundice, hepatitis. Gut disease spikes, food spoils fast.

Adjustment

Escape heat, drink salted water for electrolytes. Light digestible diet, winter-melon coix soup drains damp. Avoid midday outings.

立秋Aut

Time markerGregorian Aug 7–9
Solar longitude 135° · branch 申

Nature / phenology

Autumn qi arrives, heat leaves for cool. Cool wind comes, white dew falls, cicadas cry. All things begin to gather in.

Energetics

Metal qi rises, yang starts to withdraw, yin grows. Summer heat not gone yet autumn cool has come, dryness begins.

Disease tendency

Autumn dryness harms the lung, dry cough. Big temperature swings invite colds. Late-summer damp remains, gut still weak.

Adjustment

Nourish lung, moisten dryness: pear, lily, tremella. Sleep early rise early, gather the spirit. Moderate "autumn chill" builds cold tolerance.

处暑Aut

Time markerGregorian Aug 22–24
Solar longitude 150° · branch 申

Nature / phenology

Heat stops here. Hawks sacrifice birds, heaven and earth turn solemn, grain ripens. Heat fades, autumn deepens.

Energetics

Metal qi grows, yang withdraws faster. Heat fades, dryness clear, climate turns dry.

Disease tendency

Autumn dryness worsens: dry skin, dry throat. Allergies like rhinitis, asthma relapse. Easy autumn melancholy.

Adjustment

Moisten dryness, nourish yin: honey-lemon water. Keep mood light, climb high and look far. White foods moisten lung: yam, white radish.

白露Aut

Time markerGregorian Sep 7–9
Solar longitude 165° · branch 酉

Nature / phenology

Yin grows heavy, dew condenses white. Wild geese come, swallows return, birds store food. Day-night gap widens.

Energetics

Metal qi in full, Yangming dry-metal in command. Cooler, dew forms, autumn deep.

Disease tendency

Airway disease spikes: bronchitis, asthma. Dry itchy skin. Cold gut: abdominal pain, diarrhea.

Adjustment

Keep warm, especially abdomen and back. Warm water, less cold food. Pear paste moistens lung, tremella soup nourishes yin.

秋分Aut

Time markerGregorian Sep 22–24
Solar longitude 180° · branch 酉

Nature / phenology

Day and night divide, yin and yang half. Thunder stops, insects nest, water begins to dry. Autumn evenly split.

Energetics

Metal qi at its extreme, yin-yang balanced. Cool and dry, crisp air — among the year’s most comfortable.

Disease tendency

Allergic rhinitis peaks. Autumn dryness harms lung, dry cough, sore throat. At the season turn old illness relapses.

Adjustment

Nourish yin, moisten lung: lily-lotus seed congee. Moderate exercise builds constitution. Keep indoor humidity up.

寒露Aut

Time markerGregorian Oct 8–9
Solar longitude 195° · branch 戌

Nature / phenology

Dew qi turns cold, about to freeze. Geese visit, sparrows become clams, chrysanthemums bloom. Cool turns to cold.

Energetics

Metal qi withdraws, cold first appears. Temperature drops fast, dew cold, deep autumn.

Disease tendency

Wind-cold colds common. Arthritis pain worsens. Cardiovascular patients need cold protection.

Adjustment

Add clothes, especially head, neck, feet. Hot-foot soak drives cold. Warm foods: mutton, ginger soup. Sleep early rise late.

霜降Aut

Time markerGregorian Oct 23–24
Solar longitude 210° · branch 戌

Nature / phenology

Qi solemn and condensing, dew freezes to frost. Beasts sacrificed, plants yellow and fall, insects bow. Last autumn term.

Energetics

Metal qi nearly spent, water stirs. Temperature drops further, plants wither, all things austere.

Disease tendency

Chronic bronchitis, asthma worsen. Dry cracked skin. More low mood. Cold stomach pain common.

Adjustment

Warm-tonify spleen and stomach: date-longan tea. Keep warm against cold. Supplement vitamin D, more sun. Mild tonics.

立冬Win

Time markerGregorian Nov 7–8
Solar longitude 225° · branch 亥

Nature / phenology

Winter qi arrives, all things stored. Water freezes, earth hardens, pheasants become clams. Heaven and earth close and store.

Energetics

Water qi rises, yang hides, yin at its peak. Cold comes, all things dormant, life turns inward.

Disease tendency

Cardiovascular disease enters high season. Colds, flu common. Joint pain worsens. Yang-deficient feel cold.

Adjustment

Sleep early rise late, wait for sunlight. Warm-tonify kidney yang: mutton soup, angelica-ginger-mutton. Protect head, neck, waist, abdomen. Exercise without heavy sweat.

小雪Win

Time markerGregorian Nov 22–23
Solar longitude 240° · branch 亥

Nature / phenology

Rain thinned by cold freezes to snow. Rainbow hides, heaven rises, earth falls. Precipitation turns from rain to snow.

Energetics

Water qi grows, cold deepens. Temperature keeps falling, snow replaces rain.

Disease tendency

Airway infection spikes. Cardiovascular accident risk rises. Low mood, seasonal depression.

Adjustment

Warm yang, dispel cold: ginger-brown sugar water. Black foods tonify kidney: black bean, sesame. Keep social to avoid low mood.

大雪Win

Time markerGregorian Dec 6–8
Solar longitude 255° · branch 子

Nature / phenology

Great — abundant; snow grows heavy here. Nightjar silent, tigers mate, li-tings sprout. Snow chance and volume rise.

Energetics

Water qi strong, cold deep. Frozen world, yin at its peak, yang hidden within.

Disease tendency

Heart attack, stroke — cardiovascular emergencies peak. Severe frostbite. Respiratory disease worsens.

Adjustment

Protect heart and vessels; avoid pre-dawn cold outings. Warm-tonify: ginseng soup in moderation. Keep indoor temperature and humidity right. Press KI1 to warm kidney yang.

冬至Win

Time markerGregorian Dec 21–23
Solar longitude 270° · branch 子

Nature / phenology

Sun reaches south, day shortest, shadow longest. Earthworms knot, elk shed antlers, spring water moves. Yin peak, yang is born.

Energetics

Water qi at the extreme; from yin peak a thread of yang is born. Shortest day, longest night. Yang is newborn, fragile as an infant — tend it.

Disease tendency

Cardiovascular emergencies most dangerous. Respiratory disease worsens. Yang-weak feel cold most.

Adjustment

Sleep early rise late, move after sunrise. Warm-tonify yang: angelica-ginger-mutton best. Moxa CV4, DU4 to replenish original yang. Winter tonic: "mend winter in the coldest days".

小寒Win

Time markerGregorian Jan 5–7
Solar longitude 285° · branch 丑

Nature / phenology

Cold still small, not yet extreme. Geese turn north, magpies nest, pheasants crow. Enters the deepest cold.

Energetics

Water qi continues, cold deep. The "three nines" — frozen world, among the year’s coldest.

Disease tendency

Joint pain at its worst. Cardiovascular disease stays high. Frostbite, colds common. Yang-deficient: chronic illness worsens.

Adjustment

Above all keep warm, especially waist, abdomen, feet. Warm-tonify yang; stews best. Less outdoor activity. Moxa ST36, CV4 to warm yang and dispel cold.

大寒Win

Time markerGregorian Jan 20–21
Solar longitude 300° · branch 丑

Nature / phenology

The reverse extreme of cold, hence "great cold". Hens brood, raptors fierce, ice in the marshes hardens. Cold at its fiercest.

Energetics

Water qi cold to the extreme, yin at its peak. Frozen world at the apex — also the last charge before yang stirs again.

Disease tendency

Like winter solstice, cardiovascular risk very high. Severe frostbite risk. Chronic illness most likely to flare.

Adjustment

Like minor cold but guard warmth even more. Warm spleen and kidney, small frequent meals. Keep indoors warm. After great cold comes start-of-spring — prep for spring care.

Swipe left / right or use the arrows to move through the 24 terms.

About the 24 solar terms

The 24 solar terms divide the year by the sun’s position on the ecliptic — one node every 15° of longitude, cycling from Start-of-Spring to Great-Cold. Each term marks a distinct energetic bias, phenology and disease tendency; aligning care with the term is the practice of seasonal living.

How to read this

What is this?

Twenty-four nodes from Start-of-Spring to Great-Cold laid out as a horizontal, swipeable timeline. Each card is one term, marked with its Gregorian date, solar longitude and earthly branch (the prescribed time marker), plus its energetics, phenology, disease tendency and concrete adjustment.

What does it solve?

It structures "what to watch for, and when". Each term gives four pieces: nature/phenology, energetic bias, disease tendency, and concrete adjustment — mapped directly onto diet and daily life. The current term is highlighted and centered automatically, so you never have to memorize the order.

How to read it

Swipe left/right (or use the arrows) to move through the terms. The current term is highlighted and centered automatically. Each card shows that term’s prescribed time marker (Gregorian date / solar longitude / earthly branch) followed by energetics, phenology, disease tendency and adjustment. Align diet and routine with the terms and you are practicing seasonal living.