"Green trees cast deep shade in the long summer days, the reflections of pavilions inverted in the pond." As we feel the days grow longer, the temperature rises, and all things flourish, we welcome the seventh solar term of the twenty-four solar terms - Beginning of Summer. Beginning of Summer is not only the start of summer on the lunar calendar, but also marks the rising of Yang energy and the gradual decline of Yin energy between heaven and earth, and the energy field of nature enters a new stage. For those of us who deeply understand the unity of nature and man, adapting to the changing seasons and adjusting our body and mind is the foundation for seeking good fortune and avoiding misfortune, and for peace and well-being. Today, Destiny Palace will deeply analyze the health secrets of the Beginning of Summer from the three dimensions of traditional health preservation, numerology and feng shui.
I. Follow the Seasons for Health: Nourishing the Heart is Key at the Beginning of Summer
The Yellow Emperor's Classic of Internal Medicine says: "In the three months of summer, this is called flourishing, the energy of heaven and earth intertwines, and all things blossom and bear fruit." Summer belongs to fire in the five elements, corresponding to the "heart" in the human body's five internal organs. Therefore, after the Beginning of Summer, the core of health preservation is "nourishing the heart". The heart governs the blood vessels and stores the spirit. It is the monarch of the human body. As the temperature rises, the human body's metabolism accelerates, and the burden on the heart also increases, making it prone to symptoms of "excessive heart fire," such as irritability and insomnia.
How to nourish the heart? The key is "stillness." The ancients said, "A still heart is naturally cool." The hotter it is, the more important it is to maintain peace and tranquility of mind. We can calm our minds through meditation, listening to soothing music, etc. Avoid violent emotional fluctuations such as great joy or great sorrow, because "excessive joy injures the heart." In daily life, we should "sleep late and get up early" to adapt to the natural changes of Yang abundance and Yin deficiency. A short nap at noon (about 15-30 minutes) can help restore energy and nourish the mind.
Key to Nourishing the Heart: Avoid impatience and anger, and maintain a clear, peaceful, and happy state of mind. Only by nourishing the mind can you safely spend the summer.
II. Diet: Increase Sour, Reduce Bitter, and Prefer Light Flavors
At the Beginning of Summer, dietary conditioning should follow the principle of "nourishing Yang in spring and summer," while also paying attention to clearing heat and relieving summer heat. The dietary policy at this time is "increase sour, reduce bitter, tonify the kidneys, aid the liver, and regulate stomach Qi."
- Increase Sour: In summer, sweating is heavy, and it is easy to deplete body fluids. Appropriately eating sour foods, such as dark plums, hawthorns, lemons, tomatoes, etc., can help astringe sweat, promote saliva production, strengthen the stomach, and promote digestion.
- Reduce Bitter: Bitter foods are mostly cold in nature and have the effect of clearing heat and purging fire. However, overeating can easily damage Yang Qi and injure the spleen and stomach. Therefore, bitter melon, bitter vegetables, etc., can be eaten in moderation, but not in excess.
- Light Flavors: The diet should be light, and more foods rich in vitamins and easy to digest, such as fresh vegetables, fruits, and bean products, should be eaten. Avoid greasy, spicy, and fried foods to avoid promoting fire in the body.
- Hydrate Properly: In the hot summer, hydration is especially important. Warm boiled water is the best choice. You can also drink mung bean soup, sour plum soup, and other traditional summer heat relief drinks.
In addition, summer corresponds to red, so you can eat more red foods to nourish the heart, such as red beans, cherries, tomatoes, red dates, etc. These foods are rich in nutrients and help tonify heart blood.
III. Numerology Perspective: Harmonizing Personal Fortune in the Season of Flourishing Fire
From the perspective of Bazi numerology, after the Beginning of Summer, the Si month arrives, entering a season of flourishing fire. This powerful "fire" energy will have drastically different effects on people with different natal charts.
- For people whose Bazi favors fire (that is, whose natal chart needs the fire element to balance), summer is a good time to improve their fortune. Thinking will be more active, action will be strengthened, and it will be easier to seize opportunities and make progress. At this time, you should be proactive and act in accordance with the trend.
- For people whose Bazi dislikes fire (that is, whose natal chart has too much fire element or fire is a unfavorable god), summer requires extra attention. Excessive fire may lead to restlessness, irritability, poor decision-making, or trigger health problems related to "fire," such as cardiovascular and eye diseases. These friends should focus on "stillness" in summer, strive for stability, avoid impulsive actions, and can contact people and things with the elements of "water" or "metal" to balance. For example, take more walks by the water or lakeside, or wear white or blue accessories.
Whether you favor or dislike fire, understanding the characteristics of your own numerology, adapting to the energy changes of the Grand Luck and the flowing years, and making targeted adjustments is the wise way to seek good fortune and avoid misfortune.
IV. Feng Shui Layout: Cooling and Receiving Qi, Balancing Yin and Yang
The environment is the external energy field for human survival, and home feng shui directly affects our physical and mental state. Entering summer, home feng shui should also be adjusted accordingly to create a cool, comfortable, and harmonious living environment.
First of all, summer fire is strong, and its corresponding direction is due south (Li Palace). It is not advisable to place too many fire-related items such as red and purple items, or high-power heating appliances in this direction, so as not to add fuel to the fire, leading to unstable family emotions. You can place ceramic, jade, and other earth-related ornaments here, using the principle of "fire generates earth" to release the excessive fire.
Secondly, it is necessary to enhance the energy of "water" in the home to balance the fire. The due north (Kan Palace) of the home belongs to water. Keeping this place clean and tidy, you can place fish tanks, small waterscapes, or blue and black decorations, which helps to moisturize the dry and hot energy field. At the same time, it is crucial to maintain indoor air circulation. "Qi disperses with the wind," and flowing air can take away summer heat and turbid air, bringing fresh vitality.
Finally, in terms of light, the interior should be kept bright, but strong direct sunlight should be avoided. You can use light-colored curtains or blinds to adjust the light, which can block the "fire evil" and soften the indoor light, creating a peaceful and serene atmosphere.
Beginning of Summer is a turning point from spring to summer, and it is also the beginning of our adjustment of body and mind to meet the challenges of midsummer. Following the law of harmony between man and nature, starting from nourishing the heart, diet, numerology, feng shui, and other aspects, we can not only safely spend the hot summer, but also take this opportunity to inject new vitality into our health and fortune. May you act in accordance with the times, nourish your body and mind, and start a summer full of vitality and peace.