The Meanings of the 24 Solar Terms

1. Start of Spring (立春)
   “Li” means to begin. Start of Spring marks the beginning of spring.
2. Rain Water (雨水)
   Rain begins to fall, and the amount of rainfall gradually increases.
3. Awakening of Insects (惊蛰)
   “Zhe” means to hide. This term refers to spring thunder awakening insects, and all things begin to revive.
4. Spring Equinox (春分)
   “Fen” means equal division. Day and night are equal in length.
5. Clear and Bright (清明)
   The weather becomes clear and bright; plants grow lush and vigorous.
6. Grain Rain (谷雨)
   Rain nourishes grain crops. With sufficient and timely rainfall, crops grow strong.
7. Start of Summer (立夏)
   The beginning of summer.
8. Grain Full (小满)
   Summer crops such as wheat begin to fill and plump, but are not yet fully ripe.
9. Grain in Ear (芒种)
   Crops with awns, such as wheat and barley, reach maturity.
10. Summer Solstice (夏至)
    The arrival of the hot summer season.
11. Minor Heat (小暑)
    The climate begins to turn hot.
12. Major Heat (大暑)
    The hottest period of the year.
13. Start of Autumn (立秋)
    The beginning of autumn.
14. End of Heat (处暑)
    “Chu” means to stop. This marks the official end of the hot summer.
15. White Dew (白露)
    The weather turns cool; dew condenses and appears white.
16. Autumn Equinox (秋分)
    Day and night are once again equal in length.
17. Cold Dew (寒露)
    Dew becomes cold and is about to freeze.
18. Frost Descent (霜降)
    The weather gradually turns colder, and frost begins to appear.
19. Start of Winter (立冬)
    The beginning of winter.
20. Minor Snow (小雪)
    Snow begins to fall.
21. Major Snow (大雪)
    Snowfall increases, and snow may accumulate on the ground.
22. Winter Solstice (冬至)
    The arrival of the cold winter.
23. Minor Cold (小寒)
    The climate starts to become very cold.
24. Major Cold (大寒)
    The coldest time of the year.

The 24 Solar Terms in Qi Men Dun Jia & Chinese Metaphysics

🌱 SPRING — Yang Qi Awakens (Growth, Initiation, Expansion)

1. Start of Spring (立春)
   Qi State: Yang Qi begins to rise from concealment
   Metaphysical Meaning: Birth of opportunities, new cycles start
   Qimen Use: Best for planning, planting intentions, setting strategy
2. Rain Water (雨水)
   Qi State: Yang supported by moisture
   Meaning: Resources begin to flow
   Qimen Use: Wealth activation, cashflow planning, relationship nurturing
3. Awakening of Insects (惊蛰)
   Qi State: Hidden Qi is shocked into movement
   Meaning: Dormant forces awaken
   Qimen Use: Break stagnation, activate stalled projects, bold moves
4. Spring Equinox (春分)
   Qi State: Yin–Yang balance
   Meaning: Neutral pivot point
   Qimen Use: Decision-making, recalibration, choosing direction
5. Clear and Bright (清明)
   Qi State: Pure Yang clarity
   Meaning: Visibility, truth revealed
   Qimen Use: Brand building, public exposure, reputation matters
6. Grain Rain (谷雨)
   Qi State: Yang reaches full support
   Meaning: Results depend on correct nurturing
   Qimen Use: Execute plans, scale projects, long-term investments

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☀️ SUMMER — Yang Qi Peaks (Action, Visibility, Expansion)

7. Start of Summer (立夏)
   Qi State: Yang enters full dominance
   Meaning: Energy shifts from planning to action
   Qimen Use: Launches, leadership, aggressive expansion
8. Grain Full (小满)
   Qi State: Qi is strong but incomplete
   Meaning: Progress without arrogance
   Qimen Use: Optimize systems, refine offers, avoid overextension
9. Grain in Ear (芒种)
   Qi State: Time-sensitive Yang
   Meaning: Missed timing = lost harvest
   Qimen Use: Sales, deadlines, execution windows
10. Summer Solstice (夏至)
    Qi State: Extreme Yang begins turning Yin
    Meaning: Peak contains decline
    Qimen Use: Power management, avoid ego mistakes
11. Minor Heat (小暑)
    Qi State: Yang excess forming pressure
    Meaning: Irritability, impulsiveness
    Qimen Use: Conflict control, emotional discipline
12. Major Heat (大暑)
    Qi State: Maximum Yang, weakest stability
    Meaning: Highest reward and risk
    Qimen Use: Only for masters; not for beginners

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🍂 AUTUMN — Yin Grows (Harvest, Assessment, Consolidation)

13. Start of Autumn (立秋)
    Qi State: Yin begins rising
    Meaning: Shift from expansion to harvesting
    Qimen Use: Cash collection, performance review
14. End of Heat (处暑)
    Qi State: Yang withdraws
    Meaning: Aggression must stop
    Qimen Use: Exit strategies, damage control
15. White Dew (白露)
    Qi State: Condensing Yin
    Meaning: Subtle changes appear
    Qimen Use: Negotiations, fine adjustments
16. Autumn Equinox (秋分)
    Qi State: Balanced Yin–Yang
    Meaning: Fair judgment
    Qimen Use: Legal matters, contracts, evaluations
17. Cold Dew (寒露)
    Qi State: Yin becomes cold
    Meaning: Separation, distancing
    Qimen Use: Cut losses, reduce exposure
18. Frost Descent (霜降)
    Qi State: Killing Qi emerges
    Meaning: End of weak structures
    Qimen Use: Elimination, restructuring, decisive endings

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❄️ WINTER — Yin Dominates (Storage, Strategy, Internal Power)

19. Start of Winter (立冬)
    Qi State: Yang hides
    Meaning: Preserve energy
    Qimen Use: Learning, internal cultivation, long-term planning
20. Minor Snow (小雪)
    Qi State: Yin solidifies
    Meaning: Early obstacles appear
    Qimen Use: Risk avoidance, capital protection
21. Major Snow (大雪)
    Qi State: Heavy Yin pressure
    Meaning: Movement restricted
    Qimen Use: Pause expansion, focus inward
22. Winter Solstice (冬至)
    Qi State: Yin extreme gives birth to Yang
    Meaning: Hidden turning point
    Qimen Use: Secret planning, destiny resets
23. Minor Cold (小寒)
    Qi State: Harsh but stabilizing Yin
    Meaning: Endurance required
    Qimen Use: Discipline, structure building
24. Major Cold (大寒)
    Qi State: Completion of cycle
    Meaning: End before rebirth
    Qimen Use: Closure, karmic clearing, prepare next cycle