The Significance of the Solstice

In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), the solstice is a significant event that marks the transition between two seasons.
The Summer Solstice is the longest day of the year and the shortest night in the Northern Hemisphere today. In TCM, this is considered to be a time of great yang energy. Yang is associated with heat, activity, and outward movement.
The Winter Solstice is the shortest day of the year and the longest night in the Southern Hemisphere today. In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), this is considered to be a time of great yin energy. Yin is associated with darkness, rest, and inward movement.
During the Winter Solstice, it is important to honor the natural rhythms of the body and to give yourself time to rest and recharge. This means getting enough sleep, avoiding too much physical activity, and eating warming foods.
During the Summer Solstice, it is important to avoid overdoing it and to take steps to protect your yin energy. This means getting enough rest, avoiding too much sun exposure, and eating cooling foods.
There are a number of Traditional Chinese Medicine practices that are associated with both the Winter and Summer Solstices. These include:
Winter Solstice:
➡️ Eating warming foods, such as roasted root vegetables, nuts, and seeds.
➡️ Drinking herbal teas, such as ginger tea and cinnamon tea.
➡️ Practicing yoga or Taiji.
➡️ Getting acupuncture or acupressure.
Summer Solstice:
➡️ Eating cooling foods, such as watermelon, cucumber, and lotus root.
➡️ Drinking herbal teas, such as hawthorn tea and lotus leaf tea.
➡️ Practicing Taiji or Qi Gong.
➡️ Getting acupuncture or acupressure.
The Winter Solstice and the Summer Solstice are both important times of year to connect with the natural world and to honour the cycles of nature. They are also a time to slow down, reflect, and connect with your inner self.
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