Welcome to the “Grain Rains”, the transition point between Spring and Summer, covering the end of the Dragon Month and the beginning of the Snake month. This 2-week “seasonal node” is the last Jieqi of Spring, and as such is full of energy and also a great chance to catch up on “Spring Cleaning”.

In the seasonal node of Grain Rains, Spring growth is supercharged by the arrival of early summer energy. The Yang energy of the Sun meets with seasonal rains (Yin), making good on the old saying, “April Showers Bring May Flowers.” This is a moment when the momentum of Yang - warming, active, outward energy - begins to really kick into gear and get all the Yin energy collected over winter to spring into motion. The energy of spring and summer finally burst out in full force, with trees all in bloom, plants established in the soil and beginning to grow expansively, and our own personal momentum beginning to build up – now is a time to make sure we and the projects and responsibilities we are in charge of are all headed in the right direction and in good working order.

It is auspicious for thunder to be heard in this time period, as it marks the vigorous interaction between Yin and Yang, and the explosive Yang energy of spring spreading through the atmosphere.

So what does all this “explosive” Yang energy mean for us? It is probably happening naturally that you are feeling more energized, outgoing and inspired with the change of the weather – the image of May flowers coming out after all the April Showers. Whether this is true for you - or you feel like you are still sluggish and tired - looking at the Wuhuo or “Material Manifestations” of this two-week period can help inspire you towards some beneficial activities that can help us align with and make the most of this seasonal node. The Wuhuo are 5-day periods describing symbolic activities happening in nature during a Seasonal Node, and instruct us in the kinds of activity that is most productive in this moment.

Duckweed Begins to Grow: 萍始生

Duckweed is a pond-growing plant that covers the surface of lakes and purifies water. This “material manifestation” signifies how this is a good time for a late-spring detox. Cutting out caffeine, alcohol or any other dietary change that can help reduce the work our liver and kidneys are doing will allow them to more efficiently do the work of detoxification, which is easier for our body to do in warmer weather with increased circulation and less metabolic stress. If you feel in robust enough health and are resourced to do so, try taking 5 days or so to simplify your diet and see how you feel with a refresh to your system.

Cuckoos Preen Their Feathers 鳴鳩拂其羽

Cuckoos are migratory birds who are returning to their summer breeding grounds right about this time of year. When they get back, the first thing they do is find an old leftover nest of another bird to clean out and spruce up to be their own nest. Symbolically, this represents a “spring cleaning” energy: getting out our lawn furniture, the bike that only gets used in the summer, shorts and other clothes that haven’t been used in a few months - and getting these things ready for being put back in action! This is a prime time to take stock of your summer gear and make sure it is all clean and in good working order for the upcoming season. The “Preening of Feathers” also evokes some seasonal primping might be in order - a time to freshen up your own look if the warmer weather has got you feeling inspired for a change.

Hoopoes Alight In Mulberry Trees 戴勝降于桑
Hoopoe’s are beautifully ornate migratory birds that arrive back in China around this time period. The arrival of the colorful Hoopoe birds symbolize the onset of summer - their bright orange/red color is analogous to the warmth and brightness of the season.

What makes these birds even more fascinating as a symbol is their relationship to the Mulberry tree, and the silkworms that live on mulberry leaves.

The Mulberry tree is a very important tree in Chinese culture, in large part because Silkworms—whose cocoons are the source of precious silk fiber—only live on Mulberry trees, feeding on their leaves. Silkworm larvae are just hatching at this time of year when the Hoopoes arrive back from their migration, and as you can see in the picture above, these birds have a taste for insects. Importantly though, Hoopoes do not eat silkworms, but instead eat the beetles and other insects that damage Mulberry trees and eat the precious silkworm larvae, so Hoopoes protect both the Mulberry trees and the silkworms, making their return all the more auspicious and welcome.

So what does the Hoopoe teach us about the time of year we are in now? As any gardener can tell you, this is a time of year when insects and critters of all sorts become more active, eating up seeds and new sprouts, while weeds are popping up everywhere. This is a time of year when we have to take care to protect and nurture the things we are growing if we want to see them come to fruition later this year. This is true for plants and also our own plans, goals and ambitions, which can easily be swept aside or put on the backburner as the excitement of warm weather puts new wind in our sails. The symbol of the Hoopoe instructs us to place our focus on what we value and want to nurture, taking care to protect these precious sprouts from the forces around-and-within that might take over and push aside what we care about most.

So, as an invitation for this time of year, take a moment to reflect on what “weeding” you can do in your life, literally or figuratively. Maybe there is a hobby you want to spend more time on, or a goal you have in mind, but other things keep getting in the way. Now is a good time to re-invest in your ambitions, and cut back where you can on the things that are distracting you from these priorities.

Grain Rains: 穀雨 April 20 - May 6th

Welcome to Qingming — Clear and Bright!