Summer Solstice 夏至 2021

The Summer Solstice in the Northern hemisphere also marks the Winter Solstice in the Southern hemisphere. A Solstice is either the longest or the shortest day of the year, depending on where you live. Like winter solstice, summer solstice is the transition phase of yin and yang. When yang reaches its ultimate, the yin will ascend; this is the philosophy of yin & yang. 

Summer Solstice (夏至) is the most yang day with the longest hour of the daylight in the year. This is the Chinese saying: "日长之至，日影短至，至者，极也，故曰夏至". Each year the summer solstice occurs when the Earth poles tilt at its maximum towards the sun around 21st or 22nd June in the Northern hemisphere. This year, the Summer Solstice falls on 21 June 2021, 11:32 Hour.

Many people thought that summer solstice is the beginning of summer but in reality it is the mid-point of summer. On this day and the days around it are days with excessive strong yang energy. Hence, avoid exposing yourself to too much sunlight like sun tanning or jogging under the sun. 

During the period of the Summer Solstice, it’s good to open up windows, walk ways, balcony and doors to allow the sun ray to penetrate the house especially if you have a basement or dark corner in the house. 

The taste that is nourishing to the body is bitterness. Consuming more of bitter taste food will help recuperation of health.  Food and herbs that is beneficial for health during this period are Bittergourd, Green Beans, Tofu, Lotus Seed and Lotus Leaf, Peppermint Leaf, Honey Suckle 金银花, Fairy grass 仙人草.

This time of the year is an ideal time to de-clutter and cleanse your home or office to make room for new energy. To increase the effectiveness of removing negative energy, use pomelo leaf or pomegranate leaf for wiping or sweeping. As this year, the summer solstice is also a Broken day, throwing out trash or unwanted items and spring cleaning is most ideal.