Berkeley Acupuncture Project of California
Community Acupuncture * Sliding Scale $30-$50

The seasonal nodes refer to two week cycles throughout the year. They occur at the high seasons (equinoxes and solstices) but also every 14 days or so in between. Don't get too bogged down on the dates - as they change slightly from year to year. You have a few days around each nodal transition for some self care! Learn more here.

The dates that are listed indicate the start of the two week node. For instance, "Start of "Spring lì chūn 立春" begins around February 4th and goes to ~February 19th, the beginning of the next node, "Rain Water yǔ shuǐ 雨水". So the advice listed under "Start of "Spring lì chūn 立春" may be followed during that entire period.

Obviously, the weather and climatic forces in northern California in the 21st century are different from what was experienced by the ancient authors and creators of the Chinese calendar system - but energetically, similar changes do occur. Pay attention to the patterns of the plants, animals, and nature around you throughout the year and take notice!

You can use the information here on the seasonal nodes in conjunction with the "Five Flavors" and "Seasonal Eating" tips also found here.

Start of Spring lì chūn 立春 Feb 4

Very early ('invisible') stages of spring. From the deepest parts of winter, Yang energy slowly begins to move. Get acupuncture and eat chicken (or veggie) soup today! Encourage growth of yang; avoid exposure to wind. Support the liver. Food: scallions, leeks, chives, garlic, beef cooked w/garlic, pork bone & red date soup, red date tea. For chronic 'liver fire' beware during this seasonal node.

*****

Rain Water yǔ shuǐ 雨水 Feb 19

In some climates, there is an increase of rainfall. Energetic movement increases. Get acupuncture and eat chicken (or veggie) soup today! Continue advice from Start of Spring / lì chūn

*****

Awakening of Insects jīng zhé 惊蛰 Mar 5

Thunder begins and hibernating insects wake up. Now the growing qi is more visible. Get acupuncture and eat chicken (or veggie) soup today! Guard/protect the yang qi. Percussive massage on meridians to ensure smooth with circulation. Food: warming foods. Leeks, chives, "white noodles", wheat bran, stir fried greens. Drink small amounts of alcohol.

*****

Vernal Equinox chūn fēn 春分 Mar 20

Equal length of day and night. Get acupuncture and eat chicken (or veggie) soup today! Consume liver nourishing foods. Avoid emotional extremes. Food: mildly acrid-foods. Ginger, scallions, mei gui hua (rose) tea.

*****

Clear and Bright qīng míng 清明 Apr 4

It is clear and bright (when it's not raining), warm weather (and yang energy) may become more noticeable. Get acupuncture and eat chicken (or veggie) soup today! Protect yourself from wind and cold. Be active outdoors. Press & rotate palms on Ren 8 (belly button) daily. Food - eat light clear foods that neither block nor overly stimulate (see "Springtime and Liver Wellness" and "Bland" (in "The Five Flavors") above.

*****

Grain Rain gǔ yǔ 谷雨 Apr 19

The early crops show their shoots. Tail end of spring, transforming into summer. Get acupuncture and eat chicken (or veggie) soup today! Protect & tonify the digestive system. Food- eat lighter, easy to digest foods; jook (congee), yams, peanuts, cherries, tofu & spinach soup, eggs & asparagus.

Start of Summer lì xià 立夏 May 5

The beginning of summer. We begin to enter the most yang time of year. Get acupuncture and eat chicken (or veggie) soup today! Preserve a good mood, nourish the heart. Avoid allowing heart fire to become exuberant, practice temperance in food, drink, and behavior. Food: slightly sour & bitter; plums, umeboshi, cucumber, corn, *suan zao ren jook (congee). *Sour jujube seed

*****

Small Full (Grain) xiǎo mǎn 小满 May 20

The seeds of summer crops begin to become plump, but are not yet ripe. Get acupuncture and eat chicken (or veggie) soup today! Prevent build up of internal heat. Avoid fluctuating moods. Foods that percolate dampness & gently clear heat; corn, adzuki beans, mung bean, winter melon, celery, cilantro, Lily bulbs, osmanthus.

*****

Grain in Ear máng zhǒng 芒种 Jun 5

The wheat becomes ripe; and the summer planting starts (in southern China). Get acupuncture and eat chicken (or veggie) soup today! Take an afternoon nap, regularly clear heat. Food; avoid too much sour. Eat to expel summer heat & nourish fluids; melons, fruits, leafy greens, bean products, gan cao & mung bean congee.

*****

Summer Solstice xià zhì 夏至 Jun 21

The daytime is the longest and the nighttime is the shortest of the year. The height of yang and beginning of yin. Get acupuncture and eat chicken (or veggie) soup today! Clear summer heat and nourish fluids. Take an afternoon nap. Food: cucumber, melons, luffa, tomato, star fruit, peach, plumb, bitter melon, huo xiang Zheng qi San.

*****

Minor Heat xiǎo shǔ 小暑 Jul 6

Even though it is the beginning of the hottest period, the tiniest seeds of yin begin to grow. Get acupuncture and eat chicken (or veggie) soup today! Nourish heart, maintain optimistic outlook. Food: Avoid cold/cold foods (protect the SP). Drain heat with bitter/acrid (green tea w/mint). Eat adzuki bean & yi yi ren congee.

​​​​​​​*****

​​​​​​​

Major Heat dà shǔ 大暑 Jul 22

It is the time of year when the duration of the sunshine is the longest, the average temperature is the highest, the rainfall is the greatest, and the thunderstorms are the most frequent (in some parts of northern China). Get acupuncture and eat chicken (or veggie) soup today! Clear heat, boost qi, treat winter dz ahead of time. Food: stir-fried lotus root w/ginger, scallion, sesame oil, white vinegar.

Start of Autumn lì qiū 立秋 Aug 7

Like the "start of spring" the changes may seem 'invisible' and are more energetic. Yang energy is receding as yin energy grows. Get acupuncture and eat chicken (or veggie) soup today! Avoid damp foods and simultaneously strengthen digestive organs. Beware a sudden return of hot/humid weather. Food: mildly acrid- foods, mildly sweet/sour, moisten & benefit the lungs. Sprouts, pears, melon, cucumber, tomato, loofah.

*****

Limit of Heat chù shǔ 处暑 Aug 22

The end of the hot summer. Get acupuncture and eat chicken (or veggie) soup today! Avoid becoming too dry. "Early to bed, early to rise". Food: "less spicy, more sour". Pear & white wood ear jook.

*****

White Dew bái lù 白露 Sep 7

The transition from summer to autumn. The temperature drops sharply, and the autumn rains come. Animals begin to prepare for winter, plants begin to send their engery into their roots. Get acupuncture and eat chicken (or veggie) soup today! Dress appropriately, protect against wind. Nourish yin. Avoid overconsumption of cold food. Food: gently moisten dryness, protect the LU. Watery vegetables- zucchini, nagaimo/Shan yao, pears, apples.

*****

Autumnal Equinox qiū fēn 秋分 Sep 22

Equal length of day and night. Point of even balance between yin/yang. Get acupuncture and eat chicken (or veggie) soup today! Protect yin-fluids of lungs. Food: milk, peaches, pears, apples, soymilk, glutinous rice, sesame seeds, white wood ear mushrooms, honey; ju hua (chrysanthemum) tea.

*****

Cold Dew hán lù 寒露 Oct 8

The weather becomes cold enough to reach dew point, but not cold enough to reach frost point. Get acupuncture and eat chicken (or veggie) soup today! "Warm the channels" (moderate massage on limbs, abdomen, shoulders), Epsom salt foot soaks. Food: cold dew congee (rice, lotus seeds, red dates, gingko nuts, honey to taste).

*****

18 Frost Descent shuāng jiàng 霜降 Oct 23

The weather becomes cold and frost begins to form. Get acupuncture and eat chicken (or veggie) soup today! Protect against colds (common cold), preserve internal warmth. Dress appropriately. Keep your belly warm when eating. Food: lamb, rabbit, tempe, more stews/soups, warming spices. Supplement lungs prevent against URIs (Herb formula "Yu Ping Feng San" aka "Jade Wind Screen").

Start of Winter lì dōng 立冬 Nov 7

Winter begins. A time of "closing and storage"; conservation. Now begins the time to dream (ideas, hopes, plans - thoughts but not action). Yin is growing more and yang is receding. Nourish/protect the yang & warmth. Avoid depleting your energies, conserve energy. Get acupuncture and eat chicken (or veggie) soup today! Eat cooked foods & more warming foods; lamb, beef, chicken, tempe, peanuts, sweet potato, persimmon, warming spices, scallions.

*****

Minor Snow xiǎo xuě 小雪 Nov 22

Snow begins to fall, the weather becomes cold. Continue pulling inward, conserving energy, slowing down. Get acupuncture and eat chicken (or veggie) soup today! Nourish the yin, protect the yang. Food: sheng jiang (ginger) daily, hot breakfasts, lamb & daikon radish soup.

*****

Major Snow dà xuě 大雪 Dec 7

First heavy snow. Get acupuncture and eat chicken (or veggie) soup today! "Avoid the cold, seek warmth, nourish the yin". Keep the Qi and Blood moving by doing self-massage on the acu-points LI4, LV3, and ST36. Food: tempe, lamb, beef, venison, shrimp, mussels, walnuts, almonds, warming spices. Garlic, ju hua (chrysanthemum), dark greens.

*****

Winter Solstice dōng zhì 冬至 Dec 21

The daytime is the shortest and the nighttime is the longest of the year. Yin is at its fullest. Enjoy the darkness! Get acupuncture and eat chicken (or veggie) soup today! Increase rest, go to bed early but persist in moving. Avoid damage to the yang energy by practicing temperance in behavior. Food: rice jook (congee), tempe, beef, lamb & ginger, pork bone & peanut soup; mildly acrid- scallions, sheng jiang (ginger), black pepper. Include medicinal wine to strengthen kidney qi. Avoid cool/cold foods.

*****

Minor Cold xiǎo hán 小寒 Jan 5

The weather reaches its coldest. Continue to conceive and dream. Get acupuncture and eat chicken (or veggie) soup today! Nourish kidney qi, safe guard the digestive system. Food: easy to digest at "regular intervals". Tempe, black, kidney, or mungs beans, lamb, venison (avoid excess meat), black chicken soup, carrots, mushrooms, water chestnuts, cinnamon & other warming spices. Avoid cold foods.

*****

Major Cold dà hán 大寒 Jan 20

Last solar term before spring. Get acupuncture and eat chicken (or veggie) soup today! Stay warm but not too dry (protect fluids). Food: Eat clear and light foods - avoid raw foods. Rice, yams, peanuts. Include sheng jiang (ginger) & other mildly warming spices like nutmeg, white wood ear mushrooms, pears, chicken soup with astragalus and goji berries.