Defining time

The Chinese observe the Earth orbit around the Sun to define years and months. A year is measured by the Sun’s movement through 360 degree arc in the zodiac. Time aspects are defined by following and marking the exact position of earth on the ecliptic path around the sun.

In the western calendar, the first day of Spring is March 21st, the Vernal Equinox. The Summer Solstice is June 21st the beginning of Summer. Autumn begins on September 22 rd, the Autumn Equinox. Winter begins on December 22 nd, the Winter Solstice. These are dates relevant to the Northern Hemispheres.

In China, spring season is calculated with the Equinox as the midpoint not the beginning. This makes Spring begin 4th or 5th of February of any given year. The start of a year is a global event, and is taken from astronomical realities, rather than observation of local climatic or seasonal conditions. The start of a year is taken as 45 Zodiacal degrees or 45 days before 21 March of any year. Local conditions like climate, season etc do not play any role here. The start of a year was taken to be when the sun was halfway between the shortest day – Winter Solstice on the Northern hemisphere – and the day on which day and night are even – Vernal Equinox. The common denominator for both hemispheres to find the start of a year is 45 days before the sun crosses the ecliptic from South to North. This crossing coincides with the Spring Equinox on the Northern hemisphere and with the Autumn Equinox on the Southern hemisphere.

In his website http://www.geocities.com/heluo8 He Luo calls for a change in terminology: “We define four realities in measuring a year, i.e. Spring Equinox, Summer Solstice, Autumn Equinox and Winter Solstice. These phenomenon are equally observable from both Northern and Southern hemisphere. Therefore we should refrain from terminologies as Summer Solstice or Winter Solstice. These terms have now evidently proven their misleading effect. Instead, we should from now on use, March Equinox, September Equinox, June Solstice and December Solstice. Problem solved.”

24 Jie Qi (Solar Terms)

According to the Chinese, a solar year is divided into 24 solar terms of approximately 15 days each. Each month has a Jie and a Qi. These periods vary somewhat in time because the sun completes its apparent 360° path in 365.25 days and this path (called Yellow Road) is elliptical, rather than circular, causing for the sun’s apparent motion to be sometimes one degree, sometimes less than one degree, sometimes more than one degree. The 24 Jie and Qi mark the times when the sun reaches 0° and 15° in any given Zodiacal sign. As an example we can take the Zodiacal sign of Aquarius and say that a Solar year starts when the sun reaches 15° Aquarius.

The precise origins of the Chinese calendar are unclear. But legend has it that a minister of the Emperor Shang Huang Ti created the Kan Zi system. The system of 20 years periods is said to match the conjunction of Jupiter and Saturn. The two calendars in use are the Lunar calendar which is based on the first day of the new moon and the Solar calendar which begins on the 4th or 5th of February. For exactness, it is the date and time when the sun reaches 15:00 degrees Aquarius.

The solar year begins on the day called Li Chun. It usually falls on the 4th Feb or 5 th Feb. It is when the Sun enters 15 degrees Aquarius. This is the beginning of the Yi Yue or Yin/Tiger Month. This is the first Jie. In the middle of the month there is another seasonal point. Every month begins on a Jie, passes through the Qi, of the month and ends before the next Jie marks the beginning of the next month. These markers are helpful in determining the year, month and day pillars.

Observing the earth orbit around the sun and marking its positions at certain moments in time was not about the observations of seasons. The association of seasons came later. The different phases of energy were laymen’s terms to explain astronomical realities. Farmers and common folks were more interested in practical realities hence the association of phases with seasons. It is also just natural that they synchronise astronomical findings to activities on our planet, like the right time for sowing and harvesting. The seasons timing might differ between hemispheres but the five types of qi exhibited is the same kind.

Diagram 20
http://www.geocities.com/heluo8

The earth orbit around the sun is the same for the Northern hemisphere as the earth orbit around the sun for the Southern hemisphere. If earth reaches its point farthest away from the sun, this is true for either hemisphere. Aphelion and Perihelion are astronomical realities. When earth moves closest to the sun, it is known as perihelion, this phase is called Water, the associated season later becoming Winter. When earth then moves away from the sun, this can be described as expansive energy associated with Wood or the Spring season. When earth is farthest away from the sun it is known as aphelion. Aphelion is associated with centrifugal energy in its ultimate state associated with Fire or the Summer season. Earth on its way to being closer to the sun again is associated with condensation and its association being the Earth phase. Finally earth moves back towards the sun even more and this phase in the earth orbit being associated with Metal energy or the Autumn season.

January came to be known as the month with Qi in its lowest potential of energy, where in reality this was only to mark the moment when the earth was not closest to the sun, not to link it to the Winter season. Wood is at its prime in February, March and April on both Northern and Southern hemisphere. Wood is prime in February, March and April for both hemispheres, because both hemispheres move away from the sun, not just the Northern hemisphere!

It is clear the Chinese did not develop these systems by observing the seasons, but by noting the earth revolving around the sun and linking certain particular changes in vegetation. The ‘Southern school’ claimed that the Chinese were not aware of the Southern hemisphere around the time they developed their Time and Space systems hence it is time to make the correct adjustments. We cannot change definitions of timing to suit local conditions on either the Northern hemisphere or Southern hemisphere for the simple reason time and space study was not a study of seasons.

Feng Shui helps a business expand Down Under

In 1993 a young couple trying to run a multi media company for a year was disappointed they did not succeed to get any contract although they tried to negotiate deals. At the end of that dismal year they made an important decision to use Feng Shui. They made the changes recommended and they reaped the benefits. They reasoned that if they kept doing the same things and still expected changes then they were fooling themselves. Within six months they won a contract worth 1.3 million. They won accolades for their work both nationally and internationally. They have never looked back. A team of only a husband and wife grew within two years to a team as shown in the picture. From a home run business they relocated 3 times because of expansion. The Feng Shui techniques I used have stood the test of time. Their current address is Go Man Go Productions in Fox Studios in Sydney. Nine years to watch growth and see labour bear fruit. Traditional Feng Shui is applicable anywhere in the globe.

A team of two expands into twelve.

Relocation due to expansion

Prestigious address

Premier Car Dealer Leads in Prestigious Car Sale

Lexus Car Display Showrooms

Feng Shui services were provided in 1998. Lexus has gone from strength to strength and has topped premier sales in Sydney. In 1998, Phil Mc Carrol asked for a Feng Shui make over for his other car dealership, Toyota. In 1999 another of his Lexus dealership was opened. In all instances traditional Feng Shui techniques were utilised. Repeat business is proof things are working well.

What is the next level?

If exponents of the north south debate are still at the stage of heat and cold what then is the next level? In classical Feng Shui the next level is clear. There are much more advances to be made. There are mountains beyond these mountains. Unless we climb a peak we will be unable to see the mountains beyond mountains. Micro Feng Shui is applicable within the home but macro Feng Shui is a bigger picture. Irrespective of whether we stand south of the equator or north of the equator, the fact remains that we have to be good at what we do. If we want to be competitive we need good skills to go out and perform audits with absolute precision and confidence.

This meeting of East and West has enhanced the adaptability and acceptance of Feng Shui. The essence of belief however, is inherently Chinese and with the philosophies and applications of generations before this, there is proof and conviction in Feng Shui wisdom. Above all, the recommendations are practical. No suggestion is made without a basis of fact, no solution given without a voice of reason. This also applies to this theory of North South difference.

If we agree that earth magnetic energy is the same for both hemispheres we need to abandon the idea that there is a difference in principles.

If we stick to the differences we are dismissing astronomical findings in Chinese metaphysics. Then it will be looking at the stars for new answers. Night sky watching will be a good pastime for a good cause. But the night watching will be from the Southern hemisphere where the origin of the debate begun.

BIODATA

Siou Foon Lee

• Master Graduate of YCH Professional Feng Shui Series
• Awarded Mastery Diploma by Grandmaster Yap Cheng Hai
• Winner of two prestigious awards from Grandmaster Yap Cheng Hai
• Fellow Associate Member of the YCH Feng Shui Network
• Professional Trainer
• Australian Representative for YCH Feng Shui Centre of Excellence
• Practicing Consultant and Principal of Feng Shui Innovations.