Seasons

VocabularyFree

Description

In Chinese Medicine, seasons are linked to the 5 Elements – Wu Xing. Earth Element (土 tǔ) features can slightly change according to the model you are following. In the evolution of the 5 Elements Theory, the Earth Element (土 tǔ), that was at the beginning the central element, the pivot that allowed all other to transform into each-other, was moved on the side of other 4 Elements between Fire Element (火 huǒ) and Metal Element (金 jīn).

In Classical Chinese Medicine (older model), Earth Element (土 tǔ) is considered the center, the element that nourishes the other 4 and is the Movement that controls the changes. It has not an associated 73 days long season as the 4 other Elements, but is in charge of the “change” periods (4 18 days “mini” seasons between the other “main” seasons) (picture 1).
In Traditional Chinese Medicine (newer model), Earth Element (土 tǔ) is part of the cycle. It is generated by Fire Element (火 huǒ) and generates Metal Element (金 jīn). Its season is Late Summer, between Summer and Autumn and lasts 73 days like all others (picture 2).

Seasons in Knowlative In Knowlative you can see the current season in the top right corner of the screen, just under the top bar. We choose to follow the Classical Chinese Medicine Model because it is more related with the astronomical phases of the year and better represents the actual “Energy” manifesting in that period of the year. The 5 season model (TCM) is easier to use according to the 5 element model but not always accurate. It is important to notice that the solstices and equinoxes represent for the Chinese Medicine not the beginning of each season, but the apex of its manifestation. For this reason, in Knowlative every season starts 36,5 days before the related astronomical solstice/equinox and lasts 73 days. The in-between periods (73,25 days divided in 4 different periods) are the Earth seasons.