秋分 Qiūfēn
Autumn Equinox
In 2026: 23 September 2026 to 8 October 2026 (Beijing time)
Day and night are equal again, and autumn is at its midpoint. From here yin pulls ahead.
- Sun’s longitude
- 180°
- Month (earthly branch)
- 酉month
- Season
- Autumn
- Five Phase
- 金Metal
The three pentads
Each term is divided into three five-day pentads, named for what the ancients saw happen in nature.
- First pentad雷始收声Thunder falls silent
- Second pentad蛰虫坯户Insects seal their burrows
- Third pentad水始涸Waters begin to dry up
Wudang yangsheng for this term
- Breath
- Balanced breathing again, in and out to the same count, as day and night are equal.
- Warm tea and diet
- Pear, sesame and white fungus; a balanced oolong.
- Sleep and daily rhythm
- Gather the spirit inward and don’t give in to autumn melancholy; walk briskly and practise Taiji outdoors.
Traditional guidance, not medical advice. The terms follow the seasons of central China.
In the Book of Changes
Each month has a sovereign hexagram (消息卦) that shows how far yin or yang has grown. For the 酉 month it is 观, Contemplation.