霜降 Shuāngjiàng
Frost’s Descent
In 2026: 23 October 2026 to 7 November 2026 (Beijing time)
“Frost’s descent”: the first frosts arrive in central China. The last term of autumn, a time to gather warmth inward.
- Sun’s longitude
- 210°
- Month (earthly branch)
- 戌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豺乃祭兽Jackals lay out their prey
- Second pentad草木黄落Leaves yellow and fall
- Third pentad蛰虫咸俯Insects all go to ground
Wudang yangsheng for this term
- Breath
- Slow breathing with the attention at the dantian, drawing warmth inward.
- Warm tea and diet
- Warming, nourishing food: chestnuts, persimmons, Chinese yam; a rock oolong or aged white tea.
- Sleep and daily rhythm
- Protect the knees and lower back from the cold; warm up for longer before practice.
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 戌 month it is 剥, Splitting Apart.
Seeker’s Q&A
I live in the tropics. Does Frost’s Descent mean anything to me?
Read it as a rhythm rather than weather. The last term of autumn is a time to finish, store and rest before the year turns, wherever you live.
How do I notice the “frost” in my own life?
Look for small signals that repeat: tired every Monday, the same argument coming back, a stiff knee each morning. They are cheap to deal with now and expensive later.
What should I eat and drink in this season?
Tradition suggests warming, nourishing food such as chestnuts, persimmons and Chinese yam, with a roasted oolong or an aged white tea. This is traditional guidance, not medical advice.
Is this a good time to start something new?
Late autumn favours finishing and consolidating. Do the planning now, and begin when the season supports growth, at Start of Spring.
One-minute practice
Rub your palms together until they are warm, rest them on your lower back, and breathe slowly for one minute, letting the warmth sink in. Then write down one small “frost” you have been stepping over.