Start of Autumn 立秋 · Lì Qiū · ~Aug 7
AT A GLANCE
Autumn opens and dryness becomes the theme — the lungs want moisture, not heat.
How the food tradition reads it
The moistening season begins: rock-sugar pear, snow fungus, lily bulb. “贴秋膘” is the famous folk custom; the food tradition would start gentler.
Tonight’s bowl
Rock-sugar stewed pear — pear, cored, sugar inside, steamed 20 minutes.
The practice of the term
Sleep begins moving earlier — autumn’s anchor is the schedule.
What to watch for this term
- The autumn tiger still bites at noon
- Over-feeding the autumn fat — the modern mistake
Who feels this term most
Phlegm-Dampness — Skip the fatty tonics — your autumn prep is light and draining
Qi Deficiency — The whole summer spent you — gentle rebuilding starts now
Watching a pattern is not a diagnosis — flare-ups and chronic conditions belong with a professional.
The season’s anchor
“The three months of autumn are called the leveling… sleep early, rise with the chickens.” — Suwen, On Nurturing Life by the Four Seasons
The cycle continues
← Greater Heat · End of Heat →
