Start of Winter: All things store up their resources, waiting for the return of spring.

I. The Messenger of Winter: Prelude to Cold and Concealment

The Start of Winter is the first notice card sent by the cold air. The wind in the north has taken away the dryness of autumn and has become sharp and tough, scraping against the face and giving a distinct sensation. The leaves have almost all fallen, and the bare branches stretch towards the sky, outlining simple yet resilient lines. In the south, although it is still "the little spring of October", there is occasional warmth, but the coolness in the morning and evening has already penetrated the bones, reminding people of the change of seasons.

The ancients divided the Winter Solstice into three phases: "First, water begins to freeze; second, the ground begins to freeze; third, the pheasant enters the deep water and transforms into a sea anemone." At this time, the water surface begins to form thin ice, and the land also freezes due to the cold. But the colorful wild chicken (pheasant) disappeared. The ancients romantically imagined that it transformed into the large sea anemone with similar color and patterns on the coast. This imaginative observation of natural phenomena reveals the core essence of the Winter Solstice - storage. The yang energy retreats, the yin energy reaches its peak, and the activities of all things tend to cease, preparing energy for the vigorous growth in the coming spring.

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II. The Human World: The Festival of Supping Porridge and the Comforting Warmth

If the "concealment" in nature is silent, then the "concealment" in human society is filled with the warmth and flavor of daily life. There is a long-standing custom in folk culture that "during the Start of Winter, one should eat to replenish one's body, as it is necessary to nourish the body during this period to withstand the cold." After the hard work of spring growth, summer expansion, and autumn harvest, the body needs to be replenished to resist the cold.

In the north, the ritualistic significance of the Winter Solstice cannot be separated from a plate of steaming hot dumplings. "At the turning point of the seasons", the Winter Solstice marks the transition between autumn and winter, and dumplings have become the symbol of this transition. The whole family sits together, kneading dough, rolling out the wrappers, and preparing the fillings. In the midst of laughter and joy, the warm feeling of reunion and the blessing for the cold winter are all wrapped up in the crescent-shaped pastry. When you take a bite, the soup flows out, spreading from the stomach to the heart, and it is perfectly appropriate.

In the south, people prefer a sumptuous lamb stew, ginger duck or medicinal soup. With the addition of nourishing herbs such as angelica, goji berries and astragalus, they simmer the ingredients over low heat, allowing the essence of the ingredients to fully blend with the warming properties of the herbs. After taking a sip, a warm current instantly spreads throughout the limbs and body. This is the most simple yet profound wisdom for keeping warm and a philosophy of life.

Furthermore, in cities like Shaoxing, yellow wine is brewed on the day of the Winter Solstice and is called "winter brewing". During winter, the water is clear and the temperature is low, which can effectively inhibit the proliferation of bacteria and ensure the smooth fermentation process. It also enables the wine to develop a rich and mellow flavor during the long-term low-temperature fermentation. This amber-colored nectar, which will be uncorked in the coming year, is a gift from time to those who are patient.

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III. Nurturing the Body and Mind: The Wisdom of Inner Growth

The wisdom of the Winter Solstice lies not only in "replenishment", but also in "nourishment". According to "The Yellow Emperor's Inner Canon": "During the three months of winter, this is called 'hibernation'... Go to bed early and get up late, and wait for the sunlight." Daily life and rest should follow the natural rhythm. Go to bed early to nourish the yang energy and get up late to preserve the yin essence. Excessive sweating during exercise is not advisable as it may cause the yang energy to escape. Gentle forms of exercise such as Tai Chi, walking, and yoga are excellent choices.

On a spiritual level, the "retreat" during winter is also a form of inner exploration and spiritual practice. The noisy summer has passed, and the cold weather makes people more inclined to stay indoors. This is precisely a good time for reading, meditation, and reflection. Let the chaotic thoughts settle down, just like the earth absorbing all things. In silence, nourish the mind and accumulate inner strength. Even though outside the window there might be sparse trees, the heart can create a scene of blooming spring flowers.

The Winter Solstice is not an endpoint of decline, but a peaceful beginning. It teaches us to embrace silence and to know how to store. It enables us to better understand the warmth in the cold wind and to more clearly hear the voice within us in the silence. Let us spend this winter peacefully by the fire, in books, and in a bowl of hot soup, with hope, waiting for the cycle of the next spring.

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