[These weather trends apply to the whole Northern hemisphere and are relative to local climate (eg, 'cold weather' means different things in different regions, such as Alaska and Florida).]
The weather will be predominantly dry and warm. Autumn will be very colorful; leaves will change color and fall off on time. Although frost may arrive a few days after the Frost Descends day, days will generally remain warm, the cold won’t arrive quickly, water won’t freeze and animals won’t go dormant on time. Hard-shelled insects (e.g., ladybugs) will be abundant. The yield of many white crops—rice, white carrots, white seeds—will drop this year. Late-summer vegetables will have an extended harvest. Illnesses will affect those who cannot tolerate warmth and dryness at the same time, with dry and sore throats, constipation and dry skin. The western part of landmasses that have a dry climate will be most affected by this weather pattern.
“Autumn Equinox” is the middle of autumn; the sun has moved back from the north and is directly over the equator. Day and night are just about the same length in most parts of the world. The weather won’t suddenly becomes cool as in other years. Autumn harvests will continue for a while because of the extended warm weather. White-coloured root vegetables, such as potatoes, white carrots and radishes, will reach their harvest time during this 15-day period.
Nothing for this period.
[According to Chinese medicine, illnesses are related to the weather and climate. The problems listed here are more likely to occur in places where the weather conditions above are more pronounced.]
People are generally in good health, but respiratory symptoms, such as sore throat, dry cough and asthma, will be common.
[In Chinese medicine, food is the first line of defense against illness. The following recommendations can help prevent the health problems above.]
Food: Increase sour-tasting food.
In addition to the weather forecasts, the full edition of The Chinese Almanac contains predictions on crops, livestock, pets, human relations, emotions, business trends and more, plus articles on food and health, and a monthly planning calendar that shows all the weather periods. More information is available at www.ginsengpress.com/books
Excerpted from the current edition of The Chinese Almanac,
Copyright © 2008 Ginseng Press. All rights reserved.