The sixth phase of the Chinese seasonal calendar Grain Rain (Guyu) starts as the sun crosses 30° Longitude (0° Taurus). Please join the thousands of practitioners worldwide who will usher in this event by practicing the Grain Rain Empowerment. 

In this edition, we will explore the meaning of Grain Rain, the final stage of spring according to the Chinese seasonal calendar. First, we consider the transformation nature undergoes during Grain Rain, and then we will explore how you can awaken those qualities in order to align with the movement of life.

If you picture the earth as a pie baking inside the cosmic oven, then Grain Rain represents the time of the year (on the Northern Hemisphere) when the crust grows warmer. Over the next fifteen days, as the temperature continues to rise, the surface of the earth will become noticeably toastier. If you walk barefoot before Grain Rain the ground still feels nippy. After Grain Rain, the ground feels comfortable to a pair of bare feet.

As the surface temperature of the earth rises so does the surface temperature of the oceans. During Grain Rain water begins to evaporate, and, as a result, humidity and rainfall increase. The distinctive characteristic of Grain Rain is the warming and moistening of the earth which primes the ground for planting.

At the individual level, the “ground” symbolizes stability. “He’s standing on shaky ground.” “She’s standing on solid ground.” We use expressions like these relating to the ground to indicate the level of support we feel relative to a specific situation. Psychologically, our “ground” refers to our level of confidence. The image of standing on quicksand evokes a sense of hopelessness while the image of standing on solid bedrock inspires self-assurance. As you venture forth and manifest the vision you have developed over the last few seasonal phases, it is essential for the ground you tread to be supportive, solid, and reliable.

Grain Rain is the time of the year to connect with the Earth Qi rising up from the ground. Let this energy mesh with your springtime vision. Stand your ground comfortably and allow your confidence to guide your actions towards greater stability, security, and peace of mind. Do this now and you’ll be ready to move into the first phase of summer believing in yourself and impressing others with a vision of your success.