Beginning of Winter, Lìdōng (立冬), the 19th Solar Term, signals the first chapter of the year’s final season. This Solar Term marks the time when the natural world begins to quietly retreat to conserve energy and people traditionally prepared their homes for the colder months ahead.

While winter is typically celebrated as beginning with the Winter Solstice (coming up this weekend) Lìdōng occurs in early November. This invites us to notice the early signs and subtle shifts that lead us into the season’s depths, giving us adequate time to gather what we need for rest and restoration.