Grain Buds
author: Willow
2025-05-21
The traditional Chinese lunar calendar divides the year into 24 solar terms. Grain Buds, the 8th solar term of a year, begins on May 21 this year, and ends on June 5. It means that the seeds from the grain are becoming full but are not ripe.
Among the 24 solar terms, there are three pairs of minor & major solar terms: Minor Heat & Major Heat, Minor Snow & Major Snow, Minor Cold & Major Cold. But why can’t we find “Major Fullness” when there is “Minor Fullness” in the 24 solar terms? The name of Minor Fullness embodies the wisdom of ancient Chinese sages: water spills out when it is full; the moon begins to wane the moment it becomes full. This is the rule of nature. Not reaching fullness, we’ll feel regretful, but when we gain fullness, we are bound to lose something. Therefore, we enjoy our lives in an appropriate speed, expecting minor fullness or satisfaction instead of major fullness or overfullness. Although Minor Fullness is a solar term, it is a lesson of life. How ingenious! When Minor Fullness falls on May 21, have you realized the true meaning of love?
