Major Cold: 24th Seasonal Node (January 20 – February 4, 2026)

January 20, 2026 marks Major Cold, the 24th of the 24 solar terms and the last seasonal node of winter.

This is the coldest point of the year. The world outside feels harsh. Over the next 2 weeks we can expect snow and icy cold weather. But deep beneath the surface, energy is slowly waking up, the first spark of spring energy.

As the final season of winter, Major Cold has the theme of endings.

Psycho-Emotional Shifts

In Daoist thought, clarity often comes not from adding more, but from letting go. Endings give us space. Alignment and wisdom can come through releasing attachments, habits, ideas, patterns and unnecessary layers to make room for things better suited for us. Major Cold is a perfect time to reflect: What feels heavy or draining? What could I let go of, even for a little while?

Lifestyle: continue to...

• Foot soak: A warm foot bath at night is a great self-care practice throughout winter. Warmth travels through the Kidney 1 point on the sole of the foot and moves upward absorbing into the internal organs, connective tissue, muscles and bones. Once you start to sweat a little, you can stop, at that point the warmth has fully saturated the entire body.

• Keep your feet, head, neck, ears and lower back warm.

• Go to sleep early and if you can, wake up after the sun rises

Seasonal Diet (Five Element Nutrition)

Continue with warming, cooked and nourishing foods we've been cultivating all winter. You can find that info here in this article under Seasonal Diet.

As we’re approaching a seasonal shift, In Chinese medicine, the earth element (the spleen stomach) becomes more active (and vulnerable) during transitions, which means digestion needs a little extra care.

Eat warm, easy to digest food. Stay away from heavy, overly greasy food and sweets which can interfere with the spleen / stomach’s ability to transform nutrients into qi. Avoid cold foods like ice cream and frozen drinks. Limit cold energy foods like clams, mung beans, bean sprouts, bananas, grapefruits.

Closing

The yin energy is still strong and the body naturally continues to want warmth, nourishment and rest. Lots of self care, extra sleep and doing things that warm the heart, mind and body.

Next Season: Beginning of Spring - February 4, 2026