Minor Cold: the 23rd Seasonal Node (January 5 – January 20, 2026)

January 5, 2026 marks Minor Cold, the 23rd of the 24 solar terms and the fifth phase of winter.

This is the point where the light begins to grow again, even though the cold is still intense. Nature may look frozen on the outside, but underneath, things are slowly awakening. The first stirrings, the tiniest spark of Yang rising.

We’re entering the coldest stretch of winter, but energetically, we’re already heading toward spring. If you imagine we're on a road trip traveling from Canada to Florida. We're still in Canada, we have a way to go, but we're now on the road heading to a warmer climate.

What’s Happening in Nature

• We’re gaining approx. 1–2 minutes of daylight per day depending on latitude. That adds up to around 10–15 extra minutes of light per week.

• Deer shed their antlers

Psycho-Emotional Shifts

Although there's a lot of focus on things like new years resolutions and goals, this is still a very Yin time of year. Continue to rest, recharge and reflect. Spring is a time of activity and growth. We need strength for that energetically.

This is a time of new things that are beginning to take shape but haven't manifested. Anything in the beginning stages should be nourished in its early stages of growth and expansion otherwise change and transformation can happen to quick and be out of control.

Lifestyle: continue to...

• Continue foot soaking
  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)

This is one of the coldest times of the year and the air tends to be really dry. Here's a recipe thats moisturizing and warming. Pears help moisten the lungs and the spices warm digestion. Red dates and goji berries are tonifying/nourishing.

Stewed Pears with cinnamon & ginger

Ingredients:

• 2 ripe pears (Bosc or Anjou are great)

• 1 small piece of fresh ginger (about 1 inch), sliced and skin peeled (Use peeled ginger for this recipe. For the season of Minor Cold, it better suits the intention of warming without over-stimulation.)

• 1 small cinnamon stick (or ½ tsp ground cinnamon)

• 1½ cups water

• Optional: 2–3 red dates (jujube), a few goji berries

Instructions:

1. Peel, core and slice the pears.

2. In a small pot, add the water, pears, ginger, cinnamon stick and optional ingredients (minus the honey).

3. Bring to a gentle boil, cover and reduce heat to low and simmer for about 15–20 minutes or until the pears are soft.

4. Remove from heat. Let it cool slightly and eat warm. optional: a drizzle of honey (honey is also moisturizing)

Important Notes:

• Eat warm

• Simmer this covered (with the pot lid on): this keeps the medicinal properties from evaporating and it lets the warming spices infuse. You can partially uncover it near the end if you want the liquid to reduce a bit more for a stronger flavor or syrupy consistency but start with the lid on.

Continue to avoid:
Cold or raw foods, iced drinks and overly spicy or greasy meals that challenge digestion.

Closing Reflection

Although the new calendar year has begun, nature is still in a very yin, inward phase. The energy of spring will bring growth and expansion, so now is the time to build up reserves. Resting and nourishing yourself now helps ensure you have the strength and vitality to meet that rising energy when the season shifts.

Next Season: Major Cold January 20, 2026

The Electro-magnetic field masterclass begins January 21, 2026 in Pearl River, NY Register here!