Introduction on Summer Solstice (一年之半夏至日)

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Time flies and now, its almost Half a year is gone.

In Lunar Fifth Month, besides celebrating the Dumpling Festival (端午節 eating of Rice Dumpling and enjoying Dragon Boat Racing), another important Day to celebrate will be Summer Solstice (夏至, Year 2010, it falls on 21 June, a Monday).

Summer Solstice, as important as Winter Solstice, it’s a day for the Family to gather and also for the Workers to rest. Of cos, in the modern era today, every minute is considered as Gold-worthing-moment, so now we cant really sit down and relax and have an enjoyable Summer Solstice, but in the past (Ancient Era), Summer Solstice is an Official Off Day for All working adults.

Why this Day is so Important?

1st, this is a Day that the Imperial Court promote Reunion & Gathering for Families & Friends. This is to strengthen the Bonding of the Society and also to show the Compassionate of the Imperial Court or Emperor

2nd, to show Filial Piety towards our Parents & Past-on Ancestors of the Family. On this Day, Special Honouring will be conducted for Deities & Ancestors, this is to thank them for providing the necessary Blessing

3rd, to allow the Plantation/Farm Plot to have a rest before the next round of Ploughing or Field-work starts. This is important as certain Plantation Lands do need enough rest in-order to produce enough minerals for the Plants, if not, at the end of the Year, the harvesting will be affected and it will affect the whole Food Chain-cycle and also, the total income of the Nation

Lastly, an Important Day for Taoism. As this Day, in some Contexts, it is the Manifestation Anniversary/Feast Day of Supreme Lord Ling Bao (上清靈寶天尊) of the Three Pure Ones (三清道祖)

So what are the Special Items that can be seen on this Day?

In the Ancient Era, Taoists or Chinese will prepared Sweet Dumpling aka Tang Yuan (湯圓) for the honouring of Deities & Ancestors.

Besides that, People will also ground Wheat to make Wheat Noodles or Biscuits for consuming. This is to celebrate that Half a Year had pass Smoothly, hoping that the next Half a Year can also be Peaceful and Prosperity.

Not only on the normal consumption, Chinese will also start to do certain necessary preparation for the Peak of the Summer to arrive, such as consuming Cooling Herbs, Balancing of the Physical Health, if not, once Oneself is being infected by the “Summer Fever”, the reason can be fatal.

So in Singapore, where can Oneself performed the Honouring for Summer Solstice?

In Singapore, Oneself can visit any Jade Emperor of Heaven Temples (玉皇大天尊廟宇) to pay your Respect or Honouring, from there, Oneself can make your Request to the Celestial Realm for Blessing.

Besides that, Taoist Mission of Singapore (新加坡道教協會) will also conduct Summer Solstice Honouring for Ling Bao Tian Zun (靈寶天尊), for those who are interested in participate, can contact them with this Website Link:

http://www.taoism.org.sg

In Summary

Last of ALL, hope that everyone enjoyed your Summer Solstice and wish that ALL of you will be Blessed.