Solstice, called by the Chinese in their Nature calendar the Hsia Chih, Not only does this date mark one of the 24 solar year periods of 15 or 16 days each, called its "Joints and Breaths," but it also marks one of its Four Divisions. The other three divisions are the spring and autumn equinoxes and the winter solstice. At the present time the Sun is at its maximum, having reached on the above mentioned date the extreme limit on its apparent northward journey and now being on its way southward again. The actual date of the summer solstice marks the longest day and the shortest night in the year. To the this means that the Yang, or male, principle is in the ascendance, Although this date fell this year on the 28th day of the 5th Moon of the Chinese lunar calendar, and was, therefore, under the influence of the lung, or dragon, since this month is also known as the "Dragon Moon." because it is the time when the dragon hosts gather together to direct the summer rains, the summer season as a whole actually comes under the dian of the Southern sphere or heavens, The dragon is the Guardian of the Eastern Quadrant. which corresponds to the spring season, while the pel hu, or white tiger, and the kuei, or tortoise, respectively, are the Guardians of the Western Quadrant responding fo the autumn season and the Northern Quadrant corresponding to the winter season. *These four creatures are known as, the ssu fang, or four sacred animals. They often appear on the backs of bronze mirrors of the Tang and other ancient dynasties of China, and have a deep occult significance to the people of this country.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.