"Sparse paulownia leaves / Moonlight and newly gathered dew // Dripping clear light fills the air / Gleaming white light in the cold // Wind shakes the sorrowful jade pendants / Branches sway, cherishing the pearly branches // The air is cold, as if autumn is late / The sound is faint, as if the night is late // Condensed in the air, flowing everywhere / Moistening all things, a sight to behold // Do not tire of peering, for when the dew dries, it will be even harder to gather." This is the "Cold Dew" night described by the Tang Dynasty poet Dai Cha: The paulownia holds up the dewdrops, the dewdrops hold up the moonlight, the moonlight holds up the autumn wind, the autumn wind holds up the coolness, the coolness holds up the clear light, the clear light holds up the tranquility… Cold Dew brings late autumn before us, and we can joyfully dispel the desolation and enjoy the abundance of late autumn. Without the balance of desolation and sorrow, the words "joy" and "abundance" would lose their meaning. Rather than waiting for the sun and then standing under it to enjoy its comfort, our figures and labors should first shine in the moonlight.
The cold of Cold Dew is not severe cold. Compared to the Autumnal Equinox, the temperature gradually drops during Cold Dew, dew forms in the air, and a chill sets in. The *Suwen* (Plain Questions) states, "The fifth phase of Qi, its harsh decrees have been carried out; Cold Dew falls, and frost descends early." "After eating the Double Ninth Festival meal, one sees no one in a single layer of clothing." While this speaks of the coolness of Cold Dew, it is not the harbinger of Lesser Cold, paving the way for snow and wind; nor is it the representative of Greater Cold, laying the foundation for icy landscapes. It is merely a guardian deep within autumn, oblivious to the delicate beauty of the dew or the somber murmur of the autumn wind, diligently carrying out its own autumnal tasks: "Everyone is busy during Cold Dew, planting wheat, picking cotton, threshing beans." Cold Dew dislikes ostentation and doesn't seek the limelight; it is somewhat understated and simple. Little does it know that holding one's head too high or bowing too deeply will obscure one's direction. Cold Dew simply focuses on finishing the work of the month of You (酉), patiently ushering in the chilly month of Xu (戌).
The cold of Cold Dew is not shabby. Among the 24 solar terms, Cold Dew is not shabby. Although it lacks the fullness and balance of Autumn Equinox, it still carries enough coolness and vastness. If we don't look back at the fields covered in golden crops, we can easily be misled by the drifting, withered leaves. The wind of Cold Dew merely blows away people's arrogance and prejudice; Cold Dew's heart still yearns for the sun. Cold Dew is unambiguous; what should be harvested is harvested to the fullest: "When Cold Dew arrives, harvest the late rice; when Frost's Descent arrives, harvest the glutinous rice." "Harvest hawthorns during Cold Dew, dig up sweet potatoes during Frost's Descent." Cold Dew is also tireless; what should be planted is planted as soon as possible: "Plant wheat at the beginning of Cold Dew, plant one bowl, harvest three bushels." Life has its limits; mistakes are made by exceeding limits, harm by excess, and good by moderation. Isn't nature the same? Timely harvesting, timely management, and timely planting—doing what is worthwhile to the fullest—are essential. In fact, things worthy of pride are often the most difficult.
The coldness of Cold Dew is not a chill in the heart. "Crows perch on cold trees, flowers bloom in dewy water. The moon shines brightly in the shallow well, and the quiet autumn knows the ends of the earth." Even the Cold Dew is kind-hearted, offering the bright moon to lovers far away in the quiet autumn. As long as you sow and cultivate, and experience the baptism of sweat, a bountiful autumn awaits. Successful people often tackle difficult tasks with simple emotions. Unsuccessful people face simple tasks with complex emotions. Cultivate the instinct to sow in the romantic spring, hone real skills in the scorching summer, and strength will surround you in the Cold Dew. Little do you know, strength is an acquired skill, while weakness is an innate instinct. Never develop a wealth of skills and forget the instincts bestowed upon you by heaven. Mature people understand how to show weakness, just as mature rice stalks know how to bend. Be patient, be strong; one day, your sweat will crystallize, and your weakness, the pain you have endured, will help you. I don't love traveling; no matter how beautiful the scenery, it can't compare to the dew of the Cold Dew, which is everywhere…
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