Summer Solstice — Born Hour
Summer Solstice: longest day at 90° — peak yang light, mid-point of Wu month.
Overview
Xia Zhi (夏至) is the solstice Zhong Qi of Wu month. Northern daylight peaks; classical models say yin begins to sprout within yang.
Pentads: 鹿角解、蜩始鸣、半夏生. 'Nine nines' summer counting songs start from here in some regions.
Customs: noodles at solstice (冬至饺子夏至面) in northern China; ice rites in imperial calendars.
Near the solstice instant, verify true solar time for hour-accurate pillars — the node is defined astronomically.
Phenology (three pentads)
Three pentads: deer shed antlers; cicadas; pinellia grows.
Classical citation
Classical: sun reaches the north — longest day.
Month command contrast
Month command: Wu mid-point; yang peaks, yin sprouts.
Related entries
How to read it on a chart
Find Summer Solstice in the almanac or chart engine output for your birth year and compare the instant with true solar time.
Jie nodes can move the Month Pillar; Zhong Qi deepen the same month without switching branch.
Limits
Summer Solstice is a calendrical node and cultural festival, not a weather guarantee or personal luck verdict.