A Season Between Seasons

In late November, we slip into the stillness of late autumn. The vibrant fall leaves, which seemed to have just arrived, are already scattered across the ground, creating a colorful blanket beneath our feet. Winter is now just around the corner.

Between every season, there's a quiet pause known as "Doyo=土用," a transitional period before winter truly sets in. Doyo lasts about 18 days before each season begins. It is a moment when nature shifts yet doesn't fully change.

Rooted in the theory of  Yin-Yang and the Five Elements originating in ancient China, Doyo reflects the five elements - Wood（木）, Fire（火）, Earth（土）, Metal（金）, and Water（水） - each tied to a season: Spring to Wood, Summer to Fire, Autumn to Metal, and Winter to Water.  As Doyo to Earth,  it is the "season within the seasons".

In ancient times, Doyo was seen as a time to avoid disturbing the soil, starting major projects, or moving locations, as it was thought to be under the influence of the Earth God. This may sound old-fashioned, but perhaps our ancestors knew something about this delicate time of balance, when nature is in flux. It was a time to pause, slow down, and reflect.

This year, Autumn Doyo ran from October 20th to November 6th. I finished all my gardening before it began, and closed the book on this year's wild harvest.

Nature, too, prepares for winter: trees drop their vibrant leaves to protect the roots from the cold. Over time, these leaves will decay during the long, rainy months, enriching the soil for the coming year.

By November 19th, the mountains in Vancouver were lightly dusted with snow. In this quiet moment, everything feels part of the endless cycle of nature - a season between seasons, where time flows gently forward.