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處暑 Chushu: literally means “limit of heat”
Chushu is the second solar term of fall. It means that the heat of summer will go away from now on. However, it is still sultry and unlike autumn. People call the weather “Ciou lao hu,” which means an “Indian summer.” Chushu usually begins on around 23 August and ends on around 7 September.
「處暑」是秋天的第二個節氣，表示暑氣就此打住，將漸漸消散。但是天氣還是很炎熱，一點都不像秋天的季節，所以人們也將這種炎熱的天氣稱為「秋老虎」。處暑通常在國曆8月23日至9月7日。
Typhoon season is from April to June every year in Taiwan, especially on Chushu solar term. The typhoon packing sustained winds and rain will cause serious damage to crops. This will not only make all farmers’ efforts wasted, but also endanger people’s lives.
每年的六至九月是颱風發展旺盛的季節，但「處暑」節氣更是颱風最多、威力最為驚人的時候。因為挾帶強風豪雨的颱風，讓農作物遭到嚴重的破壞，不僅讓農人的心血付諸流水，還可能威脅到生命安全。
Chushu is the second solar term of fall. It means that the heat of summer will go away from now on. However, it is still sultry and unlike autumn. People call the weather “Ciou lao hu,” which means an “Indian summer.” Chushu usually begins on around 23 August and ends on around 7 September.
「處暑」是秋天的第二個節氣，表示暑氣就此打住，將漸漸消散。但是天氣還是很炎熱，一點都不像秋天的季節，所以人們也將這種炎熱的天氣稱為「秋老虎」。處暑通常在國曆8月23日至9月7日。
Typhoon season is from April to June every year in Taiwan, especially on Chushu solar term. The typhoon packing sustained winds and rain will cause serious damage to crops. This will not only make all farmers’ efforts wasted, but also endanger people’s lives.
每年的六至九月是颱風發展旺盛的季節，但「處暑」節氣更是颱風最多、威力最為驚人的時候。因為挾帶強風豪雨的颱風，讓農作物遭到嚴重的破壞，不僅讓農人的心血付諸流水，還可能威脅到生命安全。
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Ghost Month 鬼月
According to Chinese custom, the seventh month of the lunar calendar is “Ghost Month.” From July 1st, the wandering ghosts will be emancipated from the hell, which is called “Guei Men Kai” (opening of the hell gate). People will set some offerings for them until the end of July. During this time, the wandering ghosts enjoy the offerings, burning incense and receive a ritual to release their souls. It makes them free and not to stay in human world. “Ghost Month” has many taboos, for example, avoiding getting married, buying a new house, or moving. Playing beside water is also a taboo of Ghost Month because it is said that people will be caught by the kelpie. 農曆七月，是俗稱的鬼月。從七月初一起，就有開鬼門的儀式，直到月底關鬼門止，都會舉行普渡布施，釋放地獄中無人奉祀的孤魂野鬼，到人間享受一個月的香火、賜食與接受超渡，使祂們可以早日解脫，勿停留人間。鬼月有很多禁忌，例如在這個月要避免結婚、買房子、搬家、到水邊戲水...等。 Photo 1: Ghost Month Photo 2: |
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Chungyuan Festival(Ghost Festival) 中元節
Ghost Festival is on July 15th of lunar calendar. It is one of the most important folk festivals in Taiwan. Government agencies, companies, communities, or temples will all hold ceremonies on that day to comfort the wandering ghosts, which are also called “good brothers” in Taiwan, and pray for safety. 中元節在農曆七月十五日。在臺灣，中元是相當重要的民俗節日，無論政府機關、公司行號、社區住宅、神壇廟宇，都會在舊曆的七月初一到七月三十日之間，擇日舉辦祭祀活動，特別是在中元節那天，以慰在人世間遊玩的眾家好兄弟（臺灣人對遊蕩鬼魂的尊稱），並祈求全年的平安順利。 Photo: People gathering together and giving offerings to good brothers |
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「處暑，會曝死老鼠」
The weather of this term is so hot as to kill a mouse.
這時節的天氣非常炎熱，一點都沒有秋天的涼意，酷熱的天氣甚至會把老鼠「曬」死。
The weather of this term is so hot as to kill a mouse.
這時節的天氣非常炎熱，一點都沒有秋天的涼意，酷熱的天氣甚至會把老鼠「曬」死。
Taiwan is in the humid subtropical climate zone, so the temperature is still high. People should be aware of the dietetic hygiene and be careful when going swimming outside. Furthermore, it is in the typhoon season. People should not only look out for the weather forecast, but also take precautions against typhoon every day. Precautions like cleaning up the ditch in front of the house, pruning trees in the yard, and doing soil and water conservation can really reduce the damage caused by typhoons.
台灣地處亞熱帶，氣溫尚高，飲食衛生要注意，而戲水出遊尤須小心。另外，因此時節多颱風，民眾除了多留意氣象預報，平日就需要做好防颱準備，像是主動清掃家門前水溝的垃圾、修剪居家樹木、重視水土保持，才能降低颱風或豪雨時的傷害。
台灣地處亞熱帶，氣溫尚高，飲食衛生要注意，而戲水出遊尤須小心。另外，因此時節多颱風，民眾除了多留意氣象預報，平日就需要做好防颱準備，像是主動清掃家門前水溝的垃圾、修剪居家樹木、重視水土保持，才能降低颱風或豪雨時的傷害。
