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Heavenly Forgiveness and Autumn's Arrival
By Lin Hsien-Yun / Tainan
AUG 2025
As summer fades and autumn whispers its arrival, August 7, 2025, brings with it a rare cosmic convergence that only happens once in a generation. This year, the most auspicious day on the traditional Chinese calendar—Tianshe Day (天赦日), or the “Day of Heavenly Pardon”—falls on the same date as Liqiu (立秋), the beginning of autumn in the 24 solar terms. It’s a celestial duet between forgiveness and transformation, making this a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for spiritual renewal, karmic release, and a fresh start.
What is Tianshe Day?
Tianshe Day is the only few times each year that the Jade Emperor—supreme ruler of the heavens in Taoist belief—opens the celestial gates to forgive sins, dissolve misfortune, and offer a path toward better destiny. According to ancient texts, "赦日喜秋逢，三冬甲子甚為吉", meaning the meeting of Tianshe Day and the start of autumn is an especially potent blessing.
To put this rarity into perspective: the last time Tianshe Day and Liqiu aligned was over two decades ago, and after 2025, you won’t see it again until 2051—and the next after that, not until 2111.
How to Tap into This Cosmic Cleanse
Spiritual teacher Professor Yang Deng-Ke (楊登嵙) recommends seizing the golden window between 5:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m., when the sun’s yang energy is strongest. Whether you're at home or visiting a temple, light incense and offer your prayers to the Jade Emperor, seeking forgiveness for past misdeeds, clarity for the future, and blessings for your health, family, and fortune.
Suggested Offerings
If you're planning to join this celestial ritual, here’s what locals prepare:
Three cups of tea
Seasonal fruits and vegetarian cookies
Traditional joss papers including Heavenly Gold, Blessing Gold, and Fortune Money
A handwritten letter of repentance
How to Perform the Ritual
Introduce yourself: State your full name, birthday, and home address.
Read your repentance letter aloud, asking the Jade Emperor for mercy and a fresh start.
Burn your letter and joss papers, crack the longan shells and toss them into the fire to symbolize breaking free from past karmic cycles.
Close with a moment of gratitude, asking for peace, health, and abundance in the months to come.
Tianshe Day isn’t about superstition—it’s about intention. In the hustle of modern life, this ancient observance offers a rare pause for reflection. Whether you believe in the gods or just need a reason to reset, August 7 is a perfect day to speak kindly, act meaningfully, and plant the seeds of better days.
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