Which days in May are not suitable for intimate relations?

Health preservation has become increasingly important for people. In traditional Chinese medicine, health preservation focuses on adapting to the changes of the four seasons. The body's balance of yin and yang also varies with the seasons. The month of May is not only the Dragon Boat Festival but also known as the "Month of Nine Toxins." During this month, various toxins are believed to be at their peak, and people need to be extra cautious in various aspects, especially in sexual activities.

Within the Month of Nine Toxins, there are nine specific days known as the "Nine Toxic Days." During these nine days, people are advised to avoid swimming, drive away evil spirits, and refrain from depleting their vital energy. The question often arises: which days in May should one avoid sexual activities? As the lunar month of May approaches, it is worth noting that May begins with an important festival in Chinese culture - the Dragon Boat Festival, which falls on the fifth day of the fifth lunar month. Ancient beliefs considered the Double Fifth (May 5th) as an inauspicious day, when toxins are believed to be at their most harmful. Therefore, many customs surrounding the Dragon Boat Festival aim to ward off evil spirits and toxins, such as hanging calamus and mugwort leaves on doors.

May is also known as the Month of Nine Toxins, and sexual activities during the Nine Toxic Days are not recommended. So, when are the Nine Toxic Days? They are divided into three periods:

1. The Initial Toxic Days (three days): The fifth day of the fifth lunar month (June 9th in the solar calendar) is considered a day for the waxing of the earth and the calibration of officials' ranks by the Five Emperors. Offenses on this day are believed to result in the loss of rank and longevity, as well as other unforeseeable disasters. The sixth and seventh days of the fifth lunar month are also considered toxic days, with similar consequences for those who do not adhere to the prescribed restraints.

3. The Moderate Toxic Days (three days): The fifteenth day of the fifth lunar month is known as the Full Moon and is considered a toxic day. The sixteenth day is believed to be a time when the vital energy of heaven and earth creates all things, and offenses on this day can lead to the death of both spouses within three years. The seventeenth day is another toxic day with similar consequences.

4. The Final Toxic Days (three days): The twenty-fifth, twenty-sixth, and twenty-seventh days of the fifth lunar month are all considered toxic days, with the potential for unforeseeable disasters for those who do not exercise caution.

According to traditional Chinese geomantic principles, the fifth lunar month, or the Month of Nine Toxins, is a period that requires extra caution for both men and women. This is a time when imbalances can easily occur, leading to significant depletion of one's vital energy. Therefore, it is advisable to be especially cautious when engaging in sexual activities.

Why is caution necessary during the Nine Toxic Days? Traditional Chinese geomantic texts record that many people today suffer from various ailments such as aching legs and backs, numbness and soreness in the shoulders, weakness in the limbs, feverishness in the back, persistent coughing, occasional dizziness and headaches, blurred or painful vision, chills and sensitivity to cold in winter and spring, and sore throats and red eyes in summer and autumn. These symptoms are often attributed to excessive indulgence in sensual pleasures, which gradually leads to deeper health issues. Therefore, it is crucial to exercise restraint and abide by the advice of traditional medicine.

Here are some things to note during the Nine Toxic Days:

1. Warding off Evil and Detoxifying: Since the Dragon Boat Festival falls within the Nine Toxic Days, there are various customs designed to ward off evil spirits and detoxify the body. These include drinking realgar wine, wearing sachets and bracelets with five-colored threads, and hanging mugwort leaves.

2. The Evil Month and Day: Traditionally, the fifth lunar month is considered an "evil month," and the fifth day of this month, known as "Double Five," is particularly unlucky. As a result, there is a custom of "hiding from the noon hour," where infants within their first year are sent to their grandparents' homes to avoid misfortune.

3. Avoiding Swimming: Some places advise against swimming during this time, especially in areas where drownings have occurred. It is believed that the spirits of those who have drowned are particularly active during the