冬

Winter The Dao of Storage

藏之道

The three months of winter are called closing and storing.
Water freezes earth cracks. Do not disturb the yang at all.
Early to bed, late to rise. (One) must await the daylight.
Make that which is of the heart/mind as though hidden,
as though concealed,  as though (one) has a secret intention,
already obtained. Leave the cold, seek warmth. 
Do not leak the
skin (sweat).  Urgently hold onto the chi.
This is the winter compliance of chi
and the cultivation of the Dao of storage.
To oppose these principles injures the kidneys.
(Consequently) spring will bring paralysis and fainting
(and) there will be little to offer one's sprouting.
(Nei Jing Chapter 2)

 收之道

Autumn The Dao of Gathering

The three months of autumn are called containment and balance.
Heavenly qi is quick, earthly qi is bright.
Early to bed, early to rise: all participate with the rooster.
Make that which is of the heart-mind peaceful and tranquil
in order to weaken the punishment of autumn.
Gather and collect the spirit and the qi.
Make the autumn qi balanced.
Do not direct that which is of the heart-mind outwards.
Make the lung qi pure.
This is the autumnal compliance of qi
and the cultivation of the Dao of gathering.
To oppose these principles injures the lungs.
(Consequently) winter will bring diarrhoea
(and) there will be little to offer one’s storehouse.
(Nei Jing Chapter 2)

       長 夏

Long Summer

The fifth season is late summer or Indian summer. The Chinese call it Long Summer (chang xia). Its element is earth. The Chinese element 'earth' 土 (tu) holds the same place as the Hindu element ‘akasa’ or space. It is that which holds and contains everything. It is the bedrock which allows everything else to be. It’s primary function is integration. By holding everything it allows all of the apparently separate things of existence to recognise their non-difference.

            長之道

The Dao of Lengthening

The period of three months of summer are called luxuriant flowering.
The chi of Heaven and Earth mingle.
The ten thousand things bloom and bear fruit.
At dark to bed, early to rise.  Do not tire of the sun.
Keep that which is of the heart/mind from anger.
Allow the finest things to flower fully.  Allow the chi to leak (sweat).
Act as though you love the outside.
This is the summer compliance of chi
(and) the cultivation of the Dao of lengthening.
To oppose these principles injures the heart.
(Consequently) Autumn will bring intermittent fevers
(and) there will be little to offer one's gathering,
and the Winter solstice will bring grave disease.
(Nei Jing Chapter 2)