Translated version

Spring months, this is called Fachen (sprouting and burgeoning). Heaven and Earth both generate, all things flourish. Sleep late and rise early, walk widely in the courtyard, let hair down and relax the body, to make the Will [1] grow. Give life and do not kill, give and do not take, reward and do not punish. This is the response to Spring Qi [2], the way to nourish life. If contrary, it injures the Liver [3], in summer there is solid cold transformation, and less offered to growth.

Summer months, this is called Fanxiu (luxuriant beauty). Heaven and Earth Qi interact, all things bloom and bear fruit. Sleep late and rise early, do not dislike the sun, make the Will not angry, make flowers and fruits form beautifully, make Qi vent, as if loved ones are outside. This is the response to Summer Qi, the way to nourish growth. If contrary, it injures the Heart [4], in autumn there is malaria, less offered to harvest, and in winter solstice severe illness.

Autumn months, this is called Rongping (containing and calming). Heaven Qi becomes urgent, Earth Qi becomes clear. Sleep early and rise early, with the rooster arise, make the Will peaceful, to alleviate autumn punishment, gather Spirit [6] and Qi, make Autumn Qi calm, do not externalize the Will, make Lung Qi clear. This is the response to Autumn Qi, the way to nourish harvest. If contrary, it injures the Lung [5], in winter there is undigested diarrhea, less offered to storage.

Winter months, this is called Bicang (closing and storing). Water freezes, ground cracks, do not disturb Yang, sleep early and rise late, must wait for sunlight, make the Will as if hidden or concealed, as if having private thoughts, as if already gained, avoid cold and seek warmth, do not vent the skin, make Qi severely snatched.

This is the response to Winter Qi, the way to nourish storage. If contrary, it injures the Kidney [7], in spring there is flaccidity and reversal, less offered to birth.

Heaven Qi is clear and pure, bright and illuminating, storing virtue without cease, therefore does not descend. If Heaven is bright, then sun and moon do not shine, evil harms the orifices.

Yang Qi is blocked, Earth Qi blinds brightness, clouds and fog are not fine, then dew does not descend in response above.

Intercourse not manifested, life of all things not bestowed, not bestowed then famous trees mostly die. Evil Qi not dispersed, wind and rain not regulated, dew not descending, then plants do not flourish.

Thief winds frequently arrive, torrential rains frequently arise, Heaven and Earth four seasons do not protect each other, lose connection with Dao, then not yet finished extinction occurs.

Only sages follow it, therefore body has no strange diseases, all things do not lose, vital Qi does not exhaust.

Contrary to Spring Qi, then Lesser Yang [8] does not generate, Liver Qi changes internally.

Contrary to Summer Qi, then Greater Yang [9] does not grow, Heart Qi becomes hollow internally.

Contrary to Autumn Qi, then Greater Yin [10] does not harvest, Lung Qi scorched and full.

Contrary to Winter Qi, then Lesser Yin [11] does not store, Kidney Qi alone sinks.

Now, the four seasons Yin-Yang are the root of all things. Therefore sages in spring and summer nourish Yang, in autumn and winter nourish Yin, to follow their root; thus with all things sink and float at the gate of growth. Contrary to their root, then cut their base, destroy their true essence.

Therefore Yin-Yang and four seasons are the beginning and end of all things; the root of life and death. Contrary to them, disasters arise; following them, diseases do not rise, this is called obtaining Dao.

Dao, sages practice it, fools carry it. Following Yin-Yang, life; contrary, death; following, order; contrary, chaos. Reverse compliance to contrary, this is called internal obstruction.

Therefore sages do not treat already sick, treat not yet sick; do not treat already chaotic, treat not yet chaotic, this is what is said. If disease is already formed and then medicate, chaos is already formed and then govern, like digging a well when thirsty, casting a dagger when fighting, is it not too late?