Seasonal Needling, Opposition and Compliance

In spring qi is in the channels, in summer in the grandson collaterals, in late summer in the flesh, in autumn in the skin, in winter in the marrow and bones.

ORIGINAL春气在经脉，夏气在孙络，长夏气在肌肉，秋气在皮肤，冬气在骨髓中。

chūn qì zài jīng mài，xià qì zài sūn luò，zhǎng xià qì zài jī ròu，qiū qì zài pí fū，dōng qì zài gǔ suǐ zhōng。

Thus in spring heaven’s qi begins to open, earth’s qi begins to release, the frozen ground thaws and the ice melts, water flows and the channels are free, so human qi is in the vessels.

ORIGINAL是故春者，天气始开，地气始泄，冻解冰释，水行经通，故人气在脉。

shì gù chūn zhě，tiān qì shǐ kāi，dì qì shǐ xiè，dòng jiě bīng shì，shuǐ xíng jīng tōng，gù rén qì zài mài。

In all seasonal needling, for illness caused by grossly opposing the season, one must comply with this order.

ORIGINAL凡此四时刺者，大逆之病，不可不从也。

fán cǐ sì shí cì zhě，dà nì zhī bìng，bù kě bù cóng yě。

Oppose it, and disordered qi will soak in and produce illness.

ORIGINAL反之，则生乱气相淫病焉。

fǎn zhī，zé shēng luàn qì xiāng yín bìng yān。

A needle that injures one of the five viscera brings death; the signs vary with the organ injured, and by observing them one knows the time of death.

ORIGINAL刺伤人五脏必死，其动则依其脏之所变，候知其死也。

cì shāng rén wǔ zàng bì sǐ，qí dòng zé yī qí zàng zhī suǒ biàn，hòu zhī qí sǐ yě。