Summer- Passage from Neijing 四氣調神大論

The second chapter of the Su Wen section of the Neijing is titled The Great Treatise on Regulating the Spirit with the Four Seasons (四氣調神大論)

This chapter gives basic descriptions of the four seasons and how we should specifically move with them, based of course on Yin-Yang and Five Phase theories. The section of this chapter that discusses Summer begins by saying, “the three months of Summer denote opulence and blossoming. The qi and heaven and earth interact and the myriad beings bloom and bear fruit.” This basic statement defines the season as the Fire phase and Greater Yang. The heart is represented by the Fire phase in Chinese Medicine. The Fire element symbolizes love and rules summer, the months of intense growth and heat, when the year is reaching its fullest potential. It governs the south, where temperatures are warm and summerlike and it is associated with heat and the color red.

The days of Summer are longer than that of all the other seasons. This is, again, because Summer is the greatest Yang of all the seasons. The chapter continues with “go to rest late at night and rise early. Never get enough of the sun.” Certainly, sleep and rest are important keys to health. However, the active nature of Summer means that we should also be more active. Summer is the time to be outside in the sun, and to be more physically active. It is the time of year that we can get away with less sleep (still remembering to always strike a balance based on our individual levels of health). Since the weather is good, Summer is also the natural time for vacation and travel.

A passage in the Su Wen, gives advice on our mind states. It says, “let the mind have no anger, and things will blossom beautifully.” Anger is a violent movement of qi upwards and outwards. In Chinese medicine it causes the Liver to upsurge, which can result in an abundance of heat that has potential to damage the Heart. This sentence really represents is what happens when there is too much expansion and growth. 

According to the Neijing these practical guidelines bring us into resonance with Summer and allows us to nourish this ideal of growth and expansion. If we fail to harmonize with the season, the Neijing warns us that we will suffer disease in the Fall and Winter to follow.