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In the first and second months, the heavenly qi begins to rectify (initial generation of yang qi), the earthly qi begins to stir (all things sprout), and the human qi resides in the Liver. In the third and fourth months, the heavenly qi is at its peak (yang qi is bright and vigorous), the earthly qi stabilizes and stirs (all things flower and tend toward fruition), and the human qi resides in the Spleen. (At the end of the season, Earth qi is dominant.) In the fifth and sixth months, the heavenly qi is abundant. (Heavenly Yang is intensely hot and strong). The earthly qi rises high. (Earthly fire heat ascends strongly). The human qi resides in the Head. (Fire nature flares upward, thus human qi resides in the head). In the seventh and eighth months, Yin qi begins to wither and kill, and the human qi resides in the Lung. (Yin qi’s withering and killing resembles Metal qi, thus human qi resides in the Lung). In the ninth and tenth months, Yin qi begins to freeze, the earthly qi begins to close, and the human qi resides in the Heart. (Following Yang into the interior, thus human qi resides in the Heart). In the eleventh and twelfth months, ice covers again, the earthly qi closes, and the human qi resides in the Kidney. (Yang qi is deeply concealed, thus human qi resides in the Kidney). The transformation of qi originates from Wood, flourishes in Earth, rises high, withers and kills in Metal, avoids cold in Fire, and hides in Water. These all follow and conform to Yin and Yang, the rising and sinking of qi. The following four sages discuss the depth and shallowness of qi. Therefore, in Spring, one punctures the scattered Shu points (San Shu) and the interstices; stop when blood appears. (Scattered Shu points refer to the scattered acupoints of the various meridians). For severe cases, wait for the transmission of qi; for mild cases, allow one cycle of circulation. (Transmission refers to dispersion. For severe illness, it is appropriate to retain the needle for a long time to await the transmission of qi; for slightly milder cases, simply wait for qi to circulate once around the body, approximately two ke [48 minutes], then remove the needle). In Summer, one punctures the Luo points and Shu points; stop when blood appears, exhaust the qi, and close the aperture; pain diseases will surely subside. (Summer is suitable for venting, so one must stop when blood appears. "Exhausting qi" means removing pathogenic blood and pathogenic qi. "Closing the aperture" means closing the acupoint after needle removal, requiring the time for qi to circulate once. Any pain disease will necessarily recede). In Autumn, one punctures the skin, following the grain/texture, applying the same method above and below. Stop when the Shen (Spirit) changes. (The former text discusses Hand meridians, the latter Foot meridians; the needling method is the same. The pathogen is not yet deep, so one only observes the pulse qi changing, differing from before needling, then stops. The pulse is the manifestation of Shen; change is called Shen change). In Winter, one punctures the Shu apertures within the interstices. (Deep holes are called apertures). For severe cases, puncture directly downward. (Observe where the pathogen is located and directly target the deep area). For mild cases, disperse downward. (Disperse the needles left and right, up and down, slightly slowing the pace). Spring, Summer, Autumn, and Winter each have their respective needling methods; the key lies in the location of the pathology.