斑水蛭及虻虫,乌头附子配天雄。
野葛水银并巴豆,牛膝薏苡与蜈蚣。
三棱代赭莞花麝,大戟蛇蜕黄雌雄。
牙硝芒硝牡丹桂,槐花牵牛皂角同。
半夏南星与通草,瞿麦干姜蟹甲爪。
硼砂干漆兼桃仁,地胆茅根莫用好。
从来娶妇必期偕老,生子必望长成,乃人有伉俪极笃,而中道死亡,产育艰难,而
半途夭折者,只因肆情纵欲,暗犯禁忌,而不自知也。道经云∶男女交媾,最有避忌,若
犯所忌,天夺其算,神降之殃,生子丑貌怪相,性行不良,生理残障夭札,实有明验,故君
子不独外色锄之务尽,即房帏之内,琴瑟之欢,俱有克治之道焉。
正月初(一名天腊玉帝下界,校世人禄命犯者,削禄夺纪。)初三(万神都会,犯者夺纪。)
初五(五虚)初六(六耗)初七(上会)初九(玉皇上帝诞,犯者绝嗣。)十四(三元下降,犯者减寿。)十
五(天官诞)十六(三元下降)二十五(每月二十五为月晦日,犯者减寿。)二十七(北斗下降,犯者夺纪,每
月如此。)二十八(每月二十八神人在阴,犯者恶疾。)
三十(每月三十灶君奏事,犯者减寿,如逢月小即戒二十九,嗣后每月初三皆宜避忌。)
二月初一(犯者夺纪,每月如此。)初三(文昌帝君诞,又万神教会,犯者削禄夺纪。)十
五(犯者夺纪,每月如此。)十八(至圣先师孔子讳辰,犯者削禄夺纪。)十九(观音大士诞,犯
者夺纪。)二十五 二十七 二十八 三十(俱同前。)
三月初一(同前)初三(玄天上帝诞,犯者夺纪。)初九(牛鬼神出,犯者产恶胎。)十五(同前)
十六(准提菩萨诞,犯者夺纪。)十八(中岳帝诞) 二十五 二十七(俱同前)二十八(东岳帝诞,犯者削禄
夺纪。)三十(同前。)
四月初一(同前)初四(万神善化,犯者失喑。)初八(佛诞,又善恶童子降,犯者血死。)十四
(吕祖诞)十五(同前)二十五 二十七 二十八 三十(俱同前。)
五月初一(同前)初五(名地腊五帝考校生人官爵,犯者削禄夺纪。)自初五 初六 初七
十五 十六 十六 二十五 二十六 二十七(此九日名九毒日,犯者天亡。十五子时,犯者男女三年内双亡
。十六为天地万物造化之辰,最忌。)十三(关圣帝君成神日)二十八 三十(俱同前)。
六月初一(同前)十五(同前)十九(观音得道)二十三(火神诞)二十四(关帝耶诞,又雷祖诞。)二十五
二十七 二十八 三十(俱同前)
七月初一(同前)初七(名道德腊五帝校生人善恶)初十(阴毒日十五地官校籍,犯者夺纪。)十
九(太岁诞)二十五 二十七 二十八(同前)三十(地藏菩萨诞,犯者夺纪。)
八月初一(同前)初三(灶君诞,又北斗诞,犯者夺纪。)初十(北岳帝诞)十五(太阴朝元焚香守
夜)二十五(同前)二十七(至圣先师孔子诞,犯者削禄夺纪。)二十八 三十(俱同前。)
九月初一(同前)初九(斗母诞,犯者夺纪。)十五(同前)十七(金龙四大王诞)十九(观音出家,
犯者困苦。)二十五 二十七 二十八 三十(俱同前。)
十月初一(岁腊)初五(下会)初六(天曹考察)初十(西天王降,犯者暴亡。)十五(水官校籍,犯
者夺纪。)二十五(同前)二十七(北极紫微大帝诞)二十八 三十(俱同前。)
十一月初一(同前)十一(太乙救苦天尊诞)十五(同前)十七(阿弥陀佛诞,犯者夺纪。)二十五
二十七 二十八 三十(俱同前。)
十二月初一(同前)初七(犯者恶疾)初八 初旬戊日(名王侯腊)十五(同前)十六(南岳帝诞)二
十(天地交道,犯者夺纪。)二十四(司命上奏善恶)二十五(上帝下界考察)二十七 二十八(同前除夕诸神考
察,犯者夺纪。)
每岁二至之日,(夏至、冬至,乃阴阳相争死生分判之时,宜禁欲事。二分春分雷将
发声,犯者生子五官四肢不全,父母有灾。秋分杀气浸盛,阳气日衰,前后数日俱宜戒。)三元日,
(犯之减寿五年。)四始二分二至社日,(犯之减寿四年)三伏日,弦日,晦日,(犯之减寿一年。)庚申甲子日,
祭祀前斋戒日,父母诞日,讳日,夫妇诞日,本命日,(犯之减寿一年。)丙丁日,(犯之得病。
)白昼星月下,灯光下,(犯之损寿。)烈风雷雨日月薄蚀高山大川之上,(犯之损寿产恶胎。)酷暑严寒
,(犯之得
重疾。)寺庙之中,井灶坑厕冢墓尸柩之傍,(犯之恶人降胎。)郁怒,(大怒伤肝,犯之必病。)远
行,(行房百里者病百里,行房者死。)醉饱,(醉后入房,五脏反复。)空腹,(犯之伤元神。)胎
前,(犯之伤胎。)产后,(百日内犯之妇病。)天癸来时,(犯之男女俱损。)病后,(犯之变症。)一
夕勿两度,勿忍蓄不泄。竹席(竹性寒凉,犯之恐感寒气。)薄衾(犯之寒气入骨)牖罅有风宜
避,夜深就枕宜戒。
陈抟曰∶上士异室,中士异床,下士异被,守此戒期者,非异室异床不可。谨按∶《礼记月令》∶
日夜分,雷乃发声。先雷三日,夺木铎以令兆民。曰雷将发声,有不戒其容止者,生子不备,必有凶灾。
可知禁忌,自古有之。日长至则曰止声色,毋或进。日短至则曰去声色,禁嗜欲。盖冬夏二至,阴阳
相争之时,最难保护。前后数日,皆宜绝欲。语云∶乐极生悲,纵欲成患。谨劝世人,须
为长久之欢,弗逞临时之乐。夫欲浓则暂,欲淡则长,其理不爽,其事不诬也。凡一切非
地非时者,能不严戒乎?笃信之士,贤德之妇,每逢禁忌,必谨遵之。不特身其康强,自
能多生好子矣。
水蛭、虻虫,乌头、附子配天雄。
野葛、水银和巴豆,牛膝、薏苡仁与蜈蚣。
三棱、代赭石、莞花、麝香,大戟、蛇蜕、黄雌(指雌黄或特定毒药,此处依原文保留)雄(指雄黄)。
牙硝、芒硝、牡丹皮、肉桂,槐花、牵牛子、皂角相同。
半夏、南星与通草,瞿麦、干姜、蟹甲(鳖甲)、爪(指甲类药材,此处存疑,通常指动物角质类,依原文保留)。
硼砂、干漆兼桃仁,地胆、茅根莫要使用。
自古以来,娶妻必定期望白头偕老,生子必定希望长成成人,然而有人夫妻情笃,却中途丧偶;生育艰难,孩子却半途夭折。这仅仅是因为放纵情欲,暗中触犯禁忌,而自己却不知道的缘故。道经说:男女交媾,最讲究避忌,如果触犯所忌,上天会剥夺其寿命,神明降下灾殃,导致子女相貌丑陋怪异,性情品行不良,生理残疾早夭,确实有明确的验证。所以君子不仅在外在禁绝女色务求彻底,即使在房帏之内,琴瑟之欢,也有克制修养的道理。
正月初一(又名天腊,玉帝降临人间,校核世人禄命,犯者削夺禄位和寿命。)初三(万神聚会,犯者夺纪。)初五(五虚日)初六(六耗日)初七(上会日)初九(玉皇上帝诞辰,犯者断绝后代。)十四(三元下降,犯者减寿。)十五(天官诞辰)十六(三元下降)二十五(每月二十五为月晦日,犯者减寿。)二十七(北斗下降,犯者夺纪,每月如此。)二十八(每月二十八神人在阴间,犯者患恶疾。)三十(每月三十灶君奏事,犯者减寿,如遇小月则戒二十九,此后每月初三皆宜避忌。)
二月初一(犯者夺纪,每月如此。)初三(文昌帝君诞辰,又是万神教会,犯者削禄夺纪。)十五(犯者夺纪,每月如此。)十八(至圣先师孔子讳辰,犯者削禄夺纪。)十九(观音大士诞辰,犯者夺纪。)二十五、二十七、二十八、三十(俱同前条。)
三月初一(同前)初三(玄天上帝诞辰,犯者夺纪。)初九(牛鬼神出,犯者产恶胎。)十五(同前)十六(准提菩萨诞辰,犯者夺纪。)十八(中岳帝诞辰)二十五、二十七(俱同前)二十八(东岳帝诞辰,犯者削禄夺纪。)三十(同前。)
四月初一(同前)初四(万神善化,犯者失音。)初八(佛诞,又善恶童子降,犯者血死。)十四(吕祖诞辰)十五(同前)二十五、二十七、二十八、三十(俱同前。)
五月初一(同前)初五(名地腊,五帝考校生人官爵,犯者削禄夺纪。)自初五、初六、初七、十五、十六、十六、二十五、二十六、二十七(此九日名九毒日,犯者天亡。十五日子时,犯者男女三年内双亡。十六日为天地万物造化之辰,最忌。)十三(关圣帝君成神日)二十八、三十(俱同前)。
六月初一(同前)十五(同前)十九(观音得道)二十三(火神诞辰)二十四(关帝耶诞,又雷祖诞辰。)二十五、二十七、二十八、三十(俱同前)
七月初一(同前)初七(名道德腊,五帝校生人善恶)初十(阴毒日十五地官校籍,犯者夺纪。)十九(太岁诞辰)二十五、二十七、二十八(同前)三十(地藏菩萨诞辰,犯者夺纪。)
八月初一(同前)初三(灶君诞辰,又北斗诞辰,犯者夺纪。)初十(北岳帝诞辰)十五(太阴朝元焚香守夜)二十五(同前)二十七(至圣先师孔子诞辰,犯者削禄夺纪。)二十八、三十(俱同前。)
九月初一(同前)初九(斗母诞辰,犯者夺纪。)十五(同前)十七(金龙四大王诞辰)十九(观音出家,犯者困苦。)二十五、二十七、二十八、三十(俱同前。)
十月初一(岁腊)初五(下会)初六(天曹考察)初十(西天王降,犯者暴亡。)十五(水官校籍,犯者夺纪。)二十五(同前)二十七(北极紫微大帝诞辰)二十八、三十(俱同前。)
十一月初一(同前)十一(太乙救苦天尊诞辰)十五(同前)十七(阿弥陀佛诞辰,犯者夺纪。)二十五、二十七、二十八、三十(俱同前。)
十二月初一(同前)初七(犯者恶疾)初八、初旬戊日(名王侯腊)十五(同前)十六(南岳帝诞辰)二十(天地交道,犯者夺纪。)二十四(司命上奏善恶)二十五(上帝下界考察)二十七、二十八(同前除夕诸神考察,犯者夺纪。)
每年冬至、夏至之日,(夏至、冬至,是阴阳相争、生死分判之时,宜禁止房事。春分雷将发声,犯者生子五官四肢不全,父母有灾。秋分杀气渐盛,阳气日衰,前后数日皆宜戒除。)三元日,(犯之减寿五年。)四始、二分、二至、社日,(犯之减寿四年)三伏日,弦日,晦日,(犯之减寿一年。)庚申、甲子日,祭祀前斋戒日,父母诞辰日,讳日,夫妇诞辰日,本命日,(犯之减寿一年。)丙丁日,(犯之得病。)白昼星月下,灯光下,(犯之损寿。)烈风雷雨日月薄蚀高山大川之上,(犯之损寿产恶胎。)酷暑严寒,(犯之得重疾。)寺庙之中,井灶坑厕冢墓尸柩之傍,(犯之恶人降胎。)郁怒,(大怒伤肝,犯之必病。)远行,(行房百里者病百里,行房者死。)醉饱,(醉后入房,五脏反复。)空腹,(犯之伤元神。)胎前,(犯之伤胎。)产后,(百日内犯之妇病。)天癸来时,(犯之男女俱损。)病后,(犯之变症。)一夕勿两度,勿忍蓄不泄。竹席(竹性寒凉,犯之恐感寒气。)薄衾(犯之寒气入骨)牖罅有风宜避,夜深就枕宜戒。
陈抟说:上等之士不同室,中等之士不同床,下等之士不同被,遵守这些戒期的人,非同室不同床不可。谨按:《礼记·月令》说:日夜平分,雷开始发声。打雷前三天,敲木铎号令百姓。说“雷将发声”,有不节制行为者,生子不健全,必有凶灾。可知禁忌,自古就有。日长至(夏至)时说停止声色,不要进用。日短至(冬至)时说去除声色,禁止嗜欲。大概冬夏二至,是阴阳相争之时,最难保护。前后数日,都宜绝欲。俗话说:乐极生悲,纵欲成患。谨劝世人,须为长久之欢,不要逞一时之乐。欲望浓则短暂,欲望淡则长久,道理不错,事实不虚。凡一切不合时宜之地,能不严格戒除吗?笃信之士,贤德之妇,每逢禁忌,必严格遵守。不仅自身健康强壮,自然能多生好子了。
Shuizhi (Leech, *Hirudo nipponica*), Mengchong (Robber Fly Larva, *Ocyptera* sp.), Wutou (Aconite Root, *Aconiti Lateralis Radix*), Fuzi (Prepared Aconite Root, *Aconiti Lateralis Radix Praeparata*) combined with Tianxiong (Male Aconite Root, *Aconiti Kusnezoffii Radix*).
Yege (Stramonium Seed/Leaf, *Daturae Semen/Folium*), Shuiyin (Mercury, *Hydrargyrum*), and Badou (Croton Seed, *Crotonis Tiglii Fructus*), Niuxi (Achyranthes Root, *Achyranthis Bidentatae Radix*), Yiyiren (Coix Seed, *Coicis Semen*) and Wugong (Centipede, *Scolopendra*).
Sanleng (Sparganium Rhizome, *Sparganii Rhizoma*), Daizhe (Haematitum, *Haematites*), Guanhua (Euphorbia Flower, *Euphorbiae Flos*), She (Musk, *Moschus*), Daji (Euphorbia Root, *Euphorbiae Pekinensis Radix*), Shutui (Snake Slough, *Bungarus multicinctus Cutis*), Huangci (Realgar or Orpiment, *Realgar/Orpiment*), Xiong (Realgar, *Realgar*).
Yaxiao (Mirabilite, *Natrii Sulfas*), Mangxiao (Glauber's Salt, *Natrii Sulfas*), Mudanpi (Tree Peony Bark, *Paeoniae Moutan Cortex*, Rougui (Cinnamon Twig/Bark, *Cinnamomi Ramulus/Cortex*), Huaihua (Sophora Flower, *Styphnolobii Flos*), Qianniu (Pharbitis Seed, *Pharbitidis Semen*), Zaojiao (Tamarind Fruit, *Ziziphus Jujuba var. spinosae Fructus*).
Banxia (Pinellia Tuber, *Pinelliae Rhizoma*), Nanxing (Arisaema Rhizome, *Arisaematis Rhizoma*) and Tongcao (Tetrapanax Pith, *Tetrapanax Pithium*), Qumai (Dianthus Herb, *Dianthi Herba*), Ganjiang (Dried Ginger, *Zingiberis Rhizoma*), Xiejiab (Softshell Turtle Shell, *Trionycis Carapax et Plastrum), Zhua (Animal Claw/Keratin, *various animal keratins*).
Pengsha (Borax, *Borax*), Ganqi (Dry Lacquer, *Rhus Verniciflua Resina*) combined with Taoren (Peach Kernel, *Persicae Semen*), Didan (Ground Beetle, *Mylabris), Maogen (Imperata Rhizome, *Imperatae Rhizoma) should not be used well.
Since ancient times, when a man marries, he expects to grow old together; when a child is born, he hopes for the child to grow up. Yet there are those with deep marital affection who die midway, or face difficult childbirth only for the child to perish prematurely. This is solely due to indulging in lust, secretly violating taboos, without realizing it. The Daoist scriptures state: Sexual intercourse requires strict avoidance of certain conditions. If these taboos are violated, Heaven will shorten one's lifespan, and deities will bring disaster, resulting in children with ugly or strange appearances, bad temperaments, physical disabilities, or premature death. There is clear evidence for this. Therefore, a gentleman not only strictly avoids external sexual temptations but also practices self-restraint within the bedroom, understanding the principles of managing sexual activity.
The first day of the first lunar month (also known as Tianla, when the Jade Emperor descends to inspect human fortunes; violators lose their fortune and years of life.) The third day (Gathering of all spirits; violators lose years of life.) The fifth day (Wuxu Day) The sixth day (Liuhao Day) The seventh day (Shanghui Day) The ninth day (Jade Emperor's Birthday; violators are cut off from descendants.) The fourteenth day (Three Yuan Descend; violators lose lifespan.) The fifteenth day (Heavenly Official's Birthday) The sixteenth day (Three Yuan Descend) The twenty-fifth day (Monthly Hui Day; violators lose lifespan.) The twenty-seventh day (Big Dipper Descends; violators lose years of life, every month.) The twenty-eighth day (Deities are in the Yin realm; violators suffer from malignant diseases.) The thirtieth day (Kitchen God reports annually; violators lose lifespan. In short months, avoid the twenty-ninth. From then on, the third day of each month should be avoided.)
The first day of the second lunar month (Violators lose years of life, every month.) The third day (Wenchang Dijun's Birthday, also Gathering of All Spirits; violators lose fortune and years of life.) The fifteenth day (Violators lose years of life, every month.) The eighteenth day (Confucius' Name Avoidance Day; violators lose fortune and years of life.) The nineteenth day (Guanyin Bodhisattva's Birthday; violators lose years of life.) The twenty-fifth, twenty-seventh, twenty-eighth, and thirtieth days (Same as above.)
The first day of the third lunar month (Same as above) The third day (Xuantian Shangdi's Birthday; violators lose years of life.) The ninth day (Ox Demons emerge; violators bear evil fetuses.) The fifteenth day (Same as above) The sixteenth day (Zhunti Bodhisattva's Birthday; violators lose years of life.) The eighteenth day (Middle Mountain Deity's Birthday) The twenty-fifth and twenty-seventh days (Same as above) The twenty-eighth day (East Mountain Deity's Birthday; violators lose fortune and years of life.) The thirtieth day (Same as above.)
The first day of the fourth lunar month (Same as above) The fourth day (Wanshen Shan Hua; violators lose their voice.) The eighth day (Buddha's Birthday, descent of Good and Evil Children; violators die of blood disorders.) The fourteenth day (Lu Zu's Birthday) The fifteenth day (Same as above) The twenty-fifth, twenty-seventh, twenty-eighth, and thirtieth days (Same as above.)
The first day of the fifth lunar month (Same as above) The fifth day (Named Dilaa, Five Emperors inspect officials' ranks; violators lose fortune and years of life.) From the fifth, sixth, seventh, fifteenth, sixteenth, sixteenth, twenty-fifth, twenty-sixth, and twenty-seventh days (These nine days are called Jiudu Days; violators die young. On the fifteenth day at Zi hour, violators may both die within three years. The sixteenth day is the time of creation for heaven and earth, most taboo.) The thirteenth day (Guan Sheng Dijun's Deification Day) The twenty-eighth and thirtieth days (Same as above).
The first day of the sixth lunar month (Same as above) The fifteenth day (Same as above) The nineteenth day (Guanyin's Enlightenment) The twenty-third day (Fire God's Birthday) The twenty-fourth day (Guan Di's Birthday, also Lei Zu's Birthday.) The twenty-fifth, twenty-seventh, twenty-eighth, and thirtieth days (Same as above)
The first day of the seventh lunar month (Same as above) The seventh day (Named Daodelaa, Five Emperors inspect good and evil deeds) The tenth day (Yindu Day, Earthly Official inscribes records on the fifteenth; violators lose years of life.) The nineteenth day (Taishui's Birthday) The twenty-fifth, twenty-seventh, and twenty-eighth days (Same as above) The thirtieth day (Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva's Birthday; violators lose years of life.)
The first day of the eighth lunar month (Same as above) The third day (Kitchen God's Birthday, also Big Dipper's Birthday; violators lose years of life.) The tenth day (North Mountain Deity's Birthday) The fifteenth day (Taiyin Chao Yuan, burning incense and keeping vigil) The twenty-fifth day (Same as above) The twenty-seventh day (Confucius' Birthday; violators lose fortune and years of life.) The twenty-eighth and thirtieth days (Same as above.)
The first day of the ninth lunar month (Same as above) The ninth day (Doumu's Birthday; violators lose years of life.) The fifteenth day (Same as above) The seventeenth day (Jinlong Sidawang's Birthday) The nineteenth day (Guanyin's Ordination; violators suffer hardship.) The twenty-fifth, twenty-seventh, twenty-eighth, and thirtieth days (Same as above.)
The first day of the tenth lunar month (Suila) The fifth day (Xiahui) The sixth day (Tiacao Inspection) The tenth day (West Heavenly King Descends; violators die suddenly.) The fifteenth day (Water Official inscribes records; violators lose years of life.) The twenty-fifth day (Same as above) The twenty-seventh day (Beiji Ziwei Dadi's Birthday) The twenty-eighth and thirtieth days (Same as above.)
The first day of the eleventh lunar month (Same as above) The eleventh day (Taiyi Jiuku Tianzun's Birthday) The fifteenth day (Same as above) The seventeenth day (Amitabha Buddha's Birthday; violators lose years of life.) The twenty-fifth, twenty-seventh, twenty-eighth, and thirtieth days (Same as above.)
The first day of the twelfth lunar month (Same as above) The seventh day (Violators suffer malignant diseases) The eighth day, and Wu days in the first ten days (Named Wanghoulaa) The fifteenth day (Same as above) The sixteenth day (South Mountain Deity's Birthday) The twentieth day (Heaven and Earth intersect; violators lose years of life.) The twenty-fourth day (Siming reports good and evil) The twenty-fifth day (Supreme Being descends to inspect) The twenty-seventh and twenty-eighth days (Same as above, New Year's Eve deities inspect; violators lose years of life.)
On the days of the two solstices each year (Summer Solstice and Winter Solstice are times when Yin and Yang contend, marking the division of life and death; sexual activity should be prohibited. At Spring Equinox, thunder begins to sound; violators have children with incomplete organs or limbs, and parents suffer disasters. At Autumn Equinox, killing energy increases, and Yang energy declines; abstinence is recommended for several days before and after.) On the Three Yuan days, (violators lose five years of life.) On the Four Beginnings, Two Equinoxes, Two Solstices, and She days, (violators lose four years of life.) During the Sanfu days, the Quarter Moon days, and the Dark Moon days, (violators lose one year of life.) On Gengshen and Jiazi days, fasting days before sacrifices, parents' birthdays, name-avoidance days, couples' birthdays, and personal destiny days, (violators lose one year of life.) On Bingding days, (violators get sick.) Under daylight stars or moonlight, under lamp light, (violators shorten their lifespan.) In fierce winds, thunderstorms, solar/lunar eclipses, on high mountains and great rivers, (violators shorten lifespan and bear evil fetuses.) In extreme heat or cold, (violators contract severe illnesses.) In temples, near wells, stoves, pits, toilets, tombs, or corpses, (violators conceive evil offspring.) In depression or anger, (extreme anger damages the Liver; violators will surely fall ill.) When traveling far, (sexual activity while traveling 100 li causes illness over 100 li; sexual activity leads to death.) After heavy drinking or eating, (sex after drunkenness reverses the five Zang organs.) On an empty stomach, (violators damage the Primordial Spirit.) Before pregnancy, (violators harm the fetus.) After childbirth, (violating within 100 days causes disease in women.) During menstruation (Tian Gui), (violators harm both men and women.) After illness, (violators cause symptom changes.) Do not engage in sex twice in one night, nor hold back semen unnecessarily. Bamboo mats (Bamboo is cold and cool; violation risks catching cold.) Thin quilts (violation allows cold air to enter bones.) Wind leaking through window cracks should be avoided; going to bed late at night should be prohibited.
Chen Tuan said: Superior scholars sleep in different rooms, medium scholars in different beds, inferior scholars in different covers. Those observing these taboos must sleep in different rooms and beds. According to the *Book of Rites · Monthly Ordinances*: "When day and night are equal, thunder sounds. Three days before thunder, beat the wooden clapper to warn the people. 'Thunder is about to sound.' Those who do not guard their conduct will have imperfect children and surely face disaster." Thus, taboos have existed since ancient times. At the Summer Solstice (Day Lengthens), it says "Stop music and women, do not advance." At the Winter Solstice (Day Shortens), it says "Remove music and women, forbid desires." Generally, the Winter and Summer Solstices are times when Yin and Yang contend, making protection most difficult. Abstinence is advisable for several days before and after. As the saying goes: Extreme joy begets sorrow, indulgence breeds disaster. I earnestly advise the world: Seek long-lasting joy, not momentary pleasure. Intense desire is fleeting; mild desire is lasting. The principle holds true, the facts are not false. For all places and times that are improper, can one not strictly abstain? Devoted believers and virtuous wives, upon encountering taboos, must strictly observe them. Not only will they remain healthy and strong, but they will naturally produce many good children.