《孙真人摄养论》

In the first lunar month the kidneys are prone to illness and lung Qi (vital energy) is also rather weak. Diet should reduce salty and sour flavors and increase pungent flavors in order to nourish the kidneys, tonify the lungs, and regulate stomach Qi. One ought not to suffer cold in ice and snow, nor to wear clothing that is too warm; it is best to rise early and sleep late so that the body and spirit may relax. Do not eat raw scallions, lest they injure the body fluids and blood-Qi; do not eat raw knotweed, for it may give rise to accumulative disorders and migratory wind rashes may appear on the face; do not eat things called “diancang,” lest they impair longevity; do not eat the meat of tigers, leopards or wildcats, lest the heart-spirit (Shen) become unsettled. On the fourth day of this month it is suitable to pluck white hairs; on the seventh one should quietly contemplate the true Dao (the Way) and fast with precepts in pursuit of increased blessings; on the eighth bathing is appropriate, and distant journeys are forbidden that day.

In the second lunar month kidney Qi is weaker while liver Qi is vigorous. Diet should reduce sour flavors and increase pungent flavors so as to nourish the kidneys and tonify the liver. One should regulate the chest and diaphragm, expel phlegm and retained fluids, and induce a slight perspiration of the skin in order to disperse the cold Qi stored up through winter. Do not eat daylilies, aged vinegar or “zhi,” lest they induce accumulative disorders; do not eat garlic or wild garlic, lest the movement of Qi become obstructed and the chest and diaphragm fail to circulate freely; do not eat mallows or “yingzi,” lest they impede the flow of blood-Qi and damage Jing (essence) Qi. Do not eat the meat of rabbits, foxes or raccoon dogs, lest the heart-spirit become unsettled. On the eighth day of this month it is suitable to pluck white hairs; on the ninth one should abstain from all fish, a prohibition held in great taboo by the immortal school; the fourteenth day is unsuitable for traveling far. In the mid-spring season, restraining the consumption of wine helps to preserve one’s original nature.

In the original text the terms “diancang,” “zhi” and “yingzi” appear to involve possible variant readings or errors in transmission; they are retained here as they stand in the source, though their exact referents cannot be determined with certainty.

In the third month, kidney Qi (vital energy) has already waned, heart Qi begins to flourish, and Wood Qi is at its peak. The diet should reduce sweet flavors and increase pungent flavors in order to nourish Jing (essence) and Qi. Carefully avoid the west wind, stretch the body and relax the physical form so that the temperament remains peaceful and harmonious. Do not engage in indiscriminate killing, but rather follow the Heavenly Dao. Do not eat daylilies, aged vinegar, or “zhi” (as in the original text; the food referred to is unclear), which are said to cause accumulations, hernias, and epidemics. Do not eat raw mallow greens, lest they cause Qi distension or even water-related diseases. Do not eat the spleens of various animals, because the spleen spirit is flourishing at this time. Do not eat “yingzi” (a type of bird mentioned in the original text), which is said to cause lifelong confusion.

On the third day of this month, it is not advisable to eat the five viscera or the tender hearts of various plants and trees, as doing so is said to invite calamities sent down by Heaven and Earth. The sixth day is suitable for bathing, the twelfth for plucking white hairs, and the twenty-seventh is not suitable for distant travel; it is appropriate to observe a fast and quietly contemplate the True Dao.

In the fourth month, the liver has already suffered damage, and heart Qi is gradually flourishing. (The original text first says “the heart viscera gradually become chaotic,” then later “the heart viscera gradually become strong”; here it is understood according to the later “gradually strong.”) The diet should increase sour flavors and reduce bitter flavors in order to supplement the kidneys, assist the liver, and harmonize stomach Qi. Do not linger outdoors at night, lest one be exposed under the stars and constellations; avoid winds from the northwest. Do not eat garlic, lest it damage the Shen (spirit) and hun soul and deplete gallbladder Qi. Do not eat fresh ginger (the original text has “shengzi,” understood according to the meaning), which is said to increase nasal discharge and saliva and produce phlegm and accumulated fluids. Do not eat the meat of “yingzhi” (a type of bird mentioned in the original text), which is said to cause paralysis and carbuncles and damage original Qi. Do not eat eels, as they will harm the body.

On the third day of this month, it is not advisable to eat the five viscera or the tender hearts of various plants and trees, as doing so is said to invite calamities sent down by Heaven and Earth. The sixth day is suitable for bathing, the twelfth for plucking white hairs, and the twenty-seventh is not suitable for distant travel; it is appropriate to observe a fast and quietly contemplate the True Dao. The fourth day of this month is suitable for bathing and plucking white hairs; the seventh day is suitable for calming the mind, stilling the thoughts, and fasting, which is said to bring blessings and good fortune; this day is not suitable for distant travel.

In the fifth month, the Qi (vital energy) of the liver rests while the Qi of the heart is most vigorous. One’s diet should reduce sour flavors and increase bitter flavors so as to nourish the liver and kidneys. Jing (essence) and Qi should be carefully protected, with early retiring and early rising. After each excretion, one should not lie with the body uncovered beneath the starry sky and should avoid the north wind. One should not linger in damp places, lest pathogenic Qi be invited in. Lotus root and Chinese chives should not be eaten, for the text holds that they produce “zhengzheng” (an original expression of unclear meaning), which injures Shen (spirit) and Qi. Horse meat, muntjac, and venison should likewise be avoided, as they are thought to render the spirit and the breath restless.

The fifth day of the fifth month is suitable for fasting and for maintaining purity and stillness. On this day one must not look upon any fresh blood and must not eat vegetables. The sixteenth day of the fifth month especially demands abstinence from desires; violation, according to the text, shortens the lifespan and damages the spirit. Distant travel is also inauspicious on this day. The twenty-seventh day of the fifth month is suitable for bathing and for extracting white hairs.

In the sixth month, liver Qi gradually declines while spleen Qi alone becomes abundant. Diet should reduce bitter flavors and increase salty flavors, and rich, greasy foods should be limited, in order to nourish the liver and kidneys and to strengthen the sinews and bones. Wind must be carefully avoided, or else, the text believes, the hands and feet will suffer paralysis. The hands and feet should not be soaked in cold water. Mallow should not be eaten, for the text holds that it causes water accumulation (a class of disorders involving stagnation of fluids); dogwood should not be eaten, as it is thought to obstruct the movement of Qi.

The sixth day of the sixth month is suitable for fasting and bathing and is an auspicious day; it is also appropriate for breaking ground and commencing construction. The twenty-fourth day of the sixth month is suitable for extracting white hairs but not for distant travel. The twenty-seventh day of the sixth month is suitable for bathing, with the mind kept in a state of purity and stillness, the true Dao (the Way) held in contemplation, and the performance of “yin jing shi” (an original expression of unclear meaning); this is regarded as auspicious.

In the seventh month, the Qi (vital energy) of the liver and heart is relatively weak, while the Qi of the lungs is particularly abundant. One should keep the emotions peaceful and stable, and in diet appropriately increase salty flavors while reducing pungent ones, so as to help nourish Qi and blood together with the tendons and vessels, and to regulate and nourish the spleen and stomach. Do not rashly come into contact with extremely hot things, nor arbitrarily expose oneself to cold, and still less should one allow oneself to perspire profusely. Do not eat zhuyu, lest the movement of Qi become stagnant; do not eat pork, lest it damage Jing (essence), Shen (spirit), and original Qi. In this month one should also avoid contemplating evil matters, which is something the immortals particularly taboo.

The fifth day of the seventh month is suitable for bathing; the seventh day is suitable for eliminating distracting thoughts and observing fasting and precepts; the ninth day is suitable for repenting past faults and praying for new blessings and good fortune. The twenty-eighth day is suitable for plucking out white hairs; the twenty-ninth day is not suitable for traveling far.

In the eighth month, the Qi of the heart gradually weakens and the Metal of the lungs holds command. In diet one should reduce bitter flavors and increase pungent ones, so as to regulate and nourish the tendons and vessels, tonify Qi and blood, and protect and nourish the heart and liver. Do not allow oneself to be invaded by improper winds, otherwise sores readily arise on the bones and flesh and illnesses such as dysentery may be triggered. Do not eat small garlic, lest it damage Jing, Shen, and original Qi and cause the hun and po to become restless; do not eat pig’s stomach, as the texts consider that this easily leads to coughing in winter that proves difficult to cure even after a long time; do not eat parrot or pheasant meat, lest it damage Jing, Shen, and original Qi.

On the fourth day of the eighth month do not purchase shoes, footwear, or other items worn on the feet, which is something the immortals particularly taboo. The eighteenth day is suitable for observing fasting and precepts and contemplating auspicious matters; it is said that at this time heaven and humanity correspond with each other, enabling the generation of blessings. The twentieth day is suitable for plucking white hairs but not for traveling far, as the texts say that traveling far may result in going and never returning; this day is also suitable for bathing.

In the ninth month, yang qi has already declined while yin qi is extremely vigorous, and strong winds frequently arise, so one must take special care to avoid improper winds that may harm people. In diet it is advisable to reduce bitter flavors and moderately increase salty ones in order to nourish the liver and kidneys and to assist the spleen and stomach in transformation and transportation. One should neither face the wind and frost nor indulge in alcohol or overeat.

Do not eat “zun cai” (the original wording may contain a scribal error and the precise plant intended remains unclear), which is said to contain invisible insects. Do not eat ginger or garlic, lest they damage a person’s shen qi (Shen Qi, spirit-energy); do not eat raw vegetables and gourds that have been touched by frost, lest they cause heart pain; do not eat mallow, lest it induce water-related disorders; and do not eat dog meat, which is believed to shorten lifespan. The ninth day of the ninth month is suitable for fasting and abstinence; the sixteenth day is appropriate for bathing and plucking white hairs; the twenty-seventh day forbids distant travel and is known as the “Day of the Net.”

In the tenth month the qi of the heart and lungs is relatively weak while kidney qi is more vigorous. Dietarily one should reduce pungent and bitter flavors in order to nourish the kidneys. Avoid injuring the sinews and bones, and do not allow the skin to be excessively invaded by wind and cold. Do not perform acupuncture or moxibustion casually, because at this time blood circulation is sluggish and the body fluids do not flow smoothly. Do not eat raw peppers, lest they damage the blood vessels; do not eat raw “qu” (the original character may be erroneous and the referent remains unclear), lest it increase phlegm-dampness; nor eat bear meat, “du meat” (possible scribal error, unclear referent), or zun cai, as these are thought to cause the complexion to wither.

The first day of the tenth month is suitable for bathing. On the fourth and fifth days one should not punish others, a matter especially tabooed by the immortals. The tenth day forbids distant travel; the thirteenth is suitable for plucking white hairs; the fifteenth is appropriate for fasting, calming the mind, and contemplating the true Dao, which is said to bring blessings and good fortune; the twentieth day likewise particularly forbids distant travel.

In the eleventh month, the kidneys are in command while the Qi (vital energy) of the heart and lungs is comparatively weak. In diet it is advisable to increase bitter flavors moderately and reduce salty ones so as to nourish the lungs and stomach. Do not apply moxibustion to the abdomen or back, nor suddenly expose the body to excessive heat; carefully avoid untimely winds. If pathogenic wind invades, facial swelling together with stiffness and pain in the waist and back may appear.

Do not eat raccoon-dog meat, lest it injure the Shen (spirit) and hun soul; do not eat snails, clams, crabs or soft-shelled turtles, lest they deplete primordial Qi and foster the so-called “corpse worms” inside the body (insects the ancients believed harm the physical form); do not eat vinegar that has been stored through the summer, lest it provoke head-wind or water disease; and do not eat raw vegetables, lest they cause heart pain.

The third day of this month is suitable for fasting and purification together with silent recitation in a tranquil mind. The tenth day is suitable for plucking white hairs, yet on that day one should neither travel far nor go outdoors; one ought to harbor thoughts of goodness and pray that Heaven confer blessings and eliminate disasters. The sixteenth day is suitable for bathing and is an auspicious day.

In the twelfth month Earth Qi is at its height while Water Qi does not circulate freely. Dietarily one should reduce sweet flavors and increase bitter ones in order to nourish the heart, assist the lungs and regulate the kidneys. Do not venture out amid frost and dew, nor excessively dissipate body fluids and sweat. Do not eat mallow, lest it induce water disease; do not eat “qiu” (the original text uses this character, the food referred to being unclear); do not eat “dian bie” (the original uses these characters, the specific item remaining unknown).