The three months of Autumn are called the period of tranquillity of one’s conduct.
The atmosphere of Heaven is quick and the atmosphere of the Earth
is clear.
People should retire early at night and rise early in the morning
with the crowing of the rooster.
They should have their minds at peace in order to lessen the
punishment of Autumn.
Soul and spirit should be gathered together in order to make
the breath of Autumn tranquil; and to keep their lungs pure they should not
give vent to their desires.
All this is in harmony with the atmosphere of Autumn and all
this is the method for the protection of one’s harvest.
From The Yellow Emperor’s Classic of Internal Medicine,
translated by Ilza Veith (Berkeley, 1966).
