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(The Heavenly Stems are referred to as "Yun" [Movement/Vital Force], and the Earthly Branches as "Qi" [Energy/Air].)

Transformative Qi Corresponding to the Five Elements:
Years of Jia and Ji belong to Earth; Years of Yi and Geng belong to Metal; Years of Bing and Xin belong to Water; Years of Ding and Ren belong to Wood; Years of Wu and Gui belong to Fire.
Years of Zi and Wu belong to Fire; Years of Chou and Wei belong to Earth; Years of Yin and Shen belong to Fire; Years of Mao and You belong to Metal; Years of Chen and Xu belong to Water; Years of Si and Hai belong to Wood.

Observing the Relationship between Day Stem and Year Branch:
When Yun and Qi are identical, it is called "Tian Fu" (Heavenly符), indicating that diseases contracted will be critical and distressing.
When Qi generates Yun, it is called "Shun Hua" (Smooth Transformation).
When Qi overcomes Yun, it is called "Tian Xing" (Heavenly Punishment).
When Yun generates Qi, it is called "Xiao Ni" (Minor Reversal).
When Yun overcomes Qi, it is called "Bu He" (Disorder/Non-harmony).
When Yun coincides with Qi (i.e., the Great Yun shares the same elemental nature as the Annual Branch), it is called "Sui Hui" (Year Meeting). Diseases in such years tend to be persistent and stubborn. (This applies to years such as Jia Chen, Jia Xu, Bing Zi, and Ding Mao.)
When Tian Fu and Sui Hui coincide, it is called "Tai Yi" (Supreme Unity). Diseases contracted in such years may lead to immediate death. (This applies to years such as Wu Wu, Yi You, Ji Wei, and Ji Chou.)

Pass-through Rules of Guest Qi:

Observing the Year:
Years of Zi and Wu correspond to the First Qi of the Taiyang [Greater Yang] channel.
Years of Chou and Wei correspond to the First Qi of the Jueyin [Terminal Yin] channel.
Years of Yin and Shen correspond to the First Qi of the Shaoyin [Lesser Yin] channel.
Years of Mao and You correspond to the First Qi of the Taiyin [Greater Yin] channel.
Years of Chen and Xu correspond to the First Qi of the Shaoyang [Lesser Yang] channel.
Years of Si and Hai correspond to the First Qi of the Yangming [Bright Yang] channel.

Observing the Solar Terms:
From the beginning of Da Han (Great Cold) until before Chun Fen (Spring Equinox), the First Qi governs.
From the beginning of Chun Fen until before Xiao Man (Grain Buds), the Second Qi governs.
From the beginning of Xiao Man until before Da Shu (Great Heat), the Third Qi governs.
From the beginning of Da Shu until before Qiu Fen (Autumn Equinox), the Fourth Qi governs.
From the beginning of Qiu Fen until before Xiao Xue (Minor Snow), the Fifth Qi governs.
From the beginning of Xiao Xue until before Da Han, the Sixth Qi governs.

Calculation Method: First, determine which Earthly Branch the year belongs to, thereby identifying the First Qi of the corresponding meridian. Second, determine which solar term the month falls under, identifying which Qi governs at that time. Third, consult the subsequent cycle diagram to ascertain which disease results from the Guest Qi of a specific meridian.

Observing the Relationship between Day/Hour and Meridians:
[Image]
The Hour of Zi belongs to the Gallbladder; the Hour of Chou belongs to the Liver, where Water and Earth energies arise towards Si. The Hour of Yin belongs to the Lungs, where Wood energy arises towards Shen. The Hour of Mao belongs to the Large Intestine, where Metal energy arises towards Yin. The Hour of Chen belongs to the Stomach, where Fire energy arises towards Hai. The Hour of Si belongs to the Spleen. The Hour of Wu belongs to the Heart. The Hour of Wei belongs to the Small Intestine. The Hour of Shen belongs to the Bladder. The Hour of You belongs to the Kidneys. The Hour of Xu belongs to the Pericardium. The Hour of Hai belongs to the Sanjiao [Triple Burner].

Shaoyang [Lesser Yang] Channel (Hand Shaoyang Sanjiao, Foot Shaoyang Gallbladder): Governs febrile diseases.
Yangming [Bright Yang] Channel (Hand Yangming Large Intestine, Foot Yangming Stomach): Governs severe/acute diseases.
Taiyang [Greater Yang] Channel (Hand Taiyang Small Intestine, Foot Taiyang Bladder): Governs cold diseases.
Shaoyin [Lesser Yin] Channel (Hand Shaoyin Heart, Foot Shaoyin Kidney): Governs heart diseases.
Jueyin [Terminal Yin] Channel (Hand Jueyin Pericardium, Foot Jueyin Liver): Governs terminal/minor diseases.
Taiyin [Greater Yin] Channel (Hand Taiyin Lung, Foot Taiyin Spleen): Governs intestinal diseases.

The text *Ru Men* [Introduction] states: A physician who does not understand the theory of Yun and Qi stands as if facing a wall [ignorant]. This is especially true when treating pediatric diseases, where it is even more difficult to distinguish their affiliation with specific meridians. Therefore, those engaged in child care must not neglect this knowledge.