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Speaking of Fire, there is Yang Fire and Yin Fire. There is Fire in Water, Fire in Earth, Fire in Metal, and Fire in Wood. Yang Fire refers to the fire of the sun and moon in the sky; it arises at Yin hour (03:00-05:00) and perishes at You hour (17:00-19:00). Yin Fire refers to the fire of lamps and candles; it arises at You hour and perishes at Yin hour. These are opposing forms of fire. The Fire in Water is thunderbolt fire, also known as Dragon-Thunder Fire. It is formless but audible, becomes more intense with rain, appears at the end of spring, and hides at the end of autumn. Because one Yin arises in the fifth month, the water bottom is cold while the sky is hot. Since the dragon is a Yang entity, it rises with Yang. When one Yang returns in winter, the dragon also descends and hides with Yang, and thunder ceases its sound. The Ministerial Fire (Mingmen Fire) in the human kidney operates similarly. If one fails to restrain desires daily, leading to Mingmen Fire decline and excessive Yin in the kidney, the Dragon Fire has no place to reside. Thus, it wanders upward without returning, causing symptoms such as upper Jiao irritability and heat, and coughing. A skilled practitioner uses herbs that warm the kidney to guide this fire back to its origin according to its nature, allowing it to follow the command of Yang hiding in autumn and winter, so the dragon returns to the sea. This is the supreme principle. Alas, nowadays, those treating Yin deficiency with Fire decline use Huangbai (Phellodendri Cortex) and Zhimu (Anemarrhenae Rhizoma) as principal agents, making the kidney colder and hastening death, which is truly pitiable! In cases of Yin deficiency with Fire hyperactivity, where Kidney Water is dry and Fire is predominant, one should nourish Water to harmonize with Fire. One should not use bitter-cold substances to extinguish Fire. Hence, "Strengthen the master of Water to suppress the sunlight" precisely refers to this. As for lamp-fire, it is also Yin Fire; it must be nourished with oil/grease and cannot tolerate even a drop of cold water, or it will be extinguished. Only when Heavenly Fire enters the human body, such as in the diseases of Summer-Heat Heat caused by the Six Qi discussed by Liu Hejian, or in injuries from Summer-Heat and Stroke from Summer-Heat, can one cool with Wood-like methods or resolve with bitter-cold herbs. As for Fire in the furnace, it is a fire without warmth in ash and earth; it smokes when meeting wood and extinguishes when seeing dampness. It requires charcoal to cultivate and fill to warm the embers. Similarly, the Fire in Spleen Earth in the human body should be nourished with sweet-warm herbs, and the Fire will naturally recede. The Classic states: "For exhaustion, warm it; for damage, warm it." Sweet flavor can remove great heat, and warm property can remove great heat; this is what is meant.

The Fire in the void attaches to Wood. Because Kan Water nourishes it, the Fire does not manifest externally. Only dry wood generates fire, spreading uncontrollably until its strength is exhausted. In the human body, when Liver Fire blazes internally, causing depression and irritability, one must use acrid-cool substances to disperse it. The Classic states: "When Wood is stagnant, vent it; when Fire is stagnant, diffuse it," allowing it to follow its nature of flaming upward. If cold herbs are used to purge downward, stagnation increases; if hot herbs are administered, intensity increases.

Fire in Metal refers to phenomena where mountains containing gold or silver ores, or places where five metals are buried, emit light at night. This is Metal stagnant in Earth unable to transcend, thus emitting brilliance externally. In the human body, sensations like needle pricks or mosquito bites in the skin and pores, or a burning sensation on the vertex, indicate Lung Metal Qi deficiency. Tonifying Northern Water is equivalent to draining Southern Fire.

Speaking of Water, there is Yang Water and Yin Water. There is Water in Fire, Water in Earth, Water in Metal, and Water in Wood. Yang Water is Kan Water, belonging to Qi. The *Yin-Yang Xiao Xi Lun* states: Kan consists of one Yang trapped between two Yins. Water Qi travels secretly underground, serving as the root foundation for all things receiving life. It is a moist fluid, the liquid of Qi. The *Monthly Ordinances* state in Mid-Autumn: "Killing Qi prevails, Yang Qi declines daily, water begins to dry up." This drying of water signifies the death of the earth. In Mid-Winter: "Spring waters move." This movement of water in the month of one Yang arising signifies the life of the earth. This can be called Water in Fire or Water in Earth. Yin Water is Dui, representing Marsh, belonging to Form. One Yin extends above two Yangs. With tangible water universally bestowing upon all things, descending as benefits and favors for generation, above it is Rain/Dew Water, and below it is Stream Water. When food and drink enter the Stomach, Mingmen Fire steams and rots them. The Qi of food and drink ascends to熏 (smoke/steam) the Lungs. The Lungs regulate the hundred vessels; Water Essence distributes in four directions, running through the five meridians. It reaches the skin and hair, transforming into sweat and nasal discharge, into Jin (thin fluids) and Tuo (saliva). It moistens the Bladder downward, transforming into urine and body fluids. Blood is also Water; because it flows with Ministerial Fire, its color is uniquely red. It cycles endlessly, rolling without depletion. Above, it is Heavenly River Water; below, it is Long-flowing Water. Starting from the Northwest Heavenly Gate and ending at the Southeast Earthly Door, it is precisely as the poem says: "Yellow River's water comes from heaven, rushing to the sea never to return." Thus, Yellow River water shares the same color.

Water in Metal is Mercury in ores. In the human body, it is Marrow in bones, the most refined and precious treasure of humans. Water in Wood is Xun Wood entering Kan Water and excreting water upwards, i.e., tree sap. In the human body, Yongquan (KI 1) on the feet and Jianjing (GB 21) on the shoulders are pathways for hidden water flow. All Jin and Ye moistening within the skin are Well Spring Waters. Although Water manifests in many differences, it ultimately returns to the Sea. For Heaven and Earth's Water, the Sea is the patriarch; for Human Body's Water, the Kidney is the source. The reason it flows day and night without cessation is due to the Primordial Qi of Qian acting as the Taiji. This is the Five Elements within Water. Understanding the Five Elements of Water and Fire allows one to deduce Earth, Wood, and Metal by analogy. The Classic states: "Recorded in Water and Fire, the rest of the Qi can be known."