壬水生于申，死于卯；癸水生于卯，死于申。凡值生我、我生及相合者。乃气血生旺之时，故可辨虚实刺之。
克我、我克及阖闭时穴，气血正值衰绝，非气行未至，则气行已过，误刺妄引邪气，坏乱真气，实实虚虚，其
祸非小。
假如甲日胆经行气，脉弦者，本经自病也，当窍阴为主。
乙日肝行间。余仿此。本经自病者，不中他邪，非因子母虚实，乃本经自生病也。当自取其经，故以窍
阴井为主，而配之以井，或心井、胃井。或俞穴为主，亦配以心、胃俞穴，荥经合，主应皆然。
如虚则补其母，当刺肾之涌泉（井），或膀胱之至阴（井）。实则泻其子，可取心之中冲（井），或小肠
之少泽（井）。甲木能制戊土，则不宜针。
甲日胆木能制戊土，乙日肝木能制己土，丙日小肠火能制庚金，丁日心火能制辛金，戊日胃土能制壬水，
己日脾土能制癸水，皆不宜针。
然阴阳相制者，岂无变化之机？故甲与己合而化土，亦可取脾之隐白。盖见肝之病，则知肝当传之脾，
故先实其脾，无令受肝之邪。所谓上工不治已病治未病是也。
实脾者，必先于足太阴经补土字一针，又
补火字一针；后于足厥阴经泻木字一针，又泻火字一针，其邪即散，其经即平。此与后迎随条，有以虚实言者互看。
推之六甲、六乙、六丙、六丁、六戊、六己、六庚、六辛、六壬、六癸皆然，徐氏有歌云∶甲日戌时胆
窍阴，丙子时中前谷荥，戊寅陷谷阳明俞，返本丘墟木在寅，庚辰经注阳溪穴，壬午膀腕委中寻，甲申时纳三
焦水，荣合天干取液门。
六甲日，甲戌时开穴，胆井窍阴，或合脾井隐白。相生，膀胱井至阴，肾井涌泉，小肠井少泽，心井中
冲；相克，肺、大肠、脾胃井及阖穴。乙亥时不录，后仿此。丙子时开穴，小肠荥前谷，合肺荥鱼际。相生，胆
荥侠溪，肝荥行间，胃荥内庭，脾荥大都。戊寅时开穴，胃俞陷谷，或合肾俞太溪，相生。小肠俞后溪，心俞
神门，大肠俞三间，肺俞太渊，又木原生在寅，可取胆原穴丘墟。庚辰时开穴，大肠经阳溪，或合肝经中封。
相生。胃经解溪，脾经商丘，膀胱经昆仑，肾经复溜。壬午时开穴，膀胱合委中，或合心合少海。相生，大肠
合曲池，肺合尺泽，胃合三里，脾合阴陵泉。甲申时乃三焦引气归元，可取液门荥穴，水生木也，返本还元。
乙日酉时肝大敦，丁亥时荥少府心，己丑太白太冲穴，辛卯经渠是肺经，癸巳肾宫阴谷合，乙未劳宫水
穴荥。
六乙日，乙酉时开穴，肝井大敦，或合大肠井商阳。相生，肾井涌泉膀胱井至阴，心井少冲，小肠井少
泽。丁亥时开穴，心荥少府，或合膀胱荥通谷。相生，肝荥行间，胆荥侠溪，脾荥大都，胃荥内庭。己丑时开
穴，脾俞太白，或合胆俞临泣。相生，心俞神门，小肠俞后溪，肺俞太渊，大肠俞三间，又丑时可刺肝原穴太
冲。辛卯时开穴。肺经经渠，或合小肠经阳谷。相生，脾经商丘，胃经解溪，肾经复溜，膀胱经昆仑。癸巳时
开穴，肾合阴谷，或合胃合三里。相生，肺合尺泽，大肠合曲池，肝合曲泉，胆合阳陵泉。乙未时乃包络引血
归元，可刺劳宫荥穴，木能生火也，俱以子母相生。后皆仿此。
丙日申时少泽当，戊戌内庭治胀康，庚子时在三间俞，本原腕骨可祛黄，壬寅经水昆仑上，甲辰阳陵泉
合长，丙午时受三焦木，中渚之中子细详。
六丙日，丙申时开穴，小肠井少泽，或合肺井少商。相生，胆井窍阴，肝井大敦，脾井隐白，胃井厉兑。
戊戌时开穴，胃荥内庭，或合肾荥然谷。相生，小肠荥前谷，心荥少府，大肠荥二间，肺荥鱼际。庚子时开穴，
大肠俞三间，或合肝俞太冲。相生，胃俞陷谷，脾俞太白，膀胱俞束骨，肾俞太溪，又子时刺小肠原穴腕骨。
壬寅时开穴，膀胱经昆仑，或合心经灵道。相生，大肠经阳溪，肺经经渠，胆经阳辅，肝经中封。甲辰时开穴，
胆合阳陵泉，或合脾合阴陵泉。相生，膀胱合委中，肾合阴谷，小肠合小海，心合少海。丙午时三焦引气归元，
可取中渚俞穴，木生火也。
丁日未时心少冲，己酉大都脾土逢，辛亥太渊神门穴，癸丑复溜肾水通，乙卯肝经曲泉合，丁巳包络大
陵中。
六丁日，丁未时开穴，心井少冲，或合膀胱井至阴。相生，肝井大敦，胆井窍阴，脾井隐白，胃井厉兑。
己酉时开穴，脾荥大都，或合胆荥侠溪。相生，心荥少府，小肠荥前谷，肺荥鱼际，大肠荥二间。辛亥时开穴，
肺俞大渊，或合小肠俞后溪，相生，脾俞太白，胃俞陷谷，肾俞大溪，膀胱俞束骨，又亥时刺心原穴神门。癸
丑时开穴，肾经复溜，或合胃经解溪。相生，肺经经渠，大肠经阳溪，肝经中封，胆经阳辅。乙卯时开穴，
肝合曲泉，或合大肠合曲池。相生，肾合阴谷，膀胱合委中，心合少海，小肠合小海。丁巳时包络引血归元，
可取大陵俞穴，火生土也。
戊日午时厉兑先，庚申荥穴二间廷，壬戌膀胱寻束骨，冲阳土穴必还原，甲子胆经阳辅是，丙寅小海穴安
然，戊辰气纳三焦脉，经穴
支沟刺必痊。
六戊日，戊午时开穴，胃井厉兑，或合肾井涌泉。相生，小肠井少泽，心井少冲，大肠井商阳，肺井少商。庚
申时开穴，大肠荥二间，或合肝荥行间。相生，脾荥大都，胃荥内庭，膀胱荥通谷，肾荥然谷。壬戌时开穴，
膀胱俞束骨，或合心俞神门。相生，大肠俞三间，肺俞太渊，胆俞临泣，肝俞太冲，又戌时刺胃原穴冲阳。
甲子时开穴，胆经阳辅，或脾经商丘。相生，膀胱经昆仑，肾经复溜，小肠经阳谷，心经灵道，丙寅时开穴，
小肠合小海，或合肺合尺泽。相生，胆合阳陵泉，肝合曲泉，胃合三里，脾合阴陵泉。戊辰时三焦引气归元，
可取支沟经穴，火生土也。
己日巳时隐白始，辛未时中鱼际取，癸酉太溪太白原，乙亥中封内踝比，丁丑时合少海心，己卯间使胞络
止。
六己日，己巳时开穴，脾井隐白，或合胆井窍阴。相生，心井少冲，小肠井少泽，肺井少商，大肠井商阳。
辛未时开穴，肺荥鱼际，或合小肠荥前谷。相生，脾荥大都，胃荥内庭，肾荥然谷，膀胱荥通谷。癸酉时开穴，
肾俞太溪，或合胃俞陷谷。相生，肺俞太渊，大肠俞三间，肝俞太冲，胆俞临泣，又酉时刺脾原穴太白。乙亥
时开穴，肝经中封，或合大肠经阳溪。相生，肾经复溜，膀胱经昆仑，心经灵道，小肠经阳谷。丁丑时开穴，
心合少海，或合膀胱合委中。相生，胆合阳陵泉，肝合曲泉，脾合阴陵泉，胃合三里。己卯时胞络引血归元，
可取间使经穴，土生金也。
庚日辰时商阳居，壬午膀肮通谷之，甲申临泣俞为木，合谷金原返本归。丙戌小肠阳谷火，戊子时居三里
宜，庚寅气纳三焦合，天井之中不用疑。
六庚日，庚辰时开穴，大肠井商阳，或合肝井大敦。相生，胃井厉兑，脾井隐白，膀胱井至阴，肾井
涌泉。壬午时开穴，膀胱荥通谷，或合心荥少府。相生，大肠荥二间，肺荥鱼际，胆荥侠溪，肝荥行间。甲申
时开穴，胆俞临泣，或合脾俞太白。相生，膀胱俞束骨，肾俞太溪，小肠俞后溪，心俞神门，又申时刺大肠原
穴合谷。丙戌时开穴，小肠经阳谷，或合肺经经渠。相生，胆经丘墟，肝经中封，胃经解溪，脾经商丘。戊子
时开穴，胃合三里，或合肾合阴谷。相生，小肠合小海，心合少海，大肠合曲池，肺合尺泽。庚寅时三焦引气
归元，可取天井合穴，土生金也。
辛日卯时少商本，癸巳然谷何须忖，乙未太冲原太渊，丁酉心经灵道引，己亥脾合阴陵泉，辛丑曲泽胞
络准。
六辛日，辛卯时开穴，肺井少商，或合小肠井少泽。相生，脾井隐白，胃井厉兑，膀胱井至阴，肾井涌
泉。癸巳时开穴，肾荥然谷，或合胃荥内庭。相生，肺荥鱼际，大肠荥二间，肝荥行间，胆荥侠溪。乙未时开
穴，肝俞太冲，或合大肠俞三间。相生，肾俞太溪，膀胱俞束骨，心俞神门，小肠俞后溪，又未时刺肺原穴太
渊。丁酉时开穴，心经灵道，或合膀胱经昆仑。相生，肝经中封，胆经丘墟，脾经商丘，胃经解溪。己亥时开
穴，脾合阴陵泉，或合胆合阳陵泉。相生，心合少海，小肠合小海，肺合尺泽，大肠合曲池。辛丑时胞络引
血归元，可取曲泽合穴，金生水也。
壬日寅时起至阴，甲辰胆脉侠溪荥，丙午小肠后溪俞，返求京骨本原寻。三焦寄有阳池穴，返本还元
似的亲，戊申时注解溪胃，大肠庚戌曲池真，壬子气纳三焦寄，并穴关冲一片金，关冲属金壬属水，子母相生
恩又深。
六壬日，壬寅时开穴，膀胱井至阴，或合心井少冲。相生，大肠井商阳，肺井少商，胆井窍阴，肝井大
敦。甲辰时开穴，胆荥侠溪，或合脾荥大都。相生，肾荥然谷，膀胱荥通谷，心荥少府，小肠荥前谷。丙午
时开穴，小肠俞后溪，或合肺俞太渊。相生，胆俞临泣，肝俞太冲，胃俞陷谷，脾俞太白，又午时可刺膀胱
原穴京骨，乃水原在午，水入火乡，故壬丙、子午相交
也，兼刺三焦原阳池。戊申时开穴，胃经解溪，或合肾经复溜。相生，小肠经阳谷，心经灵道，天肠经阳溪，
肺经经渠。庚戌时开穴，大肠合曲池，或合肝合曲泉。相生，胃合三里，脾合阴陵泉，膀胱合委中，肾合阴谷。
壬子时三焦引气归元，可取关冲井穴，金生水也。
癸日亥时井涌泉，乙丑行间穴必然，丁卯俞穴神门是，本寻肾水太溪原，胞络大陵原并过，己巳商丘内踝
边，辛未肺经合尺泽，癸酉中冲胞络连，子午截时安定穴，留传后学莫忘言。
六癸日，癸亥时开穴，肾井涌泉，或合胃井厉兑。相生，肺井少商，大肠井商阳，肝井大敦，胆井窍阴。乙
丑时开穴，肝荥行间，或合大、肠荥二间。相生，肾荥然谷，膀胱荥通谷，心荥少府，小肠荥前谷。丁卯时开穴，
心俞神门，或合膀胱俞束骨。相生，肝俞太冲，胆俞临泣，脾俞太白，胃俞陷谷，又卯时可刺肾原穴太溪及胞
络原穴大陵。己巳时开穴，脾经商丘，或合胆经阳辅。相生，心经灵道，小肠经阳谷，肺经经渠，大肠经阳溪。
辛未时开穴，肺合尺泽，或合小肠合小海。相生，脾合阴陵泉，胃合三里，肾合阴谷，膀胱合委中。癸酉时胞络
引血归元，可取中冲井穴，水生木也。
大要∶ 阳日阳时阳穴，阴日阴时阴穴。阳以阴为阖，阴以阳为阖。阖者，闭也，闭则以本时天干，与某
穴相合者针之，故又曰开合。
阳日遇阴时，阴日遇阳时，则前穴已闭，取其合穴针之，合者，甲与己合化土，乙与庚合化金，丙与辛合化
水，丁与壬合化木，戊与癸合化火。赋云∶五门十变，十干相合为五，阴阳之门户。十变却十干，临时变用之
谓也。
其所以然者，阳日注腑，则气先至而血后行；阴日注脏，则血先至而气后行。顺阴阳者，所以顺气血也。
阳日，六腑值日者，引气；阴日，六脏值日者，引血。
或曰∶阳日阳时已过，阴日阴时已过，遇有急疾奈何？曰∶夫妻子母互用，必适其病为贵耳。
妻闭则针其夫，夫闭则针其妻，子闭针其母，母闭针其子，必穴与病相宜，乃可针也。
噫！用穴则先主而后客，用时则弃主而从宾。
假如甲日胆经为主，他穴为客，针必先主后客。其甲戌时，乃癸日戌时，则不必用，只用丙子时起。余仿
此。愚反复思玩，乃悟徐氏诸书，未尝明言也。
按日起时，循经寻穴，时上有穴，穴上有时，分明实落，不必数上衍数，此所以宁守子午，而舍尔灵龟也。
灵龟八法专为奇经八穴而设，其法具载徐氏针灸，乃窦文真公之妙悟也。但子午法自上古，其理易明，其
八穴亦肘膝内穴。又皆以阴应阴，以阳应阳，岂能逃子午之流注哉！
迎随。迎者，迎其气之方盛而夺之，为泻；随者，随其气之方虚而济之，为补。
《素问》曰∶泻必用方，补必用圆。又曰∶呼尽内针，候吸引针，命曰补；吸则内针，候呼引针，命曰泻。
此万世不易法也。
泻必用方，以气方盛也，月方满也，日方温也，身方定也。息方吸而内针，及复候其方吸而转针，及复候
其方呼而徐引出针，故曰泻。补必用圆，圆者行也，行者移也。行谓行不宣之气，移谓移未复之脉，故刺必中
其荥。及复候吸而推针至血，故圆与方非针也。
《图注难经》云∶手三阳从手至头，
手三阳经穴皆起于手也。
针芒从外往上为随，针芒从内往下为迎。
足三阳从头至足，
足三阳经穴皆起于头也。
针芒从内往下为随，针芒从外往上为迎。
足三阴从足至腹，
足三阴经穴皆起于足也。
针芒从外往上为随，针芒从内往下为迎。
手三阴从胸至手，
手三阴经穴皆起于胸也。
针芒从内往下为随，针芒从外往上为迎，大要以子午为主。
左为阳，从子至午左行阳络为补。
右为阴，从午至子右行阴络为泻。阳主进，阴主退故也。
手为阳，左手为纯阳。
足为阴。右足为纯阴。
Ren Water (Yin Water Heavenly Stem) is born in Shen month and dies in Mao month; Gui Water (Yin Water Heavenly Stem) is born in Mao month and dies in Shen month. Whenever encountering the hours that generate me, are generated by me, or harmonize with me, this is the time when Qi and Blood are flourishing, thus one can differentiate deficiency and excess to perform acupuncture.
When encountering the hours that overcome me, I overcome, or the Closing points, Qi and Blood are at their peak of decline and extinction. Either the Qi has not yet arrived, or it has already passed. Mistaken needling and reckless guiding of pathogenic Qi will damage the True Qi, causing Excess to become more Excess and Deficiency to become more Deficient, which brings significant disaster.
For example, on a Jia day when the Gallbladder Meridian governs the Qi, if the pulse is Wiry (Xian), it indicates a disease originating from the meridian itself. The primary point should be Xiaoyin (GB-44). On Yi days, use Xingjian (LR-2) of the Liver Meridian. The rest follow this pattern. For diseases originating from the meridian itself, without invasion by other pathogens, and not due to Mother-Child deficiency/excess relationships, but rather self-generated illness of the meridian, one should directly select points from that meridian. Thus, Xiaoyin (Jing-Well point) serves as the primary point, supplemented by Jing-Well points, such as Zhongchong (PC-9) of the Heart Meridian or LiDui (ST-45) of the Stomach Meridian. Alternatively, Shu-Stream points serve as the primary points, also supplemented by Shu-Stream points of the Heart and Stomach meridians. This principle applies equally to Ying-Spring, Jing-River, and He-Sea points, as well as the Master and Corresponding points.
If it is a Deficiency syndrome, tonify its Mother point. One should needle Yongquan (KI-1, Jing-Well) of the Kidney Meridian, or Zhiyin (BL-67, Jing-Well) of the Bladder Meridian. If it is an Excess syndrome, sedate its Child point. One may select Zhongchong (PC-9, Jing-Well) of the Pericardium Meridian, or Shaoze (SI-1, Jing-Well) of the Small Intestine Meridian. Since Jia Wood controls Wu Earth, needling is contraindicated.
On Jia days, Gallbladder Wood controls Wu Earth; on Yi days, Liver Wood controls Ji Earth; on Bing days, Small Intestine Fire controls Geng Metal; on Ding days, Heart Fire controls Xin Metal; on Wu days, Stomach Earth controls Ren Water; on Ji days, Spleen Earth controls Gui Water. In all these cases, needling is contraindicated.
However, does mutual control between Yin and Yang lack the potential for transformation? Therefore, since Jia and Ji combine to transform into Earth, one may also select Yinbai (SP-1) of the Spleen Meridian. As stated, "Seeing liver disease, one knows it will transmit to the spleen," so one first strengthens the Spleen to prevent it from receiving pathogenic factors from the Liver. This is what is meant by: "A superior physician treats disease before it arises."
To strengthen the Spleen, one must first needle the "Earth" character point on the Foot-Taiyin Spleen Meridian tonically, then needle the "Fire" character point tonically; subsequently, needle the "Wood" character point on the Foot-Jueyin Liver Meridian sedatively, then needle the "Fire" character point sedatively. The pathogen will dissipate, and the meridian will return to peace. This should be read in conjunction with the following section on Ying-Sui regarding deficiency and excess.
This logic extends to all Six Jia, Six Yi, Six Bing, Six Ding, Six Wu, Six Ji, Six Geng, Six Xin, Six Ren, and Six Gui days. Xu Shi has a song saying: On Jia days at Xu hour, Gallbladder Xiaoyin point; at Bing Zi hour, QianGu Ying-Spring point; at Wu Yin hour, XianGu Yangming Shu point; returning to the root, QiuXu Wood point is at Yin hour; at Geng Chen hour, YangXi Jing-River point; at Ren Wu hour, seek Weizhong of the Bladder; at Jia Shen hour, integrate Sanjiao Water; for Ying and He Tian-Gan, select YeMen.
On the Six Jia days: At Jia Xu hour, the opening point is the Gallbladder Jing-Well Xiaoyin, or combined with the Spleen Jing-Well Yinbai. In generating relationships, the Bladder Jing-Well Zhiyin, Kidney Jing-Well Yongquan, Small Intestine Jing-Well Shaoze, and Heart Jing-Well Zhongchong are used. In overcoming relationships, the Lung, Large Intestine, Stomach, and Spleen Jing-Well points and Closing points are considered. Yi Hai hour is not recorded; subsequent hours follow this pattern. At Bing Zi hour, the opening point is the Small Intestine Ying-Spring Qiangu, combined with the Lung Ying-Spring Yuji. In generating relationships, the Gallbladder Ying-Spring Xiaxi, Liver Ying-Spring Xingjian, Stomach Ying-Spring Neiting, and Spleen Ying-Spring Dadu are used. At Wu Yin hour, the opening point is the Stomach Shu-Stream XianGu, or combined with the Kidney Shu-Stream Taixi, in generating relationships. The Small Intestine Shu-Stream Houxi, Heart Shu-Stream Shenmen, Large Intestine Shu-Stream Sanjian, and Lung Shu-Stream Taiyuan are used. Furthermore, since Wood originates at Yin hour, the Gallbladder Yuan-Destination point QiuXu may be selected. At Geng Chen hour, the opening point is the Large Intestine Jing-River Yangxi, or combined with the Liver Jing-River Zhongfeng. In generating relationships, the Stomach Jing-River Jiexi, Spleen Jing-River Shangqiu, Bladder Jing-River Kunlun, and Kidney Jing-River Fuli are used. At Ren Wu hour, the opening point is the Bladder He-Sea Weizhong, or combined with the Heart He-Sea Shaohai. In generating relationships, the Large Intestine He-Sea Quchi, Lung He-Sea Chize, Stomach He-Sea Zusanli, and Spleen He-Sea Yinlingquan are used. At Jia Shen hour, Qi is guided back to the origin by the Sanjiao; one may select the Ying-Spring point YeMen. Water generates Wood, returning to the root and origin.
On Yi days at You hour, the Liver Jing-Well Dazhun; at Ding Hai hour, the Heart Ying-Spring Shaofu; at Ji Chou hour, the Spleen Shu-Stream Taibai and Liver Yuan-Destination Taichong; at Xin Mao hour, the Lung Jing-River Jingqu; at Gui Si hour, the Kidney He-Sea YinGu; at Yi Wei hour, the Pericardium Ying-Spring Laogong.
On the Six Yi days: At Yi You hour, the opening point is the Liver Jing-Well Dazhun, or combined with the Large Intestine Jing-Well Shangyang. In generating relationships, the Kidney Jing-Well Yongquan, Bladder Jing-Well Zhiyin, Heart Jing-Well Shaochong, and Small Intestine Jing-Well Shaoze are used. At Ding Hai hour, the opening point is the Heart Ying-Spring Shaofu, or combined with the Bladder Ying-Spring Tonggu. In generating relationships, the Liver Ying-Spring Xingjian, Gallbladder Ying-Spring Xiaxi, Spleen Ying-Spring Dadu, and Stomach Ying-Spring Neiting are used. At Ji Chou hour, the opening point is the Spleen Shu-Stream Taibai, or combined with the Gallbladder Shu-Stream Linqi. In generating relationships, the Heart Shu-Stream Shenmen, Small Intestine Shu-Stream Houxi, Lung Shu-Stream Taiyuan, and Large Intestine Shu-Stream Sanjian are used. Furthermore, at Chou hour, the Liver Yuan-Destination point Taichong may be needled. At Xin Mao hour, the opening point is the Lung Jing-River Jingqu, or combined with the Small Intestine Jing-River Yanggu. In generating relationships, the Spleen Jing-River Shangqiu, Stomach Jing-River Jiexi, Kidney Jing-River Fuli, and Bladder Jing-River Kunlun are used. At Gui Si hour, the opening point is the Kidney He-Sea YinGu, or combined with the Stomach He-Sea Zusanli. In generating relationships, the Lung He-Sea Chize, Large Intestine He-Sea Quchi, Liver He-Sea Ququan, and Gallbladder He-Sea Yanglingquan are used. At Yi Wei hour, the Pericardium guides blood back to the origin; one may needle the Ying-Spring point Laogong. Wood generates Fire, all based on Mother-Child generation. Subsequent hours follow this pattern.
On Bing days at Shen hour, Small Intestine Jing-Well ShaoZe takes precedence; at Wu Xu hour, Stomach Ying-Spring Neiting treats abdominal distension with health; at Geng Zi hour, Large Intestine Shu-Stream Sanjian; the original YuanGu can dispel jaundice; at Ren Yin hour, Bladder Jing-River Kunlun ascends; at Jia Chen hour, Gallbladder He-Sea YangLingQuan lasts long; at Bing Wu hour, receiving Sanjiao Wood energy, ZhongZhu requires careful examination.
On the Six Bing days: At Bing Shen hour, the opening point is the Small Intestine Jing-Well Shaoze, or combined with the Lung Jing-Well Shaoshang. In generating relationships, the Gallbladder Jing-Well Xiaoyin, Liver Jing-Well Dazhun, Spleen Jing-Well Yinbai, and Stomach Jing-Well Lidui are used. At Wu Xu hour, the opening point is the Stomach Ying-Spring Neiting, or combined with the Kidney Ying-Spring Rangu. In generating relationships, the Small Intestine Ying-Spring Qiangu, Heart Ying-Spring Shaofu, Large Intestine Ying-Spring Erjian, and Lung Ying-Spring Yuji are used. At Geng Zi hour, the opening point is the Large Intestine Shu-Stream Sanjian, or combined with the Liver Shu-Stream Taichong. In generating relationships, the Stomach Shu-Stream XianGu, Spleen Shu-Stream Taibai, Bladder Shu-Stream Shugu, and Kidney Shu-Stream Taixi are used. Furthermore, at Zi hour, the Small Intestine Yuan-Destination point Wangu is needled. At Ren Yin hour, the opening point is the Bladder Jing-River Kunlun, or combined with the Heart Jing-River Lingdao. In generating relationships, the Large Intestine Jing-River Yangxi, Lung Jing-River Jingqu, Gallbladder Jing-River Yangfu, and Liver Jing-River Zhongfeng are used. At Jia Chen hour, the opening point is the Gallbladder He-Sea YangLingQuan, or combined with the Spleen He-Sea YinLingQuan. In generating relationships, the Bladder He-Sea Weizhong, Kidney He-Sea YinGu, Small Intestine He-Sea Xiaohai, and Heart He-Sea Shaohai are used. At Bing Wu hour, Sanjiao guides Qi back to the origin; one may select the Shu-Stream point ZhongZhu. Wood generates Fire.
On Ding days at Wei hour, Heart Jing-Well ShaoChong; at Ji You hour, Spleen Ying-Spring DaDu meets Earth; at Xin Hai hour, Lung Shu-Stream TaiYuan and Heart Yuan-Destination ShenMen; at Gui Chou hour, Kidney Jing-River FuLiu allows Kidney Water to flow freely; at Yi Mao hour, Liver He-Sea QuQuan; at Ding Si hour, Pericardium Yuan-Destination DaLing centers.
On the Six Ding days: At Ding Wei hour, the opening point is the Heart Jing-Well Shaochong, or combined with the Bladder Jing-Well Zhiyin. In generating relationships, the Liver Jing-Well Dazhun, Gallbladder Jing-Well Xiaoyin, Spleen Jing-Well Yinbai, and Stomach Jing-Well Lidui are used. At Ji You hour, the opening point is the Spleen Ying-Spring Dadu, or combined with the Gallbladder Ying-Spring Xiaxi. In generating relationships, the Heart Ying-Spring Shaofu, Small Intestine Ying-Spring Qiangu, Lung Ying-Spring Yuji, and Large Intestine Ying-Spring Erjian are used. At Xin Hai hour, the opening point is the Lung Shu-Stream Taiyuan, or combined with the Small Intestine Shu-Stream Houxi. In generating relationships, the Spleen Shu-Stream Taibai, Stomach Shu-Stream XianGu, Kidney Shu-Stream Taixi, and Bladder Shu-Stream Shugu are used. Furthermore, at Hai hour, the Heart Yuan-Destination point Shenmen is needled. At Gui Chou hour, the opening point is the Kidney Jing-River Fuli, or combined with the Stomach Jing-River Jiexi. In generating relationships, the Lung Jing-River Jingqu, Large Intestine Jing-River Yangxi, Liver Jing-River Zhongfeng, and Gallbladder Jing-River Yangfu are used. At Yi Mao hour, the opening point is the Liver He-Sea Ququan, or combined with the Large Intestine He-Sea Quchi. In generating relationships, the Kidney He-Sea YinGu, Bladder He-Sea Weizhong, Heart He-Sea Shaohai, and Small Intestine He-Sea Xiaohai are used. At Ding Si hour, the Pericardium guides blood back to the origin; one may select the Shu-Stream point Dalin. Fire generates Earth.
On Wu days at Wu hour, Stomach Jing-Well Lidui comes first; at Geng Shen hour, Large Intestine Ying-Spring Erjian and Neiting; at Ren Xu hour, seek Bladder Shu-Stream Shugu; Chongyang Earth point must return to the origin; at Jia Zi hour, Gallbladder Jing-River YangFu is correct; at Bing Yin hour, Small Intestine He-Sea XiaoHai is peaceful; at Wu Chen hour, Qi integrates into the Sanjiao pulse; needling the Jing-River point Zhigou ensures recovery.
On the Six Wu days: At Wu Wu hour, the opening point is the Stomach Jing-Well Lidui, or combined with the Kidney Jing-Well Yongquan. In generating relationships, the Small Intestine Jing-Well Shaoze, Heart Jing-Well Shaochong, Large Intestine Jing-Well Shangyang, and Lung Jing-Well Shaoshang are used. At Geng Shen hour, the opening point is the Large Intestine Ying-Spring Erjian, or combined with the Liver Ying-Spring Xingjian. In generating relationships, the Spleen Ying-Spring Dadu, Stomach Ying-Spring Neiting, Bladder Ying-Spring Tonggu, and Kidney Ying-Spring Rangu are used. At Ren Xu hour, the opening point is the Bladder Shu-Stream Shugu, or combined with the Heart Shu-Stream Shenmen. In generating relationships, the Large Intestine Shu-Stream Sanjian, Lung Shu-Stream Taiyuan, Gallbladder Shu-Stream Linqi, and Liver Shu-Stream Taichong are used. Furthermore, at Xu hour, the Stomach Yuan-Destination point Chongyang is needled. At Jia Zi hour, the opening point is the Gallbladder Jing-River Yangfu, or the Spleen Jing-River Shangqiu. In generating relationships, the Bladder Jing-River Kunlun, Kidney Jing-River Fuli, Small Intestine Jing-River Yanggu, and Heart Jing-River Lingdao are used. At Bing Yin hour, the opening point is the Small Intestine He-Sea Xiaohai, or combined with the Lung He-Sea Chize. In generating relationships, the Gallbladder He-Sea YangLingQuan, Liver He-Sea Ququan, Stomach He-Sea Zusanli, and Spleen He-Sea YinLingQuan are used. At Wu Chen hour, Sanjiao guides Qi back to the origin; one may select the Jing-River point Zhigou. Fire generates Earth.
On Ji days at Si hour, Spleen Jing-Well Yinbai begins; at Xin Wei hour, Lung Ying-Spring Yuji is taken; at Gui You hour, Kidney Shu-Stream Taixi and Spleen Yuan-Destination Taibai; at Yi Hai hour, Liver Jing-River Zhongfeng compares with the inner ankle; at Ding Chou hour, Heart He-Sea Shaohai; at Ji Mao hour, Pericardium Jing-River Jianshi stops.
On the Six Ji days: At Ji Si hour, the opening point is the Spleen Jing-Well Yinbai, or combined with the Gallbladder Jing-Well Xiaoyin. In generating relationships, the Heart Jing-Well Shaochong, Small Intestine Jing-Well Shaoze, Lung Jing-Well Shaoshang, and Large Intestine Jing-Well Shangyang are used. At Xin Wei hour, the opening point is the Lung Ying-Spring Yuji, or combined with the Small Intestine Ying-Spring Qiangu. In generating relationships, the Spleen Ying-Spring Dadu, Stomach Ying-Spring Neiting, Kidney Ying-Spring Rangu, and Bladder Ying-Spring Tonggu are used. At Gui You hour, the opening point is the Kidney Shu-Stream Taixi, or combined with the Stomach Shu-Stream XianGu. In generating relationships, the Lung Shu-Stream Taiyuan, Large Intestine Shu-Stream Sanjian, Liver Shu-Stream Taichong, and Gallbladder Shu-Stream Linqi are used. Furthermore, at You hour, the Spleen Yuan-Destination point Taibai is needled. At Yi Hai hour, the opening point is the Liver Jing-River Zhongfeng, or combined with the Large Intestine Jing-River Yangxi. In generating relationships, the Kidney Jing-River Fuli, Bladder Jing-River Kunlun, Heart Jing-River Lingdao, and Small Intestine Jing-River Yanggu are used. At Ding Chou hour, the opening point is the Heart He-Sea Shaohai, or combined with the Bladder He-Sea Weizhong. In generating relationships, the Gallbladder He-Sea YangLingQuan, Liver He-Sea Ququan, Spleen He-Sea YinLingQuan, and Stomach He-Sea Zusanli are used. At Ji Mao hour, the Pericardium guides blood back to the origin; one may select the Jing-River point Jianshi. Earth generates Metal.
On Geng days at Chen hour, Large Intestine Jing-Well ShangYang resides; at Ren Wu hour, Bladder Ying-Spring TongGu; at Jia Shen hour, Gallbladder Shu-Stream LinQi is Wood; Hegu Metal origin returns to the root. At Bing Xu hour, Small Intestine Jing-River YangGu Fire; at Wu Zi hour, Stomach He-Sea SanLi is suitable; at Geng Yin hour, Qi integrates into the Sanjiao He-Sea, Tianjing leaves no doubt.
On the Six Geng days: At Geng Chen hour, the opening point is the Large Intestine Jing-Well Shangyang, or combined with the Liver Jing-Well Dazhun. In generating relationships, the Stomach Jing-Well Lidui, Spleen Jing-Well Yinbai, Bladder Jing-Well Zhiyin, and Kidney Jing-Well Yongquan are used. At Ren Wu hour, the opening point is the Bladder Ying-Spring Tonggu, or combined with the Heart Ying-Spring Shaofu. In generating relationships, the Large Intestine Ying-Spring Erjian, Lung Ying-Spring Yuji, Gallbladder Ying-Spring Xiaxi, and Liver Ying-Spring Xingjian are used. At Jia Shen hour, the opening point is the Gallbladder Shu-Stream Linqi, or combined with the Spleen Shu-Stream Taibai. In generating relationships, the Bladder Shu-Stream Shugu, Kidney Shu-Stream Taixi, Small Intestine Shu-Stream Houxi, and Heart Shu-Stream Shenmen are used. Furthermore, at Shen hour, the Large Intestine Yuan-Destination point Hegu is needled. At Bing Xu hour, the opening point is the Small Intestine Jing-River Yanggu, or combined with the Lung Jing-River Jingqu. In generating relationships, the Gallbladder Jing-River QiuXu, Liver Jing-River Zhongfeng, Stomach Jing-River Jiexi, and Spleen Jing-River Shangqiu are used. At Wu Zi hour, the opening point is the Stomach He-Sea Zusanli, or combined with the Kidney He-Sea YinGu. In generating relationships, the Small Intestine He-Sea Xiaohai, Heart He-Sea Shaohai, Large Intestine He-Sea Quchi, and Lung He-Sea Chize are used. At Geng Yin hour, Sanjiao guides Qi back to the origin; one may select the He-Sea point Tianjing. Earth generates Metal.
On Xin days at Mao hour, Lung Jing-Well ShaoShang is the root; at Gui Si hour, Kidney Ying-Spring RanGu needs no hesitation; at Yi Wei hour, Liver Yuan-Destination TaiChong and Lung Yuan-Destination TaiYuan; at Ding You hour, Heart Jing-River LingDao guides; at Ji Hai hour, Spleen He-Sea YinLingQuan; at Xin Chou hour, Pericardium He-Sea QuZe is standard.
On the Six Xin days: At Xin Mao hour, the opening point is the Lung Jing-Well Shaoshang, or combined with the Small Intestine Jing-Well Shaoze. In generating relationships, the Spleen Jing-Well Yinbai, Stomach Jing-Well Lidui, Bladder Jing-Well Zhiyin, and Kidney Jing-Well Yongquan are used. At Gui Si hour, the opening point is the Kidney Ying-Spring Rangu, or combined with the Stomach Ying-Spring Neiting. In generating relationships, the Lung Ying-Spring Yuji, Large Intestine Ying-Spring Erjian, Liver Ying-Spring Xingjian, and Gallbladder Ying-Spring Xiaxi are used. At Yi Wei hour, the opening point is the Liver Shu-Stream Taichong, or combined with the Large Intestine Shu-Stream Sanjian. In generating relationships, the Kidney Shu-Stream Taixi, Bladder Shu-Stream Shugu, Heart Shu-Stream Shenmen, and Small Intestine Shu-Stream Houxi are used. Furthermore, at Wei hour, the Lung Yuan-Destination point Taiyuan is needled. At Ding You hour, the opening point is the Heart Jing-River Lingdao, or combined with the Bladder Jing-River Kunlun. In generating relationships, the Liver Jing-River Zhongfeng, Gallbladder Jing-River QiuXu, Spleen Jing-River Shangqiu, and Stomach Jing-River Jiexi are used. At Ji Hai hour, the opening point is the Spleen He-Sea YinLingQuan, or combined with the Gallbladder He-Sea YangLingQuan. In generating relationships, the Heart He-Sea Shaohai, Small Intestine He-Sea Xiaohai, Lung He-Sea Chize, and Large Intestine He-Sea Quchi are used. At Xin Chou hour, the Pericardium guides blood back to the origin; one may select the He-Sea point Quze. Metal generates Water.
On Ren days starting at Yin hour, Bladder Jing-Well Zhiyin begins; at Jia Chen hour, Gallbladder Meridian Ying-Spring Xiaxi; at Bing Wu hour, Small Intestine Shu-Stream Houxi; seeking JingGu for the original root. The Sanjiao harbors the Yangchi point, returning to the root and origin closely. At Wu Shen hour, Jiexi of the Stomach is explained; at Geng Xu hour, Quchi of the Large Intestine is true; at Ren Zi hour, Qi integrates into the Sanjiao harbor; the parallel point Guanchong is a patch of metal. Guanchong belongs to Metal, Ren belongs to Water; Mother-Child generation holds deep grace.
On the Six Ren days: At Ren Yin hour, the opening point is the Bladder Jing-Well Zhiyin, or combined with the Heart Jing-Well Shaochong. In generating relationships, the Large Intestine Jing-Well Shangyang, Lung Jing-Well Shaoshang, Gallbladder Jing-Well Xiaoyin, and Liver Jing-Well Dazhun are used. At Jia Chen hour, the opening point is the Gallbladder Ying-Spring Xiaxi, or combined with the Spleen Ying-Spring Dadu. In generating relationships, the Kidney Ying-Spring Rangu, Bladder Ying-Spring Tonggu, Heart Ying-Spring Shaofu, and Small Intestine Ying-Spring Qiangu are used. At Bing Wu hour, the opening point is the Small Intestine Shu-Stream Houxi, or combined with the Lung Shu-Stream Taiyuan. In generating relationships, the Gallbladder Shu-Stream Linqi, Liver Shu-Stream Taichong, Stomach Shu-Stream XianGu, and Spleen Shu-Stream Taibai are used. Furthermore, at Wu hour, the Bladder Yuan-Destination point Jinggu may be needled. Water originates at Wu, water enters the fire realm, thus Ren and Bing, Zi and Wu intersect, and the Sanjiao Yuan-Destination point Yangchi is also needled. At Wu Shen hour, the opening point is the Stomach Jing-River Jiexi, or combined with the Kidney Jing-River Fuli. In generating relationships, the Small Intestine Jing-River Yanggu, Heart Jing-River Lingdao, Large Intestine Jing-River Yangxi, and Lung Jing-River Jingqu are used. At Geng Xu hour, the opening point is the Large Intestine He-Sea Quchi, or combined with the Liver He-Sea Ququan. In generating relationships, the Stomach He-Sea Zusanli, Spleen He-Sea YinLingQuan, Bladder He-Sea Weizhong, and Kidney He-Sea YinGu are used. At Ren Zi hour, Sanjiao guides Qi back to the origin; one may select the Jing-Well point Guanchong. Metal generates Water.
On Gui days at Hai hour, Kidney Jing-Well Yongquan; at Yi Chou hour, Liver Ying-Spring Xingjian is certain; at Ding Mao hour, Heart Shu-Stream Shenmen is the point; originally seeking Kidney Water Taixi Yuan-Destination; Pericardium Yuan-Destination Dalin passes through together; at Ji Si hour, Spleen Jing-River Shangqiu is by the inner ankle; at Xin Wei hour, Lung He-Sea Chize; at Gui You hour, Pericardium Jing-Well Zhongchong connects. At Zi-Wu cutoff times, the stable points are set; pass this down to future students, do not forget the words.
On the Six Gui days: At Gui Hai hour, the opening point is the Kidney Jing-Well Yongquan, or combined with the Stomach Jing-Well Lidui. In generating relationships, the Lung Jing-Well Shaoshang, Large Intestine Jing-Well Shangyang, Liver Jing-Well Dazhun, and Gallbladder Jing-Well Xiaoyin are used. At Yi Chou hour, the opening point is the Liver Ying-Spring Xingjian, or combined with the Large Intestine Ying-Spring Erjian. In generating relationships, the Kidney Ying-Spring Rangu, Bladder Ying-Spring Tonggu, Heart Ying-Spring Shaofu, and Small Intestine Ying-Spring Qiangu are used. At Ding Mao hour, the opening point is the Heart Shu-Stream Shenmen, or combined with the Bladder Shu-Stream Shugu. In generating relationships, the Liver Shu-Stream Taichong, Gallbladder Shu-Stream Linqi, Spleen Shu-Stream Taibai, and Stomach Shu-Stream XianGu are used. Furthermore, at Mao hour, the Kidney Yuan-Destination point Taixi and the Pericardium Yuan-Destination point Dalin may be needled. At Ji Si hour, the opening point is the Spleen Jing-River Shangqiu, or combined with the Gallbladder Jing-River Yangfu. In generating relationships, the Heart Jing-River Lingdao, Small Intestine Jing-River Yanggu, Lung Jing-River Jingqu, and Large Intestine Jing-River Yangxi are used. At Xin Wei hour, the opening point is the Lung He-Sea Chize, or combined with the Small Intestine He-Sea Xiaohai. In generating relationships, the Spleen He-Sea YinLingQuan, Stomach He-Sea Zusanli, Kidney He-Sea YinGu, and Bladder He-Sea Weizhong are used. At Gui You hour, the Pericardium guides blood back to the origin; one may select the Jing-Well point Zhongchong. Water generates Wood.
General Principle: Yang days and Yang hours use Yang points; Yin days and Yin hours use Yin points. Yang uses Yin as Closing; Yin uses Yang as Closing. Closing means closure. At closing hours, needle the point that harmonizes with the Heavenly Stem of that hour. Hence it is also called Opening and Closing.
When a Yang day encounters a Yin hour, or a Yin day encounters a Yang hour, the previous point is closed. Select its Harmonizing point for needling. Harmonizing refers to: Jia and Ji combine to transform into Earth; Yi and Geng combine to transform into Metal; Bing and Xin combine to transform into Water; Ding and Ren combine to transform into Wood; Wu and Gui combine to transform into Fire. The Ode states: Five Gates and Ten Transformations, the ten stems combine into five, the gates of Yin and Yang. Ten Transformations reverse the ten stems, meaning temporary variation in application according to the hour.
The reason for this is: On Yang days, Qi flows into the Fu organs, so Qi arrives first and Blood follows; on Yin days, Blood flows into the Zang organs, so Blood arrives first and Qi follows. Following Yin and Yang is therefore following Qi and Blood.
On Yang days, when the Six Fu organs are on duty, they guide Qi; on Yin days, when the Six Zang organs are on duty, they guide Blood.
Someone asks: What if the Yang day/Yang hour or Yin day/Yin hour has passed, and an emergency arises? The answer is: Husband and Wife, Son and Mother may be used interchangeably. It is most important that the treatment suits the disease.
If the Wife's point is closed, needle the Husband's point; if the Husband's point is closed, needle the Wife's point; if the Son's point is closed, needle the Mother's point; if the Mother's point is closed, needle the Son's point. The point must be appropriate for the disease to be effective.
Alas! When selecting points, prioritize the Principal and then the Guest; when selecting hours, abandon the Principal and follow the Guest.
For example, on a Jia day, the Gallbladder Meridian is the Principal, and other points are Guests. Needling must proceed from Principal to Guest. The Jia Xu hour corresponds to the Gui day Xu hour, so it should not be used; start only from Bing Zi hour. The rest follow this pattern. After repeated contemplation, I realized that Xu Shi's works never explicitly stated this.
Starting from the day and hour, follow the meridian to find the point. There is a point at the hour, and an hour at the point. It is clear and concrete. There is no need to calculate derived numbers. This is why one should adhere to the Zi-Wu Flow-Loading method rather than the Spirit Turtle Eight Methods.
The Spirit Turtle Eight Methods were specifically designed for the eight extraordinary vessel points. This method is detailed in Xu Shi's Acupuncture and Moxibustion, representing the profound insight of Lord Dou Wenzhen. However, the Zi-Wu method dates back to ancient times, its principles are easy to understand, and its eight points are located within the elbows and knees. Furthermore, they all respond Yin to Yin and Yang to Yang. How could they escape the laws of Zi-Wu Flow-Loading?
Ying-Sui (Following and Opposing): Ying (Opposing) means opposing the Qi while it is flourishing to drain it, which is Sedation. Sui (Following) means following the Qi while it is deficient to tonify it, which is Tonification.
The Suwen states: Sedation must use Fang (Square); Tonification must use Yuan (Circle). It also states: Insert the needle at the end of exhalation, wait for inhalation to draw the needle out; this is called Tonification. Insert the needle during inhalation, wait for exhalation to draw the needle out; this is called Sedation. This is an unchanging method for all generations.
Sedation must use Fang because the Qi is flourishing, the moon is full, the sun is warm, and the body is still. Insert the needle during inhalation, turn the needle when inhaling again, and slowly withdraw the needle during exhalation; thus it is called Sedation. Tonification must use Yuan. Yuan means movement; movement means shifting. Moving refers to moving stagnant Qi; shifting refers to restoring the unpulsating pulse. Therefore, needling must hit the Ying-Spring point. Wait for inhalation to push the needle into the blood. Thus, Yuan and Fang refer to techniques, not needles.
The Illustrated Notes on Nanjing states: The Three Yang Meridians of the Hand run from hand to head; all acupoints of the Three Yang Meridians of the Hand originate from the hand. Needle tip pointing outward and upward is Sui (Following); needle tip pointing inward and downward is Ying (Opposing). The Three Yang Meridians of the Foot run from head to foot; all acupoints of the Three Yang Meridians of the Foot originate from the head. Needle tip pointing inward and downward is Sui (Following); needle tip pointing outward and upward is Ying (Opposing). The Three Yin Meridians of the Foot run from foot to abdomen; all acupoints of the Three Yin Meridians of the Foot originate from the foot. Needle tip pointing outward and upward is Sui (Following); needle tip pointing inward and downward is Ying (Opposing). The Three Yin Meridians of the Hand run from chest to hand; all acupoints of the Three Yin Meridians of the Hand originate from the chest. Needle tip pointing inward and downward is Sui (Following); needle tip pointing outward and upward is Ying (Opposing). The general principle prioritizes Zi-Wu.
Left is Yang. Moving left along the Yang collaterals from Zi to Wu is Tonification. Right is Yin. Moving right along the Yin collaterals from Wu to Zi is Sedation. This is because Yang advances and Yin retreats.
Hands are Yang; the left hand is Pure Yang. Feet are Yin; the right foot is Pure Yin.