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After the Great Cold solar term, entering the Chou month, marks the First Qi phase. This period spans from Great Cold to the Spring Equinox, corresponding to the position of Jueyin Wind-Wood. At this time, Yang Qi begins to function but remains weak. Thus, it is said that when Shaoyang receives the beginning of the Jiazi cycle, the climatic characteristics at the onset of Great Cold are typically used as a reference. This is divided into six cycles of sixty days (totaling 360 days) to correspond with the descent of the Six Qi. The twelfth, first, and second months all involve Shaoyang Qi, and the evolution of the Three Yin and Three Yang follows the same pattern.

The annotation states: Diseases caused by the First Qi often manifest as cough, wind-phlegm, wind-Jue, surging saliva, bi-syndrome leading to facial paralysis or hemiplegia, aphonia, wind-epilepsy, stroke in women, retained fluid in the stomach, mild pain in the umbilical and abdominal regions, vomiting and nausea, vertigo and palpitations, yang-manic heart-wind, convulsions, tremors, and shaking. Regarding diseases of the First Qi, according to the *Neijing* (Inner Canon), if the pathogen is above, emesis should be induced; if below, purgation should be applied.

After the Spring Equinox, entering the Mao month, marks the Second Qi phase. This period spans from the Spring Equinox to the Beginning of Summer, corresponding to the position of Shaoyin Sovereign Fire. At this time, Yang Qi becomes active and clear between the Qingming period, accompanied by the influence of the Yangming position.

The annotation states: Diseases caused by the Second Qi often involve wind-dampness and wind-heat. The classics state: "Wind pathogen injures the Yang aspect, dampness pathogen injures the Yin aspect." Mild symptoms include headache and fever, presenting as wind-dampness patterns; if wind injures the blood and dampness injures the Stomach Qi, it leads to deficiency of both Yin and Yang, floating pulse, sweating, heavy body, excessive sleepiness, coarse nasal breathing, and difficulty speaking. For these two types of syndromes, hot medicines are contraindicated; misapplication of purgation will lead to death. Diseases of the Second Qi are suitable for treatment with Guizhi Mahuang Tang (Cinnamon Twig and Ephedra Decoction) to induce sweating.

After the Beginning of Summer, entering the Si month, marks the Third Qi phase. This period spans from the Beginning of Summer to the Major Heat, corresponding to the position of Shaoyang Ministerial Fire. At this time, Yang Qi disperses, and all things grow vigorously, hence it is said that Taiyang Qi is prosperous. The pulse is large, surging, and long, reflecting that both heavenly climate and human meridians are abundant.

The annotation states: Diseases caused by the Third Qi often manifest as fever and frequently transmit to the foot meridians, including Taiyang, Yangming, Shaoyang, Taiyin, Jueyin, and Shaoyin. Taiyang meridian disease presents with fever, aversion to cold, pain and stiffness in the head and neck, and stiffness in the lower back and back. Yangming meridian disease presents with muscle pain, eye pain, dry nose, and inability to lie down. Shaoyang meridian disease presents with chest and hypochondriac pain, deafness, bitter taste in the mouth, alternating chills and fever, and vomiting. These three Yang meridians' diseases belong to heat syndromes. Taiyin meridian disease presents with abdominal fullness, dry throat, warmth of hands and feet, spontaneous diarrhea without thirst, or abdominal fullness with occasional pain. Shaoyin meridian disease presents with dry mouth and tongue with thirst. Jueyin meridian disease presents with irritability and fullness, curled tongue and retracted scrotum, panting, stifling heat, restlessness, cold limbs, and cyanotic fingernails. Diseases of the Third Qi are suitable for purgation, clearing the upper, cooling, and warming/nourishing methods, but should not use hot purgatives like Radix et Rhizoma Imperatoris (Badou).

Before the Major Heat solar term, entering the Wei month, marks the Fourth Qi phase. This period spans from Major Heat to the Autumn Equinox, corresponding to the position of Taiyin Damp-Earth. After Yang Qi disperses, Yin Qi begins to govern, hence it is said that Taiyin Qi is prosperous. The Three Yin and Three Yang here differ from the heaven-earth root-and-branch Yin-Yang. A slow, large, and long pulse indicates prosperity of Dry-Metal Qi; a tight, fine, short, and choppy pulse indicates dryness of all things, which is evident.

The annotation states: Diseases caused by the Fourth Qi often manifest as summer-heat illness, such as headache, fever, and thirst. They should not be treated as ordinary heat diseases but are suitable for Baihu Tang (White Tiger Decoction). Such diseases are non-contagious. Subsequently, they may cause Pi-xie (Spleen diarrhea), Wei-xie (Stomach diarrhea), Dachang-xie (Large Intestine diarrhea), Xiaochang-xie (Small Intestine diarrhea), Dajia-xie (Major mass diarrhea), cholera with vomiting and diarrhea, white dysentery, mixed red and white dysentery, undigested food, loud borborygmus and severe pain, facial and foot edema, yellow eyes, dry mouth, distension and qi stagnation, weakness of hands and feet, and similar symptoms in children. Diseases of the Fourth Qi are suitable for leaching and draining methods, such as Wuling San (Five Ling Powder).

After the Autumn Equinox, entering the You month, marks the Fifth Qi phase. This period spans from the Autumn Equinox to the Beginning of Snow, corresponding to the position of Yangming Dry-Metal. At this time, Yang declines and Yin prevails, hence it is said that Metal Qi is prosperous, and the pulse is fine and faint.

The annotation states: Diseases caused by the Fifth Qi often manifest as panting, vomiting, retching, and cough, as well as alternating chills and fever in women, malaria, jaundice, hemorrhoids, xiao-ke (wasting-thirst), middle-fullness, and infant rashes and smallpox. Diseases of the Fifth Qi are suitable for treatment with Da Chaihu Tang (Greater Bupleurum Decoction) to resolve both exterior and interior conditions.

After the Beginning of Snow, entering the Hai month, marks the Final Qi phase. This period spans from the Beginning of Snow to Great Cold, corresponding to the position of Taiyang Cold-Water. At this time, Yin reaches its extreme and ends, and Heaven's energy gathers, hence it is said that Jueyin Qi is prosperous. "Jue" means extreme. The pulse is deep, short, and faint. All things store within, cold Qi blocks the skin and pores, preventing Qi and fluids from escaping, hence the pulse is faint.

The annotation states: Diseases caused by the Final Qi often manifest as wind-cold, wind-phlegm, damp-bi, and flaccidity of the four limbs. At the end of autumn and beginning of winter, Water Qi revives and prospers. Water and dampness contend, Lung Qi declines, and winter cold is severe, so disease onset involves contraction, resulting in Jue-ni (reversal cold) and wei-ruo (flaccid weakness) with inability to move. Fluids are clear and cold, representing major cold diseases, accumulation and masses, cold hernia, and blood masses. Diseases of the Final Qi are suitable for herbs that break accumulations and induce sweating.