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*Suwen: Chapter on the Six Sections and Visceral Manifestations*: The Yellow Emperor asked, "I have heard that Heaven uses six cycles of sixty days (Liu-Liu) to form one year, and Man corresponds with the number nine (Jiu-Jiu). It has been calculated that humans have three hundred and sixty-five joints to correspond to Heaven and Earth. This knowledge is ancient. I do not understand its meaning."

"Liu-Liu" refers to six Jia-zi periods (sixty-day cycles), forming the seasonal limits of a year; "Jiu-Jiu Zhihui" means that the human form corresponds to the number of the Nine Fields (Nine Provinces), reflecting the integration of humanity with Heaven and Earth.

Qibo replied, "Your question is profound. Let me explain. The Liu-Liu cycle and Jiu-Jiu correspondence are used to determine the degrees of Heaven and the numbers of Qi. The Liu-Liu cycle represents the degrees of Heaven. The Jiu-Jiu correspondence represents the numbers of Heaven. What is meant by 'Qi numbers' is the Qi of generation and completion. The celestial sphere is divided into 365 and 1/4 degrees. Divided equally by the twelve solar terms, there are 360 days for Qi to complete, but adding small months leaves a deficit. Therefore, leap months are often inserted within the sixty-four Qi periods. Why? Because of accumulated fractional differences. The generation and nurturing of Heaven and Earth originate from Yin and Yang. The application of human spirit begins and ends with the Nine Qi. The *Book of Rites* states: The Huangzhong pitch pipe is nine cun long. On the day of Winter Solstice, Qi causes calamus ash to fly. Thus, the growth of all things is due to the Nine Qi.

The degrees of Heaven regulate the movement of the sun and moon. The numbers of Qi record the function of transformation and generation. 'Regulate' implies measurement. 'Record' implies principle. Measuring the movement of the sun and moon clarifies their speed. Recording the function of transformation highlights the response to the arrival of Qi. If Qi responses are accurate, the principles of generation remain intact. Speed and slowness measured correctly lead to the creation of large and small months. Thus, days vary in length, months shift causing cold and heat, and storage and growth occur at appropriate times.

Heaven is Yang, Earth is Yin. Day is Yang, Night is Yin. Movement has divisions and records; circulation has principles. The sun moves one degree per day; the moon moves thirteen degrees plus a fraction. Thus, large and small months total 365 days to form a year, accumulating Qi surplus to create leap months.

The sun moves slowly, traveling one degree across the sky daily, completing a circuit in 365 days, yet still having a fractional remainder. The moon moves quickly, traveling over thirteen degrees daily, completing a circuit in 29 days. 'Fraction' refers to moving seven parts out of nineteen beyond the thirteen degrees, hence 'the moon moves thirteen degrees with a fraction.' The *Book of Documents* says: A period of 366 days, using leap months to fix the four seasons and form a year. Accumulating surplus for leap months occurs because lunar months do not fully match celestial degrees.

Establishing the beginning at the start, displaying correctness in the middle, and deducing surplus at the end completes the celestial degrees. 'Duan' means head. 'Shi' means beginning. 'Biao' means display. 'Zheng' refers to the direction of the Big Dipper. 'Zhong' means mid-month. 'Tui' means retreating position. It means establishing the first Qi on the day of the initial solar term, displaying the Big Dipper's direction at mid-month, and pushing back leap surplus after the full moon. Before a leap month, Qi does not reach the Moon; after a leap month, the Moon does not reach Qi. Thus, regular months establish the beginning and middle; leap months have no beginning or middle. Although calendars may show this, it refers to other solar terms. Therefore, calendars do not state 'Leap Month X is the solar term' or 'Leap Month X is the middle.' The meaning of deduction can be understood. Thus: Establish the beginning at the start, display correctness in the middle, deduce surplus at the end. By deducing days to set leap months, celestial degrees are completed.

Heaven has ten Heavenly Stems. Ten days complete one Jia-zi cycle. Six Jia-zi cycles end a year. This is the method of 360 days. Ten days refer to the days of Jia, Yi, Bing, Ding, Wu, Ji, Geng, Xin, Ren, Gui. Ten is the ultimate number of Heaven and Earth. The *I Ching* says: Heaven is nine, Earth is ten. Every sixty days completes a Jia-zi cycle. Six cycles restart, ending the year's days. This is the 360-day annual method, not the actual celestial degree count. This likely refers to twelve months of thirty days each. If small months are excluded, the day count differs.

The Emperor said, "You mentioned accumulating Qi surplus for leap months. I wish to hear what 'Qi' means." Qibo said, "Five days constitute one Hou (pentad). Three Hous constitute one Qi (solar term). Six Qis constitute one Shi (season). Four Shis constitute one Sui (year). Each follows its ruling Qi. 'Following its ruling Qi' means that each day of the year belongs to one of the Five Elements' Qi, which becomes dominant. Hence the following text.

The Five Movements (Wu Yun) succeed each other and govern their respective times. At the end of the cycle, they restart like an endless ring. Seasons are established, Qi is distributed, like a ring without end. Hous follow the same method. Thus it is said: 'One who does not know the Qi added to the year, the prosperity and decline of Qi, and the origin of deficiency and excess, cannot be a skilled physician.' Question: The beginning of the Five Movements is like an endless ring. How are excess and insufficiency manifested? Answer: The Five Movements alternate, each having its overcoming relationship. Changes in prosperity and deficiency are normal. Question: What is Balanced Qi? Answer: It has no excess or insufficiency. Question: How about excess and insufficiency? Answer: They are recorded in the classics. Question: What is 'overcoming'? Answer: Spring overcomes Late Summer; Late Summer overcomes Winter; Winter overcomes Summer; Summer overcomes Autumn; Autumn overcomes Spring. This is called obtaining the victory of the Five Phases in time. Each names the Zang organs according to Qi. Question: How to know the overcoming? Answer: Seek its arrival. All return to early Spring. Arrival before time is Excess. It then bullies the non-overcoming and exploits the overcome. This is called 'Qi Indulgence.' Internal deviation arises, and physicians cannot control it. Arrival after time is Insufficiency. The overcome acts recklessly, the generating organ suffers disease, and the non-overcoming bullies it. This is called 'Qi Oppression.' Seeking arrival means observing when Qi arrives.

All Qi arrivals are considered 15 days before Lichun (Start of Spring), the beginning of the Hou. Early arrival means the governing Qi arrives ahead of schedule. Early arrival indicates Qi surplus, hence Excess. Late arrival means the governing Qi should have arrived but did not, arriving later. Late arrival indicates Qi insufficiency, hence Insufficiency. Excess bullies the non-overcoming and exploits the overcome. Insufficiency leads the overcome to act recklessly, the generating organ suffers, and the non-overcoming bullies it. Generally, in Five Phases Qi, what I overcome is the overcome; what overcomes me is the non-overcoming; what generates me is the generator. For example, if Liver Wood is excessive, Lung Metal is deficient. Metal fails to control Wood, so Wood is excessive. With Wood surplus, it bullies Lung Metal and exploits Spleen Earth. This internal mutual indulgence of Zang Qi causes disease, named 'Qi Indulgence.' Other excess cases are similar. If Liver Wood is weak, it cannot control Earth. Earth acts recklessly without fear, oppressing Water. Thus: 'The overcome acts recklessly, and the generated suffers.' Liver Wood imbalance causes Lung Metal to bully it naturally. Thus: 'The non-overcoming bullies it.' However, Wood imbalance leads to mutual bullying of Earth and Metal, causing oppression and disease, named 'Qi Oppression.' Other insufficiency cases are similar.

Carefully observe the timing. Qi can be expected. Missing the time and reversing the Hou causes internal deviation. The Five Treatments become indistinguishable. Physicians cannot control it. Question: Is there non-succession? Answer: The Qi of Cangtian (Blue Heaven) must have constancy. Non-succession is abnormal. Abnormality brings change. Question: How does abnormal change manifest? Answer: Change brings disease. The overcome is mild; the non-overcoming is severe.

Master Wang said: Change is abnormal. Arrival is Qi arrival. Overcome is what I conquer. Non-overcoming is what conquers me. Heavy means recurrence. Time refers to the Six Qi periods. This speaks of Six Qi disorder, where evil has varying severity. The Six Qi refer to Host Qi. First Qi: Jueyin Wind-Wood. Second: Jun Fire. Third: Xiang Fire. Fourth: Damp-Earth. Fifth: Dry-Metal. Sixth: Cold-Water. From first to last, responding to Liu-Liu Qi, this is successive and smooth. Otherwise, it is reverse and diseased. For example, if Jueyin Wind-Wood commands, but Wind does not respond, and Dampness dominates, the evil belongs to Taiyin Earth. Wood conquers Earth, which is the non-overcoming, so the evil is mild. If Wind-Wood does not respond, and Dryness dominates, the evil belongs to Yangming Metal. Metal conquers Wood, the non-overcoming, so the evil is severe. This is called 'Double Infection' in Ding years. The Classic says: 'Exploiting the year's deficiency makes evil severe; losing harmony also makes evil severe. Double infection by evil leads to critical illness.' Ding belongs to Yin Stems, transforming into insufficiency. Wood insufficiency allows non-overcoming Dry Metal to oppress. Wood corresponds internally to the Liver. The Liver feels the non-overcoming evil of the annual movement, suffering double infection. One suffers two injuries in a year, hence 'Double infection leads to death.' In Ding Wood insufficiency years, if Dry Metal changes do not coincide with Wind-Wood times, it is mild evil. Thus: 'Off-time is mild, on-time is severe.' Others follow this. Wang's commentary suggesting illness in the second, third, fourth, or fifth year after the direct year is unreasonable.

*Suwen: Chapter on the Celestial Origin Discourse*: The Emperor said, "The Five Movements succeed each other and govern. At the end of the cycle, they restart. I know this. I wish to hear how they combine with the patterns of Three Yin and Three Yang." Gui Yuzhou said, "The Five Movements and Yin-Yang are the Way of Heaven and Earth, the principle of all things, the parents of change, the root of life and death, and the mansion of spirit and enlightenment. Can one fail to understand them? Generation of things is called Transformation. Extremity of things is called Change. Unfathomable Yin-Yang is called Spirit. Spirit functioning without fixed methods is called Sage. The function of change: In Heaven it is Profound (Xuan); in Man it is Dao; in Earth it is Transformation. Transformation generates five flavors. Dao generates wisdom. Xuan generates spirit. Spirit in Heaven is Wind; on Earth it is Wood. Heat in Heaven is Fire on Earth. Dampness in Heaven is Earth on Earth. Dryness in Heaven is Metal on Earth. Cold in Heaven is Water on Earth.

This Five Phase transformation responds to the principles of Heaven and Earth's Luck and Qi, similar to the *Yin-Yang Ying Xiang Da Lun*.

Thus, in Heaven it is Qi, on Earth it is Form. Form and Qi interact to generate all things. Heaven and Earth are the upper and lower of all things. Left and Right are the pathways of Yin and Yang. Water and Fire are the signs of Yin and Yang. Metal and Wood are the beginning and end of generation. Qi has quantity; Form has prosperity and decline. Upper and Lower summon each other, revealing gain and loss. Question: What is 'Qi has quantity, Form has prosperity and decline'? (Qi refers to Wind, Heat, Dryness, Dampness, Cold. Form refers to Wood, Fire, Earth, Metal, Water.) Answer: Yin and Yang Qi each have quantities, hence Three Yin and Three Yang. Form has prosperity and decline, meaning the governance of Five Phases has excess and insufficiency. Thus, starting with surplus, insufficiency follows. Starting with insufficiency, surplus follows. Knowing anticipation and following allows predicting Qi. Responding to Heaven creates Tian Fu (Heavenly符). Inheriting the Year creates Sui Zhi (Year Direct). Three combinations create governance.

[Responding to Heaven] In Wood Movement years, Upper sees Jueyin. In Fire Movement years, Upper sees Shaoyang and Shaoyin. In Earth Movement years, Upper sees Taiyin. In Metal Movement years, Upper sees Yangming. In Water Movement years, Upper sees Taiyang. These five cases see Heaven's Qi descending, matching the符, hence 'Responding to Heaven,' creating Tian Fu.

[Inheriting the Year] Wood Movement years correspond to Hai and Mao branches. Fire Movement years correspond to Yin and Wu branches. Earth Movement years correspond to Chen, Xu, Chou, Wei branches. Metal Movement years correspond to Si and You branches. Water Movement years correspond to Shen and Zi branches. These five are suitable for the year, hence 'Inheriting the Year,' creating Sui Zhi. [Three Combinations] In Fire Movement years, Upper sees Shaoyin, and the year branch is Wu. In Earth Movement years, Upper sees Taiyin, and the year branch is Chou or Wei. In Metal Movement years, Upper sees Yangming, and the year branch is You. These three cases see Heaven's Qi, Luck Qi, and Year Branch meeting, hence 'Three Combinations for Governance.' [Year Governance] Also called Sui Wei. Three Combinations are also Tian Fu. *Liubizhi Da Lun* says: Tian Fu and Sui Hui are called Taiyi Tian Fu, meaning Heaven's Movement meets the Year.

The Emperor asked, "How do Upper and Lower summon each other?" Gui Yuzhou said, "Cold, Heat, Dryness, Dampness, Wind, Fire are Heaven's Yin-Yang, served by Three Yin and Three Yang above. Wood, Fire, Earth, Metal, Water, Fire (Xiang Fire) are Earth's Yin-Yang, responding with Growth, Transformation, Maturation, Harvest, Storage below. Heaven generates with Yang and grows with Yin. Earth kills with Yang and stores with Yin. Heaven has Yin-Yang; Earth has Yin-Yang. Thus, Yang contains Yin, and Yin contains Yang. To know Heaven and Earth's Yin-Yang: Heaven's Qi moves incessantly, shifting right every five years. Earth's Qi remains static and holds position, circling every six periods.

Heaven has Six Qi; Earth has Five Positions. Heaven descends Six Qi to Earth; Earth receives Heaven with Five Positions. This is because Heaven's Qi does not add Jun Fire. Adding six to five leaves one Qi remainder every five years, shifting one position. Receiving six with five requires six years to complete Tian Yuan Qi, hence circling every six years, restarting. Earth's Qi moves left, going forth without returning. Heaven's Qi turns east, counting five years from Fire Movement. The next Qi is directly above Jun Fire. By law, it does not descend, so Jun Fire shifts right to sit above Xiang Fire. Hence, 'shifting right every five years.' Thus, dynamic and static, upper and lower meet, revealing the emotions and mechanisms of change in Heaven, Earth, and all things.

Dynamic and static summon each other. Upper and lower meet. Yin and Yang interlace. Change arises. Question: Do Upper and Lower cycles have numbers? Answer: Heaven uses six as the segment. Earth uses five as the system. Completing Heaven's Qi takes six periods as one preparation. Ending Earth's record takes five years as one cycle. Jun Fire illuminates; Xiang Fire holds position. Five and Six combine to make 720 Qi, one Ji (period), totaling 30 years. 1440 Qi, totaling 60 years, one Zhou (cycle). Insufficiency and excess are visible.

Jun Fire is to the right of Xiang Fire. It establishes a name at the Jun position but does not establish a Year Qi. Thus, Heaven's Six Qi do not pair with its Qi to execute Jun Fire's righteousness. It holds position and obeys Heaven's command to proclaim Fire's order. Using name to serve Heaven is 'Jun Fire by Name.' Holding position and receiving command is 'Xiang Fire by Position.'

Gui Yuzhou said: In Jia and Ji years, Earth Movement governs. In Yi and Geng years, Metal Movement governs. In Bing and Xin years, Water Movement governs. In Ding and Ren years, Wood Movement governs. In Wu and Gui years, Fire Movement governs. The Emperor asked, "How do they combine with Three Yin and Three Yang?" Answer: In Zi and Wu years, Upper sees Shaoyin. In Chou and Wei years, Upper sees Taiyin. In Yin and Shen years, Upper sees Shaoyang. In Mao and You years, Upper sees Yangming. In Chen and Xu years, Upper sees Taiyang. In Si and Hai years, Upper sees Jueyin. Shaoyin is called Biao (Mark). Jueyin is called Zhong (End). Above Jueyin, Wind Qi rules. Above Shaoyin, Heat Qi rules. Above Taiyin, Damp Qi rules. Above Shaoyang, Xiang Fire rules. Above Yangming, Dry Qi rules. Above Taiyang, Cold Qi rules. This is called Ben (Root). This is called Liu Yuan (Six Origins).

*Suwen: Chapter on the Five Movements and Operations*: Dan Tian's Qi passes through Niu and Nü at the Wu division. Qian Tian's Qi passes through Xin and Wei at the Ji division. Cang Tian's three Qis pass through Wei, Shi, Liu, and Gui. Su Tian's Qi passes through Kang, Di, Mao, and Bi. Xuan Tian's Qi passes through Zhang, Yi, Lou, and Wei. The Wu and Ji divisions refer to Kui, Bi, Jiao, and Zhen, which are the gates of Heaven and Earth. Wu Earth belongs to Qian. Ji Earth belongs to Xun. The *Dunjia Jing* says: Six Wu are the Gate of Heaven. Six Ji are the Door of Earth. Morning and evening rain divination uses Northwest and Southeast, deriving meaning from this. Rain is the use of Earth, governed by Damp Qi, hence divination.

The Emperor asked, "The discourse says Heaven and Earth are the upper and lower of all things; Left and Right are the pathways of Yin and Yang. I do not understand this." Qibo replied, "Upper and Lower refer to the location of Yin and Yang seen in the year's Upper and Lower. Left and Right: When Upper sees Jueyin, Left is Shaoyin, Right is Taiyang. When Upper sees Shaoyin, Left is Taiyin, Right is Jueyin. When Upper sees Taiyin, Left is Shaoyang, Right is Shaoyin. When Upper sees Shaoyang, Left is Yangming, Right is Taiyin. When Upper sees Yangming, Left is Taiyang, Right is Shaoyang. When Upper sees Taiyang, Left is Jueyin, Right is Yangming. This is naming positions facing North, describing what is seen.

Speaking facing North: Up is South. Down is North. Left is West. Right is East.

The Emperor asked, "What is Down?" Qibo said: When Jueyin is Up, Shaoyang is Down, Left is Yangming, Right is Taiyin. When Shaoyin is Up, Yangming is Down, Left is Taiyang, Right is Shaoyang. When Taiyin is Up, Taiyang is Down, Left is Jueyin, Right is Yangming. When Shaoyang is Up, Jueyin is Down, Left is Shaoyin, Right is Taiyang. When Yangming is Up, Shaoyin is Down, Left is Taiyin, Right is Jueyin. When Taiyang is Up, Taiyin is Down, Left is Shaoyang, Right is Shaoyin. This is naming positions facing South, describing what is seen.

Ruling the Year is positioned South, so facing North describes Left and Right. Being Down is positioned North, so facing South describes Left and Right. Up is Heaven's position. Down is Earth's position. Facing South, Left is East, Right is West. Up and Down differ, and Left and Right vary.

Upper and Lower meet. Cold and Heat approach. Qi in agreement brings harmony. Qi in disagreement brings disease. Question: Disease despite agreement? Answer: Lower overriding Upper, improper position. How is Jian Qi? Qibo said: Following Qi's location, expecting Left and Right.

At the Left and Right Cun, Chi, and four sections, positions receive them to know if they respond or not, exceed or not.

Question: How to expect? Answer: Following Qi brings harmony. Opposing Qi brings disease.

Opposing means floating when it should sink, sinking when it should float. *Zhiyao Da Lun* says: Jueyin arrival, pulse is Wiry. Shaoyin arrival, pulse is Hooked. Taiyin arrival, pulse is Deep. Taiyang arrival, pulse is Large and Floating. Yangming arrival, pulse is Short and Choppy. Shaoyang arrival, pulse is Large and Long. Arrival harmonious is Peaceful. Arrival severe is Disease. Arrival reversed is Disease. Arrival absent is Disease. Absence arrived is Disease. Yin-Yang exchange is Critical.

Improper position is Disease. Seen in other positions.

Alternating positions is Disease. Left seeing Right pulse, Right seeing Left pulse, due to Qi error.

Losing position is Critical. Seen in another palace, original palace sees killing Qi.

Cun-Chi reversal leads to Death. Occurs in Zi, Wu, Mao, You years. Reversal means Yin should be at Cun but appears at Chi; Yang should be at Chi but appears at Cun. Both Cun and Chi reversed is Reversal. If only Chi or only Cun reverses, it is non-responsive Qi, not Reversal.

Yin-Yang Exchange leads to Death. First establish the year to know Qi. Left and Right should appear. Then speak of life/death favorable/unfavorable.

Yin-Yang Exchange occurs in eight years: Yin, Shen, Si, Hai, Chen, Xu, Chou, Wei. Exchange means Yin year, Right pulse sees Left; Yang year, Left pulse sees Right. Left and Right exchanging is Exchange. If only Left or only Right exchanges, it is non-responsive Qi, not Exchange.

*Suwen: Chapter on the Most Essential Truth*: The Master said observe Yin-Yang location and regulate. Discourse says Renying and Cunkou correspond, like a rope equal in size, named Peace. Where is Yin at Cunkou? Qibo replied: Viewing Year South/North reveals it. The Emperor said: Please tell me completely. Qibo said: In Bei Zheng (North Administration) years, if Shaoyin is at Quan, Cunkou does not respond. If Jueyin is at Quan, Right does not respond. If Taiyin is at Quan, Left does not respond. In Nan Zheng (South Administration) years, if Shaoyin is at Si Tian, Cunkou does not respond. If Jueyin is at Si Tian, Right does not respond. If Taiyin is at Si Tian, Left does not respond. For all non-responses, reverse the diagnosis to see. Question: How is Chi observation?