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Figure of the Year Ding Chou (Earth Ox)

Taiyin Wet Earth governs the Si Tian (Heavenly Command), Taiyang Cold Water governs the Zai Quan (Earthly Position), and the central Yun (Movement) is Shao Jiao Wood. The Wood Qi of the year is insufficient, so its Qi transformation operates behind schedule. This is known as the "Wei He" (Compliant Harmony) period. Its administration is identical to that of Zheng Gong (Standard Earth Period), and all Qi transformations operate similarly to Tian Fu (Heavenly Alignment) years. This describes a state where Heavenly Qi is peaceful.

The interaction of Heaven and Earth Qi: Above appears Taiyin (Wet Earth), the left interstitial Qi is Shaoyang (Ministerial Fire), and the right interstitial Qi is Shaoyin (Heart Fire). Thus, Earth Qi ascends while its administration is solemn. Below appears Taiyang (Cold Water), the left interstitial Qi is Jueyin (Wind Wood), and the right interstitial Qi is Yangming (Dry Metal). Thus, Heaven Qi descends while its command is silent. Yin Qi dominates, and Yang Qi retreats. Great winds arise frequently; fields become dim; white dust rises in all directions; clouds rush toward the South Pole; cold rains arrive often; and objects mature slightly later in summer. Wetness and Cold combine their virtues, corresponding above to Zhen Xing (Saturn/Earth Star). The corresponding grains are black (Xuan). Therefore, Yin condenses above, and Cold accumulates below. When Cold Water overcomes Fire, hail occurs. Sunlight fails to function properly, and killing Qi prevails. People suffer from diseases caused by Cold-Dampness, such as abdominal fullness, heaviness of the body, edema, stuffiness and rebellious Qi, cold reversal, and spasmodic stiffness. The balance between Qing Hua (Cooling Transformation) and Re Hua (Heat Transformation) follows the same pattern of excess and deficiency, depending on the degree of pathogenic Qi. The number for Rain Transformation is five, Wind Transformation is three, and Cold Transformation is one; these are the numbers of standard transformation.

Suitable annual substances include: quiet insects remain calm, scaled insects breed. Restricted by Earth Qi, feathered insects diminish, and heat toxins do not generate. Therefore, in years of excess, high places are suitable; in years of deficiency, low places are suitable. In years of excess, sowing should be late; in years of deficiency, sowing should be early. This utilizes the advantage of Earth to facilitate Qi transformation. People's Qi also follows this. Inter-grains named Tai Wei and Tai Shang are relevant because Earth represents Heavenly Qi and Water represents Earthly Qi. Since Earth overcomes Water, Heavenly Qi becomes full while Earthly Qi becomes empty. It is advisable to take the source of transformation to level Earth Qi, benefit the annual Qi, and prevent pathogenic Qi from prevailing. Eat black grains to preserve true Qi, and eat inter-Qi grains to protect essence. Use bitter herbs to dry dampness and warm herbs to dispel cold. If severe, use dispersing or purging methods. If not dispersed or purged, dampness will overflow externally, causing muscle ulceration, skin splitting, and mixing of water and blood. One must assist Yang Fire to resist extreme cold. Based on the similarities and differences of Qi, judge the quantity and severity.

Before the middle of the year, Heavenly Qi is governed by Taiyin Wet Earth. Where Taiyin arrives, its command is Dampness. If Dampness is excessive, heavy Yin spreads, and rain causes withering. People suffer from edema, bone pain, and Yin Bi (Yin Obstruction). Yin Bi is characterized by lack of response to pressure, accompanied by pain in the lower back, spine, head, and neck, occasional dizziness, difficulty in defecation, dysfunction of Yin Qi, hunger without desire to eat, hemoptysis, and a sensation of the heart hanging. The root of the disease lies in the Kidney. Diagnosis focuses on the Foot Taiyin Spleen meridian. The treatment method should use bitter-warm herbs to level, assisted by sweet-acrid herbs, stopping when sweating occurs. This is the characteristic of Ding Chou year's upper half transformation: Bitter-Warm.

After the middle of the year, Earthly Qi is governed by Taiyang Cold Water. Where Taiyang arrives, its command is Cold. If Cold invades internally, it becomes condensed, solemn, and chilling. People suffer from lower abdominal pain radiating to the testicles, pulling into the lower back and spine, rushing upward to cause heart pain, bleeding, sore throat, and swelling of the jaw. The treatment method should use sweet-hot herbs, assisted by bitter-acrid herbs. Use salty herbs to purge, acrid herbs to moisten, and bitter herbs to firm.

Since the annual Yun Wood is insufficient, it is called "Sheng Sheng" (Victory over Growth). The Growth Qi does not exercise its authority, so the Transformation Qi (Earth) rises. The Longing Qi (Fire) levels out, and the Harvesting Command (Autumn) comes early. Cool rains fall frequently, wind and clouds rise together. Grass and trees bloom late, becoming old, dry, and falling. Fruits appear elegant but fill internally, with flesh becoming dense. The Qi converges, and its function gathers. Its movement involves spasms or flaccidity; its manifestation includes fright and alarm. Its transformation combines with the influence of the unconquerable element. If spring has the gentle transformation of rustling branches and smooth flow, autumn will have the policy of foggy dew and coolness. If spring has the destructive victory of cruelty and desolation, summer will have the revenge of blazing heat. The disaster occurs in the East. The disease resides internally in the hypochondrium and externally in the joints. The revenge manifests as flowing fire and scorching heat. People suffer from alternating chills and fever, sores, carbuncles, miliaria, rashes, boils, and acne. The treatment method should regulate with acrid-warm herbs.

First Qi Period: From the start of Si hour on Da Han (Great Cold) day of Bing Zi year to the start of Mao hour on Chun Fen (Spring Equinox) day of this year, totaling 60 days and 87.5 ke. The Main Position is Shao Jiao Wood, the Guest Qi is Jueyin Wood, and the central Yun is Wood Movement. Annual Wood is in position. Earthly Qi migrates, Cold departs, Spring Qi is correct, Wind arrives. Vitality spreads, and all things flourish. People's Qi becomes smooth and comfortable. Wind and Dampness contend, and rain follows. People suffer from blood overflow, stiff meridians, joint dysfunction, heaviness, and tendon atrophy. It is appropriate to regulate the Guest Qi of Jueyin using Acrid to tonify, Sour to drain, and Sweet to relax. Annual grains should include Wheat (Mai); inter-grains should include Rice (Dao). Then Wind will not act as a pathogen. The Si Qi uses Warmth; use Warm herbs without violating prohibitions.

Second Qi Period: From the exact time of Mao hour on Chun Fen day to the exact time of Chou hour on Xiao Man (Grain Buds) day, totaling over 60 days. The Main Position is Tai Zheng Fire, the Guest Qi is Shaoyin Fire, and the central Yun is Wood Movement. Fire Qi is in position. The Great Fire is correct; objects receive transformation; people are harmonious. Epidemic febrile diseases prevail widely. Moisture steams and contends, and rain falls on time. It is appropriate to regulate the Guest Qi of Shaoyin using Salty to tonify, Sweet to drain, and Sour to astringe. Annual grains should include Millet (Shu); inter-grains should include Beans (Dou). Then Heat will not act as a pathogen.

Third Qi Period: From the start of Yin hour on Xiao Man day to the start of Zi hour on Da Shu (Great Heat) day, totaling over 60 days. The Main Position is Tai Zheng Fire, the Guest Qi is Taiyin Earth, and the central Yun is Wood Movement. Wood generates Fire, Fire generates Earth; the transformation is smooth. Heavenly administration spreads, Dampness descends, Earth Qi ascends, rain falls on time, and Cold follows. Contracting Cold-Dampness leads to heaviness, edema, and chest/abdominal fullness. Treat the Guest Qi of Taiyin using Sweet to tonify, Bitter to drain, and Sweet to relax. Annual grains should include Proso Millet (Ji); inter-grains should include Hemp Seeds (Ma). Even if Dampness pathogen exists, it cannot cause harm.

Fourth Qi Period: From the exact time of Zi hour on Da Shu day to the exact time of Xu hour on Qiu Fen (Autumn Equinox) day, totaling over 60 days. The Main Position is Shao Gong Earth, the Guest Qi is Shaoyang Fire, and the central Yun is Wood Movement. Earthly Qi intersects. Feared Fire arrives, causing humid steaming. Earth Qi ascends, Heavenly Qi is blocked. Cold wind blows morning and evening. Steaming heat contends. Grasses and trees smoke. Dampness transformation stagnates. White dew spreads yin to complete Autumn commands. People suffer from hot pores, sudden blood overflow, malaria, heart/abdominal fullness-heat, distension, and severe edema. Treat the Guest Qi of Shaoyang using Salty to tonify, Sweet to drain, and Salty to soften. Annual grains should include Black Grains (Xuan); inter-grains should include Beans (Dou). Even if Fire pathogen exists, it cannot cause harm.

Fifth Qi Period: From the start of Hai hour on Qiu Fen day to the start of You hour on Xiao Xue (Minor Snow) day, totaling over 60 days. The Main Position is Tai Shang Metal, the Guest Qi is Yangming Metal, and the central Yun is Wood Movement. Metal Qi is in position. Severe commands execute. Cold dew descends, frost falls early. Grasses and trees turn yellow and fall. Cold reaches the body. Gentlemen dress warmly. People suffer from skin and pore disorders. Treat the Guest Qi of Yangming using Sour to tonify, Acrid to drain, and Bitter to discharge. Annual grains should include Black Grains (Xuan); inter-grains should include Foxtail Millet (Shu). Then Dryness will not act as a pathogen.

Final Qi Period: From the exact time of You hour on Xiao Xue day to the exact time of Wei hour on Da Han (Great Cold) day, totaling over 60 days. The Main Position is Shao Yu Water, the Guest Qi is Taiyang Water, and the central Yun is Wood Movement. Water is in position. Cold rises massively, Dampness transforms massively. Frost accumulates, Yin condenses, water freezes hard, sunlight fails. Contracting Cold leads to joint rigidity and lower back pain. Cold-Dampness persists at the Qi intersection causing disease. Treat the Guest Qi of Taiyang using Bitter to tonify, Salty to drain, Bitter to firm, and Acrid to moisten. Annual grains should include Black Grains (Xuan); inter-grains should include Proso Millet (Ji). Then Cold will not act as a pathogen. This is the normal pattern of the Six Qi.

At the intersection of annual Qi, if Dampness exceeds, there is a revenge of Jueyin. If Cold exceeds, there is a revenge of Taiyin. Treatment follows the respective laws of excess and revenge.