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Chart of the Bingxu Year

Taiyang Cold Water governs the Heaven (Si Tian), Taiyin Damp Earth resides in the Earth (Zai Quan), and the central movement is Taiyu Water Movement. The year's water is excessive, its qi transformation operates prior to the natural timing (Xian Tian). The excessiveness coincides with the Heaven transformation, which is called "Tian Fu" (Heavenly符/Signature), indicating a balanced Water year. When the Water movement is balanced, it is named the "Jing Shun Ji" (Quiet and Obedient Chronicle). It stores without harming, governs and flows downward well, all five transformations are orderly. Its qi is clear, its nature is descending, its function is moist and expansive, its transformation is condensed and firm, its administration flows and spreads, its climate is condensed and solemn, its command is cold, its category is Water, its correspondence is Winter, its grains are beans, its fruits are chestnuts, its substances are moist, its insects are scaled creatures, its animals are pigs, its color is black, its taste is salty, its musical note is Yu, its number is six, its objects are moist, and in humans, it corresponds to the Kidney Zang. The Kidney governs the two yin orifices (anterior and posterior), nourishes the bone marrow, and its diseases involve Jue (cold extremities/reversal). This is the transformation of the annual movement.

Regarding the qi of Heaven and Earth: Cold transformation is governed by Si Tian, Dynamic transformation is the Left Intercalary Qi, Clear transformation is the Right Intercalary Qi; thus, the qi distributed by Heaven's administration is solemn. Sweet transformation is governed by Zai Quan, Bright transformation is the Left Intercalary Qi, Scorching transformation occupies the Qi position as the Right Intercalary Qi; thus, Earth's qi is quiet and its command is slow. Cold descends upon the Great Void, its administration rises greatly, Yang qi does not exert its command, marshes lack Yang flames, so Fire outbreaks wait for their time. Shaoyang acts as the central governor, seasonal rains then cease, rain stops at its extreme and disperses, returning to Taiyin, clouds gather at the North Pole, Damp transformation is then spread, moisture flows over all things. Cold transformation is six, Rain transformation is five, these are the degrees of correct transformation. Scaled creatures are quiet, shelled creatures breed, this is the suitability of yearly produce. If scaled creatures do not form, Dryness toxins do not arise, because Earth qi controls them. Cold spreads above, thunder moves below, Water and Earth combine their virtue, corresponding above to Chen Xing (Mercury) and Zhen Xing (Saturn). Cold-Damp qi holds at the Qi intersection, people suffer from Cold-Damp diseases, manifesting as muscle atrophy, foot weakness and inability to grasp, loose diarrhea, and blood extravasation. In this year, Water is above, Earth is below, Earth overcomes Water, Heaven's qi is deficient, Water movement matches the Heavenly Signature, its qi naturally balances, not relying on the source of transformation. One should only suppress the excessive Water, support what Water overcomes (Fire), and prevent violent excess that generates disease. The year suits bitter drugs to dry dampness and warm drugs to disperse cold, eating black grains to preserve true qi, avoiding empty evil qi to stabilize upright qi. Since the movement is identical to Cold, one should use drying and heating methods. Thus, it is said that the transformation above uses Bitter-Hot, the middle uses Salty-Warm, and the bottom uses Sweet-Hot; this applies to medicines and foods.

Before the midpoint of the year, Taiyang presides. Taiyang has the transformation of its Root and Mark; when Cold and Heat are moderate during this time, the harmonious qi of Heaven arrives. After the midpoint of the year, Taiyin presides. Taiyin's transformation follows its Root; when Damp transformation responds during this time, it is the command of Earth.

First Qi: From Shen Chu (early Shen hour) on Da Han day of the Yiyou year to Wu Chu (early Wu hour) on Chun Fen day of this year, totaling 60 days and 87.5 ke. The Main Position is Tai Jiao Wood, the Guest Qi is Shaoyang Fire, and the central movement is Water. Shaoyang acts as the central governor, Earth qi migrates, the climate becomes very warm, grass and trees bloom early, people suffer from epidemics, warm diseases arise, presenting with fever, headache, vomiting, skin and interstices sores. One should regulate the Shaoyang Guest Qi, tonify with Salty, drain with Sweet, and soften hardness with Salty. Yearly grain should be Black, intercalary grain should be Beans, so Fire does not become evil.

Second Qi: From Wu Zheng (mid-Wu hour) on Chun Fen day to Chen Zheng (mid-Chen hour) on Xiao Man day, totaling over 60 days. The Main Position is Shao Zheng Fire, the Guest Qi is Yangming Metal, and the central movement is Water. Great Coolness returns unexpectedly, people feel miserable, grass meets cold, Fire qi is suppressed, people suffer from Qi stagnation and fullness in the center, Cold begins. One should regulate the Yangming Guest Qi, tonify with Sour, drain with Pungent, and drain/descend with Bitter. Yearly grain should be Black, intercalary grain should be Millet (Shu), so Dryness does not become evil.

Third Qi: From Si Chu (early Si hour) on Xiao Man day to Mao Chu (early Mao hour) on Da Shu day, totaling over 60 days. The Main Position is Shao Zheng Fire, the Guest Qi is Taiyang Water, and the central movement is Water. The Qi matches the Movement and distributes Heaven's administration, Cold qi travels, Rain descends. People suffer from Cold turning into internal Heat, carbuncles and ulcers, dysentery, heart heat and dizziness/confusion; those untreated die. One should regulate the Taiyang Guest Qi, tonify with Bitter, drain with Salty, consolidate/astringe with Bitter, and moisten with Pungent. Yearly grain should be Black, intercalary grain should be Guo (Millet), so Cold does not become evil. In this Qi, avoid using Cold when far from Cold, do not violate the Cold of the Si Qi.

Fourth Qi: From Mao Zheng (mid-Mao hour) on Da Shu day to Chou Zheng (mid-Chou hour) on Qiu Fen day, totaling over 60 days. The Main Position is Tai Gong Earth, the Guest Qi is Jueyin Wood, and the central movement is Water. Water generates Wood, Wind and Damp contend, Wind transforms into Rain, things grow, transform, and mature. People suffer from great heat and shortness of breath, muscle atrophy, foot weakness, dysentery with red and white discharge. One should regulate the Jueyin Guest Qi, tonify with Pungent, drain with Sour, and relax/calm with Sweet. Yearly grain should be [Black/Specific Grain], intercalary grain should be Rice, so Wind does not become evil.

Fifth Qi: From Yin Chu (early Yin hour) on Qiu Fen day to Zi Chu (early Zi hour) on Xiao Xue day, totaling over 60 days. The Main Position is Shao Shang Metal, the Guest Qi is Shaoyin Fire, and the central movement is Water. Where the Great Fire resides, Yang returns and transforms, grass grows, transforms, and matures, people feel comfortable. One should regulate the Shaoyin Guest Qi, tonify with Salty, drain with Sweet, and astringe with Sour. Yearly grain should be [Black/Specific Grain], intercalary grain should be Beans, so Heat does not become evil.

Sixth Qi (Final Qi): From Zi Zheng (mid-Zi hour) on Xiao Xue day to Xu Zheng (mid-Xu hour) on Da Han day, totaling over 60 days. The Main Position is Tai Yu Water, the Guest Qi is Taiyin Earth, and the central movement is Water. Water movement is in its proper place, Wet Earth occupies it, Earth qi is correct, Damp command executes, Yin condenses in the Great Void, dust dims the suburbs, people feel miserable, Cold wind arrives; if there is reversal, pregnancy/life will die. One should regulate the Taiyin Guest Qi, tonify with Sweet, drain with Bitter, and relax/calm with Sweet. Yearly grain should be [Black/Specific Grain], intercalary grain should be Sesame, so Dampness does not become evil. This is the transformation of the Six Qi.

The year performs the transformation of balanced Water. Tian Fu is called "Fa Shi" (Law Enforcement). If evil strikes, people have sudden and urgent diseases. The Classics say: Struck by the Law Enforcement, the disease is rapid and dangerous.