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Figure of the Bing Shen Year

Shaoyang Xianghuo (Ministerial Fire) governs the Si Tian (Heavenly Qi), Jueyin Fengmu (Wind-Wood) governs the Zai Quan (Earthly Qi), and the central Yun (Movement) is Taiyu Water. The year's Water is excessive, so its Qi transformation operates ahead of time. Ministerial Fire is above; on the left is Yangming, on the right is Taiyin. Thus, the Heavenly Qi is upright and its administration is strict. Jueyin is below; on the left is Shaoyin, on the right is Taiyang. Thus, the Earthly Qi is disturbed and its orders are chaotic. Violent winds arise, trees fall, and sand flies. Flames flow, Yin moves within Yang and transforms, and rain falls at the proper season. Wind and heat are distributed together, clouds and phenomena boil over. Taiyin dampness flows horizontally, cold arrives at its time, and cool rains rise together. Fire and Wood share virtue, corresponding above to Yinghuo (Mars) and Suixing (Jupiter). The grains are red and green. The number for Fire transformation is two, for Cold it is six, for Wind it is eight. This is called the Zheng Hua Ri (Day of Proper Transformation). Feathered creatures are quiet, furred creatures breed; this is what suits the things of the year. Shelled creatures suffer depletion, clear toxins do not arise; all these are restricted by Earthly Qi. The people suffer from cold-heat malaria, diarrhea, deafness, blindness, vomiting, upper body stagnation with swelling and color changes. In this year, Yang represents the Si Tian Qi, and Yin represents the Zai Quan Qi. When Heavenly Qi is full, one should seek the source of Fire transformation before the year begins. With Water Yun in the middle, it controls Fire and generates Wood, so the pathogenic factor becomes slight. One must suppress the excessive Water Yun and assist that which overcomes it (Earth overcomes Water), so that violent excesses do not occur and harsh diseases do not arise. For this year, salty, pungent, and sour flavors are suitable; methods include promoting urination, purging, soaking, and inducing sweating. Observe the cold or warmth of the Qi to regulate excesses. Since the Yun differs with wind-heat, cold transformations should be minimized. Dietary regulations should follow the same principles; this is the way. Therefore, it is said that the treatment for the upper part should be salty-cold, the middle salty-warm, and the lower pungent-warm. This is what is suitable for medicines and foods.

Before the midpoint of the year, Shaoyang Xianghuo governs. If Fire exuberance prevails, warm Qi circulates freely, the Metal administration is unbalanced, and the people suffer from headache, fever, aversion to cold, and malaria. Heat rising causes skin pain, color changes to yellow or red, progressing to edema, swelling of the body and face, abdominal fullness,仰息 (dyspnea requiring supine position), dysentery with red and white discharge, sores and ulcers, cough with blood in sputum, vexation and heat in the chest. Severe cases present with rhinorrhea and epistaxis. The disease originates in the Lung. Diagnosis is made at the pulse of the Hand Tianfu acupoint. The method is to level with salty-cold substances, assist with bitter-sweet substances, astringe with sour substances, disperse with bitter substances, and restore with sour substances. Suitable yearly grains are red; intercalary grains are beans.

After the midpoint of the year, Jueyin Fengmu governs. If Wind exuberates internally, Earthly Qi becomes unclear, plains become dim, and grasses flower early. The people suffer from shivering chills, frequent stretching and yawning, heart pain, flank fullness, tightness in both flanks, inability to swallow food, obstruction in the diaphragm and throat, vomiting after eating, abdominal distension with frequent belching. After defecation or passing gas, they feel relieved as if the illness has subsided, but the body feels heavy. The treatment uses pungent-cool substances, assisted by bitter substances, relaxing with sweet substances, and dispersing with pungent substances.

The transformation of the annual Yun: Water Yun is excessive, named "Liuyan" (Flowing Expansion), which is called Fengcang (Sealing and Storage). Cold governs the transformation of things; Heaven and Earth are strictly condensed. The storage administration is spread, and the growth command is suppressed. Its transformation is biting, its Qi is firm, its administration is tranquil, its command flows and pours. Its movement is drifting and leaking, water surging. Its virtue is condensing, grim, and foggy. Its change is ice, snow, frost, and hail. Its disease is distension. Its transformation combines with what it overcomes. Thus, it is said that when Water Yun is excessive, Cold Qi circulates, and pathogens harm Heart Fire. The people suffer from body heat, vexation, restlessness, palpitations, Yin reversal, cold in the upper, lower, and middle jiao, delirium, and heart pain. Severe cases present with abdominal enlargement, leg swelling, wheezing and coughing, night sweats, and aversion to wind. Diagnosis is made at the pulse of the Hand Shenmen acupoint. The treatment uses salty-warm substances.

First Qi period: From the Yin hour of the Great Cold day in the Yi Wei year to the Zi hour of the Spring Equinox day of this year, totaling 60 days and 87.5 ke. The Main Position is Taijue Wood, the Guest Qi is Shaoyin Fire, and the central Yun is Water. Wood generates Fire, and Water Yun supports it. As Earthly Qi shifts, Wind prevails causing shaking, Cold departs, and the climate becomes very warm. Grasses and trees flourish early. If Cold returns without killing the warmth, Warm Diseases will arise. The disease Qi stagnates above, blood overflows, eyes are red, cough and rebellious Qi occur, headache, blood injury with flank fullness, sores in the skin and pores. It is appropriate to treat the Shaoyin Guest Qi, tonifying with salty, purging with sweet, and astringing with sour. Yearly grains should be red; intercalary grains should be beans.

Second Qi period: From the Zi hour of the Spring Equinox day to the Xu hour of the Grain Full day, totaling more than 60 days. The Main Position is Shaozheng Fire, the Guest Qi is Taiyin Earth, and the central Yun is Water. Earth overcomes Water, Fire is counter-depressed, white dust rises everywhere, clouds move toward the Rain House, Wind cannot overcome Dampness, and rain falls. The people are healthy. The disease involves heat depression above, cough and rebellious Qi/vomiting, sores arising in the middle, chest and throat obstruction, headache, body heat, confusion, and suppurating sores. It is appropriate to treat the Taiyin Guest Qi, tonifying with sweet, purging with bitter, and relaxing with sweet. Yearly grains should be red; intercalary grains should be hemp seeds.

Third Qi period: From the Hai hour of the Grain Full day to the You hour of the Great Heat day, totaling more than 60 days. The Main Position is Shaozheng Fire, the Guest Qi is Shaoyang Fire, and the central Yun is Water. Fire occupies its position, and Water Yun supports it. Heavenly administration spreads, hot summer heat arrives, Shaoyang is above, and rain ceases. The people suffer from heat in the middle, deafness, blindness, blood overflow, suppurating sores, cough, vomiting, rhinorrhea, epistaxis, thirst, sneezing, yawning, pharyngeal obstruction, red eyes, and sudden death. It is appropriate to regulate the Shaoyang Guest Qi, tonifying with salty, purging with sweet, and [text incomplete] with salty. Yearly grains should be red; intercalary grains should be beans.

Fourth Qi period: From the You hour of the Great Heat day to the Wei hour of the Autumn Equinox day, totaling more than 60 days. The Main Position is Taigong Earth, the Guest Qi is Yangming Metal, and the central Yun is Water. Earth generates Metal, coolness arrives, hot summer heat alternates and transforms, white dew descends, and the people's Qi is peaceful. The disease presents as heaviness of the whole body. It is appropriate to treat the Yangming Guest Qi, tonifying with sour, purging with pungent, and draining with bitter. Yearly grains should be green; intercalary grains should be broomcorn millet.

Fifth Qi period: From the Shen hour of the Autumn Equinox day to the Wu hour of the Light Snow day, totaling more than 60 days. The Main Position is Shaoshang Metal, the Guest Qi is Taiyang Water, and the central Yun is Water. Water and Metal harmonize, and the Guest Qi matches the Yun. The governing Qi of the year is called Xuanhua. At this time, Yang departs, Cold arrives, rain descends, the pore gates close, hardy trees wither early. People avoid cold pathogens, and gentlemen live carefully. It is appropriate to treat the Taiyang Guest Qi, tonifying with bitter, purging with salty, firming with bitter, and moistening with pungent. Yearly grains should be green; intercalary grains should be common millet. In this Qi, use cold far from cold; do not violate the cold of the Governing Qi.

Final Qi period: From the Wu hour of the Light Snow day to the Chen hour of the Great Cold day, totaling more than 60 days. The Main Position is Taiyu Water, the Guest Qi is Jueyin Wood, and the central Yun is Water. Water generates Wood, Earthly Qi is upright, Wind arrives, and things grow abnormally. Fog moves about. The disease presents as closure without control, heart pain, Yang Qi failing to store leading to cough. The method is to treat the Jueyin Guest Qi, tonifying with pungent, purging with sour, and relaxing with sweet. Yearly grains should be green; intercalary grains should be rice. This is the transformation of the Six Qi.

In this year, Fire and Wood share virtue. Their Qi is concentrated, their transformation is pure, and winning Qi is naturally slight. How much more so for the Sage who meets it with harmony and non-contention?