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Figure of the Bing Chen Year

The Supreme Yang (Taiyang) Cold-Water governs the Heaven (Si Tian), the Supreme Yin (Taiyin) Damp-Earth governs the Earth (Zai Quan), and the middle movement is Tai Yu Water運 (Great Water Movement). The Water運 of the year is excessive (Tai Guo), its Qi transformation operates ahead of time. Being excessive and identical to the Si Tian transformation, it is called "Tian Fu" (Heavenly符), which is a year of balanced Water運. A balanced Water運 is named the "Jing Shun Ji" (Quiet and Obedient Chronicle). It stores without harming, governs and benefits downward, all five transformations are complete. Its Qi is bright, 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, it corresponds to Winter, its grains are beans, its fruits are chestnuts, its solid parts are moist, its insects are scaled creatures, its animals are swine, its color is black, its taste is salty, its musical note is Yu, its number is six, its objects are moist. Corresponding to humans, its organ is the Kidney (Shen), it masters the two yin openings (anterior and posterior orifices), it nourishes the bone marrow, its disease is Jue (cold extremities/reversal). This is the transformation of the annual Yun.

Regarding the Qi of Heaven and Earth: Supreme Yang is above, with Jueyin Wind-Wood on the left and Yangming Dryness-Metal on the right; thus, the Qi distributed by Heavenly Administration is solemn. Supreme Yin is below, with Shaoyang Minister-Fire on the left and Shaoyin Sovereign-Fire on the right; thus, Earth Qi is quiet and its command is slow. Cold descends upon the great void, its administration is grand and vigorous, Yang Qi does not exercise its function, marshes lack the flame of evaporation, so Fire Qi erupts waiting for its time. When Shaoyang Minister-Fire governs the middle, seasonal rains cease, rain disperses to its extreme, returning to Supreme Yin. Clouds face the North Pole, Dampness transformation is spread, moisture flows over all things. The degree of Cold transformation is six, the degree of Rain transformation is five; these are the degrees of correct transformation. Scaled creatures are quiet, hairy creatures breed; this is the suitability of yearly produce. If scaled creatures do not mature, dryness toxins do not arise, because Earth Qi restricts 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 intersection of Qi, people suffer from Cold-Damp diseases, presenting with muscle atrophy, flaccidity and inability to move the legs, loose diarrhea, and blood extravasation.

In this year, Water is above, Earth is below. Earth overcomes Water, Heavenly Qi is deficient, but Water Yun conforms to Tian Fu, so its Qi balances itself. It does not need to rely on the source of transformation; one should only suppress the excessive Water, support what it overcomes (Earth), and prevent it from becoming violent and causing disease. For the year, it is suitable to use Bitter (Ku) to dry and Warm (Wen) methods, eat Black (Xuan) grains to preserve true Qi, avoid empty evil Qi to stabilize upright Qi. Since the Yun is the same as Cold, Dry-Heat transformation is suitable. Thus it is said: Upper treatment uses Bitter-Hot, Middle uses Salty-Warm, Lower uses Sweet-Hot; this is the appropriateness of medicine and food.

Before the middle of the year, Taiyang governs. Taiyang has Ben (Root) and Biao (Branch) transformations. When Cold and Heat are moderate during its time, the harmonious Qi of Heaven arrives. After the middle of the year, Taiyin governs. Taiyin’s transformation follows the Root. When Damp transformation responds during its time, it is the command of Earth.

First Qi: From the Yin hour of the Great Cold day in the Yi Mao year to the Zi hour of the Spring Equinox day of this year. Total sixty days and eighty-seven and a half ke. Main Position is Tai Jiao Wood, Guest Qi is Shaoyang Fire, middle sees Water Yun. Shaoyang governs the middle, Earth Qi migrates, Qi becomes greatly warm, grass and trees bloom early, people suffer epidemics, warm diseases arise, presenting with body heat, headache, vomiting, skin and interstices sores. One should regulate the Shaoyang Guest Qi. Tonify with Salty, Drain with Sweet, [Missing Character] with Salty. Year grain should be Black, interval grain should be Beans, then Fire will not become evil.

Second Qi: From the Zheng hour of the Spring Equinox day to the Xu hour of the Grain Full day. Total sixty days plus. Main Position is Shao Zheng Fire, Guest Qi is Yangming Metal, middle sees Water Yun. Great Coolness returns contrary to season, people feel miserable, grass encounters cold, Fire Qi is suppressed. People suffer from Qi stagnation and fullness in the middle, Cold begins. One should regulate the Yangming Guest Qi. Tonify with Sour, Drain with Pungent, Drain with Bitter. Year grain should be Black, interval grain should be Millet (Shu), then Dryness will not become evil.

Third Qi: From the Hai hour of the Grain Full day to the You hour of the Great Heat day. Total sixty days plus. Main Position is Shao Zheng Fire, Guest Qi is Taiyang Water, middle sees Water Yun. Qi and Yun conform and distribute Heavenly Administration, Cold Qi moves, Rain descends. People suffer from Cold turning into internal Heat, carbuncles, dysentery, heart heat and dizziness/confusion. Untreated cases die. One should regulate the Taiyang Guest Qi. Tonify with Bitter, Drain with Salty, Firm with Bitter, Moisten with Pungent. Year grain should be Black, interval grain should be Proso Millet (Ji), then Cold will not become evil. In this Qi, avoid Cold when using Cold medicines, do not violate the Cold of the Si Qi.

Fourth Qi: From the Zheng hour of the Great Heat day to the Wei hour of the Autumn Equinox day. Total sixty days plus. Main Position is Tai Gong Earth, Guest Qi is Jueyin Wood, middle sees Water Yun. 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, leg flaccidity, red and white dysentery. One should regulate the Jueyin Guest Qi. Tonify with Pungent, Drain with Sour, Relax with Sweet. Year grain should be [Missing], interval grain should be Rice, then Wind will not become evil.

Fifth Qi: From the Shen hour of the Autumn Equinox day to the Wu hour of the Light Snow day. Total sixty days plus. Main Position is Shao Shang Metal, Guest Qi is Shaoyin Fire, middle sees Water Yun. Where Great Fire resides, Yang returns to transformation, grass grows, transforms, and matures, people feel comfortable. One should regulate the Shaoyin Guest Qi. Tonify with Salty, Drain with Sweet, Astringe with Sour. Year grain should be [Missing], interval grain should be Beans, then Heat will not become evil.

Final Qi: From the Zheng hour of the Light Snow day to the Chen hour of the Great Cold day. Total sixty days plus. Main Position is Tai Yu Water, Guest Qi is Taiyin Earth, middle sees Water Yun. Water Yun is in its proper place, Damp Earth occupies it. Earth Qi is correct, Damp command acts. Yin condenses in the great void, dust obscures the suburbs, people feel miserable, cold wind arrives. If there is reversal, conception/life dies. One should regulate the Taiyin Guest Qi. Tonify with Sweet, Drain with Bitter, Relax with Sweet. Year grain should be [Missing], interval grain should be Hemp seeds, then Dampness will not become evil. This is the transformation of the Six Qi.

The year performs the transformation of balanced Water. Tian Fu is the "Law Enforcement" year. If evil Qi strikes it, people have sudden and urgent diseases. Therefore, the Classic says: Those struck by Law Enforcement Qi, their disease is rapid and dangerous.