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Figure of the Year Yichou (Yi Chou Sui Tu)

Taiyin Wet Earth governs the Si Tian (Heavenly Qi), Taiyang Cold Water governs the Zai Quan (Earthly Qi), and the Central Movement is Shaoshang Metal Qi. The annual movement is insufficient, causing the qi transformation to operate behind schedule. The upper half of the year manifests as Taiyin.

The left intercalary qi is Shaoyang, and the right intercalary qi is Shaoyin; thus, earthly qi ascends, yin exclusively holds power with a solemn administration. The lower half sees Taiyang, with Jueyin on the left and Yangming on the right. Thus, heavenly qi descends, yang qi retreats, and its commands are silent. Great winds rise frequently, fields become dim, white dust rises everywhere, clouds surge toward the south pole, and cold rains arrive often.

Wetness and cold combine their virtues, presenting yellow-black haze, circulating in the intersection of qi. This corresponds above to Zhenxing (Saturn) and Chenxing (Mercury). The principal grains are black. If the intercalary grains are designated as Taijiao (Wood movement), objects mature in the late summer. For excess conditions, high places are suitable; for insufficiency, low places are suitable. For excess, harvest is late; for insufficiency, harvest is early. This is the benefit of Earth and the transformation of qi. The people's physiological qi also follows this, so yin condenses above, and cold accumulates below. Cold water overcomes Fire, resulting in hail. Solar light fails to function properly, and killing qi prevails. The people suffer from cold-dampness, abdominal fullness, body heaviness and irritability, edema, stagnation and counterflow, cold jue and spasmodic stiffness. In this year, Earth is the Heavenly Qi, and Water is the Earthly Qi. Although Earth can overcome Water, the Heavenly Qi is abundant while the Earthly Qi is deficient. However, the central manifestation is Metal Qi; Heavenly Qi generates the Movement, and the Movement generates the Earthly Qi. The three qis harmonize and proceed with smooth transformation, so pathogenic qi is slight. The Si Tian qi is in excess, and the Heavenly Qi is abundant. One should select substantial items from the source of transformation to level the Earth qi. It is advisable to eat black grains to preserve true qi and intercalary grains to protect essence. Treat the upper part with bitter-hot remedies, the lower part with sweet-hot remedies, and harmonize the middle with sour flavors. This dries and warms. If severe, employ dispersing or purging methods. If not dispersed or purged, dampness overflows externally, muscles ulcerate, skin cracks, and water and blood mix. One must assist the Yang fire to resist extreme cold. The Shaoshang Metal movement aligns with Cold transformation, so hot transformation is appropriate. This is the proper use of medicine and food.

However, the Taiyin Si Tian qi has identical root and branch, so its transformation follows the root, primarily governing the first half of the year. When rain arrives on time during this period, it reflects the harmony of Heavenly administration and transforms into rain. If Dampness overacts, heavy yin spreads, and rain causes withering. The people suffer from edema, bone pain, and Yin Bi (obstruction of yin meridians). Yin Bi is characterized by lack of sensation upon pressure, pain in the waist, spine, head, and neck, frequent dizziness, difficulty in defecation, dysfunction of yin qi, hunger without desire to eat, hemoptysis, a feeling of emptiness in the heart as if suspended, with the disease rooted in the Kidney. If the Taixi pulse on the foot is absent, death is inevitable and untreatable. The method is to level with bitter-hot, assist with sour-pungent, dry with bitter, and drain with bland.

After the middle of the year, the Earthly Qi is governed by Taiyang. Its transformation follows both root and branch. When cold and warmth are moderate, both root and branch transformations correspond. If Cold overacts internally, there is freezing severity and desolation. The people suffer from lower abdominal pain radiating to the testicles, pulling to the waist and spine, upward rushing pain in the heart, bleeding, throat pain, and submandibular swelling. The treatment uses sweet-hot, assisted by bitter-pungent, draining with salty, moistening with pungent, and firming with bitter.

Metal movement is insufficient, known as the Ji of Transformation (Cong Ge Zhi Ji). Its movement presents cool, hot, and cold variations. If summer has bright, humid, and steaming conditions, winter will have strict, cold, and orderly responses. If summer has scorching changes, autumn will have retaliatory hail and frost. If Fire qi prevails, inflammatory fire acts, causing shoulder and back heaviness, nasal obstruction and sneezing, hematochezia, and diarrhea. The收敛 (gathering/restraining) qi is delayed. When Cold qi retaliates, cold rain arrives suddenly, causing cold jue and rejection, with yang qi reversing upward, leading to headache at the occiput extending to the vertex, fever, mouth ulcers, and even heart pain.

First Qi: Starts from the beginning of Si hour on the Day of Major Cold in the Jiazi year, ending at the beginning of Mao hour on the Day of Spring Equinox in the Yichou year. Total 60 days and 87.5 ke. The main position is Taijiao Wood, the guest qi is Jueyin Wood, and the central manifestation is Metal Qi. Wind and clarity transform together, honoring Taiyin and executing spring commands. At this time, earthly qi shifts, cold departs, spring qi is correct, wind arrives, life spreads, and all things flourish. People's qi becomes smooth and comfortable. Wind and dampness clash, delaying rain. People suffer from blood overflow, tendon network stiffness, joint disadvantage, body heaviness, and tendon flaccidity. It is suitable to treat Jueyin guest qi. Supplement with pungent, drain with sour, and relax with sweet. Eat wheat to complete true qi and rice to preserve essence. Even with wind transformation, it cannot become pathogenic.

Second Qi: From the exact Mao hour of Spring Equinox to the exact Chou hour of Grain Full, totaling over 60 days. Main position is Shaozheng Fire, guest qi is Shaoyin Fire, central manifestation is Metal Qi. Annual metal is insufficient, matching Shaozheng. Fire occupies its position. The Qi of Sovereign Fire must focus on virtue transformation. Thus, great fire is correct, objects receive transformation, and people are harmonious. Epidemic febrile diseases may occur widely. Humid vapor clashes, and rain falls timely. Treat Shaoyin guest qi. Supplement with salty, drain with sweet, and collect with sour. Eat wheat to complete true qi and beans to preserve essence. Even with fire transformation, it cannot become pathogenic.

Third Qi: From the beginning of Yin hour on Grain Full to the beginning of Zi hour on Great Heat, totaling over 60 days. Main position is Shaozheng Fire, guest qi is Taiyin Earth, central manifestation is Metal Qi. Heavenly administration spreads, rain falls timely, and cold follows. People suffer from body heaviness, edema, and chest/abdominal fullness. Treat Taiyin guest qi. Supplement with sweet, drain with bitter, and relax with sweet. Eat wheat to complete true qi and sesame to preserve essence. Even with damp pathogen, it cannot cause harm.

Fourth Qi: From the exact Zi hour of Great Heat to the exact Xu hour of Autumn Equinox, totaling over 60 days. Main position is Taigong Earth, guest qi is Shaoyang Fire, central manifestation is Metal Qi. Earthly qi begins to ascend, heavenly qi is obstructed. Cold wind blows morning and evening, steaming heat clashes, grass and trees condense smoke. People suffer from warm pores, sudden blood overflow, malaria, heart/abdominal fullness, heat-induced distension, and severe edema. Treat Shaoyang guest qi. Supplement with salty, drain with sweet, and soften with salty. Eat black grains to complete true qi and beans to preserve essence. Even with fire pathogen, it cannot cause harm.

Fifth Qi: From the beginning of Hai hour on Autumn Equinox to the beginning of You hour of Light Snow, totaling over 60 days. Main position is Shaoshang Metal, guest qi is Yangming Metal, central manifestation is Metal Qi. Metal occupies the metal position, matching the annual movement, which is the Si Qi of the year, called Su Hua. Metal qi reaches here, autumn qi governs correctly, harsh commands act, cold dew descends, frost falls early, grass and trees yellow and fall. Cold qi affects the body. People suffer from skin and pore issues. Gentlemen's dwellings should be well-sealed. Treat Yangming guest qi. Supplement with sour, drain with pungent, and drain with bitter. Eat black grains to complete true qi and millet to preserve essence. Even with the cooling nature of Si Qi, it cannot become pathogenic. Medicine and food should not violate the cooling nature of Si Qi.

Final Qi: From the exact You hour of Light Snow to the exact Wei hour of Major Cold, totaling over 60 days. Main position is Taiyu Water, guest qi is Taiyang Water, central manifestation is Metal Qi. Water occupies the water position, harmonizing with metal to execute smooth transformation. Winter command is correct. Cold rises greatly, dampness transforms greatly, frost accumulates, yin condenses, water freezes hard, solar light fails. People contracting cold suffer from stiff joints and lower back pain. Cold and damp persist in the qi intersection causing disease. Treat Taiyang guest qi. Supplement with bitter, drain with salty, firm with bitter, and moisten with pungent. Eat black grains to complete true qi and broomcorn millet to preserve essence. Even with cold transformation, it cannot become pathogenic.

The victory and retaliation of the annual qi await their arrival. If Taiyin qi wins, Jueyin must retaliate; if Taiyang qi wins, Taiyin must retaliate. Victory usually occurs before the middle of the year, retaliation after. There is retaliation only if there is victory.