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Figure of the Yimao Year

Yangming Dryness-Jin governs the Heaven (Si Tian), Shaoyin Ministerial Fire governs the Earth (Zai Quan), and the central movement is Shao Shang Metal Movement, indicating that the year's Metal Qi is insufficient. The transformation of Qi operates later than the heavenly timing. Shao Shang Metal Movement descends upon Yangming Si Tian; the upper Shang corresponds to the regular Shang. When an insufficient year coincides with the transformation of Si Tian, it is called "Tian Fu" (Heavenly符/Compliance), representing a state of balanced Qi. In years where Metal Qi is balanced, it is named "Shen Ping Ji" (Reviewing Peace Cycle). Its Qi gathers without contention, its killing nature does not violate, the five transformations are declared and bright. Its Qi is pure, its nature is rigid, its function is scattering, its transformation is solidifying and contracting. Its administration is vigorous and severe, its climate is clear and cutting, its command is dryness. It belongs to Metal, corresponds to Autumn, its grain is Rice, its fruit is Peach, its shell is hard, its insect category is Jie (shelled creatures), its livestock is Chicken, its color is White, its taste is Pungent, its musical note is Shang, its number is Nine, its objects have hard exteriors. Corresponding to humans, its zang organ is Lung, its orifice is Nose, it nourishes Skin and Hair. Its disease is Cough. This is the transformation of the annual movement.

Regarding the Qi of Heaven and Earth: Yangming is above (Si Tian), with Taiyang on the left and Shaoyang on the right; thus, Heavenly Qi is urgent and its administration is sharp. Shaoyin is below (Zai Quan), with Taiyin on the left and Jueyin on the right; thus, Earthly Qi is bright and its command is violent. Yang exclusively holds the command, heat and summer heat prevail, objects become dry and hard. Pure wind is governed, Wind and Dryness move horizontally, flowing into the intersection of Qi. There is much Yang and little Yin, clouds tend toward the rain mansion, Humidity transformation is spread. When Dryness reaches its extreme, it transforms into moisture, hibernating insects appear, flowing water does not freeze. Jin and Huo combine their virtue, corresponding above to Taibai (Venus) and Yinghuo (Mars). Its grains are White and Dan (Red/Cinnabar), the inter-grains depend on the excessive year. Its consumption affects White Shelled and Feathered creatures. Therefore, Heat Transformation and Cold Transformation win and revert similarly; this is the degree of pathogenic Qi transformation. Dryness transformation occurs four times, Clearness transformation four times, Heat transformation two times; this is the degree of regular transformation.

Suitability of yearly substances: Jie insects remain quiet, Yu insects breed, constrained by Earthly Qi; Jie insects are depleted, cold toxins do not generate. Clearing-Heat Qi holds at the Qi intersection. Clear Qi emerges first and is vigorous, Mao insects die; Heat emerges later and is violent, Jie insects suffer calamity. Its onset is restless, people suffer from Cough and throat obstruction, sudden onset of chills and fever, tremors, and strangury. Before the middle of the year, Clear Qi dominates; its dryness transformation is the policy of Heaven. After the middle of the year, Heat Qi dominates; its heat transformation is the command of Earth. Jin is Heavenly Qi, Huo is Earthly Qi. Huo overcomes Jin, causing Heavenly Qi to be deficient. One should support the source of Jin's transformation. In this year, Metal Qi is balanced, so supporting the transformation source is unnecessary; one should only stabilize the Metal movement, preventing it from being invaded by pathogens. Eat White and Dan grains to stabilize Qi; eat inter-Qi grains to eliminate pathogens. The year suits Salty, Bitter, and Pungent flavors. Use sweating, clearing, and dispersing methods. Its movement is similar to Clearness transformation, favoring Earth transformation. The Classic states: Upper treatment uses Bitter slightly warm, middle treatment uses Bitter harmonizing, lower treatment uses Salty cold. This is the suitability of medicine and food.

First Qi period: From Hai hour of the Great Cold day in Jiayin year to You hour of the Spring Equinox day of this year, totaling 60 days and 87.5 ke. Main position is Tai Jiao Wood, Guest position is Taiyin Earth, central view is Metal Movement. Earthly Qi migrates, Yin begins to condense, Qi becomes solemn. Water freezes, cold rain transforms. Diseases include mid-jiao heat distension, facial and ocular edema, somnolence, rhinorrhea, epistaxis, sneezing, yawning, vomiting. Urine is yellow-red, severe cases present as strangury. Suitable to regulate the Guest of Taiyin: tonify with Sweet, drain with Bitter, relax with Sweet. Yearly grain should be White, inter-grain should be Hemp, so Humidity does not become pathogenic.

Second Qi period: From You hour of the Spring Equinox day to Wei hour of the Grain Full day, totaling over 60 days. Main position is Shao Zheng Fire, Guest position is Shaoyang Fire, central view is Metal Movement. Two Fires add up, Fire overcomes Metal, Yang Qi spreads. People feel comfortable, objects grow luxuriant. However, epidemics arrive largely, people may die suddenly. Since the annual movement is peaceful, pathogenic Qi is slight. Suitable to regulate the Guest of Shaoyang: tonify with Salty, drain with Sweet, [text missing] with Salty. Yearly grain should be White, inter-grain should be Bean, so Fire does not become pathogenic.

Third Qi period: From Shen hour of the Grain Full day to Wu hour of the Great Heat day, totaling over 60 days. Main position is Shao Zheng Fire, Guest position is Yangming Metal, central view is Metal Movement. Qi and movement correspond, Heavenly administration spreads, Coolness acts. Dryness and Heat intersect, Dryness reaches extremum then moistens. People suffer from chills and fever. Suitable to regulate the Guest of Yangming: tonify with Sour, drain with Pungent, drain with Bitter. Yearly grain should be White, inter-grain should be Millet (Shu), so Dryness does not become pathogenic. For this Qi, use Coolness avoiding Coolness, do not violate the governing Qi.

Fourth Qi period: From Wu hour of the Great Heat day to Chen hour of the Autumn Equinox day, totaling over 60 days. Main position is Tai Gong Earth, Guest position is Taiyang Water, central view is Metal Movement. Metal generates Water, cold rain descends. Diseases include sudden collapse, tremors, delirium, shortness of breath, dry throat with desire to drink, heart pain, carbuncles, sores, ulcers, malaria chills, bone emaciation, bloody stool. Suitable to regulate the Guest of Taiyang: tonify with Bitter, drain with Salty, firm with Bitter, moisten with Pungent. Yearly grain should be Dan (Red), inter-grain should be Setaria (Ji), so Cold does not become pathogenic.

Fifth Qi period: From Si hour of the Autumn Equinox day to Mao hour of the Light Snow day, totaling over 60 days. Main position is Shao Shang Metal, Guest position is Jueyin Wood, central view is Metal Movement. Wind-Wood takes charge, Spring command reverses, grass and trees grow luxuriant, people are harmonious. Suitable to regulate the Guest of Jueyin: tonify with Pungent, drain with Sour, relax with Sweet. Yearly grain should be Dan (Red), inter-grain should be Rice, so Wind does not become pathogenic.

Final Qi period: From Mao hour of the Light Snow day to Chou hour of the Great Cold day, totaling over 60 days. Main position is Tai Yu Water, Guest position is Shaoyin Fire, central view is Metal Movement. Fire overcomes Metal, Yang Qi spreads, climate reverses to warmth, hibernating insects appear, flowing water does not freeze, people are healthy and peaceful. Its disease is Warmth disease. Suitable to regulate the Guest of Shaoyin: tonify with Salty, drain with Sweet, collect with Sour. Yearly grain should be Dan (Red), inter-grain should be Bean, so Heat does not become pathogenic. This is the normal course of the Six Qi.

In this year, Tian Fu acts as the Law Enforcer. If pathogenic Qi invades, people suffer sudden and urgent diseases. The Classic states: When pathogenic Qi strikes the Law Enforcer, the disease is rapid and critical.