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Figure of the Yǐyǒu Year's Qi and Luck

Míngyáng Zàojīn (Yang Brightness Dry Metal) governs the Heaven (Sītiān), Shàoyīn Jūnhuǒ (Shaoyin Sovereign Fire) governs the Earth (Zàiquán), and the central movement is Shàoshāng Jīnyùn (Lesser Shang Metal Movement). The year's Metal is insufficient, so the qi transformation operates later than the heavenly timing. The Shàoshāng Metal is insufficient yet transforms in accordance with the Sītiān Míngyáng Zàojīn; this is called Tiānfú (Heavenal符/Conformity). Furthermore, since the Metal movement coincides with the Yǒu branch, it is called Suìhuì (Yearly Meeting). With Heavenal conformity above and Yearly meeting below, the three combine for governance, named Tàiyī Tiānfú (Great One Heavenal Conformity), indicating a year of balanced qi. A year where Metal is balanced is recorded as Shěnpíng (Audited Peace). It gathers without contention, kills without violation, the five transformations are declared bright. Its qi is pure, its nature is rigid, its function is scattering, its transformation is firm and contracting. Its administration is vigorous and austere, its climate is clear and cutting, its command is dry, its category is Metal, its correspondence is Autumn, its grain is Rice, its fruit is Peach, its substance has a hard shell, its insect is Jièchóng (Shell-bearing insects), its animal is Chicken, its color is White, its taste is Pungent, its note is Shāng, its number is Nine. Its objects are hard on the outside; in humans, it corresponds to: its zang organ is Lungs, its orifice is the Nose, it nourishes the Skin and Hair, its disease is Cough. This is the law of transformation.

Regarding the qi of Heaven and Earth: Heavenly qi manifests as Dry transformation, the left interstitial qi is Storage transformation, and the right interstitial qi is Bright transformation; thus, heavenly qi is urgent and its administration is severe. Earthly qi manifests as Bitter transformation, the left interstitial qi is Soft transformation, and the right interstitial qi is Agitated transformation; thus, earthly qi is bright and its command is violent. Yang monopolizes the command, scorching heat prevails, objects become dry and hard, pure wind governs, Wind and Dryness move horizontally, flowing into the intersection of qi. There is much Yang and little Yin, clouds gather at the Rain Mansion, Humid transformation is spread. Extreme Dryness generates Moisture, hibernating insects appear, flowing water does not freeze. Metal and Fire combine their virtue, corresponding above to Bàitái (Venus) and Yínghuò (Mars). The grains are White and Red, the intermediate grains are determined by the Great Movement. The depletion affects Baijiapin (White-shelled) and Yupin (Feathered) creatures. Therefore, it is said that Gùhuà (Old Transformation), Hánhuà (Cold Transformation), and Shèngfù (Overcoming-Rebound) are the same, and the degree of pathogenic transformation is also so. Dry transformation is four, Clear transformation is four, Heat transformation is two; these are the degrees of positive transformation.

The suitability of yearly substances: Jièchóng (Shell-bearing insects) are quiet, Yǔchóng (Feathered insects) breed; this is controlled by Earthly qi, Jièchóng are depleted, Cold toxicity does not arise. Thus, Clear-Heat qi holds sway at the intersection of qi. Clear qi arrives first and is vigorous, causing Máo chóng (Hairy insects) to die; Heat arrives later and is violent, causing Jièchóng to suffer disaster. Onset is restless; people suffer from Cough, throat obstruction, sudden onset of Cold and Heat, tremors, and Luńbì (Dysuria). Before the middle of the year, Míngyáng governs, its transformation is Dry, which is the administration of Heaven. After the middle of the year, Shàoyīn governs, its command is Hot, which is the transformation of Earth. Metal is Heavenly qi, Fire is Earthly qi; Fire can overcome Metal, but encountering Tàiyī Tiānfú, Metal qi naturally balances itself, not relying on the source of transformation. One only needs to stabilize the Metal movement, preventing it from being invaded by pathogens. Eat White and Red grains to stabilize qi, eat intermediate qi grains to dispel pathogens. The year suits Salty, Bitter, and Pungent flavors; induce sweating, clear, and disperse. The movement is similar to Clear, favoring Earthly transformation. The transformation above is slightly warm and bitter, in the middle is harmonious and bitter, below is cold and salty; this is the suitability of medicines and foods.

First Qi period: From the start of Sì hour on Dàhán day of the Jiǎshēn year to the start of Mǎo hour on Chūnfēn day of this year, totaling sixty days and eighty-seven-and-a-half kè. The main position is Tài Jiǎo Wood, the guest qi is Tàiyīn Earth, and the central movement is Metal. Earth generates Metal. Earthly qi shifts, Yin begins to condense, qi becomes austere, water freezes, Cold-Rain transformation occurs. Diseases include mid-jiao heat distension, facial and ocular edema, somnolence, Qiú (nasal congestion), Nǜ (epistaxis), sneezing, yawning, and vomiting. Urine is yellow-red, severe cases present with Lin syndrome. Treat the Tàiyīn guest with Sweet tonification, Bitter purgation, and Sweet moderation. Yearly grain should be White, intermediate grain should be Hemp. Although there is Humid transformation, it cannot become pathogenic.

Second Qi period: From the exact Mǎo hour on Chūnfēn day to the exact Chǒu hour on Xiǎomǎn day, totaling sixty-plus days. The main position is Shào Zhēng Fire, the guest qi is Shàoyáng Fire, and the central movement is Metal. Two Fires add together, Yang spreads, people feel comfortable, objects grow luxuriant. Epidemics arrive greatly, people may die suddenly. However, Metal qi is balanced this year; although there are epidemic diseases, they do not cause premature death. Treat the Shàoyáng guest with Salty tonification, Sweet purgation, and Salty softening. Yearly grain should be White, intermediate grain should be Beans. Although there is Fire transformation, it cannot become pathogenic.

Third Qi period: From the start of Yín hour on Xiǎomǎn day to the start of Zǐ hour on Dàshǔ day, totaling sixty-plus days. The main position is Shào Zhēng Fire, the guest qi is Míngyáng Metal, and the central movement is Metal. The year's movement conforms to Heavenal符, Metal qi balances. Heavenly administration spreads, Coolness moves, Dryness and Heat intersect, extreme Dryness generates Moisture. People suffer from Cold and Heat alternating. Treat the Míngyáng guest with Sour tonification, Pungent purgation, and Bitter drainage. Yearly grain should be White, intermediate grain should be Millet. Although there is Dry transformation, it cannot become pathogenic. In this period, use Cool methods avoiding times when Cool qi dominates; do not violate the cooling qi of the governing authority.

Fourth Qi period: From the exact Zǐ hour on Dàshǔ day to the exact Xū hour on Qiūfēn day, totaling sixty-plus days. The main position is Tài Gōng Earth, the guest qi is Tàiyáng Water, and the central movement is Metal. Metal generates Water. Cold rain descends. Diseases include sudden collapse, tremors, delirium, shortness of breath, dry throat with desire to drink, as well as Heart pain, Carbuncles, Sores, Malaria chills, Bone emaciation, and Blood in stool. Treat the Tàiyáng guest with Bitter tonification, Salty purgation, Bitter firming, and Pungent moistening. Yearly grain should be Red, intermediate grain should set aside Ji (Broomcorn millet). Although there is Cold transformation, it cannot become pathogenic.

Fifth Qi period: From the start of Hài hour on Qiūfēn day to the start of Yǒu hour on Xiǎoxuě day, totaling sixty-plus days. The main position is Shào Shāng Metal, the guest qi is Juéyīn Wood, and the central movement is Metal. The year's movement is in place, its qi is balanced. Juéyīn resides here, Spring commands reverse, grasses and trees grow luxuriant, people are harmonious. Treat the Juéyīn guest with Pungent tonification, Sour purgation, and Sweet moderation. Yearly grain should be Red, intermediate grain should be Rice. Although there is Wind transformation, it cannot become pathogenic.

Sixth Qi period (Final Qi): From the exact Yǒu hour on Xiǎoxuě day to the exact Wèi hour on Dàhán day, totaling sixty-plus days. The main position is Tài Yǔ Water, the guest qi is Shàoyīn Fire, and the central movement is Metal. Fire overcomes Metal, Yang qi spreads, the climate reverses to warmth, hibernating insects appear, flowing water does not freeze, people are healthy and peaceful. Their disease is Warmth disease. Treat the Shàoyīn guest with Salty tonification, Sweet purgation, and Sour astringency. Yearly grain should be Red, intermediate grain should be Beans. Although there is Heat transformation, it cannot become pathogenic. This is the normal pattern of the Six Qi.

The general principle of treatment: For balanced qi, bring it to equilibrium; let each qi rest in its place. Must be clear and tranquil, then pathogenic qi will naturally decline and return to its origin. This is the general framework of treatment.