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Figure of the Year Ren-Yin

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 Tai Jiao (Excessive Wood). The year's Wood Qi is excessive. The Qi transformation operates prior to the natural timing. Tai Jiao is added below Jueyin, constituting "Excessive" and being identical with the Earthly Qi, forming a "Tong Tian Fu" (Same Heaven Symbol). Tian Fu is called the Law Enforcer, which serves to level the transformation of Wood. This is termed the "Fu He Ji" (Record of Spreading Harmony). The Virtue of Wood circulates universally; Yang expands, Yin distributes. The five transformations are proclaimed and peaceful. Its Qi is upright, its nature is compliant, its function is flexible (bending and straightening), its transformation generates prosperity, its administration is dispersing, its climate is mild, its category corresponds to grass and trees, its objects have solid centers, its command is wind, its correspondence is Spring, its grains are hemp, its fruits are plums, their pits are hard, its insects are hairy ones, its livestock are dogs, its color is cyan, its taste is sour, its note is Jue, its number is eight. In humans, it corresponds to the Liver organ, governs the eyes, nourishes the sinews. Its diseases include internal tension and flank/fullness distension. This is what the annual Yun governs.

The Qi of Heaven and Earth: Fire transformation is above; on the left is Qing Hua (Clear Transformation), on the right is Rou Hua (Soft Transformation). Thus, Heavenly Qi is pure and its administration is strict. Sour transformation is below; on the left is Zhuo Hua (Scorching Transformation), on the right is Cang Hua (Storage Transformation). Thus, Earthly Qi is disturbed and its command is chaotic. Consequently, violent winds rise suddenly, trees fall, and sand flies. Flames flow, Yin moves within Yang and transforms, rain falls at the proper time. Fire and Wood share the same virtue, corresponding above to Yinghuo (Mars/Fire Star) and Suixing (Jupiter/Wood Star). Their grains are red and cyan. Wind and heat are distributed together, clouds and phenomena boil. Taiyin dampness flows horizontally, cold arrives at times, cool rains rise together. People suffer from Han Zhong (Cold in the Middle/Internal Cold), external eruptions of sores and ulcers, internal diarrhea and fullness. Sages encountering this adopt harmony without contention. Due to the recurrence of these conditions, people suffer from cold-heat alternation, malaria, diarrhea, deafness, blindness/dim vision, vomiting, upper obstruction with swelling and color changes.

Before the middle of the year, Heavenly Qi is governed by Shaoyang. What Shaoyang brings is hot summer heat; its transformation follows the root (Fire). At that time, Fire transformation prevails, Wind Qi responds, and the climate becomes harmonious. After the middle of the year, Earthly Qi is governed by Jueyin. What Jueyin brings is the Wind Mansion; its transformation does not follow the root or branch but uses the Central Qi as transformation. At that time, Wind transforms from Fire, which is the interior of Jueyin.

Since the Yun transformation of this year is balanced, one should not seek the source of transformation, but rather assist the element that overcomes it (Metal overcomes Wood). Then violent excesses will not arise, and harsh diseases will not occur. For the year, it is suitable to use Salty-Cold substances to regulate the upper, Pungent-Cool substances to regulate the lower, and Sour substances to harmonize the middle. Use methods of seeping, draining, soaking, and inducing sweating. Since the Yun is similar to Wind-Heat, many Cold transformations are appropriate. The Si Qi is Warm; when using Warmth, avoid Warmth. This is the constant method of treatment.

First Qi: From Shen Chu (early Shen hour) on Da Han day of Xin-Chou year to Wu Chu (early Wu hour) on Chun Fen day of this year, totaling 60 days and 87.5 ke. The Main Position is Tai Jiao (Wood), the Guest Qi is Shao Yin Fire, and the central Yun is Wood. Wood and Fire are compatible, the Yun occupies its proper position, serving the administration of Shaoyang and executing the Spring order. Earthly Qi migrates; Wind prevails causing shaking, Cold departs, the climate becomes greatly warm, grass and trees flourish early. Cold comes but does not kill, so Warm Diseases arise. Diseases manifest as Qi oppression above, blood effusion, red eyes, cough and reverse qi, headache, blood injury with flank fullness, sores in skin and pores. It is suitable to treat the Guest of Shao Yin, tonifying with Salty, purging with Sweet, and astringing with Sour. Year grains should be Red (Dan), intercalary grains should be Beans, so Heat will not become pathogenic.

Second Qi: From Wu Zheng (mid-Wu hour) on Chun Fen day to Chen Zheng (mid-Chen hour) on Xiao Man day, totaling over 60 days. The Main Position is Shao Zheng (Fire), the Guest Qi is Taiyin Earth, and the central Yun is Wood. Wind-Damp Qi, serving the administration of Feared Fire, executes the transformation of spreading and flourishing. If Fire is counter-depressed, white haze rises everywhere, clouds move to the Rain Mansion, Wind cannot overcome Dampness, rain falls. People become healthy. Diseases manifest as Heat depression above, cough and vomiting, sores erupting in the middle, chest and throat obstruction, headache, body heat, confusion, and suppurative sores. It is suitable to treat the Guest of Taiyin, tonifying with Sweet, purging with Bitter, and relaxing with Sweet. Year grains should be Red (Dan), intercalary grains should be Hemp, so Dampness will not become pathogenic.

Third Qi: From Si Chu (early Si hour) on Xiao Man day to Mao Chu (early Mao hour) on Da Shu day, totaling over 60 days. The Main Position is Shao Zheng (Fire), the Guest Qi is Shaoyang Fire, and the central Yun is Wood. Fire occupies its position, compatible with Wood Yun Qi. Heavenly administration spreads, hot summer heat arrives, Shaoyang descends from above, rain ceases. People suffer from Heat in the Middle, deafness, dim vision, blood effusion, suppurative sores, cough, vomiting, rhinitis, epistaxis, thirst, sneezing, yawning, sore throat, red eyes, and sudden death. It is suitable to treat the Guest of Shaoyang, tonifying with Salty, purging with Sweet, and firming with Salty. Year grains should be Red (Dan), intercalary grains should be Beans, so Fire will not become pathogenic. In this year, Wood Qi is appropriately balanced, naturally avoiding sudden death.

Fourth Qi: From Mao Zheng (mid-Mao hour) on Da Shu day to Chou Zheng (mid-Chou hour) on Qiu Fen day, totaling over 60 days. The Main Position is Tai Gong (Earth), the Guest Qi is Yangming Metal, and the central Yun is Wood. Wind-Dry Qi, responding below to the command of Jueyin in Zai Quan, constitutes the exchange of Heaven and Earth. Autumn Qi acts early, Coolness arrives, hot summer heat intermittently transforms into White Dew descending. People's Qi is peaceful. Diseases manifest as heaviness of the whole body. It is suitable to treat the Guest of Yangming, tonifying with Sour, purging with Pungent, and draining with Bitter. Year grains should be Cyan (Cang), intercalary grains should be Millet (Shu), so Dryness will not become pathogenic.

Fifth Qi: From Yin Chu (early Yin hour) on Qiu Fen day to Zi Chu (early Zi hour) on Xiao Xue day, totaling over 60 days. The Main Position is Shao Shang (Metal), the Guest Qi is Taiyang Water, and the central Yun is Wood. Water and Wood harmonize, compatible with Metal. During this Qi, Cold transformation arrives early, Yang departs, Cold arrives, rain descends, pore gates close, rigid wood withers early. People avoid Cold pathogens, gentlemen act with caution. It is suitable to treat the Guest of Taiyang, tonifying with Pungent, purging with Salty, firming with Bitter, and moistening with Pungent. Year grains should be Cyan (Cang), intercalary grains should be Gu (Broomcorn Millet), so Cold will not become pathogenic.

Final Qi: From Zi Zheng (mid-Zi hour) on Xiao Xue day to Xu Zheng (mid-Xu hour) on Da Han day, totaling over 60 days. The Main Position is Tai Yu (Water), the Guest Qi is Jueyin Wood, and the central Yun is Wood. At the time when Tai Jiao is added below Jueyin, the Yun and Qi correspond, their transformation is peaceful. Occupying the Water position, Water and Wood are compatible, their transformation follows smoothly. Earthly Qi is pure, Wind arrives, all things regenerate, mist moves. Diseases manifest as closure of orifices without control, heart pain, Yang Qi failing to store leading to cough. At times of Qi balance, there should be no disease. If disease occurs, it is because Qi has received something and cannot help but insult, known as Evil striking the Law Enforcer. The Classic states: Those struck by the Law Enforcer suffer rapid and critical diseases. It is suitable to treat the Guest of Jueyin, tonifying with Pungent, purging with Sour, and relaxing with Sweet. Year grains should be Cyan (Cang), intercalary grains should be Rice, so Wind will not become pathogenic. For this Qi, the Si Qi is Warm; use Warmth without violation.