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Figure of the Ren Shen Year's Qi and Yun

Shaoyang Xianghuo (Ministerial Fire) governs the Si Tian (Heavenly Qi), and Jueyin Fengmu (Wind-Wood) governs the Zai Quan (Earthly Qi). The Central Yun is Tai Jiao Wood Yun. The year's Wood is excessive; its Qi transformation operates ahead of the seasonal timing. Tai Jiao is added below to Jueyin Wind-Wood, constituting "Excessive addition with Same Heaven Fu" (Tong Tian Fu). Heaven Fu is called the Law Enforcer, which can level the excessive transformation of Wood. This is named the "Fu He Ji" (Era of Spreading Harmony). Wood Virtue circulates universally; Yang expands, Yin distributes; the Five Transformations are declared 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 is grass and trees, its objects have a solid center, it corresponds to Spring, its grain is Hemp, its fruit is Plum, its substance is a pit/kernel, its insects are hairy ones, its livestock is Dog, its color is Cang (Green/Blue), its taste is Sour, its musical note is Jue, its number is Eight. In humans, it corresponds to the Liver organ, opens into the Eyes, nourishes the Tendons, and diseases manifest as internal tension and flank fullness. This is what the Annual Yun governs.

Regarding the Qi of Heaven and Earth: Above, Shaoyang is seen; the Left Intermittent Qi is Yangming, and the Right Intermittent Qi is Taiyin. Thus, Heavenly Qi is correct and its administration is strict. Below, Jueyin is seen; the Left Intermittent Qi is Shaoyin, and the Right Intermittent Qi is Taiyang. Thus, Earthly Qi is disturbed and its command is chaotic. Wind rises suddenly, trees lie prostrate, and sand flies. Flame-fire flows; Yin moves in Yang positions and transforms. Rain falls according to season. Fire and Wood share virtue, corresponding above to Yinghuo (Mars) and Suixing (Jupiter). Their grains are red and green. Wind and heat are distributed together; clouds and phenomena boil. Taiyin flows horizontally; cold arrives at its time, and cool rain rises. People suffer from Cold in the Middle, external sores and ulcers, and internal diarrhea and fullness. The Sage meets this with harmony, not contention. Due to the recurrence of these changes, people suffer from alternating cold and heat, malaria, diarrhea, deafness and dim vision, vomiting, upper stagnation swelling, and color changes.

In the first half of the year, Heavenly Qi is governed by Shaoyang. What Shaoyang brings is hot summer heat; its transformation follows its root. At that time, Fire transformation prevails, and Wind responds, so the climate is harmonious. In the second half of the year, Earthly Qi is governed by Jueyin. What Jueyin brings is the Wind Mansion (accumulation of wind); its transformation does not follow the root or branch but uses the Medium Qi (Zhong Qi) for transformation. At that time, when Wind transforms from Fire, it is within Jueyin. Since the year's Yun transformation is already balanced, one should not seek the source of transformation but rather assist the element that overcomes Wood (Metal). Then violent excess will not arise, and harsh diseases will not occur. For this year, it is suitable to use Salty-Cold to regulate the Upper, Pungent-Light to regulate the Lower, and Sour to harmonize the Middle. Use methods of seeping, draining, soaking, and inducing sweat. Since the Yun is identical to Wind-Heat, many Cold transformations are appropriate. The Si Qi is Warm; use Warmth but stay away from Warmth (avoid excessive warming), which is the constant method of treatment.

First Qi: From the Yin hour on the day of Da Han (Great Cold) in the Xin Wei year to the Zi hour on the day of Chun Fen (Spring Equinox) of this year, totaling 60 days and 87.5 ke. The Host Position is Tai Jiao Wood, the Guest Qi is Shaoyin Fire, and the Medium reveals Wood Yun. Wood and Fire are compatible; the Yun occupies its proper position, serving the governance of Shaoyang and executing the Spring order. When Earthly Qi migrates, Wind wins and shakes; Cold departs, and the climate becomes greatly warm. Grass and trees flourish early. When Cold comes, it does not kill; Warm diseases arise. Diseases involve Qi stagnating above, blood effusion, red eyes, cough and counterflow, headache, uterine bleeding, flank fullness, and sores in the skin and pores. It is appropriate to treat the Guest Shaoyin with Salty to tonify, Sweet to drain, and Sour to gather. Year grains should be Red (Dan), intercalary grains should be Beans (Dou), so Heat will not become evil.

Second Qi: From the Zheng hour on the day of Chun Fen to the Xu hour on the day of Xiao Man (Grain Buds), totaling over 60 days. The Host Position is Shao Zheng Fire, the Guest Qi is Taiyin Earth, and the Medium reveals Wood Yun. Wind-Damp Qi serves the fearful Fire governance to execute the transformation of soothing and flourishing. If Fire is repressed, white haze rises everywhere; clouds move toward the Rain Mansion; Wind cannot overcome Damp, and rain falls. People remain healthy. Diseases involve Heat stagnating above, cough and counterflow vomiting, sores erupting in the middle, chest and throat obstruction, headache, body heat, confusion, and suppurative sores. It is appropriate to treat the Guest Taiyin with Sweet to tonify, Bitter to drain, and Sweet to moderate. Year grains should be Red, intercalary grains should be Hemp, so Damp will not become evil.

Third Qi: From the Hai hour on the day of Xiao Man to the You hour on the day of Da Shu (Great Heat), totaling over 60 days. The Host Position is Shao Zheng Fire, the Guest Qi is Shaoyang Fire, and the Medium reveals Wood Yun. Fire occupies its position and is compatible with Wood Yun. Heavenly administration spreads; hot summer arrives. Shaoyang descends from above, and rain ceases. People suffer from Heat in the Middle, deafness and dim vision, blood effusion, suppurative sores, cough, vomiting, nasal congestion, epistaxis, thirst, sneezing, yawning, throat bi, and red eyes. Sudden death may occur. It is appropriate to treat the Guest Shaoyang with Salty to tonify, Sweet to drain, and Salty to soften hardness. Year grains should be Red, intercalary grains should be Beans, so Fire will not become evil. In this year, Wood Qi is moderately balanced and does not act violently.

Fourth Qi: From the Zheng You hour on the day of Da Shu to the Wei hour on the day of Qiu Fen (Autumn Equinox), totaling over 60 days. The Host Position is Tai Gong Earth. The Guest Qi is Yangming Metal, and the Medium reveals Wood Yun. Coolness arrives; hot summer alternates in transformation; white dew descends. People's Qi is peaceful. Diseases involve heaviness of the whole body. It is appropriate to treat the Guest Yangming with Sour to tonify, Pungent to drain, and Bitter to vent. Year grains should be Green/Cang, intercalary grains should be Millet (Shu), so Dryness will not become evil.

Fifth Qi: From the Shen hour on the day of Qiu Fen to the Wu hour on the day of Xiao Xue (Minor Snow), totaling over 60 days. The Host Position is Shao Shang Metal, the Guest Qi is Taiyang Water, and the Medium reveals Wood Yun. Yang departs, Cold arrives, rain descends, and the Qi gates close. Hard Wood withers early. People avoid Cold evil; gentlemen are meticulous. It is appropriate to treat the Guest Taiyang with Bitter to tonify, Salty to drain, Bitter to firm, and Pungent to moisten. Year grains should be Green/Cang, intercalary grains should be Ji (Broomcorn Millet), so Cold will not become evil.

Final Qi: From the Zheng Wu hour on the day of Xiao Xue to the Chen hour on the day of Da Han (Great Cold), totaling over 60 days. The Host Position is Tai Yu Water, the Guest Qi is Jueyin Wood, and the Medium reveals Wood Yun. At the time when Tai Jiao is added below to Jueyin, the Yun and Qi correspond. Their transformation is peaceful. Occupying the Water position, Water and Wood are compatible, and their transformation proceeds smoothly. Earthly Qi is correct, Wind arrives, and all things regenerate. Mist moves. Diseases involve failure of closure (incontinence), heart pain, Yang Qi failing to store leading to cough. Qi receives support and cannot avoid mutual insult. This is referred to as Evil striking the Law Enforcer. The Classics state: "When struck by the Law Enforcer, the disease is rapid and critical." It is appropriate to treat the Guest Jueyin with Pungent to tonify, Sour to drain, and Sweet to moderate. Year grains should be Green/Cang, intercalary grains should be Rice, so Wind will not become evil. For this Qi, the Si Qi is Warm; use Warmth without violation. This is called Supreme Treatment.