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[Diagram of the Ji-Mao Year]

Yangming Dryness-Jin governs the Heaven (Si Tian), Shaoyin Minister-Fire governs the Earth (Zai Quan), and the middle transformation is Shaogong Earth Movement. The Earth Movement is insufficient, so the Qi transformation operates later than the heavenly timing. The characteristics of the year's Qi transformation: Above corresponds to Yangming (Dryness-Jin), the left inter-qi is Taiyang (Cold-Water), and the right inter-qi is Shaoyang (Minister-Fire); therefore, the heavenly Qi is urgent and its administration is severe. Below corresponds to Shaoyin (Ruler-Fire), the left inter-qi is Taiyin (Damp-Earth), and the right inter-qi is Jueyin (Wind-Wood); therefore, the earthly Qi is bright and its command is violent. Yang monopolizes its command, scorching heat prevails, objects become dry and hard, pure wind is governed, wind and dryness move horizontally and circulate, flowing into the intersection of Qi between Heaven and Earth. There is much Yang and little Yin, clouds gather at the rain mansion, damp transformation is spread, dryness reaches its extreme and produces moisture; this is its climate characteristic. Clearing and cooling Qi holds fast in the intersection of Qi. The victory and revenge of Wind transformation and Clearing transformation are the same; this is called the degree of pathogenic Qi transformation. Among them, Clearing transformation is nine, Rain transformation is five, Heat transformation is seven; this is called the degree of normal Qi transformation. Jin and Fire combine their virtue: in the sky, above it corresponds to Taibai (Venus) and Yinghuo (Mars); in things, the yearly grains should be white and red, and the inter-grains depend on Tai Zheng (Fire Movement). These are the suitable yearly items for the year. Feathered creatures thrive, shelled creatures decline, cold toxins do not generate, those consumed white-shelled and feathered species, hibernating insects appear, flowing water does not freeze. People are prone to cough, throat obstruction, sudden onset of chills and fever, trembling, and difficulty urinating. If clear Qi arrives first and is strong, hair-covered creatures will die; if hot Qi arrives later and is violent, shelled creatures will suffer disaster. However, Jin is heavenly Qi, Fire is earthly Qi, Fire can overcome Jin; if Earth Movement intervenes, the pathogenic factor becomes slight. Heavenly Qi is slightly deficient, one should nourish its source of transformation to assist Jin Qi, while also stabilizing the Earth Movement to prevent it from being invaded by pathogens. Eating white and red grains can stabilize Qi; eating inter-qi grains can eliminate pathogens. For the year, it is suitable to use salty, bitter, and pungent flavors, employing methods of sweating, clearing, and dispersing. The movement transformation is similar to clear Qi, and it is suitable to use more transforming Qi methods; this is the constant treatment principle.

Before the midpoint of the year, heavenly Qi is governed by Yangming. When Dryness overflows, trees flourish late, grass and plants grow late, internal changes occur in sinews and bones, and people suffer from pain in the left hypochondrium, coldness in the middle, malaria upon infection, great cold changing the climate, cough, borborygmus, diarrhea with loose stools. Tall trees敛 (contract/shrink), life accumulates below, grass withers at the top. Sudden pain in the heart and hypochondrium, inability to turn the body, dry throat, dusty face, lower back pain, eye ulcers, sores, acne, and carbuncles. The disease originates in the Liver, diagnosis is located in the Foot-Taichong meridian. The method should be to level with bitter-warm, assist with sour-pungent, and purge with bitter.

After the midpoint of the year, earthly Qi is governed by Shaoyin. Heat overflows internally, flames float on rivers and marshes, dark places appear bright. People suffer from frequent borborygmus in the abdomen, Qi rushing up to the chest, asthma unable to stand for long, chills and fever with skin pain, dizziness, toothache, swelling, chills and fever like malaria, lower abdominal pain and distension. The treatment should use salty-cold, assisted by sweet-bitter, astringe with sour, and disperse with bitter.

The transformation of the yearly movement is Earth insufficiency, recorded as "Beijian" (Low Supervisor), which is called reduced transformation. Transforming Qi does not take effect, generating administration shines alone, growing Qi is orderly, rain is delayed, gathering Qi is peaceful, wind and cold rise together, grass and trees flourish beautifully but bloom without fruiting, maturing but producing shriveled seeds. Its Qi is scattered, its function is quiet and stable, its movement manifests as ulcers, swelling, rupture, and carbuncles, its onset is moist and stagnant. Its transformation combines with that of what it cannot overcome. If there is a transformation of dust clouds and moisture in the four corners (inter-seasonal periods), then spring has the policy of rustling branches and bursting buds; if there are changes of shaking, tearing, and floating turbulence in the four corners, then autumn has the revenge of solemn killing and continuous rain. Its disaster is in the four corners, its zang organ is the Spleen, its disease resides internally in the heart and abdomen and externally in muscles and limbs. If there is a revenge, the gathering policy is severe, tall trees wither and turn gray, sudden pain in the chest and hypochondrium radiating down to the lower abdomen, frequent sighing. Qi lodges in the Spleen, food intake decreases and taste is lost; treatment should use sweet to harmonize and regulate the middle.

The First Qi period starts from Hai hour on the Great Cold day of the Wu-Yin year to You hour on the Spring Equinox day of this year, totaling 60 days and 87.5 ke. The main position is Shaojiao Wood, the guest Qi is Taiyin Earth, and the middle sees Earth Movement. Qi and movement are the same; wind cannot overcome dampness. Earthly Qi migrates, Yin begins to condense, Qi becomes solemn, water freezes, cold rain transforms. Diseases include mid-body heat and distension, facial and ocular edema, somnolence, nasal congestion, epistaxis, sneezing, yawning, and vomiting. Urine is yellow and red, severe cases have strangury. Treat the Guest Qi of Taiyin with sweet to tonify, bitter to drain, and sweet to relax. Yearly grains should be white, inter-grains should be hemp; even if there is damp pathogen, it cannot cause harm. This Qi governs with coolness; using coolness should not violate this principle.

The Second Qi period starts from You hour on the Spring Equinox day to Wei hour on the Grain Full day, totaling over 60 days. The main position is Taizheng Fire, the guest Qi is Shaoyang Fire, and the middle sees Earth Movement. Two Fires govern together, Yang spreads, people feel comfortable, things grow and flourish, plagues arrive greatly, people are prone to sudden death. Treat the Guest Qi of Shaoyang with salty to tonify, sweet to drain, and salty to soften. Yearly grains should be white, inter-grains should be beans; even if there is fire pathogen, it cannot cause harm.

The Third Qi period starts from Shen hour on the Grain Full day to Wu hour on the Great Heat day, totaling over 60 days. The main position is Taizheng Fire, the guest Qi is Yangming Metal, and the middle sees Earth Movement. Fire generates Earth, Earth generates Metal, lower generates upper. Heavenly administration spreads, coolness acts, dryness and heat intersect, dryness reaches extreme and produces moisture. People suffer from chills and fever. Treat the Guest Qi of Yangming with sour to tonify, pungent to drain, and bitter to泄 (drain/vent). Yearly grains should be white, inter-grains should be millet; even if there is dryness pathogen, it cannot cause harm.

The Fourth Qi period starts from Wu hour on the Great Heat day to Chen hour on the Autumn Equinox day, totaling over 60 days. The main position is Shaogong Earth, the guest Qi is Taiyang Water, and the middle sees Earth Movement. Earth movement takes its place, Taiyang resides there, cold rain descends. Diseases include sudden collapse, trembling, delirium, shortness of breath, dry throat with desire to drink, as well as heart pain, carbuncles, sores, ulcers, malarial chills, bone emaciation, and bloody stool. Treat the Guest Qi of Taiyang with bitter to tonify, salty to drain, bitter to firm, and pungent to moisten. Yearly grains should be red, inter-grains should be broomcorn millet; even if there is cold pathogen, it cannot cause harm.

The Fifth Qi period starts from Si hour on the Autumn Equinox day to Mao hour on the Light Snow day, totaling over 60 days. The main position is Taisang Metal, the guest Qi is Jueyin Wood, and the middle sees Earth Movement. Guest Qi overcomes movement, spring commands act in reverse, grass and plants grow and flourish, people's Qi is harmonious. Regulate the Guest Qi of Jueyin with pungent to tonify, sour to drain, and sweet to relax. Yearly grains should be red, inter-grains should be rice; even if there is wind transformation, it cannot become a pathogen.

The Final Qi period starts from Mao hour on the Light Snow day to Chou hour on the Great Cold day, totaling over 60 days. The main position is Shaoyu Water, the guest Qi is Shaoyin Fire, and the middle sees Earth Movement. Qi generates movement, Yang Qi spreads, climate becomes warm again, hibernating insects appear, flowing water does not freeze, people are healthy and peaceful, their disease is warm disease. Treat the Guest Qi of Shaoyin with salty to tonify, sweet to drain, and sour to astringe. Yearly grains should be red, inter-grains should be beans; even if there is heat pathogen, it cannot cause harm. This is the norm of the Six Qi. At the intersection of yearly Qi, if heavenly Qi overcomes, there is a revenge of Shaoyang; if earthly Qi overcomes, there is a revenge of Taiyang. Treatment should follow the respective laws of overcoming and revenge.