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Chart of the Luck and Qi of Gengwu Year

Shao Yin Jun Huo (Ministerial Fire) governs Si Tian (Heavenly Command), Yang Ming Zao Jin (Dryness Metal) governs Zai Quan (Earthly Command), and the central movement is Tai Shang Jin Yun (Excessive Metal Movement). The year's metal is excessive, so its qi operation precedes the seasonal timing. This belongs to the Ji Cheng (Firm Completion) category. It is called "Shang Zheng" being identical to Zheng Shang. Furthermore, the classics state that Tai Shang added below Yang Ming, where excess adds to form a Tian Fu (Heavenly符) pattern. Since Tian Fu acts as the enforcer, it pacifies the transformation of metal. It is designated as the Shen Ping (Judging Peace) category: collecting without contention, killing without violation, the five transformations are declared and clear. Its qi is pure, its nature is rigid, its function is scattering, its transformation is firm and contracting. Its governance is vigorous and austere, its climate is clear and biting, its command is dryness. Its category is Metal, corresponding to Autumn, its grain is Rice, its fruit is Peach, its flesh is shell-like, its insect class is Jie (armored insects), its domestic animal is Chicken, its objects are hard on the outside, its color is White, its taste is Pungent, its musical note is Shang, and its number is Nine. In humans, it corresponds to the Zang organ Lung, the orifice Nose, the body tissue Skin and Hair, and in disease manifests as Cough and Asthma. This is what the annual movement governs.

Regarding the qi of Heaven and Earth: Above, Shao Yin is seen; the left intercalary qi is Tai Yin (Dampness Earth), and the right intercalary qi is Jue Yin (Wind Wood). Thus, the heavenly administration spreads, and its qi is bright. Below, Yang Ming is seen; the left intercalary qi is Tai Yang (Cold Water), and the right intercalary qi is Shao Yang (Ministerial Fire). Thus, the earthly qi is austere, and its command is biting. These two years' exchanging commanding qi interact cold with heat. In this year, the qi of heaven and earth adds heat upon dryness. Clouds race to the Rain Mansion, damp transformation proceeds, timely rain descends. Metal and Fire combine their virtue, corresponding above to Ying Huo (Mars/Fire Star) and Bai Tai (Venus/Metal Star). Their grains are Red and White. Water, Fire, Cold, and Heat hold at the Qi Intersection, where diseases begin. Heat diseases arise from above, Clear/Cold diseases arise from below, Cold and Heat contend in the middle. People suffer from cough and asthma, blood effusion, bloody discharge, nasal congestion and sneezing, red eyes and sores, cold reversal entering the stomach causing heart pain, lower back pain, abdominal distension, dry throat and swelling. Before the midpoint of the year, the heavenly qi is governed by Shao Yin Jun Huo. Shao Yin has the transformation of its Ben (Root) and Biao (Branch); when cold and heat are balanced, its qi is harmonious. After the midpoint of the year, the earthly qi is governed by Yang Ming Zao Jin. Yang Ming does not follow Ben and Biao but transforms via its Zhong Qi (Central Qi). Dryness and Dampness are half-and-half, so its transformation is level. In this year, there is no Sheng Fu (Overcoming and Repaying) for Metal; one should not seek the source of transformation but only assist the annual victory, break its stagnant qi, and prevent it from becoming excessive to cause disease. For the year, use Salty-Cold to regulate the upper part, Sour-Warm to stabilize the lower part, and Pungent-Warm to regulate the middle. Eat White and Red grains to preserve true qi; eat grains of intercalary qi to ward off empty evils. Since the movement aligns with earthly qi, transformation should mostly use Warm-Hot. The governing qi uses Cool; when using Cool, avoid violating it. This is the way.

First Qi: From Shen Chu on Da Han day of the previous Ji Si year to Wu Chu on Chun Fen day of this year, totaling 60 days and 87.5 ke. The Main Position is Shao Jiao Wood, the Guest Qi is Tai Yang Water, and the central view is Metal Movement. Wind, Cold, and Dryness three qi, serving the administration of Shao Yin to execute Spring commands. Earthly qi migrates, dryness is about to depart, cold begins. Hibernating creatures hide again, water freezes, frost descends again, wind arrives. Yang qi is depressed, people instead seal themselves tightly, joints become stiff, lower back pain occurs. As hot summer approaches, sores and ulcers appear inside and outside. This is the manifestation of Tai Yang Guest Qi. The method should be: tonify with Bitter, drain with Salty, firm with Bitter, moisten with Pungent. Use Red grains for the year, Ji (Millet) for intercalary grains, thus avoiding harm from Cold evil.

Second Qi: From Wu Zheng on Chun Fen day to Chen Zheng on Xiao Man day, totaling over 60 days. The Main Position is Tai Zheng Fire, the Guest Qi is Jue Yin Wood, and the central view is Metal Movement. Wind, Fire, and Dryness together serve the administration of Shao Yin to execute the transformation of soothing and flourishing. Wood and Fire agree, Yang qi spreads, wind moves, Spring qi becomes correct, all things respond with flourishing. Cold qi arrives at times, people are harmonious. Their disease is strangury, eye closure, red eyes. Qi stagnates above and generates heat. This is the manifestation of Jue Yin Guest Qi. The method should be: tonify with Pungent, drain with Sour, soothe with Sweet. Use Red grains for the year, Rice for intercalary grains, thus avoiding harm from Wind evil.

Third Qi: From Si Chu on Xiao Man day to Mao Chu on Da Shu day, totaling over 60 days. The Main Position is Tai Zheng Fire, the Guest Qi is Shao Yin Fire, and the central view is Metal Movement. This is spread by Heavenly Administration. Fire occupies the Fire position, Great Fire moves, myriad species flourish and are bright. Cold qi arrives at times. People suffer from qi reversal and heart pain, alternating cold and heat, cough, asthma, and red eyes. One should treat the Shao Yin Guest Qi: tonify with Salty, drain with Sweet, gather with Sour. Use Red grains for the year, Beans for intercalary grains, thus avoiding harm from Heat evil.

Fourth Qi: From Mao Zheng on Da Shu day to Chou Zheng on Qiu Fen day, totaling over 60 days. The Main Position is Shao Gong Earth, the Guest Qi is Tai Yin Earth, and the central view is Metal Movement. Earth obtains its position and harmonizes with Metal, serving the command of Yang Ming to execute順化 (smooth transformation). Muggy heat arrives, heavy rain occurs frequently, cold and heat alternate. People suffer from cold and heat, dry throat, jaundice, nasal congestion and epistaxis, and fluid retention. This is the manifestation of Tai Yin Guest Qi. The method should be: tonify with Sweet, drain with Bitter, soothe with Sweet. Use White grains for the year, Hemp seeds for intercalary grains, thus avoiding harm from Damp evil.

Fifth Qi: From Yin Chu on Qiu Fen day to Zi Chu on Xiao Xue day, totaling over 60 days. The Main Position is Tai Shang Metal, the Guest Qi is Shao Yang Fire, and the central view is Metal Movement. Although the year's Metal obtains its position, the Guest Qi Shao Yang is in charge. Fearing the arrival of Fire, heat returns unexpectedly. Yang transforms, all things grow and flourish, people become healthy. Their disease is Warm disease. One should regulate the Shao Yang Guest Qi: tonify with Salty, drain with Sweet, soften with Salty. Use White grains for the year, Beans for intercalary grains, thus avoiding harm from Fire evil.

Final Qi: From Zi Zheng on Xiao Xue day to Xu Zheng on Da Han day, totaling over 60 days. The Main Position is Shao Yu Water, the Guest Qi is Yang Ming Metal, and the central view is Metal Movement. The qi and movement match, interacting with Water to form a Ping Qi (Balanced Qi). It is also the Si Qi of the year, so the Dryness command operates. Residual fire is internally blocked. People suffer from swelling above, cough and asthma, severe cases involve blood effusion. When Cold qi rises frequently, mist and haze occur. Disease arises in the skin and pores, settles internally in the hypochondrium, connects downward to the lower abdomen causing Cold in the Middle. One should treat the Yang Ming Guest Qi: tonify with Sour, drain with Pungent, drain with Bitter. Use White grains for the year, Foxtail Millet for intercalary grains, thus avoiding harm from Dryness evil. Regarding this qi, the governing qi uses Cool; do not violate the use of Cool. This is called Supreme Treatment.