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Figure of the Year Gengshen

Shaoyang Xianghuo (Ministerial Fire) governs the Si Tian (Heavenly Qi), Jueyin Fengmu (Wind-Wood) governs the Zai Quan (Earthly Qi), and the Central Yun is Taishang Metal Yun. The Metal Yun of the year is excessive, and its Qi transformation operates ahead of time. Above, Shaoyang is seen; to the left is Yangming, and to the right is Taiyin. Therefore, the Heavenly Qi is upright and its administration is strict. Below, Jueyin is seen; to the left is Shaoyin, and to the right is Taiyang. Therefore, the Earthly Qi is disturbed and its orders are flexible. Wind rises suddenly, trees bend, and sand flies. Flame fire flows, Yin moves within Yang and transforms, and rain falls at the proper time. Wind and heat are distributed together, clouds and phenomena boil. Taiyin flows horizontally, cold arrives at its time, and cool rain arises together. Fire and Wood share virtue, corresponding above to Huoxing (Mars/Yinghuo) and Suxing (Jupiter/Suixing). The grains are red and green. The number for Fire transformation is seven, for Clear transformation is nine, and for Wind transformation is three. This is the degree of correct transformation. Feathered creatures are quiet, hairy creatures breed. This is called the suitability of yearly matters. Testaceous creatures consume, and clear toxins do not arise. All these are restricted by Earthly Qi. The people suffer from Cold Zhong disease, external eruptions of sores and ulcers, and internal diarrhea and fullness. The sage, encountering this, adopts harmony without contention. When the recurring Qi acts, the people suffer from cold-heat malaria, diarrhea, deafness, dizziness, vomiting, upper obstruction with swelling and color changes. In this year, Yang represents Heavenly Qi, Yin represents Earthly Qi, and Metal Yun is in the middle. Heavenly Qi punishes the Yun, and the Yun punishes Earthly Qi. Heavenly Qi is full, Earthly Qi is empty. One should first select the source of transformation before the year begins to level the Fire Qi, preventing the Yun from stagnating, while also suppressing the excessive Metal Yun, assisting the unconquered element (Water), preventing Wood from stagnating, and breaking the stagnant Qi. Then violent excesses will not occur, and harsh diseases will not arise. The year's Yun suits Salty, Pungent, and Sour flavors. Use methods of draining, purging, soaking, and inducing sweating. The Yun differs from the usual wind-heat; use Cold transformations sparingly. The transformation above suits Salty-Cold, in the middle suits Pungent-Warm, and below suits Pungent-Cool. This is the suitability of medicines and foods. Observe the Qi: before the middle of the year, the master is Shaoyang. If Fire Yin prevails, then Warm Qi circulates, Metal administration is uneven, and the people suffer from headache, fever, aversion to cold resembling malaria, heat rising causing skin pain, yellow-red complexion, transmission into edema, body and facial swelling, abdominal fullness, supine breathing, bloody-white dysentery, sores, coughing up blood, vexation, and heat in the chest. Severe cases include nasal congestion and epistaxis. The root of the disease is in the Lung. Diagnose via the pulse at Tianfu (LU16). The method should be to level with Salty-Cold, assist with Bitter-Sweet, astringe with Sour, disperse with Bitter, and restore with Sour. After the middle of the year, the master is Jueyin. If Wind Yin prevails internally, then Earthly Qi is unclear, plains are dim. Grass blooms early. The people suffer from shivering chills, frequent stretching and yawning, heart pain, limb fullness, tightness in the two hypochondria, inability to swallow food, obstruction in the diaphragm and throat, vomiting after eating, abdominal distension with belching. After defecation or passing gas, they feel relieved as if recovering, but the body feels heavy. The method should be to treat with Pungent-Cool, assist with Bitter, relax with Sweet, and disperse with Pungent. The Metal Yun of the year is excessive, recorded as Jiancheng (Firm Completion), which is called Shouyin (Gathering and Pulling). Heavenly Qi is clean, Earthly Qi is bright, Yang Qi follows, Yin governs transformation. Dry Qi exercises its administration, objects are completed by it. Gathering Qi spreads profusely, transformation does not conclude. Its completion is formed, its Qi is weakened, its administration is solemn, its order is sharp and cutting. Its movement is violent fracture and ulceration/infectious disease. Its virtue is mist and dew desolation. Its change is solemn killing and withering. Its transformation combines with what it conquers. Its disease is wheezing and panting, chest reliance on supine breathing. Upper Zheng is the same as Zheng Shang. Its generation is uniform, its disease is cough. Thus it is said that when Metal Yun is excessive, Dry Qi circulates, Liver Wood suffers evil. The people suffer from pain in the lower hypochondria and abdomen, red painful eyes and ulcers, hearing loss, severe wheezing and coughing with reverse Qi, shoulder and back pain, extending down to the thighs, knees, calves, and feet all suffering. Treatment should use Pungent-Warm to regulate the Yun.

First Qi: From Yinchu of Da Han day in Jiwei year to Zichu of Chunfen day in this year, totaling 60 days and 87.5 ke. Main position is Shaojiao Wood, Guest Qi is Shaoyin Fire, governed by Metal Yun. Fire can conquer Metal. Earthly Qi shifts, Wind wins and shakes, Cold departs, climate becomes very warm, grass and trees bloom early. Cold comes but does not kill, Warm diseases arise. Disease Qi obstructs above, blood overflows, eyes red, coughing and reverse Qi, headache, blood injury, hypochondriac fullness, sores in skin and pores. Treat the Guest of Shaoyin: tonify with Salty, drain with Sweet, astringe with Sour. Year grain should be red, inter-grain should be beans.

Second Qi: From Zhengzi of Chunfen day to Xu zheng of Xiaoman day, totaling 60+ days. Main position is Taizheng Fire, Guest Qi is Taiyin Earth, governed by Metal Yun. Fire generates Earth, Earth flourishes and stifles Fire. White haze rises everywhere, clouds move to rain stores. Wind cannot overcome dampness, rain falls. People are healthy. Disease: Heat stagnates above, coughing and vomiting, sores erupt in the middle, chest and throat unfavorable, headache, body heat, confusion, pus and sores. Treat the Guest of Taiyin: tonify with Sweet, drain with Bitter, relax with Sweet. Year grain should be red, inter-grain should be hemp seeds.

Third Qi: From Haichu of Xiaoman day to You chu of Dashu day, totaling 60+ days. Main position is Taizheng Fire, Guest Qi is Shaoyang Fire, governed by Metal Yun. Fire occupies its position. Heavenly administration spreads, hot summer arrives, Shaoyang descends from above, rain stops. People suffer from Heat Zhong, deafness, dizziness, blood overflow, pus sores, cough, vomiting, nasal congestion, epistaxis, thirst, sneezing, yawning, throat bi, red eyes, prone to sudden death. Treat the Guest of Shaoyang: tonify with Salty, drain with Sweet, [text missing] with Salty. Year grain should be red, inter-grain should be beans.

Fourth Qi: From You zheng of Dashu day to Wei zheng of Qiufen day, totaling 60+ days. Main position is Shaogong Earth, Guest Qi is Yangming Metal, governed by Metal Yun. Qi and Yun are the same, this is called Si Qi. Cool air arrives, hot summer alternates, white dew falls. People's Qi is peaceful. Disease: heaviness of the whole body. Treat the Guest of Yangming: tonify with Sour, drain with Pungent, drain with Bitter. Year grain should be green, inter-grain should be millet. In this Qi, Si Qi is Cool. Suitability of medicine and food: use Cool without violating it.

Fifth Qi: From Shenchu of Qiufen day to Wuchu of Xiaoxue day, totaling 60+ days. Main position is Taishang Metal, Guest Qi is Taiyang Water, Metal obtains its position, generates with Water. Yang departs, Cold arrives, rain falls, pore gates close. Hard wood withers early. People avoid Cold evil, gentlemen are careful. Treat the Guest of Taiyang: tonify with Bitter, drain with Salty, firm with Bitter, moisten with Pungent. Year grain should be green, inter-grain should be broomcorn millet.

Final Qi: From Wuzheng of Xiaoxue day to Chenzheng of Dahan day, totaling 60+ days. Main position is Shaoyu Water, Guest Qi is Jueyin Wood, governed by Metal Yun. Metal originally punishes Wood, Water reverses to generate it. Earthly Qi is upright, Wind arrives, all things regenerate, mist moves. Disease: closure without control, heart pain, Yang Qi does not store leading to cough. Treat the Guest of Jueyin: tonify with Pungent, drain with Sour, relax with Sweet. Year grain should be green, inter-grain should be rice.

At the transition of yearly Qi, Great Qi Fire prevails, meaning Taiyang returns (Lai Fu); Earthly Qi Wood prevails, meaning Yangming returns. Observe the arrival of Qi, treat according to the method of Sheng-Fu (Victory and Repayment). Cold is treated with Heat, Clear is treated with Warm. Do not aid the victory, do not assist the repayment. This is called Supreme Governance.