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Figure of the Year Wuchen (Earth Dragon)

Pain in the chest, back, and scapular region; pain in the inner aspect of both arms; feverish sensation in the body, bone pain, and spreading sores. The Qi of contraction fails to circulate, while the Qi of growth shines alone. Rainwater and frosty cold prevail. In the sky, Taiyang (Cold-Water) appears. This is named "Shang Yu" (Upper Feather). Therefore, in the era of He Xi (excessive Fire), if it manifests as Shang Yu, it is similar to Zheng Zheng (Standard Fire Excess). The Qi of contraction is uniform, and diseases are related to Fire Stagnation. Heavenly Qi penalizes the annual motion, causing the annual motion to become depressed. Consequently, Fire will erupt when the time is right. Treatment should employ dispersing methods. As stated in the Classics: "When Fire is stagnant, disperse it."

First Qi Period: From the beginning of Yin hour on the day of Great Cold in the Dingmao year to the beginning of Zi hour on the day of Spring Equinox in this year, lasting sixty days and eighty-seven and a half ke. The Principal Position is Shao Jiao (Wood), the Guest Qi is Shaoyang Ministerial Fire, and the Central Motion is Fire. The Annual Siqi is called "Dan Hua" (Red Transformation/Fire). Earthly Qi migrates, leading to significant warmth. Grass and trees bloom early. People suffer from epidemics, and warm diseases arise, presenting with fever, headache, vomiting, skin sores, and ulcers. Treatment should address the Shaoyang Guest Qi: tonify with Salty flavor, drain with Sweet flavor, and soften with Salty flavor. The grain for the year should be Black (Xuan), and the intercalary grain should be Beans. Regarding this Qi, avoid using Hot herbs due to the heat of the Siqi, which exemplifies the principle of "avoiding Heat when using Heat."

Second Qi Period: From the middle of Zi hour on the day of Spring Equinox to the middle of Xu hour on the day of Grain Full, lasting over sixty days. The Principal Position is Tai Zheng (Fire), the Guest Qi is Yangming Dryness-Metal, governed by Fire Motion. Although Fire is in its proper position, the coolness of Yangming combines with the cold water of Heavenly Qi, causing extreme coolness to arrive. People feel desolate. Grass encounters cold, and Fire Qi is suppressed. People suffer from Qi stagnation and abdominal fullness, and Cold begins to manifest. Treatment should address the Yangming Guest Qi: tonify with Sour flavor, drain with Pungent flavor, and drain/descend with Bitter flavor. The grain for the year should be Black (Xuan), and the intercalary grain should be Millet (Shu).

Third Qi Period: From the beginning of Hai hour on the day of Grain Full to the beginning of You hour on the day of Major Heat, lasting over sixty days. The Principal Position is Tai Zheng (Fire), the Guest Qi is Taiyang Cold-Water, and the Central Motion is Fire. Fire is in its proper position. Heavenly governance spreads, Cold Qi moves, and rain descends. People suffer from Cold invading but presenting as Heat in the interior, such as carbuncles, severe diarrhea, heart heat, and dizziness/confusion. If untreated, death ensues. Treatment should address the Taiyang Guest Qi: tonify with Bitter flavor, drain with Salty flavor, firm with Bitter flavor, and moisten with Pungent flavor. The grain for the year should be Black (Xuan), and the intercalary grain should be Foxtail Millet (Ji).

Fourth Qi Period: From the middle of You hour on the day of Major Heat to the middle of Wei hour on the day of Autumn Equinox, lasting over sixty days. The Principal Position is Shao Gong (Earth), the Guest Qi is Jueyin Wind-Wood, and the Central Motion is Fire. Wind and Dampness contend, transforming into rain. Growth, transformation, and completion occur. People suffer from high fever and shortness of breath. Muscle atrophy and foot weakness occur, along with dysentery with red and white discharge. Treatment should address the Jueyin Guest Qi: tonify with Pungent flavor, drain with Sour flavor, and relax/tension with Sweet flavor. The grain for the year should be White, and the intercalary grain should be Rice.

Fifth Qi Period: From the beginning of Shen hour on the day of Autumn Equinox to the beginning of Wu hour on the day of Minor Snow, lasting over sixty days. The Principal Position is Tai Shang (Metal), the Guest Qi is Shaoyin Sovereign Fire, and the Central Motion is Fire. Qi and Motion are identical, but Sovereign Fire does not solely govern Qi transformation, known as "Ju Qi Zhe Zhuo Hua" (Residing Qi causes scorching transformation). At this time, Yang transforms again, grass grows, transforms, and completes. People feel comfortable. Treatment should regulate the Shaoyin Guest Qi: tonify with Salty flavor, drain with Bitter flavor, and astringe with Sour flavor. The grain for the year should be Black, and the intercalary grain should be Beans.

Final Qi Period: From the middle of Wu hour on the day of Minor Snow to the middle of Chen hour on the day of Great Cold, lasting over sixty days. The Principal Position is Shao Yu (Water), the Guest Qi is Taiyin Damp-Earth, and the Central Motion is Fire. Earth resides in the Water position. Earthly Qi is correct, and Dampness commands. Yin condenses in the vast sky, dust obscures the suburbs. People feel miserable, and cold winds arrive. If there is reversal, gestation dies. Treatment should address the Taiyin Guest Qi: tonify with Sweet flavor, drain with Bitter flavor, and relax with Sweet flavor. The grain for the year should be Green/Cyan (Cang), and the intercalary grain should be Hemp.

This is the constant method for treating the Six Qi. If there is an Overcoming Qi (Sheng) in the first half of the year, there must be a Repaying Qi (Fu) in the second half. If Water overcomes, Taiyin must repay; if Earth overcomes, Jueyin must repay. Treatments should follow the laws of their respective overcoming and repaying mechanisms.