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Figure of the Jia Wu Year

Shao Yin Jun Huo (Ministerial Fire) governs the Si Tian (Heavenly Qi), Yang Ming Zao Jin (Dryness Metal) governs the Zai Quan (Earthly Qi), and the central Yun (Movement) is Tai Gong Tu Yun (Excessive Earth Movement). The year's movement of Earth Qi is excessive, so the Qi transformation operates ahead of time. Heat transformation prevails above; the left interstitial Qi is governed by Jue Yin Feng Mu (Wind Wood), and the right interstitial Qi moves to transform Jue Yin wind. Therefore, the Heavenly Government distributes Qi that appears bright. The Xin (Pungent) transformation is below; the left storage Qi is governed by Tai Yang Han Shui (Cold Water), and the right bright transformation is governed by Shao Yang Xiang Huo (Ministerial Fire). Thus, the Earthly Qi is austere, and its command is sharp. Cold and heat contend in the Qi intersection, giving rise to disease. Heat diseases arise from above (Si Tian), cool diseases arise from below (Zai Quan), and cold and heat invade each other and contend in the middle. The people suffer from cough and wheezing, hematemesis, hematochezia, nasal congestion with discharge, sneezing, red eyes, and skin ulcers. If cold jue enters the stomach, it causes heart pain, lower back pain, abdominal distension, dry throat, and edema spreading upward.

In this year, Fire Qi is the Heavenly Qi, and Metal Qi is the Earthly Qi. Fire overcomes Metal, and Heavenly Qi is abundant. It is advisable to regulate the source of transformation before the year begins to pacify the excessive Fire Qi. The central Yun is Earth Qi. Heavenly Qi (Fire) generates the Yun (Earth), and the Yun (Earth) generates the Earthly Qi (Metal). The three Qi interact harmoniously, following the順化 (Shun Hua - smooth transformation) principle, so the pathogenic factors become slight. One must suppress the excessive Earth Yun, nourish the Qi that the yearly Yun overcomes (Wood), and prevent the Earth Qi from becoming excessively violent and causing disease. Eat red and white grains to preserve the True Qi. Eat grains corresponding to the interstitial Qi to ward off empty pathogens. For the yearly Yun, use salty substances to soften and regulate the upper part; if severe, use bitter substances to disperse. Use sour substances to astringe and secure the lower part; if severe, use bitter substances to drain. Adjust according to the similarity or difference of the Qi and their degrees. When the Yun matches the Earthly Qi, use warm and hot transformations. The appropriate medicinal and food properties are: salty and cold for the upper, bitter and hot for the middle, and sour and hot for the lower.

Before the midpoint of the year, Shao Yin Jun Huo (Ministerial Fire) presides. The transformation of Shao Yin is heat. If heat excess prevails, stifling heat arrives suddenly, and Fire conducts its administration. The people suffer from vexation and heat in the chest, dry throat, fullness on the right side, skin pain, alternating chills and fever, cough, and wheezing. When heavy rain approaches, they may experience bloody saliva, bloody stool, nasal congestion, epistaxis, sneezing, vomiting, and changes in urine color. In severe cases, sores, ulcers, and swelling occur, with pain in the shoulders, back, arms, and clavicular fossa, heart pain, lung damage, abdominal distension and bloating with cough and wheezing. The root of the disease lies in the Lung. Diagnosis should focus on the pulse at Chize (LU-5). The treatment method uses salty and cold as the main approach, assisted by bitter and sweet, and employs sour substances to astringe.

After the midpoint of the year, Yang Ming Zao Jin (Dryness Metal) presides. The transformation of Yang Ming is dryness. If dryness excess occurs internally, there is a sensation of coolness and dimness. The people tend to vomit, with bitter-tasting vomitus, frequent sighing, and pain in the heart and hypochondrium preventing them from turning over. In severe cases, the throat becomes dry, the face looks dusty, the body lacks luster, and the outer aspect of the feet feels hot. The treatment uses bitter and warm as the main approach, assisted by sweet and pungent, and employs bitter substances to purge downward.

In the Qi intersection, the Earth Yun presides. This is the record of Dun Fu (Thick and High), called Broad Transformation. Its virtue is profound and tranquil, promoting growth to achieve abundance. The Extreme Yin Qi is solid inside, and all things are fully transformed. Smoke and dust are misty and dense, visible in thick soil. Heavy rains occur frequently, moisture functions, and dry policies are repelled. Its transformation is round, its Qi is abundant, its governance is quiet, and its commands are comprehensive. Its movement involves damp accumulation and merging. Its virtue is soft, moist, and heavy. Its variation is shocking, floating, and sudden. Its transformation combines with what it overcomes. Diseases include abdominal fullness and inability to move the limbs. Thus, when the yearly Yun of Earth is excessive, rain and dampness prevail, and Kidney Water suffers evil. People suffer from abdominal fullness, cold extremities, and unhappiness. Their bodies feel heavy and irritable. In severe cases, muscles atrophy, legs are flaccid and unresponsive, walking is accompanied by spasms, and the soles of the feet hurt. Fluid retention causes middle jiao fullness, appetite decreases, and limbs cannot be moved. If the change occurs in its proper position, Zang Qi is suppressed, and Transformation Qi rules alone. Springs gush, rivers overflow, dried marshes breed fish, great winds and rains arrive, earth collapses, and scaled creatures appear on land. Diseases include abdominal fullness, loose stools, borborygmus, and reverse diarrhea. If the Taixi pulse vanishes, death is inevitable and untreatable.

The First Qi period starts from Shen hour on the day of Da Han (Major Cold) in the Gui Si year until Wu hour on the day of Chun Fen (Spring Equinox) of this year, totaling 60 days and 87.5 ke. The Main Position is Tai Jiao Mu (Great Wood), the Guest Qi is Tai Yang Shui (Great Water), and the central Yun is Earth. The Earthly Qi shifts, dryness departs, and cold begins. Hibernating creatures hide again, water freezes, frost falls again, and wind arrives. Yang Qi is depressed. The people feel uncomfortably enclosed. Joints become stiff, and waist pain occurs. As summer heat approaches, sores and ulcers arise inside and outside. It is appropriate to treat the Guest Qi of Tai Yang using bitter substances to tonify, salty substances to drain, bitter substances to firm, and pungent substances to moisten. Year grains should be red (Dan), interstitial grains should be Ji (Millet). Even if cold pathogens exist, they cannot cause harm.

The Second Qi period starts from Wu Zheng (noon) on Chun Fen until Chen Zheng (morning) on Xiao Man (Grain Buds), totaling over 60 days. The Main Position is Shao Zheng Huo (Lesser Fire), the Guest Qi is Jue Yin Mu (Jue Yin Wood), and the central Yun is Earth. Wood overcomes Earth, Yang Qi spreads, wind circulates, Spring Qi is correct, and all things flourish accordingly. Cold Qi arrives at times, and the people are harmonious. Diseases include strangury, eye closure, and red eyes. Qi stagnates above and generates heat. It is appropriate to treat the Guest Qi of Jue Yin using pungent substances to tonify, sour substances to drain, and sweet substances to relax. Year grains should be red, interstitial grains should be rice. Even if wind pathogens exist, they cannot cause harm.

The Third Qi period starts from Si Chu (early morning) on Xiao Man until Mao Chu (dawn) on Da Shu (Great Heat), totaling over 60 days. The Main Position is Shao Zheng Huo (Lesser Fire), the Guest Qi is Shao Yin Huo (Lesser Fire), and the central Yun is Earth. Two Fires combine, Heavenly Government is established, Great Fire circulates, and all classes of life are lush and fresh. Cold Qi arrives at times. People suffer from Qi jue and heart pain, alternating chills and fever, cough, wheezing, and red eyes. It is appropriate to treat the Guest Qi of Shao Yin using sour substances to tonify, sweet substances to drain, and sour substances to astringe. Year grains should be red, interstitial grains should be beans. Even if heat pathogens exist, they cannot cause harm.

The Fourth Qi period starts from Mao Zheng (dawn) on Da Shu until Chou Zheng (early morning) on Qiu Fen (Autumn Equinox), totaling over 60 days. The Main Position is Tai Gong Tu (Great Earth), the Guest Qi is Tai Yin Tu (Great Earth), and the central Yun is Earth. The Qi and Yun are identical and occupy their proper positions, which is called Si Qi (Sovereign Qi). Humid heat arrives, heavy rains occur frequently, and cold and heat alternate. People suffer from chills and fever, dry throat, jaundice, nasal congestion, epistaxis, and fluid retention. It is appropriate to regulate the Guest Qi of Tai Yin using sweet substances to tonify, bitter substances to drain, and sweet substances to relax. Year grains should be white, interstitial grains should be hemp seeds. Even if damp transformation exists, it cannot become pathogenic. Do not violate the laws of Si Qi during this period.

The Fifth Qi period starts from Yin Chu (early morning) on Qiu Fen until Zi Chu (midnight) on Xiao Xue (Minor Snow), totaling over 60 days. The Main Position is Shang Shang Jin (Lesser Metal), the Guest Qi is Shao Yang Huo (Lesser Fire), and the central Yun is Earth. Feared Fire (Shao Yang) descends, summer heat returns, Yang Qi transforms, and all things grow and flourish. The people are healthy. The disease is warm disease. It is appropriate to treat the Guest Qi of Shao Yang using salty substances to tonify, sweet substances to drain, and salty substances to soften. Year grains should be white, interstitial grains should be beans. Even if fire pathogens exist, they cannot cause harm.

The Final Qi period starts from Zi Zheng (midnight) on Xiao Xue until Xu Zheng (evening) on Da Han (Major Cold), totaling over 60 days. The Main Position is Tai Yu Shui (Great Water), the Guest Qi is Yang Ming Jin (Yang Ming Metal), and the central Yun is Earth. Earth generates Metal, dryness policy executes, residual fire is blocked internally, swelling occurs above, cough and wheezing worsen, and severe cases involve hematemesis. Cold Qi rises frequently, causing foggy obscurity. Disease arises in the skin and hair follicles, resides internally in the hypochondrium, connects downward to the lower abdomen, and causes interior cold. The Earthly Qi is changing. It is appropriate to treat the Guest Qi of Yang Ming using sour substances to tonify, pungent substances to drain, and bitter substances to drain. Year grains should be white, interstitial grains should be broomcorn millet. Even if dryness pathogens exist, they cannot cause harm.

In this year, if Fire wins, Water retaliates; if Metal wins, Fire retaliates. This is the law of Qi victory and retaliation. Slight victories are followed; severe victories are controlled. This is Qi retaliation. Mild cases are balanced; violent cases are depleted. All actions should follow the winning Qi and pacify the subdued Qi, regardless of the number of occurrences, aiming for balance.