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Figure of the Jia-Chen Year

Taiyang Cold Water governs from above (Si Tian), Taiyin Damp Earth resides below (Zai Quan), and the central movement is Taigong Earth Movement. The year's Earth is excessive, with its qi transformation operating prior to the natural timing (Xian Tian). Taigong Earth Movement adds onto Taiyin Damp Earth; due to excess adding to same qi, it is called "Tong Tian Fu" (Same Heaven Symbol). Furthermore, Earth Movement arrives at the Chen position, which is called "Sui Hui" (Year Meeting), indicating a balanced qi state.

A year of balanced Earth is named "Bei Hua Zhi Ji" (The Era of Complete Transformation). Its qi harmonizes with heavenly blessings, its virtue flows through the four directions, and the five transformations are uniformly cultivated. Its qi is balanced, its nature is compliant, its function involves high and low movements, its transformation is abundant and full. Its governance is quiet, its climate is humid and steaming, its command is dampness, its category is Earth, its correspondence is late summer, its grains are Setaria italica (Ji), its fruits are dates, its meats are beef, its insects are naked ones (Luo), its animals have thick skin, its color is yellow, its taste is sweet, its note is Gong, and its number is five. In humans, its zang organ is the Spleen, its orifice is the mouth, it nourishes muscles, and its disease is obstruction (Pi). This is what the annual movement governs.

Heavenly and earthly qi: Cold transformation is above, left is dynamic transformation, right is clear transformation; thus, the qi distributed by heavenly governance is solemn. Cold transformation is below, left is bright transformation, right is scorching transformation; thus, earthly qi is tranquil and its command is slow. Water and Earth combine their virtues, corresponding above to Mercury (Chen Xing) and Saturn (Zhen Xing). Cold descends upon the Great Void, its governance is extensive, Yang qi does not take command, marshes lack yang flames, so Fire outbreaks await their time. Shaoyang (Ministerial Fire) governs in the middle, seasonal rains cease, after rain disperses, it returns to Taiyin, clouds gather at the North Pole, damp transformation is then spread, moistening all things. Cold spreads above, thunder moves below, cold-damp qi holds at the qi intersection. People suffer from cold-damp diseases manifesting as muscle atrophy, flaccidity and inability to retract the legs, loose stools, and hemorrhage.

Before the middle of the year, Taiyang governs. Taiyang has root and branch transformations; if cold governance is extensive and heat qi responds accordingly, heavenly qi achieves balance. After the middle of the year, Taiyin governs. Taiyin's transformation follows its root; if rain and dampness are severe, it is the response of earthly qi. Cold transformation is six, damp transformation is five; these are the days of correct transformation. Naked creatures breed, scaled creatures remain still; this is suitable for the year's produce. Scaled creatures do not thrive, dryness toxins do not arise; this is constrained by earthly qi.

In a balanced Earth year, originally there is no need to rely on the source of transformation (as Earth is self-sufficient), but because the movement and earthly qi both arrive at Xu, there are three Earths in the year, making heavenly command very deficient. It is appropriate to first aid the source of transformation to assist Water, that is, suppress its moving qi and support what it cannot overcome (Water), preventing excessive violence from causing disease. Eat black grains (Xuan Gu) to preserve true qi, avoid the deficiency evil of the year to stabilize righteous qi. Use bitter-hot herbs to regulate the upper, bitter-warm herbs to regulate the lower. Since Earth movement is in the middle, also use bitter-warm to regulate it. As the movement shares cold-damp, transformation should utilize drying and heating methods; this is the constant method of treatment.

First Qi period: From Yin Chu of Da Han day in Gui-Mao year to Zi Chu of Chun Fen day in this year, totaling 60 days and 87.5 ke. Main position is Tai Jue Wood, guest position is Shaoyang Fire, central movement is Earth. Shaoyang governs in the middle, executing spring commands. Earthly qi shifts, qi becomes greatly warm, grass and trees bloom early, people suffer epidemics, warm diseases arise, presenting with fever, headache, vomiting, and skin ulcers. Treat the Shaoyang guest with salty flavor to tonify, sweet flavor to drain, and salty flavor to firm (Note: Text implies specific action, likely 'firm' or 'astringe'). Year grain should be black, inter-grain should be beans, so fire does not become evil.

Second Qi period: From Zi Zheng of Chun Fen day to Xu Zheng of Xiao Man day, totaling over 60 days. Main position is Shao Zheng Fire, guest position is Yangming Metal, central movement is Earth. Metal and Earth harmonize, great coolness returns, people feel miserable, grass meets cold, fire qi is suppressed. People suffer from qi stagnation and abdominal fullness, cold begins. Treat the Yangming guest with sour flavor to tonify, pungent flavor to drain, and bitter flavor to drain. Year grain should be black, inter-grain should be millet (Shu), so dryness does not become evil.

Third Qi period: From Hai Chu of Xiao Man day to You Chu of Da Shu day, totaling over 60 days. Main position is Shao Zheng Fire, guest position is Taiyang Water, central movement is Earth. Heavenly governance spreads, cold qi moves, rain descends. People suffer from cold turning into interior heat, carbuncles, dysentery, heart heat and dizziness. If untreated, death ensues. Treat the Taiyang guest with bitter flavor to tonify, salty flavor to drain, bitter flavor to firm, and pungent flavor to moisten. Year grain should be black, inter-grain should be Setaria italica (Ji), so cold does not become evil.

Fourth Qi period: From You Zheng of Da Shu day to Wei Zheng of Qiu Fen day, totaling over 60 days. Main position is Tai Gong Earth, guest position is Jueyin Wood, central movement is Earth. Year Earth is in position, wind qi occupies it. Wind and damp compete, wind transforms into rain. Things grow, transform, and mature. People suffer from great heat and shortness of breath, muscle atrophy, leg flaccidity, and bloody dysentery. Treat the Jueyin guest with pungent flavor to tonify, sour flavor to drain, and sweet flavor to relax. Year grain should be [Missing], inter-grain should be rice, so wind does not become evil.

Fifth Qi period: From Shen Chu of Qiu Fen day to Wu Chu of Xiao Xue day, totaling over 60 days. Main position is Shao Shang Metal, guest position is Shaoyin Fire, central movement is Earth. Fire generates Earth, Earth generates Metal, qi positions harmonize, yang recovers and transforms, grass and trees grow, transform, and mature, people feel comfortable. Regulate the Shaoyin guest with salty flavor to tonify, sweet flavor to drain, and sour flavor to astringe. Year grain should be [Missing], inter-grain should be beans, so heat does not become evil.

Final Qi period: From Wu Zheng of Xiao Xue day to Chen Zheng of Da Han day, totaling over 60 days. Main position is Tai Yu Water, guest position is Taiyin Earth, central movement is Earth. Qi matches movement, earthly qi is correct, damp command operates. Yin condenses in the Great Void, dust dims the suburbs, people feel miserable, cold wind arrives. Those who reverse will die during pregnancy. Treat the Taiyin guest with sweet flavor to tonify, bitter flavor to drain, and sweet flavor to relax. Year grain should be [Missing], inter-grain should be hemp, so damp does not become evil. This qi should not be offended by cooling Si Qi because it is cool in nature.

Although the year's qi is balanced, if evil qi enters, it strikes the Law Enforcer (Si Tian/Zai Quan). The Classics say: One who strikes the Law Enforcer suffers rapid and critical illness.