Library

Figure of the Yunqi (Luck and Qi) for the Guiyou Year

Yangming Dryness-Jin governs the Heaven (Si Tian), Shaoyin Ministerial-Fire governs the Earth (Zai Quan), and the central movement is Shaozheng Fire Yun. The year's Fire is insufficient; its qi transformation and operation lag behind the heavenly timing, which is termed the "Fu Ming Zhi Ji" (Era of Hidden Brightness). The text states "Shang above is the same as Zheng Shang," indicating that the heavenly qi is peaceful. *Liu Yuan Zheng Ji* states: "Shaozheng added below to Shaoyin, insufficient but added to form a Tong Sui Hui," indicating that the annual Yun is peaceful. In all cases identical to the Zheng Sui (Standard Year), the qi transformation and Yun operation follow the heaven; seeing the heavenly qi peaceful above and the Yun fire peaceful below, with the fire qi in balance, it is named the "Sheng Ming Zhi Ji" (Era of Ascending Brightness). Its characteristic is correct Yang governing, its virtue spreads universally, the five transformations are balanced. Its qi is high, its nature is rapid, its function is like burning and scorching, its transformation is luxuriant, its administration is bright and shining, its climate is hot and summer heat prevails, its category is Fire, its correspondence is Summer, its grains are Wheat, its fruits are Apricots, its solid parts have networks (referring to melons/fruits), its animals are Feathered creatures, its domestic animals are Horses, its color is Red, its taste is Bitter, its material form is Pulse/Vessels, its note is Zhi, its number is Seven. In humans, its zang organ is the Heart, it governs the Tongue, it nourishes Blood, and its disease manifests as spasms and convulsions (Chi Song). This is what the annual Yun governs.

The qi of Heaven and Earth: Above sees Yangming, the left interstitial qi is Taiyang, and the right interstitial qi is Shaoyang; thus the heavenly qi is urgent and its administration is severe. Below sees Shaoyin, the left interstitial qi is Taiyin, and the right interstitial qi is Jueyin; thus the earthly qi is bright and its decree is violent. Yang monopolizes the command, summer heat prevails, things become dry and hard, pure wind is governed, wind and dryness move horizontally, flowing into the intersection of qi. There is much Yang and little Yin, clouds gather at the rain mansion, dampness transformation is spread, extreme dryness produces moisture. Its grains are White and Dan-colored, the inter-grains are named Tai. Its depletion affects white-shelled and feathered creatures. Metal and Fire combine their virtues, corresponding above to Venus (Tai Bai) and Mars (Ying Huo). Clearing and cooling qi holds at the intersection of qi. People suffer from cough, throat obstruction, sudden onset of cold and fever, tremors, and stranguria or urinary retention. Clear qi arrives first and is forceful, causing Feathered creatures to die; Heat arrives later and violently, causing Shelled creatures to suffer disaster. The transformation of the annual Yun is Heat, and Cold Rain victory and reversal are the same, which is called the days of pathogenic qi transformation. Dryness transformation accounts for four days, Heat transformation accounts for two days, which are called the days of standard transformation.

Before the middle of the year, the heavenly qi is governed by Yangming. Yangming transforms through its central qi (balance of dryness and dampness); at this time, dryness and dampness are equal, and Yangming achieves harmony. After the middle of the year, the earthly qi is governed by Shaoyin. Shaoyin has the transformation of its root and mark; at this time, cold and heat are balanced, and the qi of Shaoyin is harmonious. The year's Fire is appropriately peaceful, not requiring assistance from the source of transformation, only needing to maintain the Yun and prevent evil invasion. For this year, it is suitable to use Bitter-Cold to regulate the upper, Saline-Cold to regulate the lower, and Saline-Warm to regulate the middle. Eat White/Dan-colored grains to stabilize the qi, and eat inter-qi grains to dispel evil. Since the Yun corresponds to Hot Qi, one should rely more on Heavenly Transformation; this is the constant method of treatment.

First Qi period: From Si Chu (early Si hour) of Da Han (Major Cold) day in the Ren Shen year to Mao Chu (early Mao hour) of Chun Fen (Spring Equinox) day in this year. Total 60 days and 87.5 ke. The Main Position is Taijiao Wood, the Guest Qi is Taiyin Earth, and the central Yun is Fire. Wind, Dampness, and Heat three qi jointly obey the administration of Yangming while executing Spring commands. Earthly qi migrates, Yin begins to condense, qi becomes solemn, water freezes, cold rain transforms. Diseases include mid-jiao heat distension, facial and ocular edema, excessive sleepiness, nasal congestion, sneezing, yawning, vomiting, yellow-red urine, and in severe cases, stranguria. One should treat the Guest Qi of Taiyin, using Sweet to tonify, Bitter to drain, and Sweet to relax. Annual grains should be White, inter-grains should be Hemp, to avoid harm from Dampness evil.

Second Qi period: From Mao Zheng (standard Mao hour) of Chun Fen to Chou Zheng (standard Chou hour) of Xiao Man (Grain Buds). Total over 60 days. The Main Position is Shaozheng Fire, the Guest Qi is Shaoyang Fire, and the central Yun is Fire. Three Fires correspond, executing the transformation of soothing and flourishing. Yang distributes, people feel comfortable, things grow and flourish. Epidemic qi arrives greatly, and people may die suddenly. However, since the year's Fire qi is peaceful, even if epidemic qi arrives, people are unharmed. One should treat the Guest Qi of Shaoyang, using Saline to tonify, Sweet to drain, and Saline to soften. Annual grains should be White, inter-grains should be Beans, to avoid harm from Fire evil. In this qi, the governing qi is Heat; do not use Hot remedies offensively.

Third Qi period: From Yin Chu (early Yin hour) of Xiao Man to Zi Chu (early Zi hour) of Da Shu (Great Heat). Total over 60 days. The Main Position is Shaozheng Fire, the Guest Qi is Yangming Metal, and the central Yun is Fire. Metal resides in the Fire position, heavenly administration spreads, coolness flows, dryness and heat intersect, extreme dryness produces moisture. People suffer from cold and fever. One should treat the Guest Qi of Yangming, using Sour to tonify, Pungent to drain, and Bitter to泄 (drain/ventilate). Annual grains should be White, inter-grains should be Millet (Shu), to avoid harm from Dryness evil.

Fourth Qi period: From Zi Zheng (standard Zi hour) of Da Shu to Xu Zheng (standard Xu hour) of Qiu Fen (Autumn Equinox). Total over 60 days. The Main Position is Taigong Earth, the Guest Qi is Taiyang Water, and the central Yun is Fire. Cold and Dampness qi, under the command of Shaoyin. Cold rain descends. Diseases include sudden collapse, tremors, delirium, shortness of breath, dry throat with desire to drink, heart pain, carbuncles, sores, ulcers, malaria with chills, bone atrophy, and bloody stools. One should treat the Guest Qi of Taiyang, using Bitter to tonify, Saline to drain, Bitter to firm, and Pungent to moisten. Annual grains should be Dan-colored, inter-grains should be Setaria (Ji), to avoid harm from Cold evil.

Fifth Qi period: From Hai Chu (early Hai hour) of Qiu Fen to You Chu (early You hour) of Xiao Xue (Minor Snow). Total over 60 days. The Main Position is Shaoshang Metal, the Guest Qi is Jueyin Wood, and the central Yun is Fire. Spring commands reverse, grass and trees flourish, people's qi is harmonious. One should regulate the Guest Qi of Jueyin, using Pungent to tonify, Sour to drain, and Sweet to relax. Annual grains should be Dan-colored, inter-grains should be Rice, naturally avoiding harm from Wind evil.

Final Qi period: From You Zheng (standard You hour) of Xiao Xue to Wei Zheng (standard Wei hour) of Da Han. Total over 60 days. The Main Position is Taiyu Water, the Guest Qi is Shaoyin Fire, and the central Yun is Fire. Shaozheng adds to Shaoyin, Fire qi matches and executes commands. Yang qi distributes, the climate reverses to warmth, hibernating insects appear, flowing water does not freeze, people are healthy and peaceful. Their disease is Warmth. One should treat the Guest Qi of Shaoyin, using Saline to tonify, Sweet to drain, and Sour to astringe. Annual grains should be Dan-colored, inter-grains should be Beans, to avoid harm from Heat evil.

In this year, the Qi and Yun are appropriately peaceful. If there is evil qi, it follows the Middle Command. Those following the Middle Command have diseases that are slow and persistent.