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Figure of the Xinchui Year

Taiyin Wet Earth governs the Si Tian (Heavenly Qi), Taiyang Cold Water governs the Zai Quan (Earthly Qi), and the central Yun (Movement) is Shaoyu (Water movement with deficiency). The annual Water is insufficient, so the Qi transformation operates behind schedule. This is the "Jiuli Zhi Ji" (Era of Dried-up Streams).

In this year, the Upper Gong (excessive Earth movement) is the same as the Zheng Gong (balanced Earth movement), indicating that the Heavenly Qi is peaceful. Additionally, Shaoyu (deficient Water) is added to Taiyang at the bottom, which constitutes a "Tong Sui Hui" (Same Year Meeting where deficient Yun matches the Earthly Branch element). Whenever there is a Sui Hui, it facilitates the execution of orders; thus, this Yun transformation is also peaceful.

For all years similar to the correct year, the Qi transformation operates in sync with Heaven. Since the annual Yun is peaceful, it is named the "Jingshun Zhi Ji" (Era of Quiet Obedience). Its characteristics are: storing without harming, governing while favoring downward flow, the five transformations are all orderly, its Qi is bright, its nature is downward, its function is moist and expansive, its transformation is condensed and firm, its administration flows and evolves, its climate is condensed and solemn, its command is cold, its category is Water, its correspondence is Winter, its grains are beans, its fruits are chestnuts, its solids are moist, its animals are scaled creatures, its livestock are pigs, its color is black, its taste is salty, its musical note is Yu, and its number is six.

In humans, its organ is the Kidney, it governs the two Yin orifices, it nourishes the bone marrow, and its disease manifests as Jue (cold extremities/reversal). This is the transformation of the annual Yun.

Regarding the Qi of Heaven and Earth: Wetness transforms above, Ming (brightness/fire aspect) is on the left, Zhuo (scorching/heat aspect) is on the right, so Earthly Qi ascends and its administration is solemn; Xian (salinity/water aspect) is below, Dong (movement/wind aspect) is on the left, Qing (clear/metal aspect) is on the right, so Heavenly Qi descends and its command is silent. Yin exclusively holds power, Yang retreats, strong winds arise frequently, the plains become dim, white dust rises everywhere, clouds rush to the South Pole, cold rains arrive often, and objects mature in the difference between summer and autumn. Wetness and Cold combine their virtue, yellow and black dust darken the air, circulating in the intersection of Qi. Above, they correspond to Zhenxing (Saturn) and Chenxing (Mercury). Their grains are Xuan (black). Thus, Yin condenses above, Cold accumulates below. When Cold Water overcomes Fire, hail occurs; when sunlight fails to function, killing Qi prevails. People suffer from abdominal fullness due to cold-dampness, heaviness of the body, edema,痞 (stuffiness) and reversal, cold Jue, and spasmodic stiffness. Therefore, for excess conditions, one should dwell in high places; for deficiency conditions, in low places; for excess, sow late; for deficiency, sow early. This is the advantage of Earth and the transformation of Qi. The people's Qi also follows this. Grains of Taizheng (excessive Fire) and Taishang (excessive Metal) are designated as intercalary grains. Since the annual Qi is peaceful, one does not take the source of transformation, but only breaks the stagnant Qi of Water, preventing evil from prevailing. Eat Xuan-colored grains to preserve true Qi, and eat intercalary Qi grains to protect essence. In this year, use Bitter-Hot herbs to regulate the upper part, Bitter-Hot to regulate the lower part, and Bitter to harmonize the middle part, along with drying and warming methods.

Before the midpoint of the year, the Heavenly Qi is governed by Taiyin. Where Taiyin arrives, it manifests as clouds and rain. Its transformation follows its root. During its time, rain and dampness transformations prevail, which is the administration of Taiyin.

After the midpoint of the year, the Earthly Qi is governed by Taiyang. Where Taiyang arrives, it manifests as cold fog. Its transformation follows both its root (Cold) and its branch (Heat). During its time, when Cold Qi arrives and Heat Qi responds, it represents the peace of Earthly Qi.

The First Qi period begins from the beginning of Si hour on the Day of Great Cold in the Gengzi year, until the beginning of Mao hour on the Spring Equinox day of this year, lasting 60 days and 87.5 ke. The Host Position is Shaojiao (Wood deficiency), the Guest Position is Jueyin Wind-Wood, and the central Yun is Water. Wood occupies its position, governed by Water Yun, executing the Spring Command under the administration of Taiyin. Earthly Qi shifts, Cold departs, Spring Qi becomes proper, Wind arrives, life spreads, and all things flourish. People's Qi becomes smooth and comfortable. If Wind and Dampness struggle, Rain will be delayed. People may suffer from blood overflow, tendon network stiffness, joint dysfunction, heavy body, and tendon flaccidity. It is appropriate to treat Jueyin guests with Pungent to tonify, Sour to drain, and Sweet to relax. Use black grains for the annual grain and rice for the intercalary grain, to avoid the harm of guest Wind.

The Second Qi period begins from the exact Mao hour on the Spring Equinox day until the exact Chou hour on the Grain Full day, lasting slightly more than 60 days. The Host Position is Taizheng (Fire excess), the Guest Position is Shaoyin Ministerial-Fire, and the central Yun is Water. Fire occupies its position, supported by Yin Essence. Cold and Hot Qi execute the soothing and flourishing transformation under Taiyin's administration. When Major Fire is correct, objects receive transformation, and people are harmonious. However, if warm epidemics prevail widely, affecting all areas equally, and wet evaporation struggles with rain falling on time, it is appropriate to treat Shaoyin guests with Salty to tonify, Sweet to drain, and Sour to astringe. Use black grains for the annual grain and beans for the intercalary grain, to avoid the harm of guest Heat.

The Third Qi period begins from the beginning of Yin hour on the Grain Full day until the beginning of Zi hour on the Great Heat day, lasting slightly more than 60 days. The Host Position is Taizheng (Fire excess), the Guest Position is Taiyin Wet-Earth, and the central Yun is Water. Heavenly administration spreads, Wetness descends, Earthly Qi ascends, Rain falls on time, and Cold follows. Contracting Cold-Dampness leads to diseases such as heavy body, edema, and chest/abdominal fullness. It is appropriate to treat Taiyin guests with Sweet to tonify, Bitter to drain, and Sweet to relax. Use black grains for the annual grain and sesame for the intercalary grain, to avoid the harm of Dampness evil.

The Fourth Qi period begins from the exact Zi hour on the Great Heat day until the exact Xu hour on the Autumn Equinox day, lasting slightly more than 60 days. The Host Position is Shaogong (Earth deficiency), the Guest Position is Shaoyang Ministerial-Fire, and the central Yun is Water. Fire and Earth are compatible, executing Taiyang's command. Fearing Fire's arrival, humid heat transformation occurs. Earthly Qi ascends, Heavenly Qi is blocked, cold wind blows morning and evening, steaming heat struggles, grass and trees are shrouded in smoke, Wetness does not flow, then White Dew spreads yin to complete the Autumn command. People may suffer from hot pores, sudden blood overflow, malaria, heart/abdominal fullness, hot distension, and severe cases may present with edema. It is appropriate to treat Shaoyang guests with Salty to tonify, Sweet to drain, and Salty to soften hardness. Use Xuan-colored grains for the annual grain and beans for the intercalary grain, to avoid the harm of Heat evil.

The Fifth Qi period begins from the beginning of Hai hour on the Autumn Equinox day until the beginning of You hour on the Light Snow day, lasting slightly more than 60 days. The Host Position is Taishang (Metal excess), the Guest Position is Yangming Dry-Metal, and the central Yun is Water. Metal occupies its position, compatible with Water Yun. The harsh command has been executed, Cold Dew descends, Frost falls early, grass and trees turn yellow and fall, Cold Qi reaches the body. Gentlemen dress warmly, and people may suffer from skin and pore diseases. It is appropriate to treat Yangming guests with Sour to tonify, Pungent to drain, and Bitter to purge. Use Xuan-colored grains for the annual grain and millet for the intercalary grain, to avoid the harm of guest Dryness.

The Final Qi period begins from the exact You hour on the Light Snow day until the exact Wei hour on the Great Cold day, lasting slightly more than 60 days. The Host Position is Shaoyu (Water deficiency), the Guest Position is Taiyang Cold-Water, and the central Yun is Water. Qi and Yun coincide. Cold rises massively, Wetness transforms massively, Frost accumulates, Yin condenses, Water freezes hard, Sunlight fails to function. Contracting Cold leads to patients suffering from joint immobility and waist pain. Cold-Dampness persists in the Qi intersection causing disease. It is appropriate to treat Taiyang guests with Bitter to tonify, Salty to drain, Bitter to firm, and Pungent to moisten. Use Xuan-colored grains for the annual grain and jiji (millet) for the intercalary grain, to avoid the harm of guest Cold.

This year executes the transformation of Balanced Qi, and Sui Hui facilitates orders. There is no excessive Qi or victory/repulsion cycles, only the execution of virtuous transformation and administrative commands. However, Earth is Heavenly Qi, and Water is Earthly Qi. Although Earth and Water are harmonious, the Yun transformation is insufficient. Wet Earth is above, and Earth Qi penalizes it. If there is Dampness evil, its Qi is also slight. As stated in the Neijing: "Those who execute orders in the middle, their diseases are slow and persistent."