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[Diagram of the Yiwu Year's Climate and Pathogenesis]

Taiyin Damp-Earth governs the Heaven (Si Tian), Taiyang Cold-Water governs the Earth (Zai Quan), and the Central Movement is Shaoshang Metal. Since the Metal movement of the year is insufficient, the Qi transformation operates later than the celestial timing. Dampness transforms above (governing Heaven), and Cold transforms below (governing Earth). The Jue Wood Qi remains quiet, benefiting from the interaction of Cold Water and Wet Earth; this is the pattern of Qi transformation. The people's physiological state follows this. Diseases include abdominal fullness due to Cold-Damp, body swelling and痞 (obstruction), Qi rebellion, Cold Jue (reversal cold), and limb stiffness and cramping.

Earth represents the Heavenly Qi (Si Tian), and Water represents the Earthly Qi (Zai Quan). When Earth overcomes Water, the Heavenly Qi becomes excessive while the Earthly Qi becomes deficient. In such cases, one should regulate the source of Water (Kidney) to balance the excessive Earth. Metal movement resides in the center. The Heavenly Qi generates the Central Qi. The three Qi factors harmonize, leading to smooth transformation and minimal pathogenic influence. One must supplement the annual Qi to prevent pathogenic excess. Consuming black-colored grains preserves essence. For this year, bitter flavors should be used to dry dampness and warm the interior. For severe cases, diaphoretic or purgative methods may be employed. If neither sweating nor purging is applied, dampness will overflow externally, causing muscle edema and intermingling of water and blood. It is necessary to support Yang Fire to resist extreme cold. Since the annual movement shares the nature of cold, heat transformations are suitable. Upper treatments should use bitter-hot substances, middle treatments sour-harmonizing substances, and lower treatments food and medicine should align with these principles.

The first half of the year is governed by Taiyin Damp-Earth. If Dampness prevails excessively, heavy Yin Qi spreads, rain falls excessively causing vegetation to wither. People suffer from edema, bone pain, and Yin Bi (bi-syndrome of the Yin meridians). Yin Bi manifests as a sensation of the heart hanging empty and painful.

The second half of the year is governed by Taiyang Cold-Water. If Cold prevails internally, the climate becomes congealed, solemn, and chilling. People suffer from pain in the lower abdomen radiating to the testicles and lumbar spine, upward rushing heart pain, sore throat, swelling, and bleeding. The treatment method involves sweet-hot herbs as the main agents, assisted by bitter-acrid ones, using salty flavors to drain, acrid flavors to moisten, and bitter flavors to firm.

The annual movement is Metal deficiency, characterized by "Cong Ge" (following change), termed "Zhe Shou" (premature harvest/restriction delayed). The Restricting Qi is delayed, allowing the Generating Qi to rise. The virtue of Long Summer harmonization is manifested, and Fire administration is appropriate, leading to abundant growth. The Qi is expansive, its function restless and urgent. Its movements manifest as resonant sounds, dizziness, and Jue. Its diseases include cough and asthma. Its transformation combines with the element it cannot overcome (Fire overcomes Metal, so Fire characteristics appear). Symptoms include sneezing, coughing, nasal congestion, and epistaxis. Observing climatic signs: if summer has bright light and stifling heat, winter will have strict cold and order; if summer has scorching fire changes, autumn will have retaliatory hail, frost, and snow. The disaster occurs in the West, corresponding to the Lung organ. Internally, disease stays in the chest, hypochondrium, shoulders, and back; externally, it affects the skin and hair. This describes the consequences of insufficient Metal Qi: shoulder/back swelling, nasal symptoms, bloody stools, and diarrhea. The Restricting Qi is delayed, and the Rebounding Qi brings sudden cold rain, hail, and frost that kill vegetation. Yin Jue blocks Yang, causing Yang to reverse upward to the head, resulting in pain at Naohu (DU17) extending to the fontanelle, fever, mouth ulcers, and in severe cases, heart pain.

First Qi Period (from Hai hour of Da Han day in Jiawu year to You hour of Chun Fen day in the current year, 60 days and 87.5 ke): The Principal Position is Taijiao Wood. [Text fragmentary]. The Xin Metal Qi divides... thereby overcoming the Metal movement. The Great Fire is in command, objects undergo transformation, and people are peaceful. However, warm epidemics prevail widely. Dampness and heat contend, and rain falls on time. It is appropriate to regulate the Guest Qi of Shaoyin, tonifying with salty, draining with sweet, and astringing with sour. Annual grain should be black; intermittent grain should be beans. Although there is heat transformation, it does not become pathogenic.

Third Qi Period (from Shen hour of Xiao Man day to Wu hour of Da Shu day, over 60 days): The Principal Position is Shaozheng Fire. The Guest Qi is Taiyin Earth. The central movement is Metal. Fire generates Earth. Heavenly administration spreads, dampness descends, Earthly Qi rises, rain falls on time, and cold follows. Contracting Cold-Damp leads to heavy body, edema, and chest/abdominal fullness. Treat the Guest Qi of Taiyin by tonifying with sweet, draining with bitter, and relaxing with sweet. Annual grain should be black; intermittent grain should be hemp seeds. Although dampness exists, it causes no harm.

Fourth Qi Period (from Wu zheng of Da Shu day to Chen zheng of Qiu Fen day, over 60 days): The Principal Position is Taigong Earth. The Guest Qi is Shaoyang Fire. The central movement is Metal. Fire overcomes Metal. With the arrival of Fearful Fire (Fire controlling Metal), humid heat evaporates, Earthly Qi rises, and Heavenly Qi is blocked. Cold wind in the morning and evening contends with steaming heat, causing grass and trees to condense smoke. Dampness does not flow, so white dew spreads yin, establishing the Autumn command. People suffer from hot pores, sudden blood extravasation, malaria, abdominal fullness, fever, and general distension. Severe cases involve swelling. Treat the Guest Qi of Shaoyang by tonifying with salty, draining with sweet, and [text missing, likely softening/astringing]. Annual grain should be black; intermittent grain should be beans. Although Fire pathogen exists, it causes no harm.

Fifth Qi Period (from Si chu of Qiu Fen day to Mao chu of Xiao Xue day, over 60 days): The Principal Position is Shaoshang Metal. The Guest Qi is Yangming Metal. The central movement is Metal. Qi and movement are identical, occupying their proper positions. The severe command is executed, cold dew descends, frost falls early, grass and trees yellow and fall. Cold Qi reaches the body; gentlemen should be careful. People suffer from skin and pore disorders. Regulate the Guest Qi of Yangming by tonifying with sour, draining with acrid, and draining with bitter. Annual grain should be black; intermittent grain should be millet (Shu). Although dryness transforms, it does not become pathogenic. During this period, the governing Qi is cool; do not violate the coolness of the governing Qi when using cool medicines.

Final Qi Period (from Mao zheng of Xiao Xue day to Chou zheng of Da Han day, over 60 days): The Principal Position is Taiyu Water. The Guest Qi is Taiyang Water. The central movement is Metal. Metal generates Water. Cold expands greatly, dampness transforms greatly, frost accumulates, Yin congeals, water freezes hard, and sunlight fails. Contracting Cold leads to stiff joints and lower back pain. Cold-Damp persists in the Qi intersection causing disease. Regulate the Guest Qi of Taiyang by tonifying with bitter, draining with salty, firming with bitter, and moistening with acrid. Annual grain should be black; intermittent grain should be Setaria italica (Ji). Although cold transforms, it does not become pathogenic.

At the transition of annual Qi, if Dampness prevails, Jueyin Wind Liver rebounds; if Cold prevails, Taiyin Damp Spleen rebounds. Observe the arrival of Qi and apply treatment accordingly. Dry the damp, warm the cold, clear the warm. Thus, the Qi returns to peace. This is the general principle of treatment.