Library

[Figure] Jueyin Wind-Wood governs the Heaven (Si Tian), Shaoyang Ministerial Fire governs the Earth (Zai Quan). The middle corresponds to the Shao Zheng (Minor Flame) Fire movement. The year's Fire is insufficient, causing the Qi transformation and operation to lag behind schedule. Fire aligns with Earth's transformation.

Insufficiency: The virtue is Heat, the pulse corresponds to the Heart, and the Earth element relates to the Spleen. When Qi is upright, its command is swift; wind arises from high distances, heat follows it, clouds gather at the Rain House, and Dampness transformation proceeds. Wind and Fire share the same virtue, corresponding above to the Year Star (Jupiter) and Yinghuo (Mars). The suitable grain is Wheat.

Two phases of dominance and retaliation alternate; hibernating insects appear, and flowing water does not freeze. Heat diseases occur in the lower part, Wind diseases in the upper part, while Wind, Dryness, Fire, and Heat undergo dominance and retaliation in the middle. In this year, Yin constitutes the Heavenly Qi, and Yang constitutes the Earthly Qi. The Heavenly Qi is deficient, and Fire is merely balanced, failing to nourish the source of transformation; thus, one should only assist the operational Fire, preventing pathogenic factors from gaining dominance. For the year, adjust the upper part with Pungent flavors and the lower part with Salty flavors. Beware of the Qi of Fire and do not rashly violate it. Its transformation involves Pungent-Cool for the upper, Salty-Mild for the middle, and Salty-Cold for the lower; this is suitable for medicines and foods.

Before the midpoint of the year, Jueyin governs. Wherever Jueyin arrives, its command is Wind; when Wind transformation operates during its time, it is the administration of Heaven.

After the midpoint of the year, Shaoyang governs. Wherever Shaoyang arrives, its command is Fire; when Fire transformation operates during its time, it is the decree of Earth.

The First Qi period begins from the Si hour on the Great Cold day of the Ren-Chen year until the Mao hour on the Spring Equinox day of this year, lasting sixty days and eighty-seven-and-a-half ke. The main position is Tai Jiao Wood, and the guest Qi is Taiyang Water. The middle reveals Fire movement; Fire occupies its position, and Cold-Water succeeds it. If Cold does not depart, flowers fail to bloom, snow and water freeze, killing energy executes, frost descends, and grass tops become scorched. Cold rain arrives frequently, Yang re-transforms, and the people suffer from internal Heat. One should adjust the Guest Qi of Taiyang by tonifying with Bitter, purging with Salty, firming with Bitter, and moistening with Pungent. The annual grain should be Red (red-colored grains), and the intercalary grain should be Hemp seeds.

The Second Qi period begins from the Mao hour on the Spring Equinox day until the Chou hour on the Minor Fullness day, lasting over sixty days. The main position is Shao Zheng Fire, and the guest Qi is Yangming Metal. The middle reveals Fire movement; Fire occupies its position, and Dry-Metal succeeds it. Fire stagnation is released, scorching heat arrives, vegetation withers. The people suffer from warm epidemics. One should adjust the Guest Qi of Yangming by tonifying with Sour, purging with Pungent, and relaxing with Sweet. The annual grain should be Red, and the intercalary grain should be Beans.

The Third Qi period begins from the Chou hour on the Minor Fullness day until the Wu hour on the Great Heat day, lasting over sixty days. The main position is Tai Zheng Fire, and the guest Qi is Shaoyang Fire. The middle reveals Fire movement; Fire energy coincides, and the feared Fire commands. Yang transforms greatly, hibernating insects appear, flowing water does not freeze, grass grows, and people feel comfortable. However, warm epidemics may occur. One should adjust the Guest Qi of Shaoyang by tonifying with Salty, purging with Sweet, and softening with Salty. The intercalary grain should be Beans. In this Qi, the governing Qi is Hot; when using Hot remedies, do not violate this principle, known as "using Hot far from Hot."

The Fourth Qi period begins from the Wu hour on the Great Heat day until the You hour on the Autumn Equinox day, lasting over sixty days. The main position is Shao Gong Earth, and the guest Qi is Taiyin Damp-Earth. The middle reveals Fire movement; Damp-Earth succeeds it. Rainwater descends, Dampness dominates, and the people suffer from heavy bodies, swollen feet, abdominal fullness, and reduced appetite. One should adjust the Guest Qi of Taiyin by tonifying with Sweet, purging with Bitter, and relaxing with Sweet. The annual grain should be Ji (millet), and the intercalary grain should be Hemp seeds.

The Fifth Qi period begins from the You hour on the Autumn Equinox day until the Hai hour on the Minor Snow day, lasting over sixty days. The main position is Tai Shang Metal, and the guest Qi is Yangming Dry-Metal. The middle reveals Fire movement; Dry-Metal succeeds it. Clear Qi prevails, frost and dew fall early, and vegetation regrows unexpectedly. The people suffer from cough and reverse flow of Qi. One should adjust the Guest Qi of Yangming by astringing with Sour, draining with Bitter, and dispersing with Pungent. The annual grain should be White (white-colored grains), and the intercalary grain should be Rice.

The Final Qi period begins from the Hai hour on the Minor Snow day until the Chou hour on the Great Cold day, lasting over sixty days. The main position is Shao Yu Water, and the guest Qi is Taiyang Cold-Water. The middle reveals Fire movement; Cold-Water succeeds it. Cold Qi affects the body, wind and rain occur. One should adjust the Guest Qi of Taiyang by firming with Bitter, moistening with Pungent, and softening with Salty. The annual grain should be Black (black-colored grains), and the intercalary grain should be Beans.

This is called executing the command. If pathogens take advantage, the disease persists. Thus, the classic states: "When executing the command in the middle, the disease is slow and lingering."