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For moxibustion, when igniting the moxa cone, it is advisable to use a Yang Sui (ancient fire-starting tool) or a Fire Pearl to catch sunlight and obtain the fire of the Sun. Secondly, one may use incense sticks, temple incense, or the flames from sesame oil lamps or candles. Ignite the moxa cone using an artemisia stem for "run moxibustion" until the ulcer heals without pain. Fires generated by striking metal, hitting stones, or drilling wood are all unsuitable. Shao Yong stated: "Fire has no inherent form; it takes form according to the object." Fire from metal and stone damages Shen (Spirit), causing excessive sweating; mulberry wood fire damages muscles; zhe wood fire damages Qi and vessels; jujube wood fire damages flesh, potentially leading to hematemesis; orange wood fire damages Ying and Wei (Nutritive and Defensive Qi) and meridians; elm wood fire damages bones, leading to loss of will; bamboo fire damages tendons and harms the eyes. The *Book of Southern Qi* records that during the reign of Emperor Wu of Southern Qi, a monk brought a "Red Fire" from Northern Qi. This fire was redder than ordinary fire but smaller in size, claimed to be effective for treating illnesses, and sought after by people of all social statuses. It was often effective after seven moxa cones were burned. Wu Xing and Yang Daoqing, who had suffered from illness for twenty years, were cured immediately after treatment with this fire. People hailed it as "Holy Fire," and despite imperial edicts prohibiting its use, they continued to do so. It remains unknown what kind of wood produced this fire. Therefore, when performing moxibustion, one must be extremely cautious in selecting the fire source. Using bamboo or wood fire due to urgency, haste, or panic is not only useless but harmful. People attribute the ineffectiveness of moxibustion to the technique itself, unaware that the fault lies in improper fire selection.

Ancient methods for moxibustion directed patients to sit facing West in Spring (sitting East facing West), North in Summer (sitting South facing North), East in Autumn (sitting West facing East), and South in Winter (sitting North facing South). The *Hou Ba Yi Yao* states: Facing East in Spring, South in Summer, West in Autumn, and North in Winter aligns with welcoming the vital Qi of the four seasons, which is logically plausible. However, while this directional rule applies universally, individual destinies and the interactions of the Five Elements vary. It is better to follow the *Xian Shu*, which uses the Nine Palaces method based on gender and destiny to determine auspicious sitting directions that welcome generating Qi. For example: For those with destiny in Palace 1, Qian/Dui are Generating Qi, Kan is Prosperous Qi; sitting at Kan facing Qian or Dui utilizes both Generating and Prosperous Qi. For Palace 2, Li is Generating Qi, Kun/Gen are Prosperous Qi. For Palaces 3 and 4, Kan is Generating Qi, Zhen/Xun are Prosperous Qi. For Palace 5, males are associated with Gen and females with Kun; their Generating and Prosperous Qi are the same as Palaces 2 and 8. For Palaces 6 and 7, Kun/Gen are Generating Qi, Qian/Dui are Prosperous Qi. For Palace 8, Generating and Prosperous Qi are the same as Palace 2. For Palace 9, Kun/Gen are Generating Qi, Li is Prosperous Qi. By stabilizing the sitting direction according to these rules, miraculous results can be achieved.

The *Qian Jin Fang* states: People differ in age (young/old), stature (tall/short), and body type (fat/thin). One must carefully measure and use the "folding method" to locate acupoints. The method is as follows: Use the left hand for men and the right hand for women. Bend the middle finger's second phalanx; the distance between the tips of the creases at the joint is defined as one cun. Children use the same method. Alternatively, rice straw cores or thin bamboo strips can be used for measurement, as they break easily and do not stretch. A fine string fixed with wax is also acceptable. When marking acupoints, ensure the position is level and the limbs are not tilted. If the acupoint is inaccurate during moxibustion, healthy tissue will be damaged unnecessarily. If marking points while sitting, perform moxibustion while sitting; if lying down, lie down for moxibustion; if standing, stand for moxibustion. Deviating from this posture prevents locating the true acupoint.