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[Image: pt13a29.bmp - Diagram of Si Tian, Zai Quan, and Left/Right Intermittent Qi]

Song of Si Tian (Heavenly Ruler)
In Zi and Wu years, Shao Yin Jun Huo (Ministerial Fire of Shaoyin) governs; in Chou and Wei years, Tai Yin Shi Tu (Damp Earth of Taiyin) presides; in Yin and Shen years, Shao Yang Xiang Huo (Ministerial Fire of Shaoyang) is prosperous; in Mao and You years, Yang Ming Zao Jin (Dry Metal of Yangming) takes command; in Chen and Xu years, Tai Han Han Shui (Cold Water of Taiyang) borders; in Si and Hai years, Jue Yin Feng Mu (Wind Wood of Jueyin) presides. The first qi begins at the left intermittent position of the earth, counting from the positions opposite to Si Tian and Zai Quan.

Si Tian (Heavenly Ruler), Zai Quan (Earthly Ruler), and the four intermittent qis constitute the six steps of Ke Qi (Annual Variable Qi). That which governs the whole year is called Si Tian, located at the third step (San Zhi Qi). Opposite and below Si Tian is Zai Quan, located at the final step (Zhong Zhi Qi). To the left of Si Tian is the Left Intermittent Qi of Heaven, and to the right is the Right Intermittent Qi of Heaven. To the left of Zai Quan is the Left Intermittent Qi of Earth, and to the right is the Right Intermittent Qi of Earth. Each year's Ke Qi begins two steps before Si Tian, which is the Left Intermittent Qi of Earth, designated as the First Qi, proceeding sequentially through the Second and Third Qis, finally reaching the Sixth Qi of Zai Quan. Each qi governs one step. However, since Si Tian generally governs the first half of the year and Zai Quan the second half, it is also said that before mid-year, Heavenly Qi governs, and after mid-year, Earthly Qi governs.

The *Wu Yun Yun Da Lun* states: "Heaven and Earth are the upper and lower aspects of all things. Left and Right are the pathways of Yin and Yang." Wherever Jue Yin Wind Wood appears above, the left is Shao Yin Ministerial Fire, and the right is Tai Yang Cold Water; where Shao Yin Ministerial Fire appears, the left is Tai Yin Damp Earth, and the right is Jue Yin Wind Wood; where Tai Yin Damp Earth appears, the left is Shao Yang Ministerial Fire, and the right is Shao Yin Ministerial Fire; where Shao Yang Ministerial Fire appears, the left is Yang Ming Dry Metal, and the right is Tai Yin Damp Earth; where Yang Ming Dry Metal appears, the left is Tai Yang Cold Water, and the right is Shao Yang Ministerial Fire; where Tai Yang Cold Water appears, the left is Jue Yin Wind Wood, and the right is Yang Ming Dry Metal. This is referred to as "facing North to assign positions." To "face North and assign positions" means that Si Tian is above, positioned in the South. Facing North to determine left and right, the Southeast becomes the Right Intermittent Qi of Si Tian, and the Southwest becomes the Left Intermittent Qi of Si Tian.

It is further asked: What is meant by "below" (Zai Quan)? It is answered: If Jue Yin Wind Wood is above, then Shao Yang Ministerial Fire is below, with Yang Ming Dry Metal on the left and Tai Yin Damp Earth on the right; if Shao Yin Ministerial Fire is above, then Yang Ming Dry Metal is below, with Tai Yang Cold Water on the left and Shao Yang Ministerial Fire on the right; if Tai Yin Damp Earth is above, then Tai Yang Cold Water is below, with Jue Yin Wind Wood on the left and Yang Ming Dry Metal on the right; if Shao Yang Ministerial Fire is above, then Jue Yin Wind Wood is below, with Shao Yin Ministerial Fire on the left and Tai Yang Cold Water on the right; if Yang Ming Dry Metal is above, then Shao Yin Ministerial Fire is below, with Tai Yin Damp Earth on the left and Jue Yin Wind Wood on the right; if Tai Yang Cold Water is above, then Tai Yin Damp Earth is below, with Shao Yang Ministerial Fire on the left and Shao Yin Ministerial Fire on the right. This is referred to as "facing South to assign positions." To "face South and assign positions" means that Zai Quan is below, positioned in the North. Facing South to determine left and right, the Northeast becomes the Left Intermittent Qi of Zai Quan, and the Northwest becomes the Right Intermittent Qi of Zai Quan.

Qi above moves to the right, descending from the Southwest; Qi below moves to the left, ascending from the Northeast. They circle around the celestial sphere, completing a cycle and meeting again. Thus, when Upper and Lower meet, and Heaven and Earth approach each other, changes arise from these reversals and smooth flows. Although similar types harmonizing and generating Qi is called Smooth (Shun), dissimilar types approaching and restraining Qi is called Reverse (Ni). However, even among similar types, disease can occur because Ministerial Fire (Xiang Huo) approaches Sovereign Fire (Jun Huo), which is an improper position. Therefore, the *Liu Wei Zhi Da Lun* states: "When Sovereign occupies the position of Minister, it is Smooth; when Minister occupies the position of Sovereign, it is Reverse. Reverse leads to close disease and rapid harm; Smooth leads to distant disease and slight harm." This refers to the two Fires. This section should be studied in conjunction with the preceding diagram of "Five Movements, Too Little and Too Much, Equal and Combined Transformations."

The *Liu Wei Zhi Da Lun* states: "The Way of Heaven divides into six-six segments. What causes their waxing and waning?" It is answered: "There are fixed positions for Up and Down, and regulations for Left and Right." Therefore, to the right of Shao Yang, Yang Ming governs; to the right of Yang Ming, Tai Yang governs; to the right of Tai Yang, Jue Yin governs; to the right of Jue Yin, Shao Yin governs; to the right of Shao Yin, Tai Yin governs; to the right of Tai Yin, Shao Yang governs. This describes the sequence of Yin and Yang in Ke Qi.