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(From "Suwen: The Great Treatise on the Six Sources and Correct Ordinances")

The Yellow Emperor asked, "How do the excesses and deficiencies of the Qi in the six positions manifest?" Qibo replied, "Excess (Tai) and deficiency (Shao) are different. The arrival of Excess is slow and enduring, while the arrival of Deficiency is sudden and fleeting. (Yang years are called Tai/Excess; Yin years are called Shao/Deficiency. In Tai years, Qi is abundant, hence it arrives slowly and endures. In Shao years, Qi is deficient, hence it arrives suddenly and vanishes quickly. As mentioned in the previous chapter regarding the sixty-year cycle of Yunqi, for the six Tai years, only normal transformations are discussed, whereas for the six Shao years, abnormal transformations occur. This is because in years of deficiency, there is a victorious Qi (Sheng Qi). Where there is victory, there is also a retaliatory Qi (Fu Qi). Neither the victorious nor the retaliatory Qi constitutes the normal transformation of that year; they must arrive taking advantage of the deficiency, thus causing diseases that are often more severe. My commentary: Human life and death depend entirely on Zheng Qi (Upright Qi). If Zheng Qi is strong, even excessive Xie Qi (Evil Qi) will cause no harm; if Zheng Qi is weak, even slight Xie Qi is a cause for concern. Therefore, to ascertain the safety or danger of a disease, one need only examine Zheng Qi, and the auspiciousness or inauspiciousness can be judged. The statement here that 'Excess is slow and enduring, Deficiency is sudden and fleeting' illustrates the principle of excess and deficiency. When Yun Qi is abundant, Ren Qi (Human Qi) is also abundant; diseases arising from this are characterized by excess. Diseases of excess tend to develop slowly and present mildly because Zheng Qi is strong. When Yun Qi is deficient, Ren Qi is also deficient; diseases arising from this are characterized by deficiency. Diseases of deficiency necessarily develop suddenly and severely because the fundamental Qi is depleted. If one does not understand the principles of excess and deficiency between Xie and Zheng, and applies tonification and purgation incorrectly, it often leads to sudden collapse of Qi and death. This demonstrates a failure to recognize that diseases of Excess are easier to treat, while those of Deficiency are to be feared.)"

The Yellow Emperor asked again, "How do the excesses and deficiencies of Heaven and Earth Qi manifest?" Qibo replied, "When Heaven Qi is deficient, Earth Qi follows; when Earth Qi is deficient, Heaven Qi follows. Yun (Annual Movement) resides in the middle and often precedes them. (Heaven Qi refers to Si Tian [Commanding Heaven]; Earth Qi refers to Zai Quan [In-Underground]. Yun refers to Sui Yun [Annual Movement]. Sui Yun resides in the middle between Heaven and Earth, at the point where Qi intersects. Thus, when Heaven Qi wishes to descend, Yun descends first; when Earth Qi wishes to ascend, Yun ascends first.] It dislikes what it cannot overcome and returns to what harmonizes with it, generating disease following the movement's return and adherence. (This also discusses Zhong Yun [Central Movement]. For example, if Wood Yun encounters Dry Metal as Si Tian or Zai Quan, this is encountering what it cannot overcome, hence it dislikes it. If it encounters Fire or Water as Si Tian or Zai Quan, this is encountering what harmonizes with it, hence it returns to it. Those who cannot overcome are controlled; those who harmonize assist the victory. Both can cause disease, hence it is said that disease arises following the movement's return and adherence.) Therefore, if the upper victory (Si Tian) is excessive, Heaven Qi descends and moves downward; if the lower victory (Zai Quan) is excessive, Earth Qi migrates and moves upward. (Upper victory means Si Tian Qi is in excess. Excess in the upper causes Qi to descend and move downward. Lower victory means Zai Quan Qi is in excess. Excess in the lower causes Qi to migrate and move upward. This refers to the aforementioned principle that when Heaven Qi is deficient, Earth Qi follows, and when Earth Qi is deficient, Heaven Qi follows.) The difference is calculated based on the degree of victory. (Degree of victory refers to the intensity of Qi. A slight victory results in little migration or descent; a major victory results in significant migration or descent. Since victories vary in magnitude, the variations in Qi intersection differ in extent.) Minor differences result in small deviations, major differences result in large deviations. If extreme, positions change and Qi intersection becomes chaotic. Such changes generate great disturbances, leading to the onset of disease. (Small deviations cause minor changes; large deviations cause major changes. Extremes lead to the exchange of upper and lower positions during Qi intersection. Yun resides in the middle and often precedes these changes. Thus, when positions change, great disturbances arise, and people fall ill.) The *Da Yao* states: 'Extreme records show five parts, mild records show seven parts; their differences are visible.' This is what is meant. (Extreme records indicate the victorious Qi occupies half. Mild records indicate the victorious Qi occupies only three-tenths. This reflects that the numbers of Heaven and Earth excess and deficiency have distinctions between large and small deviations, so pathological changes also have distinctions between mild and severe.)"