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Thirty-six Methods of Earthly Intermittent Transformation in the Ruling Qi (Zai Quan)

1. In the Jiazi year, the branch reveals Ji Mao, with Yangming Dryness Metal as the Ruling Qi. If there is an intermittent transformation (Jian Hua) that corresponds and harmonizes with the Annual Motion (Yun), it is called "Small Jian" (Minor Intermittence). "Small Jian" means a single intermittent phase. If the earthly branch number is odd, the Left Intermitting Qi appears first, not the Right; if even, the Right appears first, not the Left. The "Earthly Jian" refers to first producing objects of corresponding flavors, then producing seasons of corresponding climates. For example, when Yangming is the Ruling Qi, if Heaven's position is North Zheng (Standard), Earth's position is South Zheng; if Heaven's position is South Zheng, Earth's position is North Zheng. This follows Heaven's standard, meaning Earth reveals Ji Mao with Heaven at South Zheng. Starting from odd numbers, Taiyang Cold Water appears first as the intermitting qi, first generating salty flavors and black flora/fauna, followed by cold climate; starting from even numbers, Shaoyang Ministerial Fire appears first on the right, first generating bitter flavors and red flowers, followed by hot climate. This single case is cited here; others follow this pattern.

2. In the Bingzi year, the branch reveals Xin Mao, with Bing-Xin Water Motion. Earth reveals Yangming Ruling Qi via counter-transformation. If there is an intermittent transformation that harmonizes with the motion, it is "Small Jian," meaning one intermittent phase. Odd branches: Left first, not Right. Even branches: Right first, not Left.

3. In the Wuzi year, the branch reveals Gui Mao, with Wu-Gui Fire Motion. Earth reveals Yangming Ruling Qi via counter-transformation. If there is an intermittent transformation but it conflicts with the motion, it is "Large Jian" (Major Intermittence), where both Left and Right intermitting qis appear. Odd branches: Left first, then Right. Even branches: Right first, then Left.

4. In the Gengzi year, the branch reveals Yi Mao, with Yi-Geng Metal Motion. Earth reveals Yangming Ruling Qi via counter-transformation. If there is an intermittent transformation that harmonizes with the motion, it is "Small Jian," meaning one intermittent phase. Odd branches: Left first, not Right. Even branches: Right first, not Left.

5. In the Renzi year, the branch reveals Ding Mao, with Ding-Ren Wood Motion. Earth reveals Yangming Ruling Qi via counter-transformation. If the motion is insufficient to overcome the Earth (Motion is weak, Earth is strong), it is "Small Jian," meaning one intermittent phase. Odd branches: Left first, not Right. Even branches: Right first, not Left.

6. In the Yichou year, the branch reveals Geng Chen, with Yi-Geng Metal Motion. Earth reveals Taiyang Cold Water Ruling Qi via counter-transformation. If there is an intermittent transformation that harmonizes with the motion, it is "Small Jian," meaning one intermittent phase. Odd branches: Left, not Right. Even branches: Right first, not Left.

7. In the Dingchou year, the branch reveals Ren Chen, with Ding-Ren Wood Motion. Earth reveals Taiyang Cold Water Ruling Qi via counter-transformation. There is an intermittent transformation that harmonizes with the motion, resulting in "Small Jian," meaning one intermittent phase. Odd branches: Left first, not Right. Even branches: Right first, not Left.

8. In the Jichou year, the branch reveals Jia Chen, with Jia-Ji Earth Motion. Earth reveals Taiyang Cold Water Ruling Qi via counter-transformation. If there is an intermittent transformation but it conflicts with the motion, it is "Large Jian," where both Left and Right intermitting qis appear. Odd branches: Left first, then Right. Even branches: Right first, then Left.

9. In the Xinchou year, the branch reveals Bing Chen, with Bing-Xin Water Motion. Earth reveals Taiyang Cold Water Ruling Qi via counter-transformation. If there is an intermittent transformation that harmonizes with the motion, it is "Small Jian," meaning one intermittent phase. Odd branches: Left first, not Right. Even branches: Right first, not Left.

10. In the Guichou year, the branch reveals Wu Chen, with Wu-Gui Fire Motion. Earth reveals Taiyang Cold Water Ruling Qi via counter-transformation. If the motion is insufficient to overcome the Earth, it is "Small Jian," meaning one intermittent phase. Odd branches: Left first, not Right. Even branches: Right first, not Left.

11. In the Jiayin year, the branch reveals Ji Si, with Jia-Ji Earth Motion. Earth reveals Jueyin Wind Wood Ruling Qi via counter-transformation. If the motion is insufficient to overcome the Earth, it is "Small Jian," meaning one intermittent phase. Odd branches: Left first, not Right. Even branches: Right first, not Left.

12. In the Bingyin year, the branch reveals Xin Si, with Bing-Xin Water Motion. Earth reveals Jueyin Wind Wood Ruling Qi via counter-transformation. If there is an intermittent transformation that harmonizes with the motion, it is "Small Jian," meaning one intermittent phase. Odd branches: Left first, not Right. Even branches: Right first, not Left.

13. In the Wuyin year, the branch reveals Gui Si, with Wu-Gui Fire Motion. Earth reveals Jueyin Wind Wood Ruling Qi via counter-transformation. If there is an intermittent transformation that harmonizes with the motion, it is "Small Jian," meaning one intermittent phase. Odd branches: Left first, not Right. Even branches: Right first, not Left.

14. In the Gengyin year, the branch reveals Yi Si, with Yi-Geng Metal Motion. Earth reveals Jueyin Wind Wood Ruling Qi via counter-transformation. If there is an intermittent transformation but it conflicts with the motion, it is "Large Jian," where both Left and Right intermitting qis appear. Odd branches: Left first, then Right. Even branches: Right first, then Left.

15. In the Renyin year, the branch reveals Ding Si, with Ding-Ren Wood Motion. Earth reveals Jueyin Wind Wood Ruling Qi via counter-transformation. If there is an intermittent transformation that harmonizes with the motion, it is "Small Jian," meaning one intermittent phase. Odd branches: Left first, not Right. Even branches: Right first, not Left.

16. In the Yiyu year, the branch reveals Geng Zi, with Yi-Geng Metal Motion. Earth reveals Shaoyin君火 (Ministerial Fire/Heart Fire) Ruling Qi via counter-transformation. If the motion is insufficient to overcome the Earth, it is "Small Jian," meaning one intermittent phase. Odd branches: Left first, not Right. Even branches: Right first, not Left.

17. In the Dingyu year, the branch reveals Ren Zi, with Ding-Ren Wood Motion. Earth reveals Shaoyin君火 Ruling Qi via counter-transformation. If there is an intermittent transformation that harmonizes with the motion, it is "Small Jian," which the text notes as "Two Jians" (likely a textual variant or specific classification). Odd branches: Left first, not Right. Even branches: Right first, not Left.

18. In the Jiyu year, the branch reveals Jia Zi, with Jia-Ji Earth Motion. Earth reveals Shaoyin君火 Ruling Qi via counter-transformation. If there is an intermittent transformation that harmonizes with the motion, it is "Small Jian," meaning one intermittent phase. Odd branches: Left first, not Right. Even branches: Right first, not Left.

19. In the Xinyu year, the branch reveals Bing Zi, with Bing-Xin Water Motion. Earth reveals Shaoyin君火 Ruling Qi via counter-transformation. If there is an intermittent transformation but it conflicts with the motion, it is "Large Jian," where both Left and Right intermitting qis appear. Odd branches: Left first, then Right. Even branches: Right first, then Left.

20. In the Guiyu year, the branch reveals Wu Zi, with Wu-Gui Fire Motion. Earth reveals Shaoyin君火 Ruling Qi via counter-transformation. If there is an intermittent transformation that harmonizes with the motion, it is "Small Jian," meaning one intermittent phase. Odd branches: Left first, not Right. Even branches: Right first, not Left.

21. In the Jiaxu year, the branch reveals Ji Chou, with Jia-Ji Earth Motion. Earth reveals Taiyin Damp Earth Ruling Qi via counter-transformation. If there is an intermittent transformation that harmonizes with the motion, it is "Small Jian," meaning one intermittent phase. Odd branches: Left first, not Right. Even branches: Right first, not Left.

22. In the Bingxu year, the branch reveals Xin Chou, with Bing-Xin Water Motion. Earth reveals Taiyin Damp Earth Ruling Qi via counter-transformation. If the motion is insufficient to overcome the Earth, it is "Small Jian," meaning one intermittent phase. Odd branches: Left first, not Right. Even branches: Right first, not Left.

23. In the Wuxu year, the branch reveals Gui Chou, with Wu-Gui Fire Motion. Earth reveals Taiyin Damp Earth Ruling Qi via counter-transformation. If there is an intermittent transformation that harmonizes with the motion, it is "Small Jian," meaning one intermittent phase. Odd branches: Left first, not Right. Even branches: Right first, not Left.

24. In the Gengxu year, the branch reveals Yi Chou, with Yi-Geng Metal Motion. Earth reveals Taiyin Damp Earth Ruling Qi via counter-transformation. If there is an intermittent transformation that harmonizes with the motion, it is "Small Jian," meaning one intermittent phase. Odd branches: Left first, not Right. Even branches: Right first, not Left.

25. In the Renxu year, the branch reveals Ding Chou, with Ding-Ren Wood Motion. Earth reveals Taiyin Damp Earth Ruling Qi via counter-transformation. If there is an intermittent transformation but it conflicts with the motion, it is "Large Jian," where both Left and Right intermitting qis appear. Odd branches: Left first, then Right. Even branches: Right first, then Left.

26. In the Bisi year, the branch reveals Geng Shen, with Yi-Geng Metal Motion. Earth reveals Shaoyang Ministerial Fire Ruling Qi via counter-transformation. If the motion is insufficient to overcome the Earth, it is "Small Jian," meaning one intermittent phase. Odd branches: Left first, not Right. Even branches: Right first, not Left.

27. In the Dingsi year, the branch reveals Ren Shen, with Ding-Ren Wood Motion. Earth reveals Shaoyang Ministerial Fire Ruling Qi via counter-transformation. If there is an intermittent transformation that harmonizes with the motion, it is "Small Jian," meaning one intermittent phase. Odd branches: Left first, not Right. Even branches: Right first, not Left.

28. In the Jisi year, the branch reveals Jia Shen, with Jia-Ji Earth Motion. Earth reveals Shaoyang Ministerial Fire Ruling Qi via counter-transformation. If there is an intermittent transformation that harmonizes with the motion, it is "Small Jian," meaning one intermittent phase. Odd branches: Left first, not Right. Even branches: Right first, not Left.

29. In the Xinsi year, the branch reveals Bing Shen, with Bing-Xin Water Motion. Earth reveals Shaoyang Ministerial Fire Ruling Qi via counter-transformation. If there is an intermittent transformation but it conflicts with the motion, it is "Large Jian," where both Left and Right intermitting qis appear. Odd branches: Left first, then Right. Even branches: Right first, then Left.

30. In the Guisi year, the branch reveals Wu Shen, with Wu-Gui Fire Motion. Earth reveals Shaoyang Ministerial Fire Ruling Qi. Counter-transformation has an intermittent phase that harmonizes with the motion, resulting in "Small Jian," meaning one intermittent phase. Odd branches: Left first, not Right. Even branches: Right first, not Left.

Next are six cases of "Small Jian" caused by Annual Motion Punishment (Ke):

1. In the Wuwu year, the branch reveals Gui You, with Wu-Gui Fire Motion. Earth reveals Yangming Standard Ruling Qi. Standard Qi inherently has no intermittence, but because the Fire Motion is excessive, it overcomes the Metal governing the Earth below, thus forming a "Small Jian." Odd branches: Left, not Right. Even branches: Right, not Left.

2. In the Gengshen year, the branch reveals Yi Hai, with Yi-Geng Metal Motion. Earth reveals Jueyin Standard Ruling Qi. Standard Qi inherently has no intermittence, but because the Metal Motion is excessive, it punishes the Jueyin Wood below. Wood suffers Metal's dominance, thus forming a "Small Jian." Odd branches: Left, not Right. Even branches: Right, not Left.

3. In the Renchén year, the branch reveals Ding Wei, with Ding-Ren Wood Motion. Earth reveals Taiyin Earth Ruling Qi. Earth's Standard Qi inherently has no intermittence, but because the Wood Motion is excessive, it overcomes the Earth governing the location below, thus forming a "Small Jian." Odd branches: Left, not Right. Even branches: Right, not Left.

4. In the Xinhai year, the branch reveals Bing Yin, with Bing-Xin Water Motion. Earth reveals Shaoyang Ministerial Fire Ruling Qi. Earth's Standard Qi inherently has no intermittence, but because the Water Motion overcomes the Fire governing the location below, thus forming a "Small Jian." Odd branches: Left, not Right. Even branches: Right, not Left.

5. In the Xinmao year, the branch reveals Bing Wu, with Bing-Xin Water Motion. Earth reveals Shaoyin君火 (Ministerial Fire) Ruling Qi. Earth's Standard Qi inherently has no intermittence, but in years of Water Motion, it overcomes the Fire governing the location below, thus forming a "Small Jian." Odd branches: Left, not Right. Even branches: Right, not Left.

6. In the Jiwei year, the branch reveals Jia Xu, with Jia-Ji Earth Motion. Earth reveals Taiyang Cold Water Ruling Qi. Earth's Standard Qi inherently has no intermittence, but in years of Earth Motion, it overcomes the Water governing the location below, thus forming a "Small Jian." Odd branches: Left, not Right. Even branches: Right, not Left.

Ten Methods of Earth Intermittence in the Ruling Qi

1. When Shaoyin君火 (Ministerial Fire) is the Ruling Qi in its Standard form, and no Wood Motion is present in the center, the Left and Right do not come to intermit. Only Shaoyin performs its own Bitter transformation, causing Bitter-flavored substances to become increasingly abundant. This is because Fire operates on Earth, obtaining its Qi; Fire generates Earth, so Earth comes to intermit. Consequently, Sweet-flavored substances also increase, and Yellow flowers flourish. Because Wood does not intermit, it is called Earth Intermittence.

2. When Yangming Dryness Metal is the Ruling Qi in its Standard form without intermittence, and neither Upper/Lower nor Left/Right Fire interferes, and the Central Motion does not punish or clash, the Earth Metal transforms itself. White substances grow abundantly, and Pungent-flavored substances have a strong taste, making the Qi governing the Earth very favorable. At this time, Earth Qi comes to intermit; Sweet-flavored substances have a lasting taste, and Yellow substances grow deeper. This occurs when Earth Qi invades the Metal season.

3. When Shaoyang Ministerial Fire is the Ruling Qi in its Standard form without intermittence, and there is no Water Motion, the Earth allows its own command. Bitter flavors are numerous, Red aromatic substances are abundant, and Dan-colored grains fruit during their peak. At this time, Earth comes to intermit; Sweet substances compete in abundance, and Yellow flowers compete in growth. This is Earth taking advantage of Fire's beauty.

4. When Taiyang Cold Water is the Standard Ruling Qi, with no Left/Right intermittence and no Earth Motion, the Earth allows its own command. Salty-flavored substances have a long-lasting taste. The Transforming Qi is specialized, and its command prevails. When the standard command acts, Sweet Earth comes to intermit. This intermittence does not punish Water; Water specializes in Sweet transformation. Sweet-flavored substances form a separate transformation, named Earth Intermittence.

5. When Shaoyin君火 (Ministerial Fire) is the Ruling Qi via Counter-Transformation, the Earth Qi is deficient. Before the intermitting substances transform, or if their Qi arrives late, and the Sweet Earth transformation begins, competing for sweetness with the intermitting substance, the arrival of Sweet adds to the decline of Bitter. Thus, Sweet arises within Bitter.

6. When Yangming Dryness Metal is the Ruling Qi via Counter-Transformation, the Earth Qi is deficient, and Pungent-flavored substances are thin. The intermittent transformation arrives late, before the Sweet flavor reaches. Earth comes to assist the deficiency of Metal, introducing Sweet flavor into Pungent substances. This Sweet Earth assists Metal's intermittent transformation, enhancing the flavor.

7. When Shaoyang Ministerial Fire is the Ruling Qi via Counter-Transformation, there is Earth intermittence. If the flavor is not specialized, and the intermitting substance desires to grow, Earth Qi acts first. If Sweet arises within the flavor, preventing Salty from arising in between, the nature of Sweet Earth transforms rapidly, often connecting to the intermittence.

8. When Taiyang Cold Water is the Ruling Qi via Counter-Transformation, the Earth Qi is deficient, and Salty-flavored substances are thin, while Sweet-flavored substances prevail. Consequently, Sweet flavor may arise within Salty substances, assisting their saltiness, resulting in a long-lasting taste. This is Sweet establishing dominance over punishment, a lingering taste of intermittence.

9. When Taiyin Damp Earth is the Ruling Qi via Counter-Transformation, the Earth Qi is deficient, receiving external intermittence, or Wood comes to punish the Sweet flavor, causing Sweet to naturally decline. Sweet substances, Yellow flowers, and grains all become Qi-thin. Their Sweet flavor fears Wood and declines, reducing due to the year's deficiency. The flavor shifts to Salty substances, where the taste should not diminish.

10. When Taiyin Damp Earth is the Ruling Qi in its Standard form, and the Left/Right intermitting qis do not arrive, and there is no Wood Motion, Sweet dominates exclusively. Thus, among all flavors, Sweet intermits differently from other flavors. Among the Ruling Qi, only Earth has much intermittence, supported by the Great Earth.