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The diagram of the Division and Combination of the Six Qi (Wind, Cold, Summer-heat, Dampness, Dryness, Fire) with Pulse Diagnosis of the Six Positions according to Time \pt105a1.bmp\r
The diagram of the Division and Combination of the Six Qi with Pulse Diagnosis of the Six Positions according to Time \pt105a2.bmp\r
This diagram regarding the division and combination of the Six Qi and pulse diagnosis of the six positions according to time was self-comprehended and created by me. It truly reveals the profound principles of the Six Qi, which have not been expounded in ancient or modern times. Taking a year of balanced climate (Pingzhi Zhi Ji) as an example: if it is a year of excess (Taiguo), where the qi arrives before its time, the limit is set at thirteen days before the solar term; if it is a year of deficiency (Bují), where the qi has arrived but is not yet manifest, the limit is set at thirteen days after the solar term. In a year of excess, the pulse changes begin from the floating position of the left Chi (Cun Kou) corresponding to Lichun (Start of Spring); in a year of deficiency, the pulse changes begin from the middle position of the left Guan corresponding to Lichun. By deducing sequentially according to this rule, one must perform the examination in the early morning, when yin qi has not yet dispersed, yang qi has not yet moved, food and drink have not been ingested, clothes have not been put on, and speech has not been uttered. With a clear mind and regulated breathing, investigating each position carefully, seasonal diseases can be predicted in advance. If the pulses in all six positions are balanced, the matter ends there. However, if any single position is exclusively large, small, floating, sunken, long, or short, differing from other positions, judgment based on the chart will invariably be accurate. For instance, if the middle-position pulse at the left Guan is exclusively wiry and large, it indicates that wind-heat pathogenic factors will cause disease around the Yushui (Rain Water) and Jingzhe (Awakening of Insects) solar terms. This is because the wiry pulse governs wind, and the large pulse governs heat; furthermore, the left Guan corresponds to the season of Wind-Wood (Liver). If the deep-position pulse at the right Chi is exclusively slow, stagnant, solid, and large, it indicates that damp-heat pathogenic factors will cause disease around the Mangzhong (Grain in Ear) and Xiazhi (Summer Solstice) solar terms. This is because slowness and stagnation govern dampness, while solidity and largeness govern heat. If the pulse is slow, stagnant, yet deficient and large, it signifies pathology caused by damp-heat and Ministerial Fire (Xianghuo). This is because slowness and stagnation indicate dampness, while deficiency and largeness indicate Ministerial Fire; moreover, being in the deep position, the sunken pulse also governs dampness, and this position corresponds to the realm of Ministerial Fire. In patients with chronic illness, if all six pulses show exclusivity in stagnation, but only the middle-position pulse at the right Cun is leisurely, harmonious, and smooth, without stagnation, it indicates recovery will surely occur around the Shuangjiang (Frost Descent) and Lidong (Start of Winter) solar terms. This is because a middle-position pulse that is leisurely and harmonious represents excellent Stomach Qi (Wei Qi); additionally, the right Cun corresponds to the position of Lung Metal, where Earth (Spleen) generates Metal (Lung). The remaining positions should be deduced carefully following this principle, resulting in no more than one error in a hundred. Nevertheless, confirmation through three or four examinations without change is required for accuracy, as reiterated below to clarify this point.