Library

Yunqi (Five Movements and Six Qi), Tian Shi (Heavenly Timing), and Di Hua (Earthly Transformation) are identical; pathogenic and righteous factors both penetrate the Five Zang Organs. When the Five Zang Organs are affected by pathogens, five types of diseases arise; these five diseases can encompass the manifestations of ten thousand diseases. Heat corresponds to Jun Huo (Monarch Fire), and Summerheat corresponds to Xiang Huo (Ministerial Fire). This is because the Earthly Branches correspond to the Twelve Meridians. Although divided into two types of Fire, their underlying principle is the same, differing only in subtle degrees of severity.

[Note] The transformations of the Five Yun (Wood, Fire, Earth, Metal, Water) cannot exist outside the scope of the Six Qi (Wind, Heat, Summerheat, Dampness, Dryness, Cold). Conversely, the transformations of the Six Qi cannot depart from the Five Elements. Thus, although there are five Yun and six Qi, the Heavenly Qi commands and Earthly Yun transformations are consistent. The Qi of Zheng Hua (Righteous Transformation) and Xie Hua (Pathogenic Transformation) both permeate the human Five Zang Organs. Zheng Hua nourishes the body, while Xie Hua causes illness. When the Five Zang Organs receive pathogens, diseases of the Five Zang Organs arise. The "five diseases" refer to the ability to encompass all pathological conditions, including fixed patterns of Zhu Ke (Host and Guest Qi), mixed patterns of Zhu Ke, and disorders of Sheng Fu (Overcoming and Repression) and Yu Bing (Stagnation). None can escape the variations of these five diseases, just as all things generated by Heaven and Earth fall under the category of the Five Elements. Among the Five Elements, Fire is unique in having two aspects: on Earth it is Fire, in Heaven it is Heat and Summerheat. Heat is associated with Shao Yin (Lesser Yin) as Jun Huo (Monarch Fire), and Summerheat is associated with Shao Yang (Lesser Yang) as Xiang Huo (Ministerial Fire). This is because the Yin-Yang Twelve Earthly Branches correspond to the Yin-Yang Twelve Meridians in the human body. Although Fire has two forms, its principle is one. Therefore, its Virtue (De), Administration (Zheng), Command (Ling), Transformation (Hua), Disaster (Zai), and Disease (Bing) are the same. However, there are distinctions in clinical presentation where mild Heat leads to light disease, and severe Summerheat leads to heavy disease.

The Star Sui (Jupiter) belongs to Wood, Yinghuo (Mars) to Fire, Chenxing (Mercury) to Water, Zhenxing (Saturn) to Earth, and Taibai (Venus) to Metal. In years of Bu Ji (Insufficiency), the star's brightness decreases by one-tenth or one-half of normal, and the color of the element that overcomes it appears evenly. In years of Tai Guo (Excess), the star moves northward beyond its normal degree by one or two times the excess, the Wei Xing (Star of Fear) loses its color and is accompanied by clouds of the generating element. The speed and duration of the star's movement indicate auspiciousness or inauspiciousness based on whether it follows or opposes celestial motion.

[Note] Among heavenly phenomena, none precede the Five Planets (Wu Xing). These are the planets of Wood, Fire, Earth, Metal, and Water. Wood is called Sui Xing (Jupiter), residing in the East. Fire is called Yinghuo Xing (Mars), residing in the South. Water is called Chen Xing (Mercury), residing in the North. Earth is called Zhen Xing (Saturn), residing in the Southwest. Metal is called Taibai Xing (Venus), residing in the West. The star governing the year should be neither too large nor too small, neither too bright nor too dim, neither too fast nor too slow, moving along its proper path and maintaining its proper degree; this is the norm. If it is a Yin year, it is termed Bu Ji (Insufficiency); the star diminishes by one-tenth of normal. If insufficiency is severe, it diminishes by one-half, and its light shrinks. The governing star displays the color of the element that overcomes it. For example, if Wood is insufficient, Sui Xing shows Green mixed with White; if Fire is insufficient, Yinghuo Xing shows Red mixed with Black; if Earth is insufficient, Zhen Xing shows Yellow mixed with Green; if Metal is insufficient, Taibai Xing shows White mixed with Red; if Water is insufficient, Chen Xing shows Black mixed with Yellow. If it is a Yang year, it is termed Tai Guo (Excess); the governing star moves northward, meaning it deviates from its degree toward the North. The North is the position of Ziwei (Purple Tenuity), the palace of Taiyi. Thus, exceeding by one-tenth indicates slight excess; exceeding by one-half indicates severe excess, and its light is full. The governing star's color is pure, while the star that fears it loses its original color and assumes the color of its mother (generating element). For instance, if Wood is excessive, the star fearing Wood is Earth (Zhen Xing); it loses its yellow color and assumes the red color of Fire (which generates Earth). This is because when Wood is prosperous, Earth fears it and must borrow Qi from its mother (Fire) for support, hence displaying the mother's color. Earth showing red implies Earth generates Metal, and other stars follow this logic. Generally, a star is prosperous when in season and waning when out of season. A star moving slower than the heavens is considered Shun (Smooth/Auspicious), indicating light disaster or disease. A star moving faster than the heavens is considered Ni (Rebellious/Inauspicious), indicating heavy disaster or disease. If a star lingers and does not advance, staying at a degree for many days, the disaster or disease is heavy. If it lingers but stays for few days, the disaster or disease is light. Thus, auspiciousness and inauspiciousness are distinguished.