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The *Ling Shu* (Spiritual Pivot) states: For severe diseases, the "Chicken Foot" needling method is used. The technique involves inserting one needle vertically and two needles obliquely to the left and right, resembling a chicken's foot with three claws (cited from *Bencao Gangmu*).

Before performing acupuncture or moxibustion, one must first know the auspicious and inauspicious days of the current year and the location of the "Ren Shen" (Human Spirit). As long as these do not conflict with taboos, it is acceptable. However, in cases of sudden acute illnesses, one should not be bound by this method. Would not a wise and enlightened person transcend such constraints? (Cited from *Zisheng Jing*) ○ The *Qianjin Fang* (Essential Prescriptions Worth a Thousand Gold) states: For conditions such as carbuncles, sores, furuncles, throat bi (obstruction), and ke wu (sudden fright/illness caused by external factors), which are particularly urgent, treatment should begin immediately upon detection. Similarly, for stroke and other sudden acute syndromes, rapid rescue and treatment are required. This argument is very sound. In critical situations where life hangs in the balance, if one waits for an auspicious day to treat, the patient may have already passed away. This is why one should not be rigidly bound by avoidance taboos. Only when treating chronic or latent conditions before they manifest can one select auspicious days associated with Tian De (Heavenly Virtue) and Yue De (Monthly Virtue) for taking medicine or undergoing acupuncture/moxibustion. (Cited from *Zisheng Jing*)

The Yellow Emperor asked: How does one observe the Eight Normals (Ba Zheng)? Master Shao answered: To observe this, one should look at the position of Tai Yi (the North Star/Celestial Pole deity) on the day of the Winter Solstice, when it resides in the Ye Zhe Palace. When wind and rain arrive, heaven responds accordingly. The so-called wind refers to winds capable of destroying houses, breaking trees, raising sand and stones, causing hair to stand on end, and opening the cou li (skin and interstices). ○ Wind coming from the direction where Tai Yi resides is called Shi Feng (Real Wind), which governs the growth of all things. Wind coming from the opposite direction is called Xu Feng (Empty/Pernicious Wind), which governs harm and injury to people. Therefore, the sages carefully observe and avoid Xu Feng. Now, regarding wind from the south: at the Summer Solstice, it is Shi Feng because it comes from the direction of Tai Yi; at the Winter Solstice, it is Xu Feng because it opposes Tai Yi. The same logic applies to other directions (from *Ling Shu*). ○ If wind and rain arrive at midnight, the common people are asleep and thus not affected, so fewer people fall ill that year. If they arrive during the day, the common people are lax and negligent, and thus susceptible to Xu Feng, resulting in more illness (from *Ling Shu*).

Wind from the south is named Da Ruo Feng (Great Weak Wind). It injures the body, lodging internally in the Heart and externally affecting the Mai (Vessels/Meridians). Its qi primarily manifests as Heat. ○ At the Summer Solstice, it is Shi Feng; at the Winter Solstice, it is Xu Feng (from *Ling Shu*).

Wind from the southwest is named Mou Feng (Conspiracy Wind). It injures the body, lodging internally in the Spleen and externally affecting the Ji (Muscles/Flesh). Its qi primarily manifests as Weakness. ○ At the Start of Autumn, it is Shi Feng; at the Start of Spring, it is Xu Feng.

Wind from the west is named Gang Feng (Rigid Wind). It injures the body, lodging internally in the Lung and externally affecting the Pi Fu (Skin). Its qi primarily manifests as Dryness. ○ At the Autumn Equinox, it is Shi Feng; at the Spring Equinox, it is Xu Feng.

Wind from the northwest is named Zhe Feng (Breaking Wind). It injures the body, lodging internally in the Small Intestine and externally affecting the Hand Tai Yang Meridian. If the meridian breaks, blood overflows; if it closes, Qi and Blood stagnate and block, leading to sudden death. ○ At the Start of Winter, it is Shi Feng; at the Start of Summer, it is Xu Feng (from *Ling Shu*).

Wind from the north is named Da Gang Feng (Great Rigid Wind). It injures the body, lodging internally in the Kidney and externally affecting the Gu (Bones) and the Lv Jin (Back muscles/tendons). Its qi primarily manifests as Cold. ○ At the Winter Solstice, it is Shi Feng.

Wind from the northeast is named Xiong Feng (Auspicious/Bad Omen Wind - contextually pernicious). It injures the body, lodging internally in the Tai Yang Meridian and externally affecting the Liang Lei (Two Ribs), Xia Ji Gu (Below Axillary Bones), and Zhi Jie (Limbs and Joints). ○ At the Start of Spring, it is Shi Feng; at the Start of Autumn, it is Xu Feng.

Wind from the east is named Ying Er Feng (Infant Wind). It injures the body, lodging internally in the Liver and externally affecting the Jin Niu (Tendon Junctions). Its qi primarily manifests as Body Warmth. ○ At the Spring Equinox, it is Shi Feng; at the Autumn Equinox, it is Xu Feng.

Wind from the southeast is named Ruo Feng (Weak Wind). It injures the body, lodging internally in the Stomach and externally affecting the Ji Rou (Muscle Tissue). Its qi primarily manifests as Heavy Body. ○ At the Start of Summer, it is Shi Feng; at the Start of Winter, it is Xu Feng (from *Ling Shu*).

Ba Zheng (Eight Normals) refers to the upright Qi of the eight solar terms. Xu Xie (Pernicious Evils) refers to the Xu Feng (Pernicious Winds) of the eight solar terms. Because they come from the direction of pernicious winds and enter through deficiency to cause disease, they are called Ba Zheng Xu Xie. When the body's deficiency meets the seasonal deficiency, and the two deficiencies interact, the pathogenic Qi penetrates to the bone and enters to damage the Five Zang Organs. Therefore, the sages avoid Xu Feng as they would avoid arrows and stones (from *Ling Shu*).