典藏书目

[Diagram of Jia Xu Year's Qi and Yun]

Taiyang Cold Water governs the Heaven (Si Tian), Taiyin Damp Earth resides in the Earth (Zai Quan), and the Central Movement is Taigong Earth Movement. The year's Earth is excessive, with its qi transformation operating ahead of time (Xian Tian). Taigong Earth Movement adds upon Taiyin, and due to excess adding upon itself, it forms the "Tong Tian Fu" (Same Heaven Symbol) pattern. Furthermore, Earth Movement faces the Xu branch, which is called "Sui Hui" (Year Meeting), indicating a balanced qi state.

A year of balanced Earth is named "Bei Hua Zhi Ji" (The Era of Complete Transformation). Its qi harmonizes with heavenly blessings, its virtue flows through the four directions, and the five transformations are uniformly cultivated. Its qi is balanced, its nature is compliant, its function manifests as high and low movements, its transformation is abundant and full. Its administration is tranquil, its climate is humid and steaming, its command is dampness, its category is Earth, its correspondence is Late Summer, its grain is Ji (Millet), its fruit is Jujube, its tissue is flesh, its insect is Luo (Naked insects), its domestic animal is Ox, its object texture is skin, its color is Yellow, its taste is Sweet, its note is Gong, its number is Five. In humans, it corresponds to the Spleen, governs the mouth, nourishes the muscles, and its disease is Pi (Stagnation/Blockage). This is what the annual movement governs.

Regarding Heaven and Earth Qi: Above sees Taiyang, with Left Intermittent Jueyin and Right Intermittent Yangming; thus, the Heaven's policy distributes肃 (Solemn/Cooling) qi. Below sees Taiyin, with Left Intermittent Shaoyang and Right Intermittent Shaoyin; thus, the Earth's qi is quiet and its command is slow. Water and Earth combine their virtues, corresponding above to Chen Xing (Mercury) and Zhen Xing (Saturn). Cold descends into the Great Void, its policy is grand and expansive, Yang Qi does not take command. Marshes lack solar flame, so Fire Qi waits for its time. Shaoyang governs the middle, seasonal rains cease. When rain stops and scatters completely, it returns to Taiyin. Clouds face the North Pole, Damp Transformation spreads, moisture flows to all things. Cold spreads above, Thunder moves below. Cold-Damp Qi holds at the Qi intersection. People suffer from Cold-Damp diseases, manifesting as muscle atrophy, foot weakness and inability to grasp, loose diarrhea, and blood extravasation.

Before the midpoint of the year, Heaven Qi is governed by Taiyang. Taiyang has root and mark transformations. If Cold Policy expands greatly and Heat Qi responds appropriately, Heaven Qi achieves balance. After the midpoint of the year, Earth Qi is governed by Taiyin. Taiyin's transformation follows its root. If rain and dampness are severe, it is the response of Earth Qi. Cold transformation is six, Damp transformation is five; these are the days of proper transformation. Luo insects breed, Scale insects remain still; this is suitable for the year's phenomena. Dryness toxin does not arise, Scale insects do not mature. Their taste is Salty, their qi is Hot; this is constrained by Earth Qi.

In a balanced Earth year, the root does not rely on the source of transformation. However, since Movement and Earth Qi meet at Xu, and Year Earth Qi is prosperous, one should first aid the Source of Transformation to assist Water. This is called suppressing the moving qi and supporting that which cannot overcome it, preventing excessive force from causing disease. Eat Black Grain (Xuan Gu) to preserve true Qi, avoid the empty evil of the year to stabilize righteous Qi. Use Bitter-Hot herbs to regulate the upper, use Bitter-Warm herbs to regulate the lower. Since the movement is Earth in the center, also use Bitter-Warm herbs to regulate it. The movement aligns with Cold-Damp, so transformation should utilize Dry-Heat methods; this is the constant treatment principle.

First Qi Period: From Shen hour of Da Han day in Gui You year to Wu hour of Chun Fen day in this year, totaling 60 days and 87.5 ke. Main Position is Tai Jiao Wood, Guest Qi is Shaoyang Fire, central movement is Earth. Shaoyang governs the middle, executing Spring commands. Earth Qi shifts, becoming very warm. Grass blooms early. People suffer epidemics, Warm Diseases arise, presenting with body heat, headache, vomiting, and skin/muscle sores. Treat Guest Shaoyin with Salty tonification, Sweet purgation, and Salty softening. Year grain should be Black, inter-grain should be Beans, so Fire does not become evil.

Second Qi Period: From Wu Zheng of Chun Fen to Chen Zheng of Xiao Man, totaling over 60 days. Main Position is Shao Zheng Fire, Guest Qi is Yangming Metal, central movement is Earth. Metal and Earth harmonize, great coolness returns. People feel miserable, grass encounters cold, Fire Qi is suppressed. People suffer from Qi stagnation and abdominal fullness, Cold begins. Treat Guest Yangming with Sour tonification, Pungent purgation, and Bitter drainage. Year grain should be Black, inter-grain should be Shu (Glutinous Millet), so Dryness does not become evil.

Third Qi Period: From Si Chu of Xiao Man to Mao Chu of Da Shu, totaling over 60 days. Main Position is Shao Zheng Fire, Guest Qi is Taiyang Water, central movement is Earth. Heaven's policy spreads, Cold Qi acts, Rain descends. People suffer from Cold turning into internal Heat, abscesses, dysentery, heart heat, and dizziness/confusion. Untreated cases die. Treat Guest Taiyang with Bitter tonification, Salty purgation, Bitter firming, and Pungent moistening. Year grain should be Black, inter-grain should be Ji (Millet), so Cold does not become evil.

Fourth Qi Period: From Mao Zheng of Da Shu to Chou Zheng of Qiu Fen, totaling over 60 days. Main Position is Tai Gong Earth, Guest Qi is Jueyin Wood, central movement is Earth. Year Earth is in position, Wind Qi occupies it. Wind and Damp contend, Wind transforms into Rain. Things grow, transform, and mature. People suffer from intense heat and shortness of breath, muscle atrophy, foot weakness, and bloody/purulent dysentery. Treat Guest Jueyin with Pungent tonification, Sour purgation, and Sweet relaxation. Year grain should be [Luo-related], inter-grain should be Rice, so Wind does not become evil.

Fifth Qi Period: From Yin Chu of Qiu Fen to Zi Chu of Xiao Xue, totaling over 60 days. Main Position is Shao Shang Metal, Guest Qi is Shaoyin Fire, central movement is Earth. Fire generates Earth, Earth generates Metal. Qi positions harmonize. Yang returns to transformation. Grass grows, transforms, and matures. People feel comfortable. Regulate Guest Shaoyin with Salty tonification, Sweet purgation, and Sour astringency. Year grain should be [Luo-related], inter-grain should be Beans, so Heat does not become evil.

Final Qi Period: From Zi Zheng of Xiao Xue to Xu Zheng of Da Han, totaling over 60 days. Main Position is Tai Yu Water, Guest Qi is Taiyin Earth, central movement is Earth. Qi and Movement coincide. Earth Qi is correct, Damp Command acts. Yin condenses in the Great Void, dust dims the suburbs. People feel miserable, Cold Wind arrives. Those who oppose this will have dead fetuses. Treat Guest Taiyin with Sweet tonification, Bitter purgation, and Sweet relaxation. Year grain should be [Luo-related], inter-grain should be Hemp, so Dampness does not become evil.

This Qi should not be violated by Coolness, because the governing Qi is Cool. Although the year's Qi is balanced, if evil Qi enters, it strikes the Law-Enforcing Qi. The Classics say: One who strikes the Law-Enforcing Qi suffers rapid and critical illness.