Chart of the Bing Yin Year

Shaoyang Xianghuo (Ministerial Fire) governs the Si Tian (Heavenly Qi), Jueyin Fengmu (Wind-Wood) governs the Zai Quan (Earthly Qi), and the central Yun is Taiyu Shuiyun (Excessive Water Movement). In this year, Water Qi is excessive, and its气化 (Qi transformation) operates prior to the natural timing. Xianghuo is located above, with Yangming on the left interstitial position and Taiyin on the right interstitial position; thus, the Heavenly Qi is upright and its administration is strict. Jueyin is located below, with Shaoyin on the left interstitial position and Taiyang on the right interstitial position; thus, the Earthly Qi is disturbed and its administration is chaotic. Consequently, wind rises suddenly, trees are flattened, and sand flies. Flaming fire flows, Yin transforms following Yang, and rain falls at the appropriate time. Fire and Wood share the same virtue, corresponding above to Yinghuo (Mars) and Suixing (Jupiter). The corresponding grains are red and green. Wind and heat are distributed together, clouds and phenomena boil like water. Taiyin dampness flows horizontally, cold arrives at its time, and cool rains rise together. The people suffer from Cold Zhong (Cold affecting the middle), external eruptions of sores and ulcers, and internal diarrhea and fullness. The sages, encountering this, adopt harmony without contention. Due to the recurrence of these forces, the people suffer from cold-heat malaria, diarrhea, deafness, blindness/dizziness, vomiting, upper stagnation with swelling and color changes. In this year, Yang represents Heavenly Qi, and Yin represents Earthly Qi. Heavenly Qi is abundant, while Earthly Qi is deficient. One should seek the source of Fire's transformation. However, since Water Yun is in the middle, Fire Qi is naturally suppressed, so there is no need to specifically seek it. It is only advisable to suppress the excessive Water Yun, so that violent conditions do not arise and harsh diseases do not occur. For this year, it is suitable to regulate the upper part with Salty-Cold substances, the lower part with Pungent-Warm substances, and the middle with Salty-Warm substances. Use methods such as draining, purging, soaking, and inducing sweating. Observe the climate's cold or warmth to regulate excesses. Since the Yun differs from Wind-Heat, use Cold transformations sparingly. Dietary regulation should follow the same principles.

Before the midpoint of the year, Shaoyang Xianghuo presides. The Qi of Shaoyang Xianghuo follows its Ben Qi (Root Qi). If Fire Qi is excessively victorious, warm Qi circulates freely, and the Metal administration is unbalanced. The people suffer from headache, fever, aversion to cold, and malaria. Heat attacks the upper body causing skin pain, yellowish-red complexion. If transmitted, it causes edema, abdominal fullness, orthopnea (breathing with head extended), dysentery with red and white discharge, sores and ulcers, cough with blood-stained sputum, vexation, and heat in the chest. Severe cases present with rhinorrhea and epistaxis. The disease originates in the Lung. Diagnosis is made by palpating the pulse at Tianfu (LU 3). The method is to level with Salty-Cold, assist with Bitter-Sweet, astringe with Sour, disperse with Bitter, and restore with Sour.

After the midpoint of the year, Jueyin presides. The Qi of Jueyin does not follow its Biao-Ben (Branch-Root) but follows the Zhong Qi (Central Qi) of Shaoyang. At this time, Wind transforms into Fire. The two Qi achieve balance, and their transformation is harmonious. If Wind is excessively victorious internally, and the Earthly Qi is unclear, the plains become dim, and grasses flower early. The people suffer from shivering chills, frequent stretching and yawning, heart pain, limb fullness, tightness in the hypochondrium, inability to eat, obstruction in the diaphragm and throat, vomiting after eating, abdominal distension, frequent belching. Relief comes after defecation or passing gas, feeling as if the condition has subsided, though the body feels heavy. The method is to treat with Pungent-Cool, assist with Bitter, relieve tension with Sweet, and disperse with Pungent.

In the intersection of Qi, Water Yun governs. Excessive Water is termed "Liuyan" (Flowing Expansion). Cold Qi circulates, and pathogenic factors harm Heart Fire. The people suffer from body heat, vexation, restlessness, palpitations, Yin-Jue (Cold extremities), cold in the upper and lower parts, delirium, and heart pain. Cold arrives early, corresponding to Chenxing (Mercury). Severe cases present with abdominal distension, leg swelling, wheezing and coughing, night sweats, and aversion to wind. Heavy rain approaches, and dust/fog becomes dense. This reflects the transformation of Qi Earth. Diagnosis is made by palpating the pulse at Shenmen (HT 7). The method is to regulate with Salty-Warm.

The First Qi period begins from the Shen hour of the Great Cold day in the Yi Chou year until the Wu hour of the Spring Equinox day in this year. It lasts for 60 days and 87.5 ke. The Main Position is Taijiao Wood, the Guest Qi is Shaoyin Fire, and the central Yun is Water. Wood and Fire combine to support the Si Tian Shaoyang and execute the Spring command. As the Earthly Qi shifts, Wind prevails and shakes things; Cold departs, and the climate becomes very warm. Grasses and trees flourish early. Although Cold arrives, it does not kill, so Warm diseases arise. The disease involves Qi stagnation above, blood overflow, red eyes, cough and counterflow qi, headache, metrorrhagia, hypochondriac fullness, and sores in the skin and pores. The method is to treat the Guest Shaoyin: tonify with Salty, drain with Sweet, and astringe with Sour. The annual grain should be red (Dan), and the intercalary grain should be beans.

The Second Qi period begins from the Wu hour of the Spring Equinox day until the Chen hour of the Grain Full day. It lasts for over 60 days. The Main Position is Shaozheng Fire, the Guest Qi is Taiyin Earth, and the central Yun is Water. Fire and Earth combine. Above, Shaoyang is seen, and Fire is repressed. White haze rises everywhere, clouds move toward the rain repository. Wind cannot overcome dampness, and rain falls. The people are healthy. The disease involves heat stagnation above, cough and counterflow qi, vomiting, sores in the middle, chest and throat obstruction, headache, body heat, drowsiness, and suppurative sores. The method is to treat the Guest Taiyin: tonify with Sweet, drain with Bitter, and relieve tension with Sweet. The annual grain should be red (Dan), and the intercalary grain should be sesame.

The Third Qi period begins from the Si hour of the Grain Full day until the Mao hour of the Great Heat day. It lasts for over 60 days. The Main Position is Shaozheng Fire, the Guest Qi is Shaoyang Fire, and the central Yun is Water. Fire occupies the Fire position, and Summer Qi is correct. Heaven's administration spreads, intense heat arrives, and Shaoyang oversees from above. Rain ceases. The people suffer from internal heat, deafness and dizziness, blood overflow, suppurative sores, cough and vomiting, rhinorrhea and epistaxis, sneezing and yawning, bi-syndrome of the throat, and red eyes. Sudden death may occur. The method is to treat the Guest Shaoyang: tonify with Salty, drain with Sweet, and soften hardness with Salty. The annual grain should be red (Dan), and the intercalary grain should be beans.

The Fourth Qi period begins from the Mao hour of the Great Heat day until the Chou hour of the Autumn Equinox day. It lasts for over 60 days. The Main Position is Taigong Earth, the Guest Qi is Yangming Metal, and the central Yun is Water. Earth, Metal, and Water benefit each other to execute the Autumn command. Autumn Qi is correct, cool air arrives, and heat alternates. White dew descends, and the people's Qi is peaceful. The disease involves heaviness of the whole body. Treat the Guest Yangming: tonify with Sour, drain with Pungent, and drain with Bitter. The annual grain should be green (Cang), and the intercalary grain should be millet (Shu).

The Fifth Qi period begins from the Yin hour of the Autumn Equinox day until the Zi hour of the Light Snow day. It lasts for over 60 days. The Main Position is Shaoshang Metal, the Guest Qi is Taiyang Water, and the central Yun is Water. Water and Metal harmonize. Furthermore, the Guest Qi matches the Yun, which is the Si Qi of the year, known as Yuanhua. At this time, Yang departs, Cold arrives, rain falls, and the pore gates close. Hard wood withers early. People avoid cold pathogens, and gentlemen take careful precautions. The method is to treat the Guest Taiyang: tonify with Bitter, drain with Salty, firm with Bitter, and moisten with Pungent. The annual grain should be green (Cang), and the intercalary grain should be broomcorn millet (Ji). In this Qi, since the Si Qi is already cold, one must strictly avoid cold, which is called "avoiding cold when using cold."

The Final Qi period begins from the Zi hour of the Light Snow day until the Xu hour of the Great Cold day. It lasts for over 60 days. The Main Position is Taiyu Water, the Guest Qi is Jueyin Wood, and the central Yun is Water. Water occupies its proper position and harmonizes with Wood, executing Shunhua (Smooth Transformation). Earthly Qi is correct, wind arrives, and all things revive. Fog moves about. The disease involves incontinence of urine and feces, heart pain, cough due to failure of Yang Qi to store, etc. The method is to treat the Guest Jueyin: tonify with Pungent, drain with Sour, and relieve tension with Sweet. The annual grain should be green (Cang), and the intercalary grain should be rice. These are the general rules of the Six Qi. In this year, the Year Qi shares the virtue of Fire and Wood. Its Qi is concentrated, its transformation is pure, and the Winning Qi is naturally weak, so there is no need to record the Repaying Qi.