Discussion on the Fundamental Diseases

The Yellow Emperor asked: The principle of the nine celestial obstructions in the heavenly stems—I have already understood it. I wish to hear you explain the intersection of qi, and what is meant by "losing its station"? Qi Bo said: This refers to the ascending and descending of the qi of heaven and earth, the shifting to the correct position and retreating from position, each having its own regulations according to the theory of the channels. If the upper and lower qi cannot advance properly, it is called "losing its station." Therefore, when the intersection of qi loses its normal position, the intersection of qi will undergo change; if this change exceeds the norm, it will cause the four seasons to lose their order, the myriad things to become unsettled in their transformations, and thus bring about disease among the people.

The Yellow Emperor said: Regarding the circumstances of ascending and descending not advancing, I wish to hear the reason for it. When the intersection of qi undergoes change, by what means can it be clearly known? Qi Bo said: How thorough this question is! Your understanding of the Dao is already very clear. The change in the intersection of qi is called the pivot of the movement of heaven and earth. If a certain qi wishes to descend but cannot descend, it is because the earthly qi obstructs and penalizes it. Moreover, there is also the case of the five movements being excessive and arriving prematurely; thus the intersection of qi cannot advance. If a certain qi wishes to ascend but cannot ascend, it is suppressed by the middle movement; if it wishes to descend but cannot descend, it is also suppressed by the middle movement. Thus there are cases where ascending cannot advance, descending cannot reach, cases where ascending can reach the heavenly position, and cases where neither ascending nor descending can advance. Making these distinctions, then the changes in the intersection of qi, the differences in their movements, each have their own regularities, and the disasters also have degrees of mildness and severity.

The Yellow Emperor said: I wish to hear you explain the reasons for the meeting, convergence, victory and reversion, and suppression of the intersection of qi, and how this transforms into disease among the people, with degrees of severity? Qi Bo said: This is caused by the meeting of victorious qi, suppression and concealment. Therefore, in the years of Chen and Xu, the wood qi wishes to ascend but encounters the obstruction of the Tianzhu star (Venus); the victorious qi prevents it from advancing. If it also meets a Gengxu year, the metal movement arrives prematurely; the middle movement overcomes the wood qi, and the wood qi suddenly cannot advance. The wood movement wishes to ascend to heaven, but the metal qi suppresses it; ascending but unable to advance, there appears the generation of clear and cool qi, scanty wind qi, a killing and reducing qi appearing in spring, dew and frost descending again, and grass and trees withering as a result. The people suffer from warm epidemics occurring prematurely, dry throat, fullness in the four limbs, and pain in all the limb joints. After a long time, the qi of depression transforms, and there appears great wind that destroys and uproots, breaks and falls, with roaring and disorder. The people suffer from wind stroke, generalized numbness, and inflexibility of the hands and feet. Therefore, in the years of Ji and Hai, the sovereign fire wishes to ascend to heaven but encounters the obstruction of the Tianpeng star (Water); the victorious qi prevents it from advancing. Moreover, if Jueyin wind wood has already shifted to the correct position, then Shaoyin sovereign fire cannot ascend to heaven, and the water movement arrives at this time. The sovereign fire wishes to ascend but is suppressed by the middle water movement; ascending but unable to advance, there appears the recurrence of clear and cool cold, with cold qi emerging morning and evening. The people suffer from yang qi concealed within, and internally generate vexation and heat, the heart spirit is frightened and palpitation occurs, with cold and heat alternatingly attacking. After a long time, depression forms, and there suddenly appears violent heat, red wind, swelling, and cataracts, transforming into epidemic disease, warm pestilence qi warmly arising, and red miasma transforming into fire epidemic, all manifesting as vexation and thirst; for severe thirst, treatment with draining methods can stop it. Therefore, in the years of Zi and Wu, the Taiyin earth dampness wishes to ascend to heaven but encounters the obstruction of the Tianchong star (Wood); the victorious qi prevents it from advancing. Or it meets a Renzi year, with the wood movement arriving prematurely, and the wood qi suppresses it from the middle. Ascending to heaven but unable to advance, there appears wind and sand rising in all directions, often raising dust that darkens the sky, and rain and damp qi cannot transform normally. The people suffer from wind reversal, upward gushing of saliva, generalized numbness with inability to move freely, and abdominal fullness. After a long time, the qi of concealment and depression transforms, and there appears yellow dust transforming into epidemic disease; the people suffer illness and premature death, with yellowing of the face, limbs, and abdomen, fullness and obstruction, damp qi unable to disperse, and the transformation of rain being weak. Therefore, in the years of Chou and Wei, the Shaoyang minister fire wishes to ascend to heaven but encounters the obstruction of the Tianpeng star (Water); the victorious qi prevents it from advancing. Or it meets Taiyin earth dampness not yet having shifted to the correct position, then Shaoyin sovereign fire also cannot ascend to heaven, and the water movement arrives at this time. Ascending to heaven but unable to advance, there appears cold qi spreading instead, like the bitter cold of winter, water flows drying up again, ice forming again, warm qi suddenly appearing, and cold qi spreading again, cold and warmth not matching the season. The people suffer from yang qi concealed within, internally generating vexatious heat, the heart spirit frightened and alarmed, with cold and heat alternately contending. After a long time, depression forms, and there suddenly arises violent heat, red wind, and cataracts of the eye, transforming into stagnant pestilential qi, and then there arises concealed heat with internal vexation, numbness producing reversal cold of the four limbs, and in severe cases, bleeding occurs. Therefore, in the years of Yin and Shen, the Yangming metal dryness wishes to ascend to heaven but encounters the obstruction of the Tianying star (Fire); the victorious qi prevents it from advancing. Or it meets a Wuyin year, with the fire movement arriving prematurely. The metal qi wishes to ascend to heaven, but the fire movement suppresses it; ascending but unable to advance, there appears the timely rain not descending, the west wind blowing frequently, and salty marshlands drying and producing. The people suffer from upper body heat, panting and coughing, and bleeding. After a long time, depression transforms, and there appears white dust like a veil of mist, clear and cool qi producing killing and reducing; the people suffer from fullness and pain under the ribs, grief, clear nasal discharge, sneezing, dry throat, and dry and cracked skin on the hands and feet. Therefore, in the years of Mao and You, the Taiyang cold water wishes to ascend to heaven but encounters the obstruction of earth qi within heaven; the victorious qi prevents it from advancing. Moreover, Yangming metal dryness has not yet shifted to the correct position, then Taiyang cold water also cannot ascend to heaven, and the earth movement arrives at this time. The water qi wishes to ascend to heaven, but the earth movement suppresses it; ascending but unable to advance, there appears dampness and heat steaming, and cold arising within the rain interval. The people suffer from unceasing diarrhea, with food not being digested. After a long time, depression forms, and the cold qi comes to invade the heat, with hail suddenly descending. The people suffer from reversal cold of the four limbs, vomiting and hiccup, internal generation of heat, external qi becoming impeded, pain and soreness in the lower legs and feet, and instead, heart palpitations and vexatious heat arise, with sudden vexation followed by reversal cold of the four limbs.

Huangdi said: "I have fully understood the essential points regarding ascending without being able to advance. I wish to hear you explain the situation of descending without being able to reach downward. Can you make it clear to me?" Qibo said: "Your question is truly detailed! This is called the subtle and profound essence of heaven and earth, and the principles in this regard can be fully expounded. What is meant is that after ascending, there must be descending. When ascending reaches heaven for three years, in the second year it must descend. Descending enters the earth, only then becoming the left interphasic qi. This cycle of ascending, descending, coming, and going is called the Six Regulations. Therefore, in the years of Chou and Wei, Jueyin Wind-Wood desires to descend to the earth, but encounters the obstruction of Diyao Star (Venus), and the victorious qi prevents it from advancing. Or if it also encounters Shaoyin Sovereign Fire that has not yet withdrawn its position, then Jueyin Wind-Wood cannot descend, and Metal movement arrives at this time. Metal movement receives and suppresses it. Descending but unable to reach downward, suppressed and transformed into depression, Wood qi desires to descend, Metal movement receives and suppresses it. Descending but unable to reach downward, there will appear blue-green dust visible in the distance, white qi comes to receive it, wind raises dust darkening the sky, cool and dry qi operates and kills, frost and dew descend again, killing qi spreads its governance. If it cannot descend for a long time, suppressed and transformed into depression, it will form wind qi and dryness qi mutually lurking, warm qi turns instead to coolness, plants and trees begin to sprout, killing frost descends, hibernating insects do not emerge, fearing that cool qi will damage the viscera and bowels.

Therefore, in the years of Yin and Shen, Shaoyin Sovereign Fire desires to descend to the earth, but encounters the obstruction of Dixuan Star (Mercury), and the victorious qi prevents it from entering. Or if it also encounters the years Bingshen and Bingyin, where Water movement is excessive and arrives ahead of time. Sovereign Fire desires to descend, Water movement receives and suppresses it. Descending but unable to reach downward, there will appear red clouds just arising, black qi instead arises, warm qi seems to unfold, cold qi often spreads and sends down snow, fierce qi erupts again, sky clouds are dreary and desolate. If it cannot descend for a long time, lurking and transformed into depression, after cold qi prevails, it again emits heat qi. Red wind transforms into epidemic disease, the people suffer from facial redness, heart vexation, headache, and dizziness. Red qi manifests and warm disease is about to erupt.

Therefore, in the years of Mao and You, Taiyin Earth-Soil desires to descend to the earth, but encounters the obstruction of Dicang Star (Jupiter), and the victorious qi prevents it from entering. Or if it also encounters Shaoyang Ministerial Fire that has not yet withdrawn its position, then Taiyin Earth-Soil cannot descend, or Wood movement arrives. Wood movement receives and suppresses it. Descending but unable to reach downward, there will appear yellow clouds arising and blue-green rosy clouds manifesting, depressive heat steaming and erupting while strong wind arises, fog and haze dust fill the air, breaking and damaging then occur. If it cannot descend for a long time, lurking and transformed into depression, the sky produces yellow dust qi, the earth scatters dampness and steaming, the people suffer from inability to lift the four limbs, dizziness and vertigo, limb joint pain, abdominal distension, and chest and diaphragm blockage.

Therefore, in the years of Chen and Xu, Shaoyang Ministerial Fire desires to descend to the earth, but encounters the obstruction of Dixuan Star (Mercury), and the victorious qi prevents it from entering. Or if it also encounters Water movement being excessive and arriving ahead of time. Water movement receives and suppresses it. Descending but unable to reach downward, there will appear red clouds just arising, black qi instead arises, warm qi desires to occur, cold qi suddenly arrives, in severe cases hail. If it cannot descend for a long time, lurking and transformed into depression, after cold qi, it again emits heat qi. Red wind transforms into epidemic disease, the people suffer from facial redness, heart vexation, headache, and dizziness. Red qi manifests and heat disease is about to erupt.

Therefore, in the years of Ji and Hai, Yangming Metal-Dryness desires to descend to the earth, but encounters the obstruction of Ditong Star (Mars), and the victorious qi prevents it from entering. Or if it also encounters Taiyin Earth-Soil that has not yet withdrawn its position, then Shaoyang Ministerial Fire cannot descend, and Fire movement arrives at this time. Fire movement receives and suppresses it, unable to descend, there will appear the weather being cool and killing, red qi then manifests, warm qi instead erupts. The people all feel fatigue, are restless in bed at night, throat dry desiring to drink water, vexation and heat internally, in the early morning and evening the weather is cool, warm qi erupts repeatedly. If it cannot descend for a long time, lurking and transformed into depression, the weather is cool with slight cold, from afar white qi is produced. The people suffer from dizziness, hands and feet stiff and not flexible, pain in both hypochondria, blurred vision.

Therefore, in the years of Zi and Wu, Taiyang Water-Cold desires to descend to the earth, but encounters the obstruction of Difu Star (Saturn) and the victorious qi, descending but unable to enter. Or if it also encounters Earth movement being excessive and arriving ahead of time. Earth movement receives and suppresses it, descending but unable to enter, there will appear the sky manifesting black qi, dark and dreary, just as yellow dust descends and again scatters dampness, cold qi operates its governance, steaming dampness again issues its commands. If it cannot descend for a long time, lurking and transformed into depression, the people suffer from severe reversal cold of the four limbs, the four limbs heavy and languid, yin impotence and weakness, the sky filled with gloomy qi, steaming dampness erupts intermittently.

Huangdi said: "Regarding ascending and descending without being able to advance, I have clearly understood its essential tenets. I wish to hear you explain 'shifting to the correct position' (qian zheng). Can you make it clear?" Qibo said: "When [a qi] is properly governing the central position, this is called shifting to the correct position. The reason the Sitian qi cannot shift to the correct position is because the preceding Sitian qi has already exceeded the time for handover. If it encounters the preceding Sitian qi being excessive, having surplus days, it will still govern the number of days, and the new Sitian qi cannot shift to the correct position. When Jueyin Wind-Wood cannot shift to the correct position, there will appear wind and warmth not conforming to the season, flowers and plants wither and drop, the people suffer from dribbling urination, ocular system turning, convulsions, easily angered, reddish urine. Wind qi desires to govern but cold qi does not depart, warm qi is not correct, the normal seasonal timing of spring is lost. When Shaoyin Sovereign Fire cannot shift to the correct position, there will appear cold qi not retreating, spring cold persists after cold, warm qi does not conform to the season. The people suffer from alternating cold and heat, the four limbs vexed and painful, lower back and spine rigid. Although Wood qi is excessive, its position will not exceed Sovereign Fire. When Taiyin Earth-Soil cannot shift to the correct position, there will appear clouds and rain missing their timing, the myriad things wither and scorch, they should grow but do not sprout. The people suffer from swelling and fullness in the four limbs and joints, abdominal edema, chest and diaphragm blockage preventing eating, undigested grain diarrhea, hypochondriac distension, inability to lift the four limbs. Rainwater qi desires to govern, heat qi still governs, warm and heat qi is excessively strong and cannot moisten. When Shaoyang Ministerial Fire cannot shift to the correct position, there will appear scorching heat not governing, seedlings not flourishing, intense summer heat appearing in autumn, killing qi arriving late, frost and dew not conforming to the season. The people suffer from malaria, bone-steaming fever, heart palpitations and fear, in severe cases frequent bleeding. When Yangming Metal-Dryness cannot shift to the correct position, there will appear summer heat qi in front, killing qi behind, plants and trees instead flourish. The people suffer from alternating cold and heat, nasal congestion and sneezing, skin and hair dry, nails withered, in severe cases wheezing and coughing, rapid breathing, grief and unhappiness. Heat qi begins to spread, dryness qi does not govern, cool and sharp qi does not operate, the Metal lung will again become diseased. When Taiyang Water-Cold cannot shift to the correct position, there will appear winter coolness turning to cold, the governance changes to spring, killing frost in front, cold ice behind, yang qi again comes to govern, fierce qi does not erupt, clouds and fog await their time. The people suffer from warm epidemic and pestilential qi arriving, throat blockage and throat dryness, vexation and thirst, panting with sound. Cold qi awaits dryness qi, still governing the celestial weather, the climate loses its regular order, causing calamity to the people."

Huangdi asked: "Regarding the earliness or lateness of the time for shifting to the correct position, I have already understood its essential points. Now I wish to hear about the situation of withdrawing from position (tui wei). Can you make it clear to me?"

Qi Bo said: "What is meant by 'not retreating' is that the Heavenly course has not yet ended, and there is still surplus in the Heavenly number. This is called 're-establishing governance,' meaning once again governing the Heavenly seasons. That is, the Heavenly decrees remain the same and do not retreat. When Jueyin does not retreat, there will be early occurrence of strong winds, timely rains will not fall, dampness will not transform and generate, and the people will be prone to warm epidemics, developing skin spots and flaccid wind disorders. The people will all suffer from pain in the four limbs and joints, headache and eye pain, internal heat and vexation, and a dry throat with a desire to drink. When Shaoyin does not retreat, warm qi will occur in the spring and winter seasons, hibernating insects will emerge early, and plants will grow ahead of time. The people will be prone to heat in the chest and diaphragm, dry throat, bleeding, fright, difficult and reddish urination, cinnabar toxin, tumors, rashes, and sores and ulcers that retain poison. When Taiyin does not retreat, cold and heat will not follow the seasons, dust will dim and fill the atmosphere, the warm season will not depart, and the people will be prone to weakness of the four limbs, inability to take food, diarrhea like pouring, dribbling and fullness, coldness in the lower legs and feet, impotence and occlusion, loss of urine or frequent urination. When Shaoyang does not retreat, heat will occur in spring, summer heat will transform later, winter will be warm without cold, flowing water will not freeze, and hibernating insects will emerge and move. The people will be prone to shortness of breath, alternating attacks of cold and heat, blood in the stool, upper heat, hardness and fullness of the lower abdomen, reddish and hot urination like being poured, and in severe cases, bleeding. When Yangming does not retreat, cold and clear qi will occur in spring, plants will flourish late, and cold and heat will alternate in attacks. The people will be prone to vomiting, sudden diarrhea, inability to take food, dry stool, inability to lift the four limbs, closed eyes, and dizziness and vertigo."

The Yellow Emperor asked: "I already know about the earliness or lateness of the Heavenly seasons and years. I wish to hear about the conditions of the Earthly qi. Can you make it clear to me?"

Qi Bo said: "When the underground processes of shifting to the correct position, ascending, and retreating cannot proceed normally, it means that the Earth cannot properly transform and generate the myriad things, and the myriad things lose the transformation and nurturing of the seasons."

The Yellow Emperor said: "I have heard that Heaven and Earth have the sixty-year cycle, the ten Heavenly Stems and the twelve Earthly Branches. Above and below, they form the warp and weft of Heaven and Earth. The qi numbers have movements and changes. If they lose their proper positions, can you make it clear to me?"

Qi Bo said: "The situation of losing position and shifting refers to when, although the correct position of the year's movement is obtained, the governing qi of that correct position is not obtained. This causes the four seasons to not follow the proper nodes, and thus great epidemics arise. A note in the Xuan Zhu Mi Yu says: Among the yang years, there are thirty years. Removing the six years of Heavenly punishment, there are twenty-four years of excess. Removing these six years, they are all used as excess. But now there are principles that are not like this. What is now called the shifting of Earthly Branches and the change of positions can all be regarded as insufficiency."

"Suppose in a jia-zi yang year, with earth movement in excess but blocked. If in the gui-hai year the Heavenly number has surplus, although it has crossed into the jia-zi year, Jueyin still governs the Heavenly season. The Earthly qi has already shifted to the correct position, with Yangming in the spring. Last year's Shaoyang has already become the right interstice. This means that the Earth of Jueyin is Yangming, so they cannot harmonize with each other. Gui-si meet each other. Earth movement is in excess, but emptiness instead suffers being overcome by wood. Therefore, it is not excess. Why is it said that earth movement is in excess? Moreover, the huangzhong pitch pipe should not be too blocked. Wood already overcomes, and metal then restores. After metal restores, Shaoyin arrives as promised. Since wood overcomes like fire and metal restores weakly, thus jia-ji lose their position. After three years, it transforms into an earth epidemic. The late one is in the mao year, the early one is in the bing-yin year. The earth epidemic will then arrive. The size and good or evil of the epidemic should be determined by seeking the qi numbers of Heaven and Earth and carefully examining the Grand Unity."

"Another example: in the jia-zi year, if jia arrives at zi and they unite, it should be the time to take over the governance of Heaven and govern the Heavenly season. But below, ji-wei has not shifted to the correct position, and wu-yin Shaoyang has not retreated. This is also a case where jia-ji below have a union. Then the earth movement is not in excess, and wood takes advantage of the emptiness to overcome earth. Metal then follows to overcome it again, and it instead transforms into pathogenic qi. Yin and yang, Heaven and Earth are different, so the size and good or evil of the epidemic are completely the same as the principles of Heaven and Earth."

"Suppose in a bing-yin yang year of excess. If in the yi-chou year the Heavenly number has surplus, although it has crossed into the bing-yin year, Taiyin still governs the Heavenly season. The Earthly qi has already shifted to the correct position, with Jueyin governing the Earth. Last year's Taiyang has already become the right interstice. This means that the Heaven is Taiyin and the Earth is Jueyin, so the Earth does not serve the transformation of Heaven. Yi-xin meet each other. The water movement is greatly empty, and instead suffers being overcome by earth. Therefore, it is not excess. That is, the taicu pitch pipe, taiyu should not respond. Earth overcomes, and rain transforms. Water restores, then wind arises. This is bing-xin losing their meeting. After three years, it transforms into a water epidemic. The late one is in the ji-si year, the early one is in the wu-chen year. Severe ones are fast, mild ones are slow. The water epidemic will then arrive. The size and good or evil should be determined by seeking the qi numbers of Heaven and Earth and the wandering palaces of the Grand Unity."

"Another example: in the bing-yin year, bing arrives at yin and they unite. It should be the time to take over the governance of Heaven and govern the Heavenly season. But xin-si has not shifted to the correct position, and geng-chen Taiyang has not retreated. This is also bing-xin not uniting in virtue. Then the water movement is also slightly empty and slightly has overcoming qi, or perhaps has restoring qi. After three years, it transforms into a li disease, named water li. Its symptoms are the same as the water epidemic. The treatment method is as before."

"Suppose in a geng-chen yang year of excess. If in the ji-mao year the Heavenly number has surplus, although it has crossed into the geng-chen year, Yangming still governs the Heavenly season. The Earthly qi has already shifted to the correct position, with Taiyin governing the Earth. Last year's Shaoyin has already become the right interstice. This means that the Heaven is Yangming and the Earth is Taiyin, so the Earth serves Heaven. Yi-si meet each other. The metal movement is greatly empty, and instead suffers being overcome by fire. Therefore, it is not excess. That is, the guxi pitch pipe, taishang should not respond. Fire overcomes, then heat transforms. Water restores, then cold punishes. This is yi-geng losing their position. After three years, it transforms into a metal epidemic. The fast one arrives at the ren-wu year, the slow one arrives at the gui-wei year. The metal epidemic will then arrive. The size and good or evil should be determined by seeking the Heavenly number of the current year and the Grand Unity."

"Another example: geng-chen, if geng arrives at chen, it should be the time to take over the governance of Heaven and govern the Heavenly season. But below, yi-wei has not shifted to the correct position. That is, the Earth jia-wu Shaoyin has not retreated. Moreover, yi-geng do not unite in virtue. Then below, yi-wei, the stem loses its strength. Also, the metal movement is slightly empty, with a slight overcoming or without restoring qi. After three years, it transforms into a li disease, named metal li. Its symptoms are the same as the metal epidemic. The treatment method is as before."

"Suppose in a ren-wu yang year of excess. If in the xin-si year the Heavenly number has surplus, although it has crossed into the ren-wu year, Jueyin still governs the Heavenly season. The Earthly qi has already shifted to the correct position, with Yangming in the spring. Last year's bing-shen Shaoyang has already become the right interstice. This means that the Heaven is Jueyin and the Earth is Yangming, so the Earth does not serve Heaven. Ding-xin unite. The wood movement is greatly empty, and instead suffers being overcome by metal. Therefore, it is not excess. That is, the ruibin pitch pipe, taijiao should not respond. Metal acts with dry overcoming, fire transforms with heat restoration. Severe ones are fast, mild ones are slow. The size and good or evil of the epidemic's arrival should be determined by seeking the Heavenly number of the year the epidemic arrives and the Grand Unity."

"Another example: ren arrives at wu, it should be the time to take over the governance of Heaven and govern the Heavenly season. But below, ding-you has not shifted to the correct position. That is, the Earth's bing-shen Shaoyang has not retreated. Seeing that ding-ren do not unite in virtue, then the soft stem ding loses its strength. Also, the wood movement is slightly empty, with a slight overcoming and a slight restoration. After three years, it transforms into a li disease, named wood li. Its symptoms are the same as the wind epidemic. The treatment method is as before."

"Suppose in a wu-shen yang year of excess. If in the ding-wei year the Heavenly number is in excess, although it has crossed into the shen year, Taiyin still governs the Heavenly season. The Earthly qi has already shifted to the correct position, with Jueyin in the spring. Last year's ren-xu Taiyang has already retreated as the right interstice. This means that the Heaven is ding-wei, the Earth is gui-hai, so the Earth does not serve the transformation of Heaven. Ding-gui meet each other. The fire movement is greatly empty, and instead suffers being overcome by fire. Therefore, it is not excess. That is, the yize pitch pipe, the upper taizheng should not respond. This is wu-gui losing their meeting. After three years, it transforms into an epidemic disease. The fast one arrives at the geng-xu year. The size and good or evil should be determined by seeking the Heavenly number of the year the epidemic arrives and the Grand Unity."

"Another example: wu-shen, if wu arrives at shen, it should be the time to take over the governance of Heaven and govern the Heavenly season. But below, gui-hai has not shifted to the correct position. That is, the Earth's ren-xu Taiyang has not retreated. Seeing that wu-gui have not united in virtue, then below, the soft stem gui loses its strength. Seeing that the fire movement is slightly empty, with a slight overcoming or without restoring qi. After three years, it transforms into a li disease, named fire li. The treatment method is as before. The method of treatment can use cold and cool purging methods."

The Yellow Emperor asked: When a person’s righteous qi is insufficient, the heavenly qi is as if vacuous and depleted, the person’s spirit loses its hold, the spiritual light cannot coalesce, and evil ghosts invade the body, leading to premature death and extinction—what is the principle behind this, and may I hear of it? Qi Bo replied: Among the five viscera of a person, if one viscera has insufficient righteous qi, and it coincides with a vacuity and depletion of heavenly qi, then it is easy to contract evil qi and develop disease. If a person is given to anxiety and worry, this damages the heart; or again, they encounter the year when Lesser Yin, the Sovereign Fire, governs the heavens, yet the heavenly seasonal qi is insufficient, and the qi of Greater Yin, the Earth phase, intercedes and arrives at intervals—this is called “heavenly vacuity,” meaning that human qi and heavenly qi are simultaneously vacuous. Additionally, encountering fright and terror depletes and seizes the essence, and the heart’s sweat leaks outward; thus the “three vacuous” [conditions] form, and the spirit loses its position. The heart is the organ of the sovereign ruler; the spirit emerges from it. Once the spirit loses its position, it wanders to the upper elixir field, below the Mudball Palace of the Great One, the Supreme Emperor. Since the spirit has lost its hold, the spiritual light cannot coalesce, and again encountering a year when the Fire phase’s qi is insufficient, a black corpse-ghost appears, causing sudden death in the person.

If a person is immoderate in eating and drinking, or wearied and exhausted from overwork, this damages the spleen; or again, they encounter the year when Greater Yin, the Earth phase, governs the heavens, yet the heavenly seasonal qi is insufficient, and the qi of Lesser Yang, the Ministerial Fire, intercedes and arrives at intervals—this is called “vacuity,” meaning that human qi is vacuous and heavenly qi is vacuous. Additionally, encountering excessive satiation from food and drink, the stomach’s sweat leaks outward; or after intoxication and satiation, engaging in sexual intercourse, the spleen’s sweat leaks outward—thus the “three vacuous” [conditions] form, and the spleen’s spirit loses its position. The spleen is the organ of remonstrance and counsel; wisdom and careful planning emerge from it. Once the spirit has lost its position, the spiritual light loses its place and cannot coalesce, and again encountering a year when the Earth phase’s qi is insufficient, or a year of Ji or Jia where [the qi] loses its hold, or when Greater Yin governs the heavens and the heavenly qi is vacuous and depleted, a green corpse-ghost appears, causing sudden death in the person.

If a person sits for a long time in damp ground, or strains themselves by wading through water, this damages the kidneys. The kidneys are the organ of strong action; skill and ingenuity emerge from them. Thus the “three vacuous” [conditions] form, and the kidney’s spirit loses its position; the spirit-mind loses its place, the spiritual light cannot coalesce. Again encountering a year when the Water phase’s qi is insufficient, or a year of Xin that does not conform to the heavenly season, or a year of Bing where [the qi] loses its hold, or when Greater Yang governs the heavens and the heavenly qi is vacuous and depleted, a yellow corpse-ghost arrives; when this occurs, it causes sudden death in the person.

If a person becomes angry, the qi rises upward and does not descend, this damages the liver. Again encountering the year when Jueyin, the Wind-Wood, governs the heavens, yet the heavenly seasonal qi is insufficient, and the qi of Lesser Yin, the Sovereign Fire, intercedes and arrives at intervals—this is called “heavenly vacuity,” meaning that heavenly vacuity and human vacuity coexist. Additionally, encountering rapid walking and fear, the liver’s sweat leaks outward. The liver is the organ of the general; strategies and plans emerge from it. The spirit’s position loses its hold, the spiritual light cannot coalesce, and again encountering a year when the Wood phase’s qi is insufficient, or a year of Ding that does not conform to the heavenly season, or a year of Ren where [the qi] loses its hold, or when Jueyin governs the heavens and the heavenly qi is vacuous and depleted, a white corpse-ghost appears, causing sudden death in the person.

The above five situations where the spirits of the five viscera lose their hold are all cases where heavenly vacuity and human vacuity exist simultaneously; the spirit wanders and loses its position, and then the five corpse-ghosts invade the body, causing sudden death in the person—this is also called “corpse-abscondence.” If a person offends against the shifting of the five spirits, the spiritual light cannot be complete. It is not only corpse-ghosts; all evil qi that invades the body is due to the spirit losing its position. This means that those who can guard their spirit position live, and those who lose their spirit position die; those who obtain the spirit qi flourish, and those who lose the spirit qi perish.