《素問六氣玄珠密語》Vol. 12

This scripture elucidates the cyclical patterns of Heaven and Earth Qi interactions, specifically detailing the first three scenarios among thirty methods of "proper transformation in the earthly springs" (referring to the responsive changes between terrestrial and celestial energies). The author Qixuanzi employs the coordination of heavenly stems and earthly branches to calculate the timing and principles of celestial-terrestrial Qi convergence.

First scenario: When celestial Qi corresponds to the Jiawu year (甲午), terrestrial Qi aligns with the Jiyou year (己酉). Jia belongs to the heavenly stems while Ji pertains to the earthly branches—their union symbolizes Heaven-Earth harmony. This generates Earth Phase movement (the elemental energy of Earth among the Five Phases). From heavenly stem Jia to earthly branch Ji spans fifteen days, when terrestrial Qi begins manifesting Yangming Metal Qi (Yangming being one of the six climatic energies, associated with Metal). Fifteen days after the celestial governance period (司天), Heaven and Earth Qi intersect precisely at the solar term of Spring Commencement (立春). The transition from celestial to terrestrial convergence requires 1,500 ke (ancient time units). The earthly branch You corresponds to the Dui trigram (兑卦) with numerical value seven; heavenly stem Ji belongs to Earth Phase with value five—summing to twelve. Twelve ke after terrestrial convergence, Metal Qi enters the earth. Counting three positions sequentially from Ji to You, Metal Qi dominates terrestrial energy after three days. Pungent-flavored (Metal attribute) produce begins growing, terrestrial Qi becomes arid, and after seven days white Metal Qi descends—earthly energy synchronizing with celestial movement.

Second scenario: With celestial Qi in the Bingwu year (丙午), terrestrial Qi matches the Xinyou year (辛酉). The Bing-Xin union generates Water Phase movement. Earthly branch You holds value seven; heavenly stem Xin belongs to Water Phase with value one—totaling eight. Eight ke post terrestrial convergence, Metal Qi enters the earth. Counting twelve positions from Xin to You, Metal Qi governs terrestrial energy after twelve days. Pungent produce grows, terrestrial Qi dries, and white Metal Qi settles after seven days.

Third scenario: Celestial Qi in the Wuwu year (戊午) pairs with terrestrial Qi in the Guiyou year (癸酉). The Wu-Gui combination produces Fire Phase movement. Earthly branch You (value seven) plus heavenly stem Gui (Fire Phase value two) equals nine. Nine ke after terrestrial convergence, Metal Qi enters the earth. Counting nine positions from Gui to You, Metal Qi commands terrestrial energy after nine days. Pungent produce emerges, arid Qi circulates underground, completing the cycle in seven days.

These calculation methods demonstrate ancient Daoism's sophisticated system for predicting celestial-terrestrial energy shifts through heavenly stems, earthly branches, and Five Phase numerology—applied to guide cultivation practices and agricultural activities.

This passage explains the ancient Daoist theory of "Five Circuits and Six Qi" (Wuyun Liuqi), which describes the patterns of energy transformation during the celestial-terrestrial Qi exchange. In modern terms, it presents a precise timetable showing how the combinations of heavenly stems and earthly branches activate the movement of Five Phases (Metal, Wood, Water, Fire, Earth) energies across the earth's surface.

When white celestial energy (Metal Qi) descends from heaven, the earth correspondingly generates golden energy in response. Take the "Four Gengwu" combination as an example: with Geng (heavenly Metal) above and Yi (earthly Wood) below, their interaction generates Metal-phase energy. At this moment, the earthly manifestation appears as the Yi-You combination, marking the formal entry of Yangming (Metal Qi) into the earth's meridians. In the Bagua system, You corresponds to the Dui trigram (number seven), while Yi belongs to Metal phase (number four). Seven plus four equals eleven—thus eleven ke (an ancient time unit, approximately 15 minutes) after the celestial-terrestrial exchange, Metal Qi fully permeates the earth's channels. Counting six positions clockwise from Yi to You, Metal Qi dominates the surface after six days, producing pungent flavors. The dry energy circulates for seven days before white celestial energy descends again to resonate with terrestrial Qi.

Similarly, during the "Five Renwu" node, when heavenly Ren (Water) meets earthly Wu (Fire), and terrestrial Ding (Fire) interacts, Wood-phase energy emerges. The surface shows the Ding-You combination as Yangming Metal enters the earth. Dui trigram's seven plus Ding Wood's three makes ten—thus Metal Qi permeates after ten ke. Counting three positions from Ding to You, Metal dominates in three days, completing the seven-day cycle before white and golden energies circulate anew.

The text further details energy transformations in other stem-branch combinations: during "Six Yiwei," Metal-phase energy arises—Xu Earth (five) plus Geng Metal (nine) equals fourteen, so Water Qi enters fourteen ke early; during "Seven Dingwei," Wood-phase energy forms—Xu Earth (five) plus Ren Wood (eight) equals thirteen, making Water Qi enter thirteen ke early. Each energy exchange triggers corresponding Five Phases manifestations (pungent, salty flavors) and climatic features (dryness, coldness) on the earth's surface.

This scripture explains the correspondence between the celestial stems and earthly branches with the transformations of the Five Phases (Wuxing), as well as the natural patterns of water Qi (vital energy) circulation.

During the eighth celestial Jiazi cycle (stem-branch calendar year) of Jiwei, it corresponds to the earthly Jiazi year of Jiaxu. The stem Ji belongs to Earth, and the branch Xu also belongs to Earth—two "fives" (Earth's number) sum to ten. Water Qi begins permeating the earth ten ke (ancient time units) before the celestial-earthly conjunction. Counting nine directions from Jia to Xu, water Qi starts dominating the earth. After nine days, salty substances begin forming, followed by black terrestrial Qi rising after another five days.

In the ninth celestial Jiazi cycle of Xinwei, corresponding to the earthly Bingxu year, the pairing of stems Xin and Bing generates water movement. Water's number six plus Earth's five totals eleven. Water Qi enters the earth eleven ke before conjunction. Counting six directions from Bing to Xu, water dominates after six days, with salty substances forming and cold Qi circulating. Black Qi ascends after five more days.

The tenth celestial Jiazi cycle of Guiwei, matching earthly Wuxu, sees stems Gui and Wu generating fire movement. Fire's seven plus Earth's five makes twelve. Water Qi enters twelve ke pre-conjunction, dominating after six days with cold Qi circulation and salt formation. Black Qi rises five days later.

The eleventh celestial Jiazi cycle of Jiashen corresponds to earthly Jihai. Stems Jia and Ji produce earth movement, while branch Hai belongs to the Qian trigram (number six). Six plus Earth's five totals eleven. Water Qi permeates eleven ke post-conjunction. After five days, wood Qi dominates the earth, winds arise, sour substances form, and greenish dust ascends six days later.

(Note: "Zhenghua zaiquan" refers to specific earthly branches manifesting their corresponding Five Phase attributes in particular directions. The "numbers" correspond to the Five Phases: water-1, fire-2, wood-3, metal-4, earth-5. "Ke" is an ancient time unit dividing one day-night cycle into 100 segments.)

This passage explains the ancient Daoist computational principles combining the Heavenly Stems and Earthly Brances (Jiazi) with the Five Phases (Wood, Fire, Earth, Metal, Water) to calculate the cyclical changes of cosmic Qi (vital energy). It describes how the Qi of the Five Phases manifests on earth through four distinct Stem-Branch combinations, producing corresponding natural phenomena.

The first scenario involves the "Heavenly Bing (Fire) and Earthly Xin (Metal)" combination: When the Heavenly Stem Bing (Fire) pairs with the Earthly Branch Shen (Metal), it corresponds to the underground combination Xinhai (Water). The Bing-Xin conjunction generates Water-phase movement. As the Hai (Water) branch emerges, Water-phase activity formally commences. Counting two branch positions from Xin to Hai, two days after Water-phase begins, Wood Qi dominates the surface—manifesting as winds and sour-flavored plant growth. Six days later, azure Qi descends as terrestrial Qi harmonizes with Water-phase movement.

The second "Heavenly Wu (Earth) and Earthly Gui (Water)" combination pairs Stem Wu (Earth) with Branch Shen, corresponding to underground Guihai (Water). Wu-Gui conjunction generates Fire-phase movement. Counting eleven branch positions from Gui to Hai, eleven days after Fire-phase begins, Wood Qi surfaces with identical wind and sour plant phenomena, followed by azure Qi descent after six days.

In the third "Heavenly Geng (Metal) and Earthly Yi (Wood)" configuration, Stem Geng (Metal) combines with Branch Shen, corresponding to underground Yihai (Wood). Yi-Geng conjunction produces Metal-phase movement. Counting eight branch positions from Yi to Hai, eight days later Wood Qi manifests the same surface phenomena.

Finally, the "Heavenly Ren (Water) and Earthly Ding (Fire)" combination pairs Stem Ren (Water) with Branch Shen, corresponding to underground Dinghai (Earth). Ding-Ren conjunction generates Wood-phase movement. Counting five branch positions from Ding to Hai, five days later Wood Qi surfaces with identical wind and sour plant manifestations.

These calculations embody the Daoist concept of "cosmic-human resonance," where Stem-Branch combinations directly influence the earthly movement of Five Phases Qi, subsequently affecting natural phenomena. The term "Jueyin's proper transformation in the springs" refers to Yin Qi's normal circulation underground, while "terrestrial Qi serving the movement" indicates earth-energy synchronizing with celestial cycles. The numerical operations reflect Daoism's mathematical interpretation of universal patterns.

This scripture elucidates the correspondences between the Heavenly Stems and Earthly Branches with the transformations of the Five Phases (Wuxing). It primarily describes the relationship between "Celestial Jiazi" (combinations of Heavenly Stems and Earthly Branches) and "Terrestrial Jiazi," along with the resulting operational patterns of the Five Phases (Metal, Wood, Water, Fire, Earth).

When Yimao (Heavenly Stem Yi + Earthly Branch Mao) serves as the Celestial Jiazi, its corresponding Terrestrial Jiazi is Gengwu (Heavenly Stem Geng + Earthly Branch Wu). Yi belongs to Wood, while Geng belongs to Metal—their combination generates Metal movement. The Earthly Branch Wu corresponds to the Li trigram (one of the Eight Trigrams/Bagua, symbolizing Fire) with a numerical value of nine. The Metal movement of Geng also carries the number nine, summing to eighteen. Thus, during the exchange of terrestrial Qi, the Fire Qi descends underground eighteen ke (ancient time units) early. Counting eleven positions sequentially from Geng to Wu indicates that the Fire Qi begins affecting the earth eleven days after entering the ground, causing the earth to warm and bitter-flavored plants to grow. After nine days, the red Fire Qi sinks completely, and the terrestrial Qi begins harmonizing with celestial movement.

For Dingmao (Ding + Mao) corresponding to Renwu (Ren + Wu), the combination of Ding and Ren generates Wood movement. Ren belongs to Water with a numerical value of eight, which sums with Li's nine to seventeen. The Fire Qi descends seventeen ke early, affecting the ground after eight days, with the red Qi sinking after nine days.

Jimao (Ji + Mao) corresponds to Jiawu (Jia + Wu). The combination of Jia and Ji generates Earth movement. Jia's Earth has a numerical value of five, summing with nine to fourteen. The Fire Qi descends fourteen ke early, warming the ground after five days.

For Xinmao (Xin + Mao) corresponding to Bingwu (Bing + Wu), the combination of Bing and Xin generates Water movement. Bing's Water has a numerical value of six, summing with nine to fifteen. The Fire Qi descends fifteen ke early, heating the ground after two days.

These patterns follow the same principle: Heavenly Stem combinations generate specific Five Phase transformations. By incorporating the numerical values of the corresponding trigrams for Earthly Branches, one calculates both the early descent of Fire Qi and the days until terrestrial effects manifest—ultimately leading to the red Qi sinking after nine days and terrestrial Qi synchronizing with celestial movement.

This scripture elucidates the cyclical patterns of Yin-Yang and the Five Phases (Wood, Fire, Earth, Metal, Water) energies as they move through heaven and earth. It details how the interactions of celestial stems and earthly branches govern the movement of Fire, Earth, and other elemental energies across the terrestrial plane, influencing the growth of all living things.

When the celestial stem "Gui" (癸) pairs with the earthly branch "Mao" (卯) (known as the Celestial Jiazi cycle), corresponding to the subterranean combination "Wu-Wu" (戊午, Earthly Jiazi), both Wu (belonging to Fire) and Gui (also Fire) converge to generate Fire movement. The Wu position corresponds to the Li trigram (one of the Eight Trigrams/Bagua) with a numerical value of nine, while Wu's Fire movement also carries the number nine—summing to eighteen. Eighteen temporal divisions (approximately 18 ke, or 4.32 hours) before the communion of celestial and terrestrial energies, Fire Qi penetrates the earth. Progressing two positions from Wu to Wu in sequence, after two days Fire energy begins dominating the surface, ushering in heat currents. Nine days later, crimson Fire Qi descends as terrestrial energies synchronize with this movement.

When stem "Jia" (甲) pairs with branch "Chen" (辰), corresponding to the subterranean "Ji-Wei" (己未) combination, the Jia-Ji union generates Earth movement. Wei belongs to Earth (number five) and Ji's Earth movement also carries five—summing to ten. Ten ke after heaven-earth communion, Earth Qi enters the ground. Terrestrial Earth energy immediately asserts dominance aboveground, manifesting as humid currents. Five days later, yellow Earth Qi descends with coordinated terrestrial movement.

When stem "Bing" (丙) meets branch "Chen" with subterranean "Xin-Wei" (辛未), the Bing-Xin interaction produces Water movement. Though Wei belongs to Earth (number five), Xin's Water movement carries one—summing to six. Six ke post communion, Earth Qi permeates the underground. Progressing ten positions from Xin to Wei, after ten days Earth energy governs the surface with humid currents, followed by yellow Earth Qi's descent after five days.

When stem "Wu" (戊) combines with branch "Chen" alongside subterranean "Gui-Wei" (癸未), the Wu-Gui fusion creates Fire movement. Wei's Earth (five) combines with Gui's Fire (two) totaling seven. Seven ke after communion, Earth Qi enters the ground. Moving seven positions from Gui to Wei, Fire energy begins influencing surface phenomena.

These passages reflect ancient Daoist methods of calculating Five Phases energy movements through celestial stems and earthly branches, used to discern optimal timings in natural climatic and phenological shifts. The term "proper transformation in the springs" (正化在泉) denotes the normative circulation of Five Phases energies beneath the earth, while "numerical correspondences" reference the symbolic numerology intrinsic to the Five Phases system.

This scripture explains the cyclical patterns of the Five Phases (Wood, Fire, Earth, Metal, Water) energies in heaven and earth, using celestial stems, earthly branches, and numerical calculations to predict climatic and phenological changes.

When Earth Qi (one of the Five Phases) begins to govern the land, it takes seven days for moist vapors to manifest on the earth's surface, initiating the growth of sweet-flavored produce. After another five days, the yellow Earth Qi descends, and terrestrial energies begin aligning with this movement.

The text describes correspondences between "Heavenly Jiazi" (stem-branch calendrical cycles) and "Earthly Jiazi": For instance, the Geng-Chen year pairs with Yi-Wei year, where the celestial stem Geng (Metal) combines with the earthly branch Yi (Wood), generating Metal movement patterns. During Yi-Wei years, the Great Yin (Yin energy) resides in the "subterranean springs" (deep earth layers). The Wei branch belongs to Earth (number five), while Yi belongs to Metal (number four). Four plus five equals nine, so Earth Qi's penetration into the ground is delayed by nine ke (traditional 15-minute units).

Similarly, the Ren-Chen year corresponds to Ding-Wei year, where celestial stem Ren (Water) pairs with earthly branch Ding (Fire), producing Wood movement. During Ding-Wei years with Great Yin in the springs, Wei as Earth (five) combines with Ding as Wood (three), totaling eight - delaying Earth Qi's descent by eight ke. Here Earth Qi immediately begins governing the land, with moist vapors circulating and sweet produce growing, followed by yellow Qi settling after five days.

When Yi-Hai year meets Geng-Yin year, celestial stem Yi (Wood) combines with earthly branch Geng (Metal) to generate Metal movement. During Geng-Yin years, Lesser Yang Minister Fire (Fire within Yang energy) resides in the springs. The Yin branch corresponds to the Gen trigram (number eight), while Geng belongs to Metal (nine). Eight plus nine makes seventeen, so Fire Qi's underground penetration advances by seventeen ke. Counting seven positions sequentially from Geng to Yin, Fire Qi begins governing the land after seven days - heat circulates, bitter-flavored produce grows, and red Fire Qi settles after eight days.

In Ding-Hai year corresponding to Ren-Yin year, celestial stem Ding (Fire) pairs with earthly branch Ren (Water) to produce Wood movement. During Ren-Yin years with Lesser Yang Minister Fire in the springs, Yin as Gen trigram (eight) combines with Ren as Wood (eight), totaling sixteen - advancing Fire Qi's descent by sixteen ke.

This scripture explains the correspondence between ancient astronomical calendars and the movement of Qi according to the Five Phases (Wuxing), using the Heavenly Stems and Earthly Branches to calculate the precise timing of Fire Qi descending upon the earth. The ancients employed "Heavenly Jiazi" (combinations of Heavenly Stems and Earthly Branches) and "Earthly Jiazi" to mark temporal nodes, determining the exact moment when Fire Qi (Lesser Yang Ministerial Fire) begins to dominate the earth's climate.

When the Heavenly Jiazi is Jihai, the corresponding Earthly Jiazi is Jiayin. The Heavenly Stem Ji belongs to Earth, and Jia also belongs to Earth—their interaction generates Earth movement. The Earthly Branch Yin corresponds to the trigram Gen (Mountain) in the Bagua (Eight Trigrams), with the number eight; the numerical value of Jia Earth movement is five. Five plus eight equals thirteen. Therefore, thirteen ke (an ancient unit of time, approximately 15 minutes) before the Earth Qi transitions, Fire Qi enters the earth. Starting from the Jiayin day, Fire Qi officially governs the surface climate, warmth begins to circulate, and bitter-flavored plants flourish. Eight days later, red Qi (Chi Qi) rises from below the earth, forming a new climatic cycle.

Similarly, when the Heavenly Jiazi is Xinhai, the Earthly Jiazi is Bingyin. The Heavenly Stem Xin belongs to Metal, and Bing belongs to Fire—Metal and Fire generate Water movement. The numerical value of Bing Water movement is six, plus Gen's eight, totaling fourteen. Thus, fourteen ke before the Earth Qi transition, Fire enters the earth. Starting from the Bingyin day, ten days later, Fire Qi governs the earth.

When the Heavenly Jiazi is Guihai, the Earthly Jiazi is Wuyin. The Heavenly Stem Gui belongs to Water, and Wu belongs to Earth—Water and Earth combine to produce Fire movement. The numerical value of Wu Fire movement is seven, plus Gen's eight, totaling fifteen. Fifteen ke before the Earth Qi transition, Fire enters the earth. Starting from the Wuyin day, ten days later, Fire Qi governs the earth.

These calculations reflect the ancient theory of "Five Movements and Six Qi" (Wuyun Liuqi), using the mathematical relationships of the Heavenly Stems and Earthly Branches to predict how climatic changes influence the growth of all things. Here, "Lesser Yang Ministerial Fire" (Shaoyang Xianghuo) is one of the Six Qi, representing warm energy; "in the Springs" (Zai Quan) refers to the state of Earth Qi ascending; and "proper transformation" (Zhenghua) indicates the normal patterns of climatic change.