Forecast of Qi Transformation Forms in the Renyin Year (2022)

The Renyin year is governed by an excess of Wood Movement, with Lesser Yang Ministerial Fire presiding over Heaven and Jue Yin Wind Wood residing in Earth. It qualifies as a Tongtianfu year — a year of generation and emergence (some scholars classify it as a Fuhe year, which may be inaccurate). Although this year carries an excess quality, Wood and Fire share the same virtue, resulting in an overall stable trajectory without large-scale anomalies. Winds will be stronger throughout the year and temperatures will rise briskly, yet it will not become oppressively hot. It is a year of abundant harvest; plum and peach trees will flourish, and it is favorable for raising poultry. The Liver and Spleen are vulnerable, so one should attend to emotional regulation. Headaches and stomachaches will be common complaints. A sour-flavored diet is recommended for the entire year.

The Qi-transformation pattern this year strongly favors the decline of the COVID-19 pandemic. January through March marks the critical window for the end of the global outbreak. According to the core principles of our tradition, the key pathogenesis of this pandemic lies in “Dampness” — predominantly Cold-Dampness — with intermingled Heat-Toxin, Dryness, and Stasis during the disease course. The Wood-Fire qi that arrives after January 20th represents the first such celestial pattern to emerge during the pandemic, offering decisive assistance in humanity’s effort to turn the tide.

Spring arrives early this year. The ascending qi diffuses smoothly yet with vigor. After February 14th, temperatures in the East will climb rapidly; rivers thaw early, vegetation greens ahead of schedule, and “internal fire” complaints will be common. Treatment should not directly suppress this fire — instead, use acrid-warm herbs as the primary approach, supplemented by bitter and sweet flavors. Observing the celestial patterns over the past ten days, the frequency of retaliatory qi (复气) has been relatively low, indicating a smooth transition from the Gengzi qi — an auspicious sign.

The Second Qi Period features Greater Yin Dampness Earth superimposed upon Lesser Yin Sovereign Fire. Wood can regulate Earth, so the stagnation of Fire qi will not be pronounced, and Damp-Heat will not become excessive. However, large-scale fog events may occur from mid-April through May, though they will be brief. Southern regions will experience an extended plum-rain season, leading to lethargy and frequent sore throats. The pathogenesis during this period centers on Damp-Heat; treatment should focus on the Spleen using sweet and bitter herbs, with an emphasis on dampness-dispelling foods.

Moving into summer, temperatures rise quickly — heat is palpable by early June. Rainfall will be scarce, and hot, dry winds will persist, creating conditions conducive to summer-heat illness. Autumn, however, arrives early: by mid-August the worst of the heat breaks; by late August, wind and rain increase, temperatures drop rapidly, and the crisp clarity of autumn makes itself felt. Although summer diseases are predominantly Fire-Heat in nature, treatment should not rely solely on bitter-cold herbs. Acrid-bitter agents are preferred, with attention to sour-sweet flavors, and particular emphasis on strengthening the Spleen.

During the National Day holiday period (early October), rainfall will be heavier and temperatures may drop sharply. High-altitude areas may see snowfall — travelers should pack extra layers. This year’s autumn harvest comes early, and crops will mature ahead of schedule. During daily outdoor work, stay warm — Cold pathogen readily attacks the Lungs. Treatment should primarily employ acrid herbs; where Fire qi is intermingled, use salty-bitter agents. A blanket approach of acrid-warming is inadvisable. The likelihood of influenza before December is low.

This winter carries an ascending-qi quality with insufficient storing-qi. Special attention should be paid to consolidating Yang qi, or else cardiac discomfort and coughing may arise. Fog and haze episodes will be more frequent this winter but short-lived. The overall Qi-transformation pattern is very stable, making a high-level outbreak of a virulent infectious disease extremely unlikely. However, Cold pathogen damage will still cause pulmonary conditions — asthma attacks are likely this winter, and skin will tend toward dryness. Treatment should address Wind-Wood as the primary pathogenesis, employing acrid, sour, and sweet flavors.

In summary, the Renyin year brings favorable winds and timely rains, a mild climate, and bountiful harvests — a year of few disasters and epidemics, ideal for restoring vitality. As the cycles of fortune turn, may we soon be free of the pandemic, enjoy national prosperity and peace, and return life to its proper course.

壬寅年为木运太过之年，少阳相火司天，厥阴风木在泉，为同天符之年，是发生之纪（部分学者认为是敷和之纪，可能不妥）。今年虽为太过，但木火同德，整体运势较为平稳，不会有大规模异常变化出现，全年风力较大，气温上升较快，但不会过于炎热，是丰收的年景，李桃生长良好，适合饲养禽类，肝脾之藏容易出现问题，应注意调节情志，头痛、胃痛症状出现较多，全年宜多食酸味。

本年度运气气化形势十分有利于新冠疫情的消失，1-3月是疫情大流行结束的关键时期。按照业内核心思想，本次疫情关键病机在于”湿”，可能以寒湿为主，病程中夹杂有热毒燥淤，而1月20日后木火加临的天地之气系疫情期间首次出现，对人类逆转战局具有绝对帮助。

今年春天来得比较早，升发之气疏布平缓而有力，2月14日后东方温度上升较快，冰河早融，草木早绿，容易出现上火问题，治疗不能直折其火，应以辛温为主，佐以苦甘。观近十日天象，复气出现频率并不是很高，说明庚子之气迁移顺利，为吉兆。

二之气为太阴湿土加临少阴君火，木可疏土，火气被郁不会很明显，湿热之气不会很盛，但可能在4月中到5月出现较大规模大雾天气，持续时间不会很长。南方会出现较长时间梅雨季节，容易提不起精神，容易出现咽喉疼痛出现的现象。此时病机以湿热为主，治疗应以脾为核心，用甘苦之药，多吃祛湿的食物。

进入夏天以来，气温上升较快，6月初即感到炎热，雨水较少，热干风时间较长，此时容易发生暑热病。但秋天来临较早，8月中旬酷暑不再，8月底风雨较多，降温快，很快就能感受到秋高气爽的天气。夏季疾病虽然以火热为主，但治疗时仍不能全然使用苦寒之药，宜用辛苦之品，并注意酸甘味药的使用，应着重实脾。

十一期间雨水较多，天气可能骤然变凉，高海拔地区可能降雪，出门游玩应多带衣物。今年秋收应早，庄稼成熟亦早，日常劳作要注意保暖，寒邪容易犯肺，治疗应以辛味药为主，对于夹杂火气的要用咸苦之品，不可一概辛温，今年12月前出现流感可能性不大。

今年冬天具有升发之气，闭藏之气不足，应特别注意固护阳气，否则容易出现心脏不适和咳嗽。今年冬季雾霾出现次数较多，但持续时间不会很长，气化形势非常平稳，出现烈性传染病高水平流行的可能性极小，但寒邪伤人会导致肺系疾病的出现，今年冬天哮喘容易发作，且皮肤较为干燥，治疗时应把握风木为主要病机，以辛、酸、甘味药味主。

总之，壬寅年风调雨顺，气候平和，五谷丰登，灾疫较少，是恢复元气的一年。风水轮流转，希望我们早日摆脱疫情，国泰民安，生活重归正轨。