Taiyi Golden Mirror Cosmic Board Classic: Volume 2 — Taiyi Governance and Nine Palaces

TAIYI'S GOVERNANCE: The tradition states: Taiyi is the spirit of the Celestial Emperor. It commands the sixteen spirits and knows which states will suffer wind, rain, flood, drought, warfare, famine, plague, and disaster. In its regular assessment, it travels forward through eight palaces, never entering the central fifth, shifting one palace every three years. First year: governs heaven — aligning sun, moon, and stars, ensuring the seven luminaries do not deviate in their degrees, thereby illuminating the celestial way in the region it visits. If the region follows the celestial way, it passes heaven's assessment. Second year: governs earth — regulating the four qi and eight winds, ensuring wind and rain do not miss their seasons. If no unnecessary construction burdens the people or obstructs agriculture, it passes earth's assessment. Third year: governs the people — ensuring sovereign and minister, parent and child, elder and younger maintain proper order. If loyal worthies are advanced, lawsuits examined, and orphans and widows cared for, it passes the people's assessment. THE FIVE GENERALS' DOMAINS: The Five Generals are: Taiyi's Supervisory General, the Upper and Lower Eyes, and the Host and Guest Major and Minor Generals. The Supervisory General is the essence of Jupiter in the east, receiving the correct qi of wood-virtue. It is dominant in the three months of spring. The Upper Eye is the essence of Mars in the south, receiving the correct qi of fire-virtue. In heaven it is yang, titled the 'Initial-Strike General,' belonging to the guest. It is dominant in the three months of summer. The Lower Eye is the essence of Saturn at the center, receiving the correct qi of earth-virtue. On earth it is yin, titled the 'Literary Brilliance General,' belonging to the host. It is dominant in the four transitional months.

NINE PALACE DOMAINS: The Yellow Emperor further commanded Feng Hou to create the Taiyi cosmic-board. The nine palaces are each shifted one position. Before the Jin dynasty, no one had explained why. Guo Pu's Luminous Spirit Classic states: 'The earth is deficient in the southeast. Palace numbers do not exceed nine, so nine is shifted to fill the gap.' Palace 1 is at Qian (northwest), governing Ji-zhou and Bing-zhou. If the Literary Brilliance General is entrapped here, it portends the coercion of sovereign and father. Palace 2 is at Li (south), governing Jing-zhou. If Taiyi occupies it, the sovereign will execute a great minister or general. Palace 3 is at Gen (northeast), governing Qing-zhou. If the Initial-Strike General occupies it, a palace favorite will rise and warfare will erupt. Palace 4 is at Zhen (east), governing Xu-zhou. If the Initial-Strike General occupies it, western barbarians will invade. Palace 6 is at Dui (west), governing Yong-zhou. If the Guest Major General occupies it, southern Chu will invade. Palace 7 is at Kun (southwest), governing Liang and Yi-zhou. If the Host Major General occupies it, warfare will arise in these two regions. Palace 8 is at Kan (north), governing Yan-zhou. If Taiyi occupies it, a minister deceives the sovereign. Palace 9 is at Xun (southeast), governing Yang-zhou. If the Guest Major General occupies it, You-zhou and Ji-zhou will be invaded. EIGHT GATE DOMAINS: The Dark Lady said: 'Heaven has eight gates to channel the eight winds. Earth has eight directions corresponding to the eight trigrams, governing the four seasons and presiding over the myriad things.' The Open Gate faces Qian (northwest), governing openness and free passage. The Rest Gate faces Kan (north), governing rest and secure dwelling. The Life Gate faces Gen (northeast), governing birth and nurturing of all things.

THE SIXTEEN SPIRITS' DOMAINS: Zi-spirit, named Earth Controller: In the month established by Zi, yang qi first stirs and the myriad things are born in yin. Hence it is called 'Earth Controller.' Chou-spirit, named Yang Virtue: In the Chou month, two yang lines take charge, distributing and nurturing all things. Hence 'Yang Virtue.' Gen-spirit, named Harmonious Virtue: At the transition from winter to spring, yin and yang qi merge and all creatures begin to grow. Hence 'Harmonious Virtue.' Yin-spirit, named Minister Shen: In the Yin month, yang qi greatly extends and grasses and trees break through their shells. Hence 'Minister Shen.' Mao-spirit, named High Clump: In the Mao month, all things emerge from the earth growing in clusters. Hence 'High Clump.' Chen-spirit, named Grand Yang: In the Chen month, thunder emerges with the force of Zhen, and yang qi is supremely vigorous. Hence 'Grand Yang.' Xun-spirit, named Grand Brilliance: At the transition from spring to summer, scorching heat approaches and yang qi becomes fierce and cruel. Hence 'Grand Brilliance.' IMPERIAL CHRONOLOGICAL TABLE: King Li of Zhou, 37th year, jiazi: enters the 1st cycle. King You of Zhou, 5th year, jiazi: enters the 2nd cycle. Qin Shi Huang, 10th year, jiazi: enters the 5th cycle. Han Emperor Wen, 3rd year, jiazi: enters the 6th cycle. Tang Kaiyuan, 12th year, jiazi: enters the 3rd cycle.