Swine flu and Chinese medical astrology

The current swine flu outbreak can be explained with the theory of 5 periods and 6 energies in Chinese metaphysics.

According to the theory of 5 periods and 6 energies 五運六氣, the year of Earth Ox (ji chou) is characterized with more humidity and cold patterns in the weather.

The first half of the year is more windy and humid, while the second half of the year is expected to be a little bit colder than usually.

The year is divided into 6 energy phases with specific domination of the elements in the “main energy” 主气 and ‘’guest energy” 客气 (this is related to the 24 solar seasons):

Period 1: January 21st – March 21st – wood (main qi) + wood (guest qi)

Period 2: March 21st – May 21st – fire (main qi) + fire (guest qi)

Period 3: May 21st – July 23rd – fire (main qi) + earth (guest qi)

Period 4: July 23rd – September 23rd – earth (main qi) + fire (guest qi)

Period 5: September 23rd – November 23rd – metal (main qi) + metal (guest qi)

Period 6: November 23rd – January 21st (2010) – water (main qi) + water (guest qi)

As a whole, the guest qi is distributed very well in 2009 and the weather is normal.

However, starting from the Spring Equinox (when Period 2 begins), the weather is dominated by Fire (君火), which is seen both in the main energy and in the guest energy. The two Fire patterns stimulate each other and initiate “great fire”. This fire is combined with the humid climate tendency in the first half of the year. So, during this time (Period 2) febrile diseases and epidemics easily spread out. In this way, the cause of the epidemic is due to pathogenic phlegm and heat entering the body. This leads to accumulation of turbid energy 浊气. The viruses quickly spread out during the time of pathogenic phlegm and heat.

The cure: herbs and foods that expel Phlegm-Heat from the body.

For example – honeysuckle flowers - Lonicera Japonica (金银花), Isatis root - ban lan gen (板蓝根), dandelion (蒲公英), mung beans (绿豆), rice vinegar.

Annie Pecheva