A non-perturbative theory is proposed in this article in which an energy independent effective Hamiltonian is obtained for open-shell systems. We have given a diagrammatic version of theory to facilitate the analysis of the problem. The theory has been applied to a model 4-π electron problem, for calculating the lowestπ-π* singlet and triplet energy levels of transbutadiene. Comparison with full Cl calculation indicates the excellent workability of the theory.
