《元始天尊说十一曜大消灾神咒经》

At that time, the Celestial Worthy of Primordial Beginning (Yuanshi Tianzun, a revered deity of Daoism) was on Mount Yujing in the Daluo Heaven, beneath the Qianlin trees. He struck the dharma drum and the dharma bell, summoning the heavens and lands of the ten directions and the three realms, the sun, moon, and stars, and the assembled sages, and expounded for them the retribution of good and evil for living beings in the past and the future, together with the causes by which calamities and blessings take shape.

Among those seated was a Perfected One named Qingluo. He rose, looked up toward the Celestial Worthy, bowed twice, and, kneeling at length, addressed him: “This disciple is fortunate to have been born in this age and thus to have met the Celestial Worthy. In his compassion, the Celestial Worthy builds for living beings a bridge toward the true Dao (the Way) and broadly explains the various causes and conditions, so that people may awaken and enter the gate of the teaching. I observe the people of the Realm of Desire (the world in which living beings are drawn along by desire), and I do not understand why they sometimes suffer punishment and imprisonment for no apparent reason and are beset by illness all their lives, or why certain prefectures and counties meet with floods, fires, and years of famine, with warfare unceasing and pestilence widespread. This disciple does not yet grasp the reasons, and earnestly begs the Celestial Worthy, in compassion, to instruct me and dispel my confusion.”

Leaning upon his armrest, the Celestial Worthy said: “Excellent—that Qingluo can inquire into karmic conditions on behalf of living beings. Living beings of the Realm of Desire revolve through birth and death, sunk in desire. They think only of clinging to life, yet they do not cultivate the true Dao, nor do they know that the movements of the Five Phases (Wuxing: Wood, Fire, Earth, Metal, and Water) and the shining of the Eleven Luminaries (eleven bodies among the sun, moon, and stars) upon the world bear upon calamity and blessing. When Saturn and Mars come to a standstill or lie concealed, when Venus and Jupiter encroach upon one another, when Rahu and Ketu (two luminaries in traditional astrology) travel in contrary courses, and when the sun and moon suffer eclipse, all of these bring the relocation of prefectures and counties, hardship for the people, disasters of water and fire, plagues of insects and locusts, and the clash of arms.

“When living beings are born as human beings, they all receive the Qi (vital energy) of Yin-Yang creative transformation, and therefore there are distinctions of noble and base, rich and poor. Although each person’s allotted destiny differs, the calamities and blessings they encounter are all influenced by the movements of the stars. Emperors, kings, and lords of states, together with empresses, consorts, and ministers, each have a corresponding stellar position within the Purple Forbidden Enclosure (Ziwei Yuan, the stellar region in ancient astrology that symbolizes the emperor and the court). The Five Marchmounts and the Four Waterways (the five great mountains and the four great rivers), as well as the various prefectures and counties and the common people, are illuminated by the sun, the moon, and the five planets.

“I now have you observe the movements of the stars and the Dipper. If the five planets move out of their proper course and encroach upon the lunar lodges, shining upon the place where the emperor resides or upon the various prefectures and counties, disasters will follow one upon another, epidemics will spread, and the people will suffer death and injury. One should promptly fashion and paint images of the Eleven Luminaries, establish a ritual arena in a pure and quiet place, prepare incense, flowers, lamps, and candles, and invite Daoist priests to preside—or oneself uphold and recite the Scripture of the Great Calamity-Dispelling Divine Spells of the Eleven Luminaries. By observing the fast and practicing the Way, worshipping, reciting, and repenting for one period of seven days, two periods of seven days, or three periods of seven days (seven, fourteen, or twenty-one days), one can above dispel heavenly calamities and protect the sovereign’s land, and below remove poisonous harms and save the people. You should receive this in faith, and continually teach others to uphold and recite it.”

The Perfected Qingluo knocked his head to the ground and bowed again, addressing the Celestial Worthy: “I earnestly beg the Celestial Worthy, in compassion, to proclaim this at length.” Thereupon the Celestial Worthy proclaimed the great calamity-dispelling divine spells of the Eleven Luminaries:

The Nine Luminaries move in their proper order, and the Celestial Worthy of Primordial Beginning (Yuanshi Tianzun, a revered deity of Daoism) comes and goes on his rounds of inspection. The light of the stars shines bright, and the Qi (vital energy) of the Primordial Beginning spreads abroad. The gaze turns without end and brings its radiance down upon me. Receiving from above the Vermilion Radiance (Zhujing, the red light of the sun), I clear away obstruction and open wide the heart and breast. Let me harness the flying roseate clouds and rise in person into the Purple Tenuity (Ziwei, the abode of the Celestial Emperor). All the affairs of the human world—let me know them in advance.

The Five Stars stand arrayed and shine, their light reaching all five directions. The Water Star dispels calamity and distress; the Star of Wood Virtue brings flourishing prosperity. The Dazzling Deluder (Yinghuo, Mars) removes misfortune; the Great White Star (Taibai, Venus) drives off the disasters of war; the Quelling Star (Zhenxing, that is, Saturn) stands guard over the Purple Tenuity. All the affairs of the human world—let me know them in advance.

The Five Stars stand arrayed and shine, their light reaching all five directions. The Water Star dispels calamity and distress; the Star of Wood Virtue brings flourishing prosperity. The Dazzling Deluder removes misfortune; the Great White Star drives off the disasters of war. The Quelling Star guards the four quarters, so that household and realm proceed in ease and peace. My name is entered in the Jade Slips (Yujian, the registers of the celestial realm), and my characters are recorded in the dwelling of the Imperial Lord. Riding the wind, I set the colored radiance in motion and ascend in flight into the Great Void; I pass in and out of the hidden dark and roam freely through the ten directions. Clouds of Qi in the five colors cover the four quarters, summoning divinities and commanding the winds. I employ the myriad spirits, and above, the Immortal Elder stands guard.

Incantation of the True Lord of the Sun

Gazing far to the east toward the Palace of Fusang (the legendary place where the sun rises), I bow in reverence to Yuyi (the deity of the sun). The bright prospect of the sun is deep, remote, and still—what is it that I ponder in my heart? May I behold the golden divine light, and wait, looking upward, upon the divine radiance of heaven. The Imperial Blossom (Huanghua, an immortal official of the celestial realm) will come together with the Jade Maiden and, at this very time, descend before the pavilion.

Incantation of the True Lord of the Moon

I look up at the moon and survey the eight directions; the moon harbors Yin Jing (essence). Within the moon is the Sovereign of Great Simplicity, and the Lady rides a green carriage. Moonlight shines upon both extremities of sun and moon, mingling in brightness with the light of the Three Pure Ones (Sanqing, the highest celestial realm of Daoism). I earnestly beseech the supreme Dao (the Way), wishing that clouds of the five colors descend to receive me.

Incantation of the True Lord of Jupiter

The Year Star (Suixing, Jupiter) bears the virtue of Wood, revolving in its course and shining upon the east. It towers high at the brink of heaven; its Qi is moist and lustrous, displaying a bright and proper hue. Seeking among the flowers, the song rolls vast and wide; stirring the ripples of the water, one chants of the Polypore Chamber (Zhifang, the dwelling of the immortals). Having prayed time and again over a long span, one naturally obtains blessing and protection for long.

Incantation of the True Lord of Mars

At this point the original text only repeats the closing phrase of the preceding Jupiter incantation, “shining upon the east,” together with what follows it; a complete incantation of Mars is not found.

Bristling points stand forth in stern array, appearing like dragons and phoenixes; a majestic radiance overawes the four quarters.

Cinnabar-hued Gang Qi (vital energy) shines upon the five directions and the night sky, and vermilion flame burns across the three quarters.

Bright and crystalline, it answers to upright Qi; swords and halberds flash, displaying martial authority over arms.

The Chanqiang—an inauspicious stellar omen in ancient astrology—ought to vanish, and neither the Bo star nor the comets dare appear again before it.

Divine Incantation of the Perfected Lord of the Metal Star

The Taibai star (Venus) rises high above the clear Heavenly River, bearing a frosty hue and shining with pure white brilliance.

It hangs aloft in composed dignity, displaying auspicious colored light; clear and luminous, it is just the Changgeng star (the evening name of Venus).

Its keen brilliance is strong enough to repel enemy raiders; its glow, gentle and mild, often brings weapons to rest.

By investigating portent-correspondences and calendrical reckoning, one may accord with the Great Dao (the Way) and tend toward long life.

Divine Incantation of the Perfected Lord of the Water Star

How wondrous—it answers to the Five Qi (five kinds of primordial vital energy), as if the gate of the stars could be seen.

The Water Star dwells on high in the Chou position (one of the twelve earthly-branch directions) and is the numinous lord of the Water De (Virtue/Power) of Ren and Gui.

It portions out radiance and condenses it into a clear, bright color; subtle in its resonance, it comes in response to a person’s thoughts.

Immortals sing and dance with flowing grace; only after a long while does it descend from the celestial palace of the Golden Portal.

Divine Incantation of the Perfected Lord of the Earth Star

The lofty, distant sky corresponds to the Earth De of Wu and Ji; thick earth rises from the ground and reaches the layered heavens.

The Earth Star is exalted and gives light in concealment, and the land of the Nine Provinces is bright because of it.

Gan De and Shi Shen (ancient astronomers) calculated the stars’ lingering and concealment (remaining in station, hiding, and other motions); the two masters Tao and Wu calculated celestial phenomena profound and hard to fathom.

Higher immortals send down grace like rain and dew that moisten all things; when a person bows in worship, heaven and earth seem to sway in response.

Divine Incantation of the Perfected Lord Rahu

The divine head of Rahu (a Daoist stellar deity, often associated with celestial phenomena such as solar and lunar eclipses) courses along a dark and hidden orbit. Profound and difficult to see, it can yet reach the realm of ultimate numinosity.

Its changes of brightness and darkness correspond to the new and full moons (the cycle of waxing and waning around the first and the fifteenth of each lunar month); Yang De appears when Yin Jing (essence) is obscure.

It stands high in command of the Yellow Banner Portal (the palace gate where divinities dwell); spears and halberds glitter, and bell notes ring clear as frost.

With a sincere heart one awaits blessing and protection, bowing the head and reciting the true Jing (scripture/classic).

Divine Incantation of the Perfected Lord Ketu

Ketu (a Daoist stellar deity, often named together with Rahu) dwells in darkness, manifests Yin De, and guards the stellar palace with a leopard’s tail.

When it points in wrath, mountains and peaks collapse; its power is mighty and covers the dark void of space.

Strange forms like dragons and serpents thereby appear, and a shift in the heavens suddenly leaves the sky dim and confused.

May those under its protection enjoy long life and abundant blessing; to dispel calamity, one should be reverent and sincere.

Divine Incantation of the Perfected Lord of Purple Qi

Purple Qi (one of the Daoist stellar deities) is under the command of the Primordial Emperor; it harbors Jing and Qi and sheds light upon Ziwei (the stellar region where the Celestial Emperor’s residence lies).

Yin-Yang, following the movement of Qi, runs to its limit; the transformations of the hidden and the manifest all contain a numinous and wondrous mystery.

The jade carriage ascends the broad Heavenly River, and golden bells fly with the rite of treading the Dipper and pacing the Gang.

The Four Lodges (four groups of constellations) move in succession, and the Nine Lands (the great earth of the Nine Provinces) honor the majestic authority of Heaven.

Divine Incantation of True Lord Yuebei

The essence of the moon is clear and bright as jade, nourishing all living beings. Green cassia and yellow blossoms complement one another, and the Qi (vital energy) of Yuluo upholds a pure spiritual nature. The hairy-headed star displays a strange form, and the light of the comet’s tail sometimes vanishes from sight. As they pass through different constellations, they bring calamity or good fortune; through fasting and cultivation, one can reach the profound and mysterious realm.

Hymn of the Three Openings

How wondrous! The sound of the Three Caverns (Dongzhen/Dongxuan/Dongshen), the system for classifying Daoist scriptures, is remote and clear. One seeks this sound, yet it seems nowhere to be found; when it moves, no form can be seen. Its sound reaches the ten directions (all sides, together with above and below), yet to the ear it is silent.

It is further said:

The great Dao (the Way) must be spread by human beings; mind and spirit roam and return to the Great Void (the vast and boundless emptiness).

Hymn of the Three Openings

How wondrous! The sound of the Three Caverns is remote and clear. One seeks this sound, yet it seems nowhere to be found; when it moves, no form can be seen. Its sound reaches the ten directions, yet to the ear it is silent.

It is further said:

The great Dao must be spread by human beings; mind and spirit roam and return to the Great Void. Worship and reverence extend throughout the ten directions, and in ascent and deliverance one rides upon nine dragons. The body grows light and transcends the Three Realms (the Realm of Desire, the Realm of Form, and the Formless Realm), also through the lofty protection of the venerable deity amid the clouds.

It is further said:

My teacher is the supreme worthy of the heavens, the highest of sovereigns. Gazing toward the bounds of heaven and earth, one seems to see halls encircled by purple flame. The palace halls of the Mysterious Capital rise tall and majestic; within them one sees the dwellings of the immortals.

The Heavenly Worthy told the Perfected Qingluo: if these divine incantations are recited with sincere devotion, the stars will move in orderly course, illness will be dispelled, the state will be at peace, and the people will live in ease and security. The Perfected Qingluo knocked his head to the ground and bowed again. When the assembled immortals had heard the scripture (Jing) and the divine incantations, they were filled with joy; they paid their respects and withdrew. Thereafter, the Perfected Qingluo transmitted the scripture to the world, investigated the calendar and the regularities of stellar movement, received it in faith, and cultivated himself according to the scripture.