《北斗七元金玄羽章(无符咒本)》

The Northern Dipper (Beidou) presides over the prolongation of life and deliverance from calamity, while the numinous spirits of the four directions circle about in protection. Starlight streams across the human world and also illumines the dark places.

The Seven Primordials of the Northern Dipper (Beidou Qiyuan, its seven principal stars) hold the registers of human destiny, and names are inscribed in the purple-jade immortal register. They protect the body and extend life, so that one remains long at peace and proceeds smoothly and uprightly; they make the ears and eyes clear and bright and settle the hun and po. If a person nourishes Jing (essence) and Qi (vital energy), that person can come into correspondence with the divinities, naturally lengthen the lifespan, and ascend to Yuqing (the higher celestial realm in Daoism).

The Northern Dipper protects life, and mysterious numinous Qi spreads through the four directions. When the Dantian (energy center)—the place in Daoist cultivation where Jing and Qi are stored and nurtured—is open and unobstructed, its circulation accords with the immortal perfected.

The Seven Primordials of the Northern Dipper fix the destiny registers of human beings, and names are recorded in the purple immortal register. They guard the body and increase longevity, so that one’s share of blessing and auspicious joy is ever renewed; they drive out demons, evil, and malice, so that signs of good fortune multiply day by day. Coming and going meet no hindrance, and one can move together with the divinities. Once granted the protection that preserves life, one naturally ascends to Yuchen (a celestial realm in Daoism).

The Northern Dipper helps people pass through disaster and adversity, with lofty immortals and superior spirits guarding at their side. Starlight shines everywhere, rendering what is within and without pure and reverent.

The Seven Yuan Star Lords (Qiyuan Xingjun) record the name-registers of those who cultivate the Dao (the Way) in the Purple Court (Ziting, a palace of heaven), and so are able to protect their bodies, prolong their lives, and keep emolument and station secure for a long time.

The viscera are unobstructed, clear, and bright, and every gesture and movement is peaceful and smooth. One’s own light accords with the sights of heaven, and one shares glory with the spirits.

Calamity naturally disperses, and in the end one ascends into the Jade Capital (Yujing, a palace-complex of heaven).

Mysterious Chapter Four of the Wenqu Star Official (Wenqu Xingguan Xuanzhang)

The Northern Dipper (Beidou) dispels disaster and calamity. The Qi (vital energy) of the Mysterious and the Yellow brings forth the light of Kaiyang. The forms of the immortal spirits appear, and brightness shines through the four directions.

The Seven Yuan Star Lords have charge of the name-registers and enter a person’s name in the Purple Chamber (Zifang, a hall of heaven). They guard the body and increase the lifespan, and blessing and good fortune open for a long time.

The spirits of Luminous Truth descend in protection and wash away peril and misfortune. Splendid Jing (essence) and Qi condense, and one dwells in the same homeland as the spirits.

Disaster naturally disperses, and in the end one ascends into the Jade Hall (Yutang, a hall of heaven).

The Northern Dipper dispels disaster and calamity. The Qi of the Mysterious and the Yellow brings forth the light of Kaiyang. The forms of the immortal spirits appear, and brightness shines through the four directions.

The Seven Yuan Star Lords have charge of the name-registers and enter a person’s name in the Purple Chamber. They guard the body and increase the lifespan, and blessing and good fortune open for a long time.

The spirits of Luminous Truth descend in protection and wash away peril and misfortune. Splendid Jing and Qi condense, and one dwells in the same homeland as the spirits.

Disaster naturally disperses, and in the end one ascends into the Jade Hall.

Mysterious Chapter Five of the Lianzhen Star Official (Lianzhen Xingguan Xuanzhang)

The Northern Dipper upholds those who are frail. The True Ancestral Source sends down numinous Qi. Streaming rose-clouds give off light, and the ceremonial escorts of the immortals cross and gather.

The Seven Yuan Star Lords have charge of the name-registers and enter a person’s name in the Purple Encampment (Ziying, a palace garden of heaven). They make the body strong and the lifespan grow, and joy and blessed fortune arrive one after another.

The spirits of Lofty Mystery receive and guide the cultivator, so that one may roam freely amid the Five Brilliances (Wuming, realms of light). Riding the radiance, one soars and shares long life with the spirits.

Frailty is naturally upheld, and in the end one ascends into the Jade Court (Yuting, a courtyard of heaven).

Mysterious Chapter Six of the Wuqu Star Official (Wuqu Xingguan Xuanzhang)

The Northern Dipper drives away misfortune. A subtle, wondrous radiance illumines the sky. The awesome power of the spirits keeps guard on every side, so that demons and deviance vanish without a trace.

The Seven Yuan Star Lords record the name-registers and enter a person’s name in the Purple Vermilion (Zitong, a name-register of heaven). They make the body flourish and the lifespan grow, so that one enjoys blessings without end.

Immortal officials support and protect, enabling one to walk among the clouds. The spirits of Upright Truth descend and gather, granting one an intelligence equal to that of the spirits.

Misfortune naturally disperses, and in the end one ascends into the Jade Palace (Yugong, a palace of heaven).

Mysterious Chapter Seven of the Pojun Star Official (Pojun Xingguan Xuanzhang)

The Northern Dipper increases the count of one’s years. Bright rose-clouds spread abroad. Flowing radiance shines on every side, and true Qi (Zhenqi, the vital energy of life spoken of in Daoism) upholds the cultivator for a long time.

The Seven Yuan Star Lords register for a person the registers of deliverance (Duji, name-rolls of heaven) and enter that person’s name in the Purple Book (Zishu, a register of heaven). They regulate and nourish the body and add to the lifespan, so that one ever abides in joy and ease.

Flying immortals tread in dance and roam in feast at the Mysterious Capital (Xuandu, the celestial capital of the immortals spoken of in Daoism). One sees clearly within and without, and dwells together with the spirits.

The count of one’s years naturally increases, and in the end one ascends into the Jade Carriage (Yuyu, a celestial carriage or dwelling).

Mysterious Chapter of the Left Assistant Star Official (Zuofu Xingguan Xuanzhang)

The Qi (vital energy) of Heaven and Earth meet and blend as one, and the allotted destinies of the three lifetimes join with the spirits. One steps upward through the joyful realms of Heaven.

Dancing as a flying immortal, one roams and banquets in the Mysterious Capital (Xuandu, the immortal realm of Daoism). Seeing clearly within and without, one dwells together with the spirits.

One’s span of life increases of itself, and one ascends to Heaven in a carriage made of jade.

Mysterious Chapter of the Star Officer of the Left Assistant

The Qi of Heaven and Earth meet and blend as one, and the allotted destinies of the three lifetimes join with the spirits. One treads the celestial lodges and flies across the nine stars.

The left hand holds the Hidden Writ; the right hand bears the Feather Jing (scripture/classic). One has audience with the Venerable Emperor and receives the title of the Dao (the Way).

Passing beyond the Canopy (Huagai—a star name, and also the canopy of the immortal realm), one ascends to the Purple Court (Ziting, the dwelling of the Celestial Emperor). On this day of practicing the Dao, every manner of auspicious sign gathers together.

The blessings gained are deep and full, and one long enjoys enduring life. The body turns to feathered form and rises to the Upper Clarity (Shangqing, the higher heavenly realm of Daoism).

Mysterious Chapter of the Star Officer of the Right Aide

In accord with the Dao, within the Three Subtleties (Sanwei, the lofty realm of perfected truth in Daoism), the true immortal is raised from the Mysterious Terrace. Moving between the ordinary world and the void, one conceals every trace at the Celestial Pass.

One drifts through the farthest reaches of the eight directions, riding rose-colored light and purple mist. Treading the Nine Qi (nine kinds of celestial vital energy) in flight, one transforms without end.

Roaming the Northern Canopy (Beigai, the northern celestial realm), one lifts a long whistle and chant toward Gouchen (a star name, and also a stellar officer of Heaven). Whatever is sought comes to fulfillment; whatever is prayed and declared is answered.

Long does one keep watch over Heaven and Earth, lengthening one’s years in the Radiant Dawn (Huachen, the luminous celestial realm).

At the end of the original text, the passage from “going out from the ordinary into emptiness” through “preserving one’s years in the Radiant Dawn” is repeated; its meaning is retained here in keeping with the original, and it is not translated again as a separate repetition.