《太上老君说补谢八阳经》

The Dao (the Way) says: The Three Officials who govern Heaven, Earth, and Water, the sun, the moon, and the Five Stars, the Twenty-Eight Lunar Mansions, the Southern Dipper and the Northern Dipper, the Five Phases (Wood, Fire, Earth, Metal, Water) and the Bagua (Eight Trigrams), the twelve deities of the earth, and all the sages of the ten directions have come to hear me proclaim.

Lord Lao says: I have seen that in the states, prefectures and counties, towns, and villages throughout the world, whenever people break ground and carry out construction, build houses, or expand and renovate them, no matter whether the work lies to the east, west, south, or north, in the four directions and four corners, or above and below, after it is finished people often still meet with every kind of calamity, hardship, and suffering. The Qi (vital energy) of the earth circulates without cease, the cycle of birth and death continues without interruption, and from generation to generation the calamities lie heavy and are difficult to remove and resolve.

Therefore I command the generals of the Day Wanderer, the Moon’s Baleful Influence, and their like, together with the deities Taisui, the Roaming Dragon, and the Crouching Dragon, and I command the spirits who govern the baleful influences of Heaven, Earth, the year, the month, the day, and the hour, as well as all the greater and lesser calamity balefuls and robbery balefuls; the Six Jia and the Six Spirits, the twelve spirits of Heaven, and the twelve hour-spirits of Earth; the spirits of the Yellow Banner, the Leopard Tail, the Official Talisman, the Illness Talisman, and the Death Talisman; the deities who preside over sericulture—the Silkworm Official, Silkworm Destiny, the Silkworm Chamber, and the Presenters of Memorials; Great Consumption and Lesser Consumption, the Five Soils and the Bagua, the Gate Assistant and the Household Commandant, and the stellar officials who govern the year in progress and one’s natal destiny, together with all the gods between Heaven and Earth who preside over the various taboos.

Whether the earth has already been broken in the past or one intends in the future to break ground, undertake construction, and build houses, if one burns incense, upholds and makes offerings, and recites this Jing (scripture), one will no longer be hindered by the various taboos, and the Qi of the earth will lie hidden and at peace. In this way the state may be secure and warfare brought to rest, wind and rain may come in due season, the people may dwell in peace, and all things may flourish. Whether one travels or remains at home, and whether the matter is public or private, there will be benefit, and no sudden calamity will occur. The household will be harmonious and kin safe and well; moving into a residence will be auspicious, and radiance will constantly descend. Dragon spirits will protect and bless, ghosts and strange beings will withdraw, calamities will disperse, blessings and emoluments will abound, all affairs will proceed as wished, the world will be at peace, auspiciousness will long be preserved, and one’s heartfelt wishes will be fulfilled. Both the human realm and the celestial realm should observe the regulations and act with reverence in accordance with the statutes and ordinances.