《洞玄灵宝六甲玉女上宫歌章》

The Left Lingfei Jade Maiden, the female immortal of the palace, of the Taixuan Palace of Jiazi—the celestial palace corresponding to the heavenly stem and earthly branch Jiazi—sings:

The Taixuan Palace is deep, secluded, and pure. Jade-colored numinous Qi (vital energy) shines upon the lofty divine realm. Perfectly rounded radiance veils and illumines the celestial phenomena of the nine directions, and blue-green Brahma-Qi flashes and flies.

Cloud-Qi swirls along the margins; fragrance circulates, and mists like cinnabar-jade rise from the burning incense. An azure phoenix draws the vermilion reins, escorting the carriage to the encampment among the clouds.

Let me dwell at ease in the realm without form or color, and let me rejoice in the life-generating Qi between Heaven and Earth. The light of the Three Su—the three clear and luminous Qi spoken of in Daoism—circles in brightness, and thus can safeguard a lifespan without end.

Yielding to the changes of timely fortune, one accords with the regular Qi of the four seasons. Within the formless empty void a Perfected Person is naturally present; who can fathom the name of Taixuan, the Great Mystery?

The numinous light of empty stillness shines upon those who cherish the Dao (the Way), causing the true spirit to turn back and descend upon your bodily form. United with the Dao, one silently holds the contemplation; casting off entanglements, one carefully avoids chasing and seeking outwardly.

Continually accumulating resonant response, one enters the realm of the Great Void; the Great Void then sends down a green carriage. One roams and banquets at Changyang Palace, and with flying steps ascends to Yuqing (Jade Clarity), the Qingwei celestial realm spoken of in Daoism.

Wandering among the nine tiers of cliffs, one goes to pay homage in the courtyard of the Jade Emperor. On the left one absorbs the vermilion essence of the moon; on the right one draws in the Huoluo stars, names of stars in Daoism. Sun, moon, and stars—the three luminaries—together send forth brilliant light; how then could one still feel that Heaven and Earth might overturn?

The Left Lingfei Jade Maiden of the Huangsu Palace of Jiaxu—the celestial palace corresponding to the heavenly stem and earthly branch Jiaxu—sings:

The Huangsu Palace is deep, empty, and still; divine light illuminates the Great Void. Feilian unites with Taiyuanyi, names of Daoist deities, and their majestic presence corresponds with the ten Perfected Persons.

Numinous transformation has its own measures within the hidden darkness, and thus the mysterious records are made manifest. The jasper chambers of Yuxu (Jade Void) Palace flash with radiance; golden light reflects a cinnabar-red countenance.

A vermilion phoenix guides the reins of the divine carriage, wandering among the Shangqing (Upper Clarity) Palaces, the immortal realms of Daoism. Mysterious light shines upon the colorless realm; one loosens one’s robe and rests at ease in Changyang Palace.

The Five Emperors open the numinous path and cause it to appear bright and clear. The jasper chambers of Yuxu Palace flash with radiance; golden light reflects a cinnabar-red countenance. A vermilion phoenix guides the reins of the divine carriage, wandering among the Shangqing Palaces. Mysterious light shines upon the colorless realm; one loosens one’s robe and rests at ease in Changyang Palace.

The Five Emperors open the numinous path, and the subtle essentials return to the Huangfang—the Yellow Court, or Yellow Chamber, among the sites of Daoist internal cultivation and the dwellings of the immortals. Spirit and mind are at ease, resonating with the realm of hidden stillness; in silent inner contemplation, thought reaches through to the nine heavens.

Numinous song-chapters set forth the transformations within the hidden darkness, and a hundred kinds of harmonious Qi gather into the text. It penetrates the lofty, profound, and subtle principles, and thereby opens endless paths of cultivation.

One who has attained the unsurpassed Dao manifests a round jewel-light above the crown of the head. Mystery upon mystery, one at last returns into the Wondrous Gate; entering the realm of the One, one communicates with the ten thousand Perfected Persons.

To realize and accord with the natural Dao (the Way), one rides the void in flight, with no need to harness a dragon. The Qi (vital energy) of the Three Origins descends as a flying chariot, and streaming cloud-vapors encircle a radiance of purple and yellow.

Ascending above the high, far sky, one drives the carriage at ease and goes to audience with the Jade Emperor.

On the day jiashen, the song-chapter of the Left Lingfei Jade Maiden of the Palace of Great Simplicity says:

Great Simplicity is limpid as the River of Heaven, and a vast numinous Qi spreads into nine rays of splendor. The Dao gives rise to the Qi of Great Origin, which transforms into the bright pearl of Heaven and Earth.

The void reflects the heights and bears the report upward; turning to look back upon the lower world, one finds that in an instant it has vanished like cloud and mist. The Five Sacred Mountains may all be set aside, yet that still falls short of the road that leads to the Nine Heavens.

At times a feast is laid in Changyang Palace, and one drives the clouds and races upon a phoenix. Flying wheels veil the hollow void, while purple mist and a mysterious aura of Qi throng about one another.

Above the layered void one roams at ease, looking back in every direction. A lifespan of a hundred million years seems but a moment; how, then, could one still feel that ten thousand kalpas are long?

The stepped path of ascent to immortality shifts with the movement of the times; preserve true nature, and there is no end. Each harbors the aspiration to seek the Dao, and in pure stillness and silence longs for and seeks the Great Dao.

Accumulation of the most subtle kind can resonate through to Nature, and at last one can harness the elixir talismans. The body enters a realm free of care and affliction; the body is at ease, and the heart is glad.

Riding the void, one swiftly drives the clouds in flight, looks upward, and joins company with the lofty immortals.

On the day jiawu, the song-chapter of the Right Lingfei Jade Maiden of the Crimson Palace says:

The Crimson Palace is the realm of the mysterious higher Dao, and the Qi of Cavern Yang illuminates Great Truth. Elixir Qi enters the realm free of care and affliction; the body is at ease, and the heart is glad.

Riding the void, one swiftly drives the clouds in flight, looks upward, and joins company with the lofty immortals.

On the day jiawu, the song-chapter of the Right Lingfei Jade Maiden of the Crimson Palace says:

The mysterious Great Dao within the Crimson Palace: the Qi of Cavern Yang sends forth the light of Great Truth. The numina of the elixir shine upon the Jade Chamber, and whirlwinds circle the purple mist.

The Qi of the eight directions veils the layered void, and flowing fragrance brushes the rising dust. Dragons and phoenixes beat their wings through the clouds, and Shen (spirit) beings gallop freely between being and non-being.

One roams in bright clarity, gazing toward the ten directions, and, riding the void, ranges at ease through the mysterious realm of the Nine Heavens. Wondrous spiritual transformation does not arise from oneself; the Dao is transmitted by those exalted on high.

Profound and mysterious change has its own fixed measure, while my true nature takes Nature as its model. From within the hollow void exquisite melodies sound; the pitches join, and thereby one may become an immortal.

The songs of the Lingfei set forth the source of the Great Dao, so as to awaken those who study in later times. The void reflects the realm of utmost clarity and utmost stillness; in silent thought, one may enter the realm of luminous Shen.

I have come here for a reason of my own, and for now I let you keep your youthful years. When your practice of the Dao (the Way) is complete and the power of ascension begins to turn, you will rise straight up to the Nine Heavens.

Hymn for invoking the Right-Hand Lingfei Jade Maiden of the Palace of Essence on the jiachen day (she is one of the Six Jia Jade Maidens, attendant goddesses venerated in Daoism): The Way of Lingfei expounds the original source of the great Dao (the Way), in order to enlighten later students. When the mind is empty, still, and quiet, and one silently holds the visualization, one enters the realm of wonder of its own accord.

The hymn says: The Jade Maiden dwells in seclusion in the Palace of Essence, set within layers of emptiness, and brings down pure Yang with the Qi (vital energy) of spiritual simplicity. The goddess of the right-hand division is solemn in bearing, wrapped in a brocade shawl and dressed in a skirt of flying gauze. Clouds and rosy mists glow upon her robes, and a vermilion radiance shines through her jade countenance. She rides a phoenix and holds its reins, passing to and fro in the Palace of Perpetual Yang, roaming upon auspicious clouds, her gaze sweeping across heaven, earth, and the four directions. She descends to the side of the practitioner and awakens the beginner lost in ignorance. The efficacy of practice arises of itself; the accomplishment of the Dao is no merit of mine. Concentrate on the visualization, and with an open mind reflect the true spirit, and you will be able to have an audience with the Jade Emperor.

Hymn for invoking the Right-Hand Lingfei Jade Maiden of the Palace of the Azure Waist on the jiayin day: The Palace of the Azure Waist gives rise to the root of the Dao. Yang Qi first stirs there, and she is called Huijing, "Bountiful Essence." She oversees the subtle and supreme Qi, and her right-hand division commands the Three Spirits. She separates and joins the Eight Effulgences (the movements of the gods within the body), roaming and transforming without hindrance. Her realm is subtle and deep, reaching down to the Cavern Origin, faintly and clearly luminous, and extending through the Nine Voids. Within it dwells a wondrous Jade Maiden, clothed above in brocade and below in a flying skirt of azure. Riding the void and driving a vermilion phoenix, she sweeps swiftly past the Five Stars. Whirling winds scatter fragrant flowers, and flying jade rings circle about her in the purple firmament. She brings her covenant and the guests of the high immortals, and they meet and loosen their robes in the City of Nine Phoenixes. Wondrous melodies are sung in the air, jade tones answer one another, the notes of gong and shang blend in harmony, and mysterious transformations arise without end.

If anyone can fully fathom this hymn, then a single recitation will bring ten thousand years of joy. In the Western Palace the register of the Lower Origin is sealed, and Donghua records the names of the immortals. She leads her companions of the Dao from Perpetual Yang and sends the true melody down upon you. Through accumulated practice you will stir the profound mystery, and the spirits of the Three Origins will descend in a green carriage. Then you will rise, soaring on radiant light and rosy clouds, and enter the court of the Supreme Emperor to pay your respects.