《太上三五正一盟威箓》

The first scroll of the Register of Alliance Authority of the Three and Five of the Most High Orthodox Unity lists several Zhengyi (Orthodox Unity) registers and the corresponding dates, lunar lodges, and ritual centers.

The first grade is the “Most High Orthodox Unity Register of One Child General.” Its Qi corresponds to the first seasonal division of the first lunar month (Beginning of Spring), the Xu lunar lodge, and the Yangping ritual center. Beginning of Spring falls on the forty-fifth day after the winter solstice.

The second grade is the “Most High Orthodox Unity Register of Ten Child Generals.” Its Qi corresponds to the middle of the first lunar month (Rain Water), the Wei lunar lodge, and the Lutang ritual center. Rain Water falls on the sixtieth day after the winter solstice.

The third grade is the “Most High Orthodox Unity Register of One Hundred and Fifty Generals.” Its Qi corresponds to the first seasonal division of the second lunar month (Awakening of Insects), the Shi and Bi lunar lodges, and the Heming ritual center. Awakening of Insects falls on the seventy-fifth day after the winter solstice.

The fourth grade is the “Most High Orthodox Unity Register of Three Generals.” Its Qi corresponds to the middle of the second lunar month (Spring Equinox), the Kui lunar lodge, and the Liyuan ritual center. The Spring Equinox falls on the ninetieth day after the winter solstice.

The text then gives the format for the first type of register-granting document, the “Most High Orthodox Unity Register of One Child General.” Zuo Pingxi, a libationer of the Yangping ritual center—a clerical title in the Zhengyi tradition—was affiliated with Metal; his location is recorded as Jiulong County, Pengzhou. “Huixu” corresponds to the first seasonal division of the first lunar month, Beginning of Spring.

At the start of the document, the year, month, and day, the province, commandery, county, township, and village, and the recipient’s name and birth date are to be entered. The recipient must also state which lord of a Northern Dipper star corresponds to them and that they were once summoned by the Five Black Divine Youth Lords. They describe themselves as a person born with an ordinary mortal body who, through karmic ties from previous lives, was able to encounter the Great Dao. They therefore prepared ritual tokens to present to their religious lineage, traveled to a temple in a famous mountain, and became a disciple of a named master, receiving the Most High Orthodox Unity Register of One Child General. After wearing and receiving the register, with its listed divine officers, they are to practice according to the ritual regulations and formally petition to be granted the register.

At the end, the document lists the immortal officials who will serve or be employed by the recipient: one Directing Messenger Merit Officer, one Orthodox Unity Merit Officer, one Healing Merit Officer, one Left Official Messenger, and one Yang Spirit Decision Officer.

The Highest Immortal Capital has twelve Wolf Officials and twelve Tiger Guards; twelve Inspecting Cavalry who expose wrongdoing; twelve Three Offices Attendant Prefects; twelve Heavenly Tamed Armored Soldiers; twelve Heavenly Strongmen; and twelve Black-Collecting, Black-Consuming Officials.

Every talisman diagram in the register is attended by twelve spirit officials. The Highest Immortal Capital’s Three Offices Attendant Prefects, Heavenly Tamed Armored Soldiers, Heavenly Strongmen, and Black-Collecting, Black-Consuming Officials also each number twelve. All the talisman diagrams in the register are written in cinnabar.

The divine generals wear golden armor and blue-green belts. Among the High Spirit Officials are one Direct Envoy Merit Officer, one Orthodox Unity Merit Officer, one Healing Merit Officer, one Left Office Envoy, and one Yang Spirit Central Officer. There are twelve Wolf Officials and twelve Tiger Guards; twelve Inspecting Cavalry who expose wrongdoing, Three Offices Attendant Prefects, Heavenly Brocade Armored Soldiers, and Heavenly Strongmen; and twelve Qi-Collecting, Qi-Consuming Officials.

Golden armor and green belts.

The second section, “Register of the Ten Generals of the Youths of the Most High Orthodox Unity,” records that the Right Pingxi Libationer of the Zhenlu Hall’s jurisdiction belongs to the Water phase of the Five Phases (Wood, Fire, Earth, Metal, Water). The jurisdiction lies in Mianzhu County, Hanzhou, corresponds to the Xu lunar mansion, and falls in the first month, at the time of Rain Water.

A certain disciple of the registers and talismans, named So-and-so Yi, whose fate is governed by a certain Lord of the Northern Dipper, had already received the second section of the Register of the Ten Generals of the Five Qi Spirits. The disciple, So-and-so Yi, presented incense and tokens, came before a certain ritual master, and respectfully received the “Register of the Ten Generals of the Youths of the Most High Orthodox Unity,” following the prescribed liturgical procedures.

One Direct Envoy Merit Officer of the Highest Immortal Capital.

The Upper Immortal Capital, the celestial capital of the immortals, has one Zhengyi (Orthodox Unity) Merit Officer, one Merit Officer for Healing, one Left Official Messenger, one Junior Yang-Spirit Clerk, and two Great Shade Clerks, Yang Officials for Healing. It also has two Generals of the Firm Wind Cavalry bearing the Red Heaven Calendar Banners, two Left Cavalry Generals, and two Right Cavalry Generals; two Firm Wind Generals, two Left Generals, and two Right Generals.

The Upper Immortal Capital is also staffed by 240 Wolf Clerks and Tiger Guards, 240 Inspectors of Treachery and Hooked Cavalry, and 240 Attendants of the Three Offices. The original text repeats the names of these three classes of divine officials. In addition, it has 240 Heaven-Woven Armored Troops, 240 Celestial Strongmen, 240 Clerks who gather and consume Qi, and 240 Clerks of the Ritual Carriage and Red Talisman; as well as two Firm Wind Cavalrymen, two Relay Station Clerks, and two Clerks who present memorials on horseback.

The Upper Spirit Court, the celestial court of the spirit officials, has two Direct Envoys and Merit Officers, two Zhengyi (Orthodox Unity) Merit Officers, two Merit Officers for Healing, two Left Official Messengers, two Junior Yang-Spirit Clerks, and two Great Shade Clerks, Yang Officials for Healing. It also has two Central Capital Cavalry Generals, two Left Cavalry Generals, and two Right Cavalry Generals, as well as two Central Capital Generals, two Left Generals, and two Right Generals.

The Upper Spirit Court also has 240 Wolf Clerks and Tiger Guards, and 240 Inspectors of Treachery and Hooked Cavalry. The Merit Officers, messengers, generals, troops, and administrative clerks listed here are titles of divine offices and subordinate divine generals recorded in talismanic registers.

The Upper Lingguan (the bureau of high-ranking deities) commands 240 Three Officials’ Assistant Prefects, 240 Heavenly Embroidered Armor Soldiers, 240 Heavenly Strongmen, and 240 officials who collect and consume Qi (vital energy). The officials listed under its subordinate “Section” include the same numbers of Three Officials’ Assistant Prefects, Heavenly Embroidered Armor Soldiers, Heavenly Strongmen, and officials who collect and consume Qi, as well as 240 red-tally clerks who serve by carriage. There are also two clerks who ride post horses through the fierce winds, carrying memorials and other documents.

The Register of the One Hundred and Fifty Generals of the Supreme One and Orthodox Unity is ranked in the third grade.

The Left Changwu libationer of Zhenhe Minghe belongs to Metal. His seat of governance is in Dayi County, Qizhou, and he corresponds to the lunar lodges of Room and Wall, as well as to the solar term Jingzhe (Awakening of Insects).

A certain disciple holding a ritual register, called A, is under the charge of a particular Lord of a Northern Dipper star. Since receiving the ritual transmission, he has devoted himself to diligent practice without slackening and has steadily advanced in Daoist cultivation. He received a ritual office from the Divine King of the Supreme Sovereign, but could not determine its precise responsibilities on his own. He therefore came before me and gave an honest account. The Lord of the Northern Center among the Nine Elders of the Primordial Realm summoned him and authorized him to assume the office that same day. In recognition of his meritorious cultivation, I now request that he be granted the Register of the One Hundred and Fifty Generals of the Supreme One and Orthodox Unity, so that he may receive the aid of divine generals. He pledges to abide by all ritual rules and regulations and never to violate them. I submit this request with due respect.

The register lists the following divine officials, fifteen of each: the Supreme Immortal’s Direct Envoy Merit Officer, Supreme Immortal’s Orthodox Unity Merit Officer, Supreme Immortal’s Healing Merit Officer, Supreme Immortal’s Left Official Merit Officer, Supreme Immortal’s Merit Officer, and the Central Supreme Immortal’s Right Official Merit Officer. It also lists fifteen each of the Supreme Immortal’s Yang Spirit Decision Clerks, Yang Spirit Healing Merit Officers, Yin Spirit Decision Clerks, and Yin Spirit Healing Merit Officers. Merit officers and decision clerks are divine officials in Daoist ritual registers who carry commands, assist in ritual practice, and perform duties such as healing.

In the Upper Immortal Capital, there are fifteen Yang Office Imperial Physicians who treat illnesses, and fifteen Yin Office Imperial Physicians who treat illnesses. The Yin and Yang Offices are officials in the Daoist pantheon who respectively oversee Yin and Yang affairs.

There are five Generals of the Red Heaven Calendar Banner and Strong Wind, five Left Generals, and five Right Generals; five Great Generals of the Central Palace, five Left Generals, and five Right Generals; five each of the Great Courier General, the Chief Courier General, the Left Courier General, and the Right Courier General; and five each of the Left Strong Wind Official Cavalry General, the Right Strong Wind Official Cavalry General, the Strong Wind Left Cavalry General, and the Strong Wind Right Cavalry General. The original text then lists the titles of the Left and Right Strong Wind Official Cavalry Generals and the Left and Right Cavalry Generals once more, with five of each. “Red Heaven Calendar Banner and Strong Wind” and the like are titles held by celestial officers and generals.

The Upper Immortal Capital’s officials include Tiger Warriors, Censorial Cavalry who expose treachery, Three Offices Supervisors, Heavenly Li armored troops, and Heavenly Strongmen, with 1,200 of each. There are sixty officials in each group responsible for capturing darkness, spirits, ghosts, evil forces, poison, misfortune, essence, and pestilence, as well as sixty officials who oversee ritual chariots and red talismans. This passage lists, item by item, the celestial generals and officials under the authority of the registers, along with their numbers. The “Three Offices” are the celestial, terrestrial, and aquatic offices; “red talismans” are talismanic credentials used in Daoist registers.

In the Shangxiandu’s Gangfeng region (a celestial realm in the world of the immortals), two officials are responsible for riding, delivering documents, and submitting memorials.

The Shang Lingguan (celestial officials) include fifteen each of the Direct Envoys of Merit, Orthodox Unity Officers of Merit, Officers of Merit for Healing, Left Envoys, Right Envoys, Yang-Spirit Attendants, and Yin-Spirit Adjudicators.

The Shang Lingguan also include fifteen each of the Yang Officials of Merit for Healing, the Yin Officials of Merit for Healing, the Imperial Physicians serving as Yang Officials for Healing, and the Imperial Physicians serving as Yin Officials for Healing.

The Shang Lingguan include five each of the Generals of the Relay Cavalry, Left and Right Generals of the Relay Cavalry, Chief, Left, and Right Generals of the Official Relay Cavalry, Chief, Left, and Right Officials, Chief, Left, and Right Commanders, the Central Cavalry General, and the Left and Right Generals of the Central Cavalry.

The Shang Lingguan include a total of twelve hundred Wolf Officials and Tiger Braves.

Among the high celestial generals, the mounted officers who expose treachery, the deputy directors of the Bureau of Officials, the celestial armored troops, and the celestial strongmen each number twelve hundred. The officers who capture darkness, spirits, ghosts, evil forces, and poison each number sixty. Among the officers of the ritual car and red talismans, those responsible for capturing spirits, ghosts, evil forces, and poison also number sixty apiece; in addition, there are sixty officers of the ritual car and red talismans. Two mounted courier officers ride the fierce wind to deliver memorials.

Register of the Three Generals of the Most High Orthodox Unity, Fourth Grade

The Right Chief Xiji of the Zhèn Líyuán Administration belongs to Earth. His seat is in Jiulong County, Pengzhou, and he corresponds to the Kui lunar lodge. His observances fall at the Spring Equinox and in mid-second month.

The disciple of a certain ritual register, so-and-so Yi, whose destiny is linked to a certain star lord of the Northern Dipper, upholds the Daoist rites and diligently cultivates the Dao. Having earned merit by urging people toward goodness, he remains sincere and steadfast, advancing in the Dao with each passing day. Since he has long been summoned by the Three Black Lords of Taiyuan, Yi is hereby authorized to take office. In accordance with the old rites of the Celestial Master, he reverently receives the decree appointing the Left, Right, and Central Generals of the Most High Lord Lao, together with their combined force of ninety million soldiers, to enter his body and protect him.

The Left Supreme Immortal Concealment General, one in number, is surnamed Tang and named Hong, with the courtesy name Wenming. He is seventy-two zhang tall, wears a tall red cap and a plain robe, holds a golden talisman and wears a sword. Leading three hundred thousand troops, he descends from the five-colored dark clouds and enters so-and-so’s left kidney, bringing forth the circulation of the hundred vessels and strengthening his body.

Red passion, yellow embrace: holding a golden talisman and wearing a sword, he leads three hundred thousand troops, descends from the five-colored dark clouds and enters so-and-so’s left kidney, bringing forth the circulation of the hundred vessels and strengthening his body.

Red passion, yellow embrace: he wears black clothes and red shoes.

The Great General of Right-Upper Lingyin Ying, surnamed Ge, named Yong, and styled Wendu, is seventy-two zhang tall. He wears a red crown and a single-layer robe, carries a vajra jade halberd, and wears a precious sword at his waist. Leading thirty million troops, he rides a red-and-black floating cloud and descends into a person’s right kidney, nourishing the person’s hundred channels and strengthening the body.

Red passion, red embrace, mound, green, red sash, vermilion shoes.

The Great General of Central-Upper Xian Cangxing, surnamed Zhou, named Wu, and styled Wengang, is ninety-two zhang tall. He wears a red crown and a single-layer robe, carries a vermilion Yang baton, and wears a precious sword at his waist. Leading thirty million troops, he rides a red-and-black floating cloud and descends into a person’s body, strengthening it.

Red passion, yellow embrace, mound, green, vermilion shoes.

End of Volume One of the Registers of the Great Highest Three-Five Zhengyi Covenant’s Awe-Inspiring Authority.

The Registers of the Great Highest Three-Five Zhengyi Covenant’s Awe-Inspiring Authority, Volume Two

The Fifth Grade: Register for Summoning the Hundred Ghosts of the Great Highest Zhengyi Upper Ling

This grade corresponds to the third month’s seasonal division. Its appointed day and celestial lodge are Lou, and its garrison is at Geji Administration. Qingming falls 105 days after the winter solstice.

The Sixth Grade: Red Register of Primordial Destiny and Chaos of the Great Highest Zhengyi

This grade corresponds to the middle of the third month. Its appointed day and celestial lodge are Wei, and its garrison is at Gengchu Administration. Grain Rain falls 120 days after the winter solstice.

The Fifth Grade: Register for Summoning the Hundred Ghosts of the Great Highest Zhengyi Upper Ling

The Left Chief Xiji libationer of Geji Administration belongs to Fire and is located in Jiulong County, Pengzhou. He corresponds to the Lou lodge and the Qingming festival in the third month.

A certain disciple of the registers, named So-and-so, whose destiny is under a certain Star Lord of the Northern Dipper, revered in Daoism, has now prepared incense and offerings and tokens of authentication. He goes to the residence of a certain ritual master to request the transmission of the “Supreme One’s Orthodox Unity Register of the Upper Numinous Ones Who Summon the Hundred Ghosts,” a Fulu of the Zhengyi tradition for summoning and commanding spirits and dispelling and subduing ghosts and harmful forces. After receiving it, he is to use it inwardly to cultivate and regulate himself, and outwardly to aid others; to destroy evil and deliver his ancestors from suffering; and to summon the various deities, who will then answer and arrive. When no summons has been made, he must not presume to offend or take liberties with the spirits. After receiving the registers, this person must carry out their precepts in full accordance with the rules of the liturgy and must not violate them. Should he do so, he willingly accepts punishment in the netherworld. Let this be carried out swiftly, in accordance with the statutes and commands.

The following are the names of the divine officials governed by this set of Fulu, twelve in each category:

Twelve meritorious officers directly attached to the Upper Numinous Officials; twelve Left Mysterious Meritorious Officers of the Upper Numinous Officials; twelve Right Mysterious Meritorious Officers of the Upper Numinous Officials; twelve Left Bureau Messengers of the Upper Numinous Officials; twelve Right Bureau Messengers of the Upper Numinous Officials; twelve Meritorious Officers for Healing Illnesses of the Upper Numinous Officials; twelve Directly Assigned Meritorious Officers; twelve Left Mysterious Meritorious Officers of the Upper Numinous Officials; twelve Right Mysterious Meritorious Officers of the Upper Numinous Officials; twelve Left Bureau Messengers of the Upper Numinous Officials; twelve Right Bureau Messengers of the Upper Numinous Officials; twelve Meritorious Officers for Healing Illnesses of the Upper Numinous Officials; twelve Left Armpit Messengers of the Upper Numinous Officials; twelve Right Armpit Messengers of the Upper Numinous Officials; twelve Left Yang-Spirit Subordinate Officers of the Upper Numinous Officials; twelve Right Yang-Spirit Subordinate Officers of the Upper Numinous Officials; twelve Left Yin-Spirit Adjudicating Officers of the Upper Numinous Officials; twelve Right Yin-Spirit Granary Officers of the Upper Numinous Officials; twelve Left High Messengers of the Upper Numinous Officials; twelve Right High Messengers of the Upper Numinous Officials; twelve Left Healers of the Upper Numinous Officials; twelve Right Healers of the Upper Numinous Officials; twelve Left High Black Officers of the Upper Numinous Officials; twelve Right High Black Officers of the Upper Numinous Officials; twelve Left Black-Supporting Officers of the Upper Numinous Officials; twelve Right Black-Supporting Officers of the Upper Numinous Officials; twelve Left Chief Messengers of the Upper Numinous Officials; twelve Right Chief Messengers of the Upper Numinous Officials; and twelve Left Black-Collecting Messengers of the Upper Numinous Officials.

To the right of the High Spirit Official (a senior divine office in the Daoist system of divine generals) are twelve Black-Collecting Envoys. To the left are twelve Body-Supporting Envoys, and to the right are twelve more. On both the left and right are twelve Original Black-Collecting and Black-Consuming Officials, and twelve Original Black-Collecting and Black-Consuming Registrars. There are also twelve Envoys of the High Spirit Official.

On both the left and right are twelve Evil-Collecting and Evil-Consuming Officials, and twelve Ghost-Collecting and Ghost-Consuming Officials. Banner-Patrol Generals are also arrayed on both sides, twelve to each. There are twelve High Banner-Patrol Generals on both the left and right; twelve Great Origin Generals on both sides; twelve Original Banner-Patrol Generals on both sides; and a further twelve Original Banner-Patrol Generals.

There are twelve Yang-Spirit Generals on both the left and right, and twelve Yin-Spirit Generals on both sides. There are also twelve High-Capital Cavalry Generals on both the left and right, twelve Great One Capital Cavalry Generals on both sides, and twelve Celestial Banner-Patrol Generals on the left. This passage enumerates, one by one, the titles and numbers of the envoys, officials, and generals under the High Spirit Official’s command.

Twelve Generals of the Heavenly Calendar Flags in the left rank of the High Spirit Officials (celestial generals in the Daoist divine hierarchy);

twelve Generals of the Nine Offices of the Upper Three Heavens in the right rank of the High Spirit Officials;

twelve Generals of the Nine Offices of the Upper Three Heavens in the left rank of the High Spirit Officials;

twelve Generals of the Upper Wind Cavalry in the right rank of the High Spirit Officials;

twelve Generals of the Upper Wind Cavalry in the left rank of the High Spirit Officials;

twelve Generals of the Mysterious One’s Calendar Flags in the right rank of the High Spirit Officials;

twelve Generals of the Three Primordial Mysterious Sovereigns in the left rank of the High Spirit Officials;

twelve Generals of the Three Primordial Mysterious Sovereigns in the right rank of the High Spirit Officials;

twelve Generals of the Upper Slaying Talismans in the left rank of the High Spirit Officials;

twelve Generals of the Upper Slaying Talismans in the right rank of the High Spirit Officials;

and so on…

twelve Generals of the Three Primordial Mysterious Sovereigns in the left rank of the High Spirit Officials;

twelve Generals of the Three Primordial Mysterious Sovereigns in the right rank of the High Spirit Officials;

twelve Generals of the Upper Slaying Talismans in the left rank of the High Spirit Officials;

twelve Generals of the Upper Slaying Talismans in the right rank of the High Spirit Officials;

twelve Generals of the Three Sovereigns and Nine Offices among the High Spirit Officials;

twelve Generals of the Upper Sovereign’s Bodyguards in the left rank of the High Spirit Officials;

twelve Generals of the Upper Sovereign’s Bodyguards in the right rank of the High Spirit Officials;

twelve Envoys of the Scarlet Heaven’s Firm Cavalry among the High Spirit Officials;

twelve Envoys of the Scarlet Heaven’s Firm Forces who Capture the Black among the High Spirit Officials;

twelve Envoys of the Purple Palace who Guide the World Beyond among the High Spirit Officials;

twelve Envoys of the Pure and Wondrous who Guide the World Beyond among the High Spirit Officials;

twelve Envoys of the Mysterious Origin who Guide the World Beyond among the High Spirit Officials;

twelve Mighty Warriors of the Celestial Hosts among the High Spirit Officials;

twelve Celestial Li Armored Soldiers among the High Spirit Officials;

twelve Envoys of the Celestial Physician of Mysterious Capital among the High Spirit Officials;

twelve Envoys of the Nine Palaces and Eight Extremes among the High Spirit Officials;

twelve Celestial Cavalry Officials in the left rank of the High Spirit Officials;

twelve Celestial Cavalry Officials in the right rank of the High Spirit Officials;

twelve Celestial Envoys in the left rank of the High Spirit Officials;

twelve Celestial Envoys in the right rank of the High Spirit Officials;

twelve Envoys of the Upper Mysterious Origin in the left rank of the High Spirit Officials;

twelve Envoys of the Upper Mysterious Origin in the right rank of the High Spirit Officials.

Above the Spirit Officials (Lingguan) of the Upper Realm (the celestial realm), on the left and right are divine functionaries including the Red Wolf Messengers, Heavenly Messengers, Upper Mysterious Origin Messengers, Clear Wind Guard Cavalry Messengers, Mysterious Vermilion Bird Messengers, Sectional Chariot Red Talisman Clerks, Zhengyi Messengers, Primordial Black Tortoise Messengers, Upper Nine Origins Messengers, Three Origins and Four Beginnings Messengers, and Upper Tiger-Bearing Guards. Except for the first entry, which is recorded as having ten members, each of the remaining entries is recorded as having twelve.

The Supreme Taishang Zhengyi Primordial Destiny, Chaos, Red and Green Text, Section Six

The Right Chief of the Zhen Geng Yin Gu, Xi, the Libationer (a Daoist clerical title), belongs to Water. His location is Mianzhu County in Hanzhou (in the area of present-day Mianzhu, Sichuan). He corresponds to the Stomach Lodge (one of the ancient Chinese lunar lodges), and the solar term is Grain Rain in the third lunar month.

Next is a list of twelve Tiger-Bearing Guards. The entire passage then repeats the title The Supreme Taishang Zhengyi Primordial Destiny, Chaos, Red and Green Text, Section Six, followed by the record that the Right Chief of the Zhen Geng Yin Gu, Xi, the Libationer, belongs to Water, resides in Mianzhu County in Hanzhou, corresponds to the Stomach Lodge, and is associated with the Grain Rain solar term.

The ritual-register disciple named Ayi was born under the charge of a certain Lord of the Northern Dipper (a Northern Dipper deity) and ordinarily receives summons from Lord Zhongdi. Ayi now respectfully prepares incense, offerings, and tokens of recognition, and goes to a certain ritual master to request the transmission of the “Most High Zhengyi Register of the Original Mandate, Red Heaven, Three Fives, and Chaos” (a Zhengyi register recording one’s allotted lifespan). The true officials within the register will compose their appearance, manifest their authority, and enter the body of the recipient. After wearing and receiving the register, Ayi must abide by the relevant liturgical rules and precepts and must not violate them. Should Ayi transgress, Ayi willingly submits to examination and punishment by the underworld authorities. This vow is made in accordance with Heaven’s laws. Let it be carried out at once, in accordance with the statutes and commands.

The following are the names of the divine functionaries to whom the recipient is assigned after receiving the register, fifteen in each category:

Fifteen merit officers serving as direct emissaries of the Three Fives and Original Mandate in the Upper Three Heavens; fifteen Zhengyi merit officers who govern body and spirit; fifteen merit officers who sustain the body and treat illness; fifteen left-court envoys who govern body and spirit; fifteen right-court envoys who govern body and spirit; fifteen inner Yang spirit officials; fifteen inner Yin spirit adjudicators; fifteen merit officers of the life-giving Black Yang Office who treat illness; fifteen merit officers of the life-giving Black Yin Office who treat illness; fifteen great physicians of the Sun Yang Office who generate vitality and treat illness; fifteen great physicians of the Moon Yin Office who generate Black Qi and treat illness; fifteen merit officers of the Star Office who attack, subdue, and repel enemies; fifteen officials of the Office of Destiny; fifteen officials of the Office of Records; fifteen officials of the Office of Peril; fifteen officials of the Office of Punishment; and fifteen officials of the Office of Sincerity.

The Three-and-Five Officials of Destiny, the Officials in Charge of Needles, the Officials in Charge of Governance, and the Officials in Charge of Inspection in the Upper Three Heavens—one of the Daoist celestial realms—number fifteen each. The Central Officials of Wenchang and the Ninefold Way Officials of Destiny in the Central Yellow Heaven also number fifteen each. They oversee their respective affairs.

In the Red Heaven, the Three-and-Five Generals of Primordial Chaos, Birth, and Spirit Concealment—the Great General Dougang and the Left General—number nine each. They guard the right and left kidneys, respectively, and oversee how the Qi of the Three and Five stabilizes and protects life.

The Red Heaven has fifteen Three-and-Five Officials, who oversee their respective affairs. Beneath them are several groups of generals, each numbering nine. They guard the left and right kidneys and oversee the generation and continuance of life. The Great General Dougang, the Left General, and the Right General correspond respectively to the right kidney, left kidney, and right kidney, and govern the stabilization of life through the Three and Five. The Great General Doukui, the Left General, and the Right General correspond respectively to the right kidney, left kidney, and right kidney, and govern the generation of the liver from the kidneys. Another group of Doukui Generals likewise guard the left and right kidneys and govern the generation of the hun souls from the kidneys. The Great General Douchi and the Left General guard the right and left kidneys, respectively, and govern the formation of the body from the kidneys.

Here, “govern” means that Daoist deities hold offices and guard their domains. “Generating the liver,” “generating the hun souls,” and “forming the body” reflect the traditional view of inner body deities, in which the internal organs are linked with the souls and the physical form.

The “Right General of the Concealing Spirit, Fighting the Chi” born from the Three-Five Chaos of the Red Heaven (a name for a celestial realm in the Daoist pantheon, symbolizing the primordial force before Heaven and Earth were divided) numbers nine. They govern the right kidney, from which the body’s form is produced.

The “Great General of the Concealing Spirit, Fighting the Mei” born from the Three-Five Chaos of the Red Heaven numbers nine. They govern the right kidney, from which the lungs are produced.

The “Left General of the Concealing Shadow, Fighting the Mei” born from the Three-Five Chaos of the Red Heaven numbers nine. They govern the left kidney, from which the lungs are produced.

The “Right General of the Concealing Shadow, Fighting the Mei” born from the Three-Five Chaos of the Red Heaven numbers nine. They govern the right kidney, from which the lungs are produced.

The “Great General of the Concealing Shadow, Fighting the Chi” born from the Three-Five Chaos of the Red Heaven numbers nine. They govern the right kidney, from which the spleen is produced.

The “Left General of the Concealing Shadow, Fighting the Chi” born from the Three-Five Chaos of the Red Heaven numbers nine. They govern the left kidney, from which the spleen is produced.

The “Right General of the Concealing Shadow, Fighting the Chi” born from the Three-Five Chaos of the Red Heaven numbers nine. They govern the right kidney, from which the spleen is produced.

The “Great General of the Concealing Shadow, Fighting the Mei” born from the Three-Five Chaos of the Red Heaven numbers nine. The text that follows reads, “The nine Right Generals of the Concealing Shadow, Fighting the Chi, born from the Three-Five Chaos, govern the right kidney, from which the spleen is produced.” This passage has an unusual textual transition.

The “Great General of the Concealing Shadow, Giving Birth to Form, Fighting the Mei” born from the Three-Five Chaos of the Red Heaven numbers nine. They govern the heart, from which the Po (one of the human spiritual souls) is produced.

The “Left General of the Concealing Shadow, Giving Birth to Form, Fighting the Mei” born from the Three-Five Chaos of the Red Heaven numbers nine. They govern the heart, from which the Po is produced.

The “Right General of the Concealing Shadow, Giving Birth to Form, Fighting the Mei” born from the Three-Five Chaos of the Red Heaven numbers nine. They govern the heart, from which the Po is produced.

The “Great General of the Concealing Body, Giving Birth to the Corporeal Form, Fighting the E” born from the Three-Five Chaos of the Red Heaven numbers nine. They govern the heart, from which the human body is produced.

The “Left General of the Concealing Body, Giving Birth to the Corporeal Form, Fighting the E” born from the Three-Five Chaos of the Red Heaven numbers nine. They govern the heart, from which the human body is produced.

The “Right General of the Concealing Body, Giving Birth to the Corporeal Form, Fighting the E” born from the Three-Five Chaos of the Red Heaven numbers nine. They govern the heart, from which the human body is produced.

The “Great General of the Concealing Body, Giving Birth to the Corporeal Form, Fighting the Strike” born from the Three-Five Chaos of the Red Heaven numbers nine. They govern the heart, from which the sinews are produced.

The “Left General of the Concealing Body, Giving Birth to the Corporeal Form, Fighting the Strike” born from the Three-Five Chaos of the Red Heaven numbers nine. They govern the heart, from which the sinews are produced.

The “Right General of the Concealing Body, Giving Birth to the Corporeal Form, Fighting the Strike” born from the Three-Five Chaos of the Red Heaven numbers nine. They govern the heart, from which the sinews are produced.

The “Great General of the Concealing Body, Giving Birth to the Corporeal Form, Fighting the Enemy” born from the Three-Five Chaos of the Red Heaven numbers nine. The text that follows reads, “The nine Right Generals of the Concealing Body, Giving Birth to the Corporeal Form, Fighting the Strike, born from the Three-Five Chaos, govern the heart and give rise to the sinews.”

Beneath the Red Heaven Three Fives, a title in the Daoist system of divine generals, are several groups of generals, each said to comprise nine members. Here, “govern” refers to the duty of overseeing and regulating the body and its spirit and soul.

The group called the Chaos-Born Body, Shielding the Body and Battling Enemies is divided into Great General, Left General, and Right General. Their duties are to govern the heart and generate spirit. The group called the Chaos-Born Body, Supporting the Body and Waging War is likewise divided into Great General, Left General, and Right General; their duties are to govern the liver and calm the hun-soul. The three types of generals in the Supporting the Body and Subduing Demons group govern the liver and purify the hun-soul.

The Great General, Left General, and Right General in the Chaos Ring-Pivot Repelling Enemies group each number nine; their duties are to govern the liver and the immortal hun-soul. The Great General, Left General, and Right General in the Chaos Jade Balance Defeating Enemies group also each number nine; their duties are to govern the lungs and quiet the po-soul. There are also Chaos Attack Great Generals and Left Generals, each numbering nine, whose duties are to govern the lungs and the immortal po-soul. Later, the text again records the Left General as governing the lungs and quieting the po-soul, and the Right General as governing the lungs and quieting the po-soul.

“Hun” and “po” are distinct traditional Daoist terms for aspects of human spiritual life. Pairing the generals’ titles and directions with duties such as governing the heart, liver, and lungs, calming or purifying the hun-soul, and quieting the po-soul reflects the idea that divine generals protect the body and regulate its spirit and soul.

The Great Generals of the Three-Five Chaos of Crimson Heaven, together with the Left and Right Generals, number nine of each. They regulate the lungs and guard the immortal Po, one part of the human spirit and soul.

The Great Generals who Determine Life, under the Three-Five Central Yellow Director of Fate of Crimson Heaven, together with the Left and Right Generals, number nine of each. They regulate the spleen and calm the mind and spirit.

The Great Generals who Determine Longevity, under the Three-Five Central Yellow Director of Fate of Crimson Heaven, together with the Left and Right Generals, number nine of each. They regulate the spleen and make the mind and spirit clear.

The Great Generals who Determine Immortality, under the Three-Five Central Yellow Director of Fate of Crimson Heaven, and the Left Generals, number nine of each. They regulate the spleen and keep the mind and spirit in place. There are also nine Right Generals who Determine Immortality, with the same responsibility.

The wolf officials who seize and punish the wicked, and the tiger warriors under the Central Office of the Upper Immortal Capital, number 2.4 million.

The cavalry strongmen who defeat enemies and investigate treachery, under the Central Office of the Upper Immortal Capital, number 2.4 million.

The strongmen who sever and destroy, serving as deputy directors of the Metropolitan Office under the Central Office of the Upper Immortal Capital, number 2.4 million.

The strongmen who sever and destroy, serving as deputy directors of the Three Offices under the Central Office of the Upper Immortal Capital, number 2.4 million.

The strongmen of Black Heaven who seize and subdue, under the Upper Immortal Capital, number 2.4 million.

Under the Central Office of the Upper Immortal Capital, the officials who ride the Kui constellation to seize and consume the black number 2.4 million; the officials who ride the Dipper to seize and consume spirits number 2.4 million; and the officials who ride the stars to seize and consume ghosts number 2.4 million. These are the celestial generals, officials, and their duties within the Daoist system of talismans and registers.

Among the divine officers under the Celestial Officials of the Upper Immortal Capital, there are 2.4 million Essence Officers who ride the Ringed Pivot Chariot and collect Jing and Qi; 2.4 million Evil Qi Officers who ride the Jade Balance Chariot and subdue malevolent Qi; and 2.4 million divine officers who ride the Sun Three-Five Chariot and carry red Fulu (talismans). There are also Three-Five Officers who ride the Moon Chariot.

In addition, there are 1.2 million Three-Five Ghost-Catching Envoys who ride the Moon Chariot; 900,000 divine officers who ride the Strong Wind Courier Horses to deliver memorials, remove names from the registers of the dead, and enter them in the registers of the living; and 120,000 each of the Central Yellow Nine Paths Officers who settle the mind, settle the will, settle acuity and wisdom, and settle courage and wisdom. There are also 120,000 divine officers responsible for harmonizing the Six Yang and Six Yin and bringing the body into form.

The Celestial Officials of the Immortal Capital also command the Water Spirit Strongmen, the Eight-Killer Vajra Strongmen, the High Chariot Duty Envoys, the Red Fulu Envoys of the Ritual Chariots, and the Inspection and Capture Envoys of the Ritual Chariots, with 7,200 of each. They also command 2.4 million divine officers who wield ferocious wolves and lead the Tiger Warriors; 2.4 million who defeat enemies, expose treachery, and lead the Hook Cavalry; and 2.4 million Vice Directors who execute the Three Officials.

The Senior Official of the Upper Immortal Capital commands 2,400,000 officials charged with beheading and severing.

The Senior Official of the Upper Immortal Capital commands 2,400,000 armored troops of Heaven, armed for striking and stabbing.

The Senior Official of the Great Immortal Spirits commands 2,400,000 powerful heavenly warriors who seize and devour things of darkness.

The Senior Official of the Great Immortal Spirits commands 2,400,000 officials who ride the Kui constellation and seize and devour things of darkness.

The Senior Official of the Most High Spirits commands 2,400,000 officials who ride the Dipper and seize and devour things of the spirits.

The Senior Official of the Most High Spirits commands 2,400,000 officials who ride the longitudinal and transverse stars and seize and devour things of Jing and Qi.

The Senior Official of the Most High Spirits commands 2,400,000 officials who ride the Jade Balance and seize and devour evil spirits.

The Senior Official of the Most High Spirits commands 2,200,000 officials bearing red talismans who ride the Sun’s Three-Five ritual chariots.

The Senior Official of the Most High Spirits commands 2,400,000 envoys who ride the Moon’s ritual chariots and are charged with capturing ghosts and demons.

The Senior Official of the Most High Spirits commands 2,400,000 officials who ride the Jade Balance and seize and devour evil spirits.

The Senior Official of the Most High Spirits commands 2,200,000 officials bearing red talismans who ride the Sun’s Three-Five ritual chariots.

The Senior Official of the Most High Spirits commands 1,200,000 envoys who ride the Moon’s ritual chariots and are charged with capturing ghosts and demons.

The Senior Official of the Most High Spirits commands 120,000 officials who ride the fierce wind and relay memorials on post horses, together with officials who, according to the Three-Five ritual method, remove names from the registers of the dead and enter them in the registers of the living.

The Senior Official of the Most High Spirits commands 120,000 Central Yellow Nine Paths officials who settle the will.

The Senior Official of the Most High Spirits commands 120,000 Central Yellow Nine Paths officials who settle the mind.

The Senior Official of the Most High Spirits commands 120,000 Central Yellow Nine Paths officials who sharpen hearing, clear the mind, and increase wisdom.

The Senior Official of the Most High Spirits commands 120,000 Central Yellow Nine Paths officials who stabilize courage and wisdom.

The Senior Official of the Most High Spirits commands 120,000 Six Yang and Six Yin officials who help people take shape through the Qi of Yin and Yang.

The Senior Official of the Most High Spirits commands 7,200 Vajra warriors of the Eight Baleful Forces.

The Senior Official of the Most High Spirits commands 7,200 Vajra warriors of the Eight Spirits.

The Senior Official of the Most High Spirits commands 7,200 High Chariot envoys.

The Senior Official of the Most High Spirits commands 7,200 Red Talisman envoys of the ritual chariots.

Under the command of the Most High Spirits are 7,200 people.

The High Vehicle Envoys of the Central Officials of the Supreme Divine Bureau in Heaven number 7,200.

The Chariot-Led Red-Talisman Envoys of the Central Officials of the Supreme Divine Bureau in Heaven number 7,200.

The Chariot-Led Combat Mighty Warriors of the Central Officials of the Supreme Divine Bureau in Heaven number 7,200.

The Tiger-Warrior Mighty Officials of the High Spirit Officials, who wield fierce wolves, number 2,400,000.

The Cavalry Mighty Warriors of the High Spirit Officials, who defeat enemies, expose traitors, and seize them with hooks, number 2,400,000.

The Mighty Warriors of the High Spirit Officials, who sever and behead the Three Offices’ attendants and directors, number 2,400,000.

The Mighty Warriors of the High Spirit Officials, who behead and cut down the attendants and directors of the Metropolitan Office, number 2,400,000.

The Armored Soldiers of the High Spirit Officials, who strike and stab the Celestial Li, number 1,200,000.

The Black-Consuming Officials of the High Spirit Officials, who ride the Dipper and collect blackness, number 1,200,000.

The Spirit-Consuming Officials of the High Spirit Officials, who ride the Dipper and collect spirits, number 1,200,000.

The Ghost-Consuming Officials of the High Spirit Officials, who ride the stars and collect ghosts, number 1,200,000.

The Essence-Consuming Officials of the High Spirit Officials, who ride the Wandering Pivot and collect essences, number 1,200,000.

The Chariot-Led Red-Talisman Officials of the High Spirit Officials, who ride the sun, number 1,200,000.

The Ghost-Capturing Officials of the High Spirit Officials, who ride the moon, number 1,200,000.

The Officials of the High Spirit Officials who ride the post horses through the strong winds to submit memorials, along with the officials who remove names from the registers of the dead and determine those entered in the registers of the living through the Three-Five method, number 900,000. This refers to divine officials who ride the strong winds and use post horses to deliver memorials, while also removing names from the registers of the dead and determining entries in the registers of the living.

The Officials of the High Spirit Officials who stabilize the will through the Central Yellow Nine Paths number 120,000.

The Officials of the High Spirit Officials who stabilize intention through the Central Yellow Nine Paths number 120,000.

The Officials of the High Spirit Officials who stabilize hearing and intelligence through the Central Yellow Nine Paths number 120,000. The Officials of the High Spirit Officials who stabilize the will through the Central Yellow Nine Paths number 120,000.

The Officials of the High Spirit Officials who stabilize intention through the Central Yellow Nine Paths number 120,000.

The Officials of the High Spirit Officials who stabilize hearing and intelligence through the Central Yellow Nine Paths number 120,000.

The Officials of the High Spirit Officials who stabilize courage and intelligence through the Central Yellow Nine Paths number 120,000.

The Officials of the High Spirit Officials who form the body through the Central Yellow Six Yang and Six Yin number 120,000.

The Chariot-Led Combat Mighty Warriors of the High Spirit Officials number 7,200.

The Chariot-Led Red-Talisman Envoys of the Celestial Spirit Officials number 7,200.

The Directly Appointed Merit Officers of the Celestial Spirit Officials, divine officials responsible for conveying orders and handling affairs, number 72.

Under the command of the Red Officials, divine officers responsible for dispelling evil and protecting the body, are two deities who summon, gather, and guard the spirits; two prison officers and soldiers who restrain and control; two emissaries who cut down evil; two talisman officers who inspect harmful entities; and one hundred and twenty immortals, Daoist priests, and Jade Maidens. There are fourteen generals serving as personal guards; two emissaries from the Merit Officers who treat illness; nine military officers for each of the military bureaus; and nine protective generals for each.

By the divine talismans, registers, and covenant of the gods of the August Heaven and the Great Dao, these spirits are commanded to accompany a person as they travel throughout the eight directions. Divine boys and the Red Covenant (a red divine talisman or token of trust) guard that person’s body, while twelve hundred officers stand watch from the four quarters. The sun, moon, and stars, the Three-Five Generals, the Great Mound Lords of the Four Ways, and the celestial spirits and Red Officials all come to the person’s dwelling to protect it. The two who cut down evil and expose treachery, the Eight Marquis Lords, thirty-six immortal boys, and the divine officers serving at the left and right of the Lord of the Yellow Emperor—including the Commanders of the Capital and the Officials of the Tomb Gate—also await orders. The immortal spirits of rivers, bridges, mountains, and streams, along with the gods of the soil and grain, must obey the command that very day. All spirits summoned by that person must submit and protect them, escorting them up Mount Kunlun and into the heavens.

Now incense, one hundred and twenty feet of silk for offerings, and one length of silk in each of the five colors are presented as ritual tokens—that is, proof of offering made during the ceremony. The recipient of the register must receive it with the prescribed rites and observe the covenant, without damaging the true methods of the orthodox Dao. If the oath is broken, the recipient must confess before the Three Officials of Heaven, Earth, and Water, the deities who govern the three realms, and submit to their judgment, in all things according to the laws and commands of the Most High Lord Lao.

The boys wear pale blue-green robes, deep blue-green garments, white sashes, and vermilion shoes.

The Celestial Worthy wears a green robe patterned with clouds, over deep blue-green garments.

End of Scroll Two of the Registers of the Three-Five Orthodox Unity Covenant Authority of the Most High.

Scroll Three of the Registers of the Three-Five Orthodox Unity Covenant Authority of the Most High.

“Register for Summoning the Hundred Ghosts by the Supreme Immortal of Orthodox Unity” (Taishang Zhengyi Shangxian Baigui Zhaolu), Chapter Seven

The Qi of this register—the forces of fortune and the seasonal Qi—corresponds to the solar terms of the fourth lunar month. Its corresponding day falls under the Yi lunar mansion, and it oversees Qinzhong Headquarters. The Beginning of Summer falls on the 135th day after the winter solstice.

“Register of the Earth Altars of the Nine Provinces of Orthodox Unity” (Taishang Zhengyi Jiuzhou Sheling Lu), Chapter Eight

The Qi of this register corresponds to the central solar term of the fourth lunar month. Its corresponding day falls under the Bi lunar mansion, and it oversees Zhendu Headquarters. The Grain Buds solar term falls on the 150th day after the winter solstice.

“Register for Summoning the Hundred Ghosts by the Supreme Immortal of Orthodox Unity” (Taishang Zhengyi Shangxian Baigui Zhaolu), Chapter Seven

The Left Director of the Qinzhong Headquarters, the libationer Shenxi, belongs to Water. His seat is in Deyang County, Hanzhou, and he corresponds to the Xu lunar mansion and the fourth-month solar term, Beginning of Summer.

A disciple of the registers, so-and-so Yi, whose destiny belongs to a certain Lord of a star of the Northern Dipper, was previously summoned by Lord Di of the Northern Center, one of the Nine Elders Below the Origin. So-and-so Yi reverently prepared incense and offerings, went to the residence of a certain master, and earnestly requested transmission of the Register for Summoning the Hundred Ghosts by the Supreme Immortal Officials of Orthodox Unity. After receiving and wearing the register, he corresponds to the Xu lunar mansion and the fourth-month solar term, Beginning of Summer.

A disciple of the registers, so-and-so Yi, whose destiny belongs to a certain Lord of a star of the Northern Dipper, was previously summoned by Lord Di of the Northern Center, one of the Nine Elders Below the Origin. So-and-so Yi reverently prepared incense and offerings, went to the residence of a certain master, and earnestly requested transmission of the Register for Summoning the Hundred Ghosts by the Supreme Immortal Officials of Orthodox Unity. Once he has received and worn the register, whenever he summons or makes inquiries, the relevant spirits must arrive at once. They must not presume to transgress. Hasten, hasten, in accordance with the statutes and ordinances! (A closing formula in Daoist talismanic documents urging the spirits to carry out their commands.)

The following lists the officials serving under the Immortal Spirit Officials, twelve of each kind:

Twelve Direct Envoy Merit Officers of the Immortal Spirit Officials,

twelve Orthodox Unity Merit Officers of the Immortal Spirit Officials,

twelve Left Mysterious Merit Officers of the Immortal Spirit Officials,

twelve Right Mysterious Merit Officers of the Immortal Spirit Officials,

twelve Healing Merit Officers of the Immortal Spirit Officials,

twelve Left Official Envoys of the Immortal Spirit Officials,

twelve Right Official Envoys of the Immortal Spirit Officials,

twelve Left Attendant Envoys of the Immortal Spirit Officials,

twelve Right Attendant Envoys of the Immortal Spirit Officials,

twelve Left Yang Spirit Adjudicators of the Immortal Spirit Officials,

twelve Right Yang Spirit Adjudicators of the Immortal Spirit Officials,

twelve Left Yin Spirit Granary Officers of the Immortal Spirit Officials,

twelve Right Yin Spirit Granary Officers of the Immortal Spirit Officials,

twelve Left Heavenly Envoys of the Immortal Spirit Officials,

twelve Right Heavenly Envoys of the Immortal Spirit Officials,

twelve Left Heavenly Physician Officers of the Immortal Spirit Officials.

Among the immortal officials—the divine functionaries of the immortal realm—the right side has twelve Celestial Physician officials and another twelve Yin Spirit clerks. The left side has twelve Celestial Messengers, as does the right. Each side also has twelve Celestial Physician officials.

On both the left and right are twelve Supreme Mystery Messengers, Black-Bearing Messengers, Chief Messengers, and Black-Collecting Messengers. Each side also has twelve Body-Guarding officials. The Black-Collecting Talisman officials and the officials who collect and dispel evil influences are likewise arranged on both sides, twelve to each.

The immortal officials also include twelve Banner-Patrolling Generals. After them are listed the Black-Collecting Talisman officials and the officials who collect and dispel evil influences, twelve on each side; the Banner-Patrolling Generals are also arranged on both sides, twelve to each. In addition, there are twelve Celestial Banner-Patrolling Generals, with twelve on each side; twelve Added-Origin Banner-Patrolling Generals on each side; and twelve Celestial Cavalry Generals on each side. On the left are twelve Supreme Lord’s Chief Cavalry Generals.

These titles belong to Daoist divine officials and generals. The text lists them by left and right, recording their offices and numbers.

Among the immortal spirit officials—divine beings in Daoism charged with protection and the performance of official duties—there are twelve Right Supreme Sovereign Cavalry Generals, twelve Left Mysterious Supreme Primordial Generals, twelve Generals, twelve Left Supreme Sovereign Cavalry Generals, twelve Right Supreme Sovereign Cavalry Generals, twelve Left Mysterious Supreme Primordial Generals, twelve Right Mysterious Supreme Primordial Generals, twelve Supreme Unity Commanding Generals, twelve Left Heavenly Physician Generals, twelve Right Heavenly Physician Generals, twelve Left Generals of the Three Heavens and Nine Offices, twelve Right Generals of the Three Heavens and Nine Offices, twelve Left Supreme Sovereign Guard Cavalry Generals, twelve Right Supreme Sovereign Guard Cavalry Generals, twelve Left Strong Wind Cavalry Generals, twelve Right Strong Wind Cavalry Generals, twelve Left Mysterious Calendar Banner Generals, twelve Right Mysterious Calendar Banner Generals, ten Left Upper Malefic Generals, twelve Right Strong Wind Cavalry Generals, twelve Left Mysterious Calendar Banner Generals, twelve Right Mysterious Calendar Banner Generals, twelve Left Upper Malefic Generals, twelve Right Upper Malefic Generals, twelve Left Yang Spirit Generals, twelve Right Yang Spirit Generals, twelve Left Yin Spirit Generals, and twelve Right Yin Spirit Generals.

There are also twelve Red Heaven Net Envoys, twelve Red Heaven Net Black-Collecting Envoys, twelve Purple Palace Transcendence Envoys, twelve Pure and Subtle Transcendence Envoys, twelve Mysterious Origin Transcendence Envoys, and twelve Heavenly Strongman Envoys. The names and numbers here enumerate the various kinds of immortal spirit officials. “Left” and “right” denote different categories of office, while “general” and “envoy” are their divine titles.

The celestial spirit officers (spirit officers of the immortal realm) include twelve Heavenly Embroidered-Armor Soldiers; ten Heavenly Physicians of the Dark Capital Messengers; twelve Mysterious Origin Deliverance-from-the-World Messengers; twelve Heavenly Strongmen Messengers; twelve Heavenly Embroidered-Armor Soldiers; twelve Heavenly Physicians of the Dark Capital Messengers; twelve Nine Palaces and Eight Extremities Messengers; twelve Left Heavenly Cavalry Messengers; twelve Right Heavenly Cavalry Messengers; twelve Nine Palaces of the Mysterious Heights Messengers; twelve Left Mysterious Heights Origin Messengers; twelve Right Mysterious Heights Origin Messengers; twelve Left Red Wolf Messengers; twelve Right Red Wolf Messengers; twelve Left Clear Wind Messengers; twelve Right Clear Wind Messengers; twelve Left Vermilion Bird Messengers; and twelve Right Vermilion Bird Messengers.

The list of celestial spirit officers continues with twelve Right Red Wolf Messengers; twelve Left Clear Wind Messengers; twelve Right Clear Wind Messengers; twelve Left Vermilion Bird Messengers; twelve Right Vermilion Bird Messengers; twelve Red-Talisman Ritual-Chariot Messengers; twelve Red-Talisman Ritual-Chariot Clerks; twelve Orthodox Unity Messengers; twelve Left Heavenly Black Tortoise Messengers; twelve Right Heavenly Black Tortoise Messengers; twelve Left Upper Nine Heavens Messengers; twelve Right Upper Nine Heavens Messengers; twelve Left Three Origins and Four Beginnings Messengers; twelve Right Three Origins and Four Beginnings Messengers; twelve Left Running Tiger Guard Clerks; and twelve Right Running Tiger Guard Clerks.

They wear green caps, yellow robes, and green cloud-patterned outer garments.

The wearer should don a green cap, wear red clothing, drape a greenish-blue shawl over the shoulders, and wear dark blue or green shoes.

Taishang Zhengyi Register of the She Commanders of the Nine Provinces, Chapter Eight

The deity who guards and protects people.

The wearer should don a green cap, wear yellow clothing, and drape a green shawl patterned with clouds over the shoulders. Another version prescribes a green cap, red clothing, a greenish-blue shawl, and dark blue or green shoes.

Taishang Zhengyi Register of the She Commanders of the Nine Provinces, Chapter Eight

Zhenzhen Duozhi, the Right Commander of the Lord of the She, is a libationer of the Xi Festival. He is affiliated with Water and resides in Jintang County, Hanzhou. He corresponds to the Bi Lodge, one of the seven lodges of the White Tiger in the west, and is associated with Grain Full, in mid-April.

A disciple of the registers of the Daoist law, [name] Yi, whose destiny belongs to the Lord of [name] Star of the Northern Dipper, now respectfully prepares a token of faith—a gift offered when receiving a register—and goes to the residence of Master [name] to receive the Taishang Zhengyi Register of the She Commanders of the Nine Provinces. This register enables its holder to inspect the famous mountains and rivers of the Nine Provinces, the Five Sacred Peaks and Four Great Rivers, the Five Lakes and Four Seas, the thirty-six kingdoms, and the twelve thousand regions of townships, pavilions, and hamlets, spanning all places above and below and in every direction.

The holder of the register may, in accordance with its rules, summon all manner of evil beings and the many dark ghosts, ordering them to arrive at once without delay. In this way, the holder may heal the people and, in accordance with the law, record and control twelve hundred kinds of ghost afflictions. The myriad spirits remain constantly at the holder’s side in attendance, helping them live longer, dispel misfortune, and pass safely through calamities. After receiving and wearing the register, [name] Yi must fully observe its ritual ordinances and must not violate them. Should there be any violation, [name] Yi willingly accepts punishment from the underworld and dares not resent it.

If the practice is pursued with wholehearted devotion, an appointment may be awaited on that very day. The officers and soldiers of the vanguard have received the command of the Lord of the Divine Ruler of the Central Administration and Illuminated Dao. They have come to pay their respects, receive the register, and request that it be issued. This is their formal petition.

The talisman of the Lords of the Supreme Sovereign should be written in cinnabar on a peachwood spike one foot six inches long. At the center of the pointed tip, seal the words “Envoy of the Celestial Emperor”; write “Jade Clerk and Soldiers” on the seal block. Then stretch out a rope of rushes and fasten a silk inscription to it. Use it as you see fit to summon and question the spirits. Do not reveal these precious, authentic talismans, and do not summon at random when there is no matter to attend to. Carry the talismans and registers (Fulu), and all the ghosts will know of them. When performing the rite, cross your hands around the staff and bow beneath Supreme Clarity to receive the talismanic mandate. If ghosts or spirits do not submit, behead and destroy them, carrying out the command swiftly in accordance with the statutes.

When I first received the talismans and registers, I swore an oath to the Great Dao Lord of the August Heaven and reported to the Supreme One of the Primordial Origin and the Nine Palaces. Divine youths and Jade Maidens would come to attend me, riding in a carriage to escort me upward through the Nine Heavens. If anyone asked where I was going or what I was doing, I would raise the talisman staff. Whoever I called upon would arrive at once and dare not disobey the command.

Wang Yanling knew and visualized this method; it could keep people from falling ill. Entering the water, one would fear neither wind nor waves; entering battle, one would be unharmed by weapons. In all matters, follow the ritual procedures and statutes.

The Azure Emperor of the East is surnamed Hao and named Xiao; the Red Emperor of the South is surnamed Liu and named Xiao; the White Emperor of the West is surnamed Yiji and named Ao; the Black Emperor of the North is surnamed Xia and named Yu.

The spirit of the City God of the capital governs the heart; his surname is Huang and his name is Chong. The head spirit of the City God of Jizhou is surnamed Feng and named Qian. The belly spirit of the City God of Kezhou is surnamed Zhang and named Jian. The chest spirit of the City God of Xuzhou is surnamed Xia and named Yi; he is also called Fu, Yi, and Zhan. The throat spirit of the City God of Liangzhou is surnamed Fan and named Zha; he is also called Li. The back spirit of the City God of Yongzhou is surnamed Yang and named Qian. The shoulder spirit of the City God of Yanzhou is surnamed Fei; his given name is unknown. The foot spirit of the City God of Yangzhou is surnamed Zou and named Hun.

The She Deity of Qingzhou belongs to the “Celestial Neck Deity,” surnamed Han and named Yu. The She Deity of Yizhou belongs to the “Celestial Brow Deity,” surnamed Yan and named Li. The She Deity of Youzhou belongs to the “Celestial Hand Deity,” surnamed Qi and named Ji.

Wu Zixu oversees the deities in the temples. The names in the prison assistant’s register are used to issue orders for expelling evil influences, and he also oversees the She Deities of the various regions. Those who are guilty and held in custody must not summon them on their own. The Talisman Registrar is a celestial official who oversees the registration rolls in Heaven. Surnamed Jia and named Yan, he is responsible for capturing ghosts and monsters. The Administrative Commissioner of the Metropolitan Office is surnamed Chen and named Song; he oversees the various military commissioners. The Celestial Marshal Kongji is surnamed Ri and named Si; he oversees the earth deities. The Envoy Who Marks the Way is surnamed Lü and named Ying; he oversees affairs along the roads. The Taiji Commandant is surnamed Zhu and named Luo; he oversees ….

The General of the Celestial Marquis’s Gate is surnamed Deng and named Xun; he oversees the armory and treasury. The Lord of the Sun is surnamed Du and named Shen; he oversees the clarity of Heaven and the murkiness of Earth, and wears a Six Jia talisman (a talisman associated with the Six Jia divine generals). The Lord of the Moon is surnamed Gui and named Hua; he oversees what is favorable and unfavorable throughout the world. The Lord Who Slays a Thousand Harms is surnamed Wei and named Xuan; he oversees the various talisman officials and Tai Sui. The Duke of the Illuminated Lord is surnamed Fan and named Tan; he oversees the capture of all manner of monsters among the ranks of ghosts. The Assistant Prison Warden of the Central Capital is surnamed Han and named Gui; he is responsible for commanding talisman officials throughout the world who fail to observe the law. The Lord of the Celestial She is surnamed Wu and named Ku; he oversees the She Lords throughout the world.

To summon the spirits of all things, one may inscribe a talismanic cinnabar text on a peachwood tablet one chi and six cun long, seal it with the seal of the Celestial Emperor’s Envoy, and use the Left Cord to summon ghosts. The deity summoned will then arrive immediately. Anyone who wears this talisman will be feared by all ghosts. If a person knows the name of a powerful ghost, it cannot harm them.

The jurisdictions overseen by the names of the deities of each province include the counties, townships, villages, and territories belonging to that province. The She Lords must not allow evil spirits or ghosts to receive blood offerings. If mountain deities, great or small, refuse to obey, summon them in accordance with the law. When the monsters hear the summons, they will respond at once; one should immediately question them about the cause of their mischief.

When performing the du fu rite—the ritual for conferring Fulu (talismans and registers)—choose a talisman of the appropriate color and size according to the category associated with the recipient’s birth year. Also prepare a knife and a pair of rings. The master conducting the rite takes one of the rings and the other items, and gives one item to the recipient to keep as proof that the master has conferred the Fulu. Those capable of doing so may add their names and clearly state who is receiving the transmission. The arts must not be passed on to unsuitable people. The recipient should handle this matter with care and discernment. How could one fail to be cautious?

A Formula for Seeing Ghosts Clearly

Prepare equal amounts of white quartz, the medicinal herb called “Ghost Courier,” and fuling, then grind and sift them. Take a dose the size of a one-cun gui measure; it is said that this enables one to see ghosts.

Another Formula for Seeing Ghosts

Take equal amounts of white quartz, fuling, and anemarrhena, then grind and sift them. Take a dose of one dao gui measure; it is said that this enables one to see ghosts.

Another formula: magpie eggs, red quartz, “night-glowing powder of cengqing,” scallion seeds, medicinal knotweed, white quartz, anemarrhena, and other ingredients are all said to enable a person to see ghosts and to make ghosts fear the living.

Sponsors

Overseers of the ordination

Ordination master

End of volume three of the Register of the Three-Five Alliance with Awe, Zhengyi Tradition, of the Most High.

Register of the Three-Five Alliance with Awe, Zhengyi Tradition, of the Most High, Volume Four

Ninth Grade: The Most High Zhengyi Register of the Star Net and the Five Dippers

This register corresponds to the Grain in Ear solar node in the fifth month. Its day is called “Zi Shen,” and it is guarded at Changli Governance Center. It falls on the 165th day counted from the winter solstice, the Grain in Ear solar term.

Tenth Grade: The Most High Zhengyi River Chart Register for Preserving Life

This register corresponds to the middle of the fifth month. Its day is called “Jing,” and it is guarded at Lishang Governance Center. It falls on the 180th day counted from the winter solstice, the summer solstice.

Eleventh Grade: The Most High Zhengyi Register of the Divine Tiger for Dispelling the Six Harms

This register corresponds to the Grain in Ear solar node in the sixth month. Its day is called “Gui,” and it is guarded at Yongquan Governance Center. The 15th day after the summer solstice is the Minor Heat solar term.

Twelfth Grade: The Most High Zhengyi Register of the Nine Phoenixes for Breaking Impurity

The Qi (vital energy) of mid-sixth month corresponds to the Willow Lodge, a lunar mansion. The Zhenchonggeng sanctuary is established thirty days after the Summer Solstice, at the time of Major Heat.

Supreme One Orthodox Unity Star Net and Five Dipper Ordination Register, Ninth Grade

The Left Deputy Director and Ritual Libationer Xi of the Zhen Lüli sanctuary belongs to Earth. The sanctuary is in Jintang County, Huai’an Military District. Its celestial correspondences are the Purple Tenuity Enclosure and the two stars of the Shen Lodge; its seasonal marker is Grain in Ear in the fifth month.

Supreme One Orthodox Unity Star Net and Five Dipper Ordination Register, Ninth Grade

The Left Deputy Director and Ritual Libationer Xi of the Zhen Lüli sanctuary belongs to Earth and is located in Jintang County, Huai’an Military District.

On the first day of a certain month, in a certain year and at a certain hour, a Fulu disciple of the Dao from a certain village, township, county, prefecture, and province, named Certain Yi, whose natal star was a certain star, and who was born on a certain day of a certain month at a certain hour, was affiliated with a certain Lord of the Northern Dipper. He stated that he had received the summons of the Three Qi Lords of Primordial Beginning. He now respectfully prepared the ritual offerings and went to an official Daoist temple on a certain famous mountain. Before the Supreme One, he called upon the disciple of a certain Daoist master and requested to receive the Supreme One Orthodox Unity Star Net and Five Dipper Register. That day, his enrollment was approved. He performed the rite of pacing the celestial pattern over five hundred li and received the register; all procedures followed the statutes of the Red Register. Here, “pacing the celestial pattern” refers to the ritual steps of treading the celestial configurations and the Dipper during the ordination ceremony.

The General of the Upper Origin, surnamed Tang and named Lüe, is nine hundred thousand zhang tall. The General of the Middle Origin, surnamed Li and named Chang, is seven hundred thousand zhang tall. The General of the Lower Origin, surnamed Xu and named Zong, is five hundred thousand zhang tall.

The Upper Origin Three-Five Subduing Spirits Merit Officer, surnamed Hua and named Hong, commands an army of ten million. The Middle Origin Three-Five Subduing Spirits Merit Officer, surnamed Tian and named Tongfu, commands an army of ten million. The Lower Origin Three-Five Subduing Spirits Merit Officer, surnamed Wen and named Zhongshu, commands an army of ten million.

The Eastern, Southern, Western, Northern, and Central Dippers each have fifteen Merit Officers. The Year Star, the Fire Star, and the Water Star each have fifteen Merit Officers.

Fifteen Commanders of Merit of the Stellar Ruler; fifteen Commanders of Merit of Venus; fifteen Commanders of Merit of Generative Qi; fifteen Commanders of Merit of the Three, Five, and Nine Stars; fifteen Commanders of Merit of the Perfected and the Masters; fifteen Commanders of Merit of the Three, Five, and Nine Clans; fifteen Commanders of Merit of the Nine Heavens and Seven Stars; and fifteen Commanders of Merit of the Nine Qi of the Central Origin. The Golden-Smiting Youths, Youths Who Open the Net, Youths of Heaven and Earth, and the Three-Five Youths number twelve hundred each. The Level-Origin Strongmen and the Minor Officials of the Five Dippers also number twelve hundred each. All talismanic diagrams in this scroll are written in cinnabar.

The tenth section of the Supreme One Orthodox Unity Register of the River Chart for Preserving Life records: the Stellar Ruler is subordinate to the Right Director of Qi, Libationer of the Upper Administration, and commands a retinue of two hundred. There are twelve hundred Level-Origin Strongmen and twelve hundred Minor Officials of the Five Dippers. All talismanic diagrams in this scroll are written in cinnabar.

The Stellar Ruler is subordinate to the Right Director of Qi, Libationer of the Upper Administration, and belongs to Earth. Its seat is in Deyang County, Hanzhou; it corresponds to the Well Lodge and is associated with mid-May, after the summer solstice.

The disciple of the registers, B, whose fate is governed by a certain Lord of a Northern Dipper star, respectfully brings the ritual offerings on this day and goes to a certain Ritual Master to receive, through prostration, the essential instructions of the Central Palace, Eight Seas, and Three Rivers from the Supreme One Orthodox Unity Register of the River Chart for Preserving Life. The generals listed in the secret talismanic register of the River Chart number three million two hundred thousand. They are charged with guarding B’s person, preserving body and life, granting long life and extended years, and averting calamities and misfortunes. When the disciple travels through rivers and seas, he asks the Dragon Kings for protection and for the winds and waves to subside. All these petitions must be carried out swiftly in accordance with the statutes of the Supreme Lord Lao.

The Great General Mysterious Retainer of the Mysterious Elder, one hundred thousand; the Great General Who Reaches Heaven of the Mysterious Elder, one hundred thousand; the Great General Who Encompasses Heaven of the Mysterious Elder, one hundred thousand. The Great General Who Establishes Heaven of the Mysterious Elder must likewise act swiftly in accordance with the statutes of the Supreme Lord Lao.

The Great General Mysterious Retainer of the Mysterious Elder, one hundred thousand; the Great General Who Reaches Heaven of the Mysterious Elder, one hundred thousand; the Great General Who Encompasses Heaven of the Mysterious Elder, one hundred thousand.

The Great General Xuanlao Establishing Heaven, the Great General Xuanlao Central Mystery, the Great General Xuanlao Central Sincerity, the Great General Xuanlao Central Po, the Great General Xuanlao Vanguard Service, the Great General Xuanlao Canopy of Heaven, the Great General Xuanlao Five Mulberries, the Great General Xuanlao Chariot Center, the Great General Xuanlao Surpassing Heaven, the Great General Xuanlao Five Canopies, and the Great General Xuanlao Spiritual Heaven each command one hundred thousand soldiers.

The Great General Taishang Nine Openings, the Great General Taishang Central Evil, the Great General Taishang Yellow Canopy, the Great General Taishang Tiger Marshal, the Great General Taishang Five Executions, the Great General Taishang Cultivating Heaven, the Great General Taishang Northern Division, the Great General Taishang Central Surpassing, the Great General Taishang Great Camp, the Great General Taishang Nine Qi, and the Great General Taishang Southern Red Garrison, along with the Great General Taishang Northern Black Garrison, Eastern Green Garrison, Central Yellow Garrison, and Western White Garrison, each command one hundred thousand soldiers.

In addition, the Great General Taishang Central Establishment, the Great General Taishang Green Canopy, and the two Great Generals Taishang of the Left and Right each command one hundred thousand soldiers.

Together, these are called the Heavenly Troops of the Great Generals of the Thirty-Two Divisions. Command them to accompany a certain Yi—the person named when the ritual is performed—and to support and protect them at their side. This command must be carried out immediately, in accordance with the laws of Heaven.

From “The Section on Talismans and Registers for the Supreme Correct Explanation of the Six Harms Spirits,” Chapter Eleven.

Left Libationer of Spirit Qi of the Yongquan District Office, under the jurisdiction of Daoist ritual offices, belongs to Water among the Five Phases and is located in Deyang County, Hanzhou. It corresponds to the Ghost constellation. This ritual office supports and protects the Spirit Qi within practitioners. Let this be carried out swiftly in accordance with the divine command.

Chapter Eleven: The Supreme One’s Correct Explanation of the Register of Talismans for Deliverance from the Six Harms

The Left Libationer of Spirit Qi of the Yongquan District Office belongs to Water among the Five Phases and is located in Deyang County, Hanzhou. It corresponds to the Ghost constellation and Minor Heat, a solar term in the sixth lunar month.

A disciple who has received a register of talismans, named So-and-so, is under the protection of a certain Star Lord of the Northern Dipper. Now, with reverent offerings of ritual tokens prepared, I go to the residence of a certain ritual master to bow and receive the secret register of talismans for deliverance from the Six Harms, bestowed by the Supreme One, Lord Taiyi, and the Boundless Supreme One, Lord Yuanyi. This register was brought forth by the Celestial Emperor. The august Heaven nurtures me; the great Earth bears me; the sun and moon illuminate me; the Northern Dipper assists me; mountains and rivers commune with me; the myriad spirits protect me; the hundred gods attend me; Yin and Yang sustain me. The Earl of Wind escorts me on my way, purple clouds shelter me, and divine medicines heal me. I travel without limit, coming and going between sea and sky. At gates and river crossings, the Earth Gate spirit and the God of Destiny are in charge, while the Celestial Kitchen provides for me. Whatever I seek, I obtain; even when events are unforeseeable, guidance comes to me. A single meal extends my life by a thousand years. I shine with the sun and moon and endure as long as Heaven and Earth; I ascend to the boundless realm.

The celestial pivot arrives at the Dipper’s Ladle, advancing with its power; wherever it goes, all submit. I receive the command of the Supreme Celestial Emperor. Who would dare obstruct me? The Dragon and Tiger assist me, the Vermilion Bird guides me, and the Black Tortoise follows me. To my left is the Yang Azure Dragon; to my right, the Yin White Tiger; above my head are the Seven Stars. My rites accord with the Northern Dipper in Heaven. The God of Destiny watches over me, the God of Records protects me, and illness keeps its distance. What thief would dare obstruct me? The Dragon and Tiger assist me, the Vermilion Bird guides me, and the Black Tortoise follows me. To my left is the Azure Dragon; to my right, the White Tiger; above my head are the Seven Stars. My rites accord with the Celestial Dipper. The God of Destiny watches over me, the God of Records protects me; illness departs from me, and thieves flee from me. All I seek is fulfilled, and all I abhor is subdued. I cross rivers and traverse seas without stirring wind or waves. When tigers and wolves see me, their fangs are shattered and their teeth broken. The cinnabar writings form the talismanic register, and all calamities and misfortunes are wiped away. Yu the Great opens the road for me; Chiyou retreats before my weapons. Celestial talismans and earthly tokens protect me, opening the way ahead and closing it behind, so that my life may be prolonged without end and endure as long as Heaven. Swiftly carry this out in accordance with the Jade Command.

Chapter Twelve: The Supreme One’s Orthodox Unity Register of Talismans of the Nine Phoenixes for Breaking Impurity

The Right Inspector of the Spirit and Qi Libationer at Zhenchou Gengzhi (a Zhengyi administrative seat established in Shu), associated with Water and located in Xinjin County, Shuzhou, corresponds to the Willow Lodge (a lunar mansion). Its seasonal period falls in mid-sixth month, during Great Heat.

A certain disciple of the registers, named So-and-so, belongs by destiny to a certain Star Lord of the Northern Dipper. Now, with reverence, I prepare the ritual offerings and proceed to the residence of a certain ritual master, asking to receive and wear the Supreme One Zhengyi Nine-Phoenix Talisman for Breaking Impurity, used to avert defilement and pray for purity. May all be carried out in accordance with the statutes and commands.

With reverence, I invite the Deities of the Four Directions who Dispel Impurity to take charge of eliminating the calamities brought by defilement. The disciple has come to the residence of a certain ritual master, asking to receive and wear the Supreme One Zhengyi Nine-Phoenix Talisman for Breaking Impurity. May all be carried out in accordance with the statutes and commands.

With reverence, I invite the Deities of the Four Directions who Dispel Impurity to take charge of eliminating the calamities brought by defilement, prolonging life, expelling evil and averting misfortune, calming the soul, sharpening hearing and sight, dispelling calamities and overcoming adversity, and allowing the spirits within the body to dwell there in peace. Haste, in accordance with the statutes and commands!

With reverence, I invite the Lord Who Breaks Impurity, together with his five officers and generals and one hundred and twenty troops;

With reverence, I invite the Lord Who Repels Impurity, together with his five officers and generals and one hundred and twenty troops;

With reverence, I invite the Lord Who Extinguishes Impurity, together with his five officers and generals and one hundred and twenty troops;

With reverence, I invite the Lord Who Sweeps Away Impurity, together with his five officers and generals and one hundred and twenty troops;

With reverence, I invite the Lord Who Removes Impurity, together with his five officers and generals and one hundred and twenty troops;

With reverence, I invite the Lord Who Collects Impurity, together with his five officers and generals and one hundred and twenty troops;

With reverence, I invite the Lord Who Transports Impurity, together with his five officers and generals and one hundred and twenty troops;

With reverence, I invite the Lord Who Disperses Impurity, together with his five officers and generals and one hundred and twenty troops;

With reverence, I invite the Lord Who Washes Away Impurity, together with his five officers and generals and one hundred and twenty troops;

With reverence, I invite the Lord Who Cuts Down Impurity, together with his five officers and generals and one hundred and twenty troops.

The above is the fourth section of the “Spring Collection” portion of the Supreme One Three-Five Zhengyi Alliance-Weih Register.

Supreme One Three-Five Zhengyi Alliance-Weih Register, Scroll Five

Section Thirteen: The Register of the Supreme One Zhengyi Capital Seal and Bi Seal

The Qi cycle of this register corresponds to the seasonal period in the seventh month. This section ends here.

Supreme One Three-Five Zhengyi Alliance-Weih Register, Scroll Five

Section Thirteen: The Register of the Supreme One Zhengyi Capital Seal and Bi Seal

The Qi cycle of this register corresponds to the seasonal period in the seventh month. Its day corresponds to a star; the seat of the Zhenbei Ping administration; and the time is forty-five days after the summer solstice, that is, the Start of Autumn.

Section Fourteen: The Register of the Supreme One Zhengyi Canopy for Slaying Evil

The seasonal marker falls in mid-seventh lunar month. This day corresponds to the Zhang Lodge (a lunar mansion) and guards the Ben Zhu precinct. It is the sixtieth day counted from the summer solstice, marking the start of the Limit of Heat (Chushu).

The Supreme One’s Zhengyi Nine Heavens Military Talisman Register, Section Fifteen (a military talisman register of the Zhengyi school)

The seasonal marker falls at the beginning of the eighth lunar month. This day corresponds to the Yi Lodge (a lunar mansion) and guards the Mengqin precinct. It is the seventy-fifth day counted from the summer solstice, marking the White Dew (Bailu).

The Supreme One’s Zhengyi Nine Palaces Register for Warding Off Calamity, Section Sixteen (a Zhengyi talisman register for seeking protection and warding off calamities)

The seasonal marker falls in mid-eighth lunar month. This day corresponds to a “jiao” day and guards the Pinggai precinct. It is the ninetieth day counted from the summer solstice, marking the Autumn Equinox.

The Supreme One’s Zhengyi Register of the Great Zhang and Bi Seals, Section Thirteen (a Zhengyi talisman register containing ritual seals such as the Great Zhang and Bi seals)

The Left Inspectorate Qi Libationer who guards the Beiping precinct belongs to Metal. He is at Pengshan County in Meizhou, corresponds to a lunar mansion, and is assigned to the Start of Autumn, the seventh-month seasonal marker.

A disciple receiving a talisman register, named Yi, has a destiny governed by a certain Lord of the Stars of the Northern Dipper. Now, reverently bearing the ritual credentials, the disciple comes before a certain ritual master to receive the Supreme One’s Zhengyi Register of the Great Zhang and Bi Seals, including its twelve hundred seals, essential true words, arts of longevity, the twenty-four Jade Maidens, and other methods. The disciple will apply these arts both to personal cultivation and to helping others; to spread Daoism, assist the state and support the workings of destiny, heal the people, and save all living beings.

After receiving the talisman register, the disciple vows never to violate its precepts and regulations. Should the disciple one day abandon the master’s lineage, break the pledge, deceive the master, speak recklessly of the Dao’s methods, or slander the master’s teaching, may the Three Officials of Heaven, Earth, and Water punish the disciple with the torment of wind-blades, and may the seven ancestors come forward to testify. Let this be carried out in accordance with the ordinances, swiftly and urgently.

Twenty-four Jade Maidens of the Canopy; twenty-four Jade Maidens Who Polish Mirrors; twenty-four Pure and Numinous Jade Maidens; twenty-four Jade Maidens Who Heal Illness; twenty-four Jade Maidens Who Give Massage; twenty-four Jade Maidens of the Encircling City; twenty-four Jade Maidens Who Wield Seals; twenty-four Jade Maidens Within the Seals; twenty-four Jade Maidens Who Guard Seals; twenty-four Jade Maidens Who Apply Seals; twenty-four Jade Maidens Who Raise Seals; twenty-four Jade Maidens of Star Medicines; twenty-four Jade Maidens Who Attune Medicines; and twenty-four Jade Maidens Who Distribute Medicines.

Twenty-four Jade Maidens are responsible for covering the medicines, twenty-four for transporting them, twenty-four for carrying and handling them, and twenty-four for performing the seal rites. Each of these four groups has twenty-four members, making a total of eighteen divisions and 432 people. They are all commanded to enter the body of a certain person. “A certain person” is the term used in Fulu documents to refer to the recipient of a register.

Twelve Officers of Merit of the Supreme Immortal Capital who urge the Qi, subordinate to the Lord of the Northern Dipper; twelve Officers of Merit of the Supreme Immortal Capital who treat illness, subordinate to the Lord Taiyi; twelve True Heavenly Messengers of the Supreme Immortal Capital, subordinate to the Lord Tianyi; twelve Central Section Messengers of the Supreme Immortal Capital, subordinate to the Lord of the Three Qi; twelve Officers of Merit of Zhengyi of the Supreme Immortal Capital, subordinate to the Lord of the Southern Dipper; and twelve Officers of Merit who attend to affairs as messengers of the Supreme Immortal Capital, subordinate to the Lord Huagai. These six divisions of Officers of Merit comprise seventy-two people, who are also commanded to enter the body of a certain person. “Officer of Merit” and “messenger” are titles for divine officials listed in Daoist documents.

The Jiazi divine general Mu Ban and his 120 attendants; the Jiaxu divine general Zhou Qiuming and his 120 attendants; the Jiashen divine general Deng Xiyue and his 120 attendants; the Jiawu divine general Fu Tianyue and his 120 attendants; the Jiachen divine general Meng Feiqing and his 120 attendants; and the Jiayin divine general Xiang Yushi and his 120 attendants.

The Jiaxu Jade Maiden Feilian; the Jiazi Jade Maiden Huayi; the Jiawu Jade Maiden Sujing; the Jiashen Jade Maiden Sùshi; the Jiayin Jade Maiden Huijing; and the Jiachen Jade Maiden Kaichaoji. The Dingchou Jade Maiden Zhao Ziyu; the Dingmao Jade Maiden Sima Qing; the Dingyou Jade Maiden Sujing; the Jiashen Jade Maiden Sùshi; the Jiayin Jade Maiden Huijing; and the Jiachen Jade Maiden Kaichaoji. The Dingchou Jade Maiden Zhao Ziyu; the Dingmao Jade Maiden Sima Qing; the Dingyou Jade Maiden Zang Wengong; the Dinghai Jade Maiden Zhang Wentong; and the Dingsi Jade Maiden Cui Juqing.

The Jade Maiden of the Dingwei day is Shi Shuqing; the Jade Maiden of the Guiwei day is Lü Weiming; the Jade Maiden of the Guiyou day is Sun Zhongfang; the Jade Maiden of the Guimao day is Su Tajia; the Jade Maiden of the Guisi day is Shi Gonglai; the Jade Maiden of the Guihai day is Zuo Shisong; and the Jade Maiden of the Guichou day is Jiang Hanqing.

These are the Jade Maidens belonging to the Six Jia, Six Ding, and Six Gui. By command, they enter a certain Yi’s body to protect and support him.

Chapter Fourteen of the Supreme Taishang Zhengyi Register for Beheading Evil and the Huagai Canopy

The Zhuzhi Center of Zhenben is the seat of the Right Inspector, the Libationer of Qi. It belongs to Water and is located in Xinjing County, Shuzhou. It corresponds to the Zhang lunar lodge and falls in mid-seventh month, during the Limit of Heat.

The register-bearing disciple, a certain Yi, is assigned by fate to a certain Star Lord of the Northern Dipper. He says that he has received a summons from the Intangible Lord of the Central Emperor’s Direct Envoy Bureau, in charge of destiny. From his heart, he wishes to cultivate immortality, settle his hun and po souls, and attain deathlessness. He wishes for his mind and spirit to be calm and his body upright, so that the five palaces and six bowels—the organs and viscera within the human body—may be at peace, the Dao may dwell within, the spirit of Primordial Oneness may travel forth, and the Three-Five Huagai Register for Beheading Evil may protect him.

The certain Yi says that until now he had not worn this register and had failed to honor his earlier pledge. Now, having followed the prescribed ritual procedures and accumulated merit, he has brought a token of faith to the residence of a certain ritual master to request the Supreme Taishang Zhengyi Register for Beheading Evil and the Huagai Canopy. After he wears the register, the officials who investigate evil ghosts within it will follow and guard him. He vows never to reveal the register’s essential texts and to act in all things according to the earlier agreement and the prescribed laws.

The divine officials who serve under the register include two each of the Direct Envoy Merit Officer, Zhengyi Merit Officer, Merit Officer for Healing Illness, Merit Officer for Urging Qi, Merit Officer for Beheading Evil, Merit Officer for Seizing Evil, Merit Officer for Recording Evil, and Merit Officer for Capturing Evil. There are also two each of the Officer Who Binds Evil, Officer Who Whips Evil, Officer of the Eastern Red Talisman, Officer of the Firm Phoenix Relay, Officer Who Presents Memorials by Courier Horse, Left General Who Brings About Extinction, and Right General Who Brings About Extinction.

Two demon-capturing officials dressed in black.

The eastern blue clouds dispatch two demon-subduing officials; the southern red clouds dispatch two; the western white clouds dispatch two; the northern black clouds dispatch two; and the central yellow clouds dispatch two.

Two officials are appointed to execute demons and two to capture them. The eastern blue clouds, southern red clouds, western white clouds, northern black clouds, and central yellow clouds each have two demon-subduing officials. In addition, there are two officials to execute demons, two to destroy demons, and two to investigate malevolent spirits.

The eastern Jia and Yi Wood (Jia and Yi correspond to the east) chariot-and-cavalry force, in blue and numbering one hundred thousand, comes dressed in blue to guard the “Gate of First Birth” within the body of a certain Yi. The southern Bing and Ding Fire (Bing and Ding correspond to the south) red chariot-and-cavalry force, numbering one hundred thousand, comes dressed in red to guard the “Gate of Protecting Life” within the body of a certain Yi. The western Geng and Xin Metal (Geng and Xin correspond to the west) white chariot-and-cavalry force, numbering one hundred thousand, comes dressed in white to guard the “Gate of Nine Lives” within the body of a certain Yi. The northern Ren and Gui Water (Ren and Gui correspond to the north) black chariot-and-cavalry force, numbering one hundred thousand, comes dressed in black to guard the “Gate of Nurturing Life” within the body of a certain Yi. The central Yellow Primordial Command chariot-and-cavalry force, numbering one hundred thousand, comes dressed in yellow to guard the “Gate of Nine Lives” within the body of a certain Yi. The northern black chariot-and-cavalry force is then mentioned again, coming to guard the “Gate of Nurturing Life”; the central Yellow Primordial Command chariot-and-cavalry force also appears again, coming to guard the “Gate of Commanding Destiny.”

Taishang Zhengyi Nine-Heavens Military Talisman Register, Chapter Fifteen

The Left Merit Qi Libationer of Zhenmeng Qin Governance belongs to Metal and is located in Taideng County, Kuizhou. It corresponds to the star mansion Yi and to White Dew, the solar term in the eighth lunar month.

The life destiny of a certain Yi, a disciple who holds a ritual register, belongs to a certain Lord of a Northern Dipper star. Now, respectfully preparing the ritual offering, he goes to a certain ritual master’s gate to seek transmission of the Taishang Zhengyi Nine-Heavens Military Talisman Register and to wear it in accordance with the prescribed rules.

I respectfully appoint this person to oversee affairs of the Daoist community and take responsibility for healing the people. He is focused and diligent, never flagging in his efforts, and his conduct accords with the Way of Heaven. He is fully qualified to receive a further official appointment. I now respectfully prepare five-colored silk and come to request the conferral of the military talisman of the Nine Heavens.

When I once received talismans under a certain master, I swore to pass their methods on to a loyal and upright person. I now confer upon him, before the Most High, the title of Commander of the Nine Heavens. He is to command the twelve hundred officials and lords under the Most High Celestial Master, together with the officials of the Five Directions, to support the Daoist community and destroy the wicked and rebellious. All talisman temples receiving sacrifices, treacherous and perverse spirits, false ghosts, every kind of demon and anomaly, and accumulated baleful Qi are to be purged. Anyone who earns merit over the course of nine years shall have their name entered in the registers of the officials among the living.

I respectfully summon the Left Divine Chancellor. He is said to govern the Nine Heavens and Nine Earths and to be king of the myriad ghosts. It is said that when he travels, the light of Heaven shines and the earth gleams, while the myriad spirits quake before him. He is seventy-two zhang tall, measures seventy-two girths around the waist, and bears one hundred and twenty seals and cords of office. Before and behind him march one hundred and twenty companies of drums, music, and ceremonial guards. Through all twelve hours of day and night, he protects the Heavenly Emperor and waits for the chance to behead the ghosts, demons, and baleful Qi of the Five Directions. With the talisman, summon the myriad spirits and thousands of ghosts, that they may all be destroyed. This command must be carried out immediately, as though issued by the Great Emperor of August Heaven and the Most High Lord Lao.

Twelve Lords of Destruction on the left and twelve on the right.

In the East are nine generals with blue headbands, leading an army of 810,000 soldiers clad in blue, stationed on the left.

Twelve Lords of Destruction on the left and twelve on the right.

In the West are seven generals with white headbands, leading an army of 490,000 soldiers clad in white, stationed on the right.

Twelve Lords of Destruction on the left and twelve on the right.

In the South are eight generals with red headbands, leading an army of 640,000 soldiers clad in red, stationed in front.

Twelve Lords of Destruction on the left and twelve on the right.

In the North are five generals with black headbands, leading an army of 250,000 soldiers clad in black, stationed behind.

The Eastern Lord of Azure, Shi Jia-Yi, leads a thousand chariot and cavalry troops. Clad in azure, each soldier bears the primordial azure Qi, and they guard Someone Yi’s Gate of Beginnings.

The Southern Lord of Vermilion, Chi Xuan-Bing-Ding, leads a thousand chariot and cavalry troops. Clad in vermilion, each soldier bears the primordial crimson Qi of the world’s first opening, and they guard Someone Yi’s Gate of Protection.

The Western Lord of White, Bai Xuan-Geng-Xin, leads a thousand chariot and cavalry troops. Clad in white, each soldier bears the pristine white Qi of pure, tranquil origins, and they guard Someone Yi’s Ninefold Gate of Life.

The Northern Lord of Black, Hei Xuan-Ren-Gui, leads a thousand chariot and cavalry troops. Clad in black, each soldier bears the profound, distant black Qi, and they guard Someone Yi’s Gate of Nourishing Life.

The Central Lord of Mystery, Si Xuan-Wu-Ji, leads a thousand chariot and cavalry troops. Clad in yellow, each soldier bears the primordial yellow Qi, and they guard Someone Yi’s Gate of Fate.

The Eastern Yi Lord dispatches the guards of the Division for Removing Rebellion; the Southern Yue Lord dispatches the guards of Bian Que’s Division; the Western Di Lord dispatches the guards of the Division of Official Death; the Northern Qiang Lord dispatches the armored, scaled troops; and the Central Qin Lord leads the yellow troops.

The Central General commands twelve hundred officers and soldiers. He is twenty-four zhang tall and twelve wei broad, wears a crown piled with gold, and bears one hundred and twenty seals and cords, symbols of divine office and authority. The Heavenly Emperor Yuanshi summons the talismans of the Nine Heavens. Recently, the Old Lord transmitted them to ritual masters among the people—Daoist functionaries who lead sacrifices and pass on ritual arts—to summon the spirits and ghosts of the Nine Heavens and the Five Directions and bring them all under control.

The Most High enforces the law: he wears a crown piled with gold and bears one hundred and twenty seals and cords. The Heavenly Emperor Yuanshi summons the talismans of the Nine Heavens, which the Old Lord transmitted to ritual masters among the people to summon the spirits and ghosts of the Nine Heavens and the Five Directions and bring them all under control.

The Most High dispatches three hundred thousand tiger warriors to subdue the ghosts and demons and the evil Qi that disturb and defy the world. He dispatches three hundred thousand heavenly troops to subdue the old evil Qi that disrupts the Daoist teachings and opposes the righteous Way in the Nine Heavens. He also dispatches four hundred thousand earthly troops to subdue rebellious ghosts who falsely claim to be emperors on earth and do not follow the righteous Way. The Most High further dispatches four hundred thousand troops of the Elders of the Nine Heavens to subdue ghosts and demons who spread everywhere, do evil without cause, and run rampant.

The Most High commands an army of four hundred thousand camp soldiers, charged with subduing unrighteous ghosts who disrupt order and instruction among the people and cause trouble in the five directions.

The Most High’s Pillar-of-Heaven soldiers number four hundred thousand. They are charged with subduing ghosts who harm the people and bring disasters upon the seasonal harvests and the offerings of grain and sacrificial meat.

The Most High’s Blue-Covered, Red-Covered, White-Covered, Black-Covered, and Yellow-Covered soldiers number four hundred thousand each.

The troops commanded by the Lord of Blue Qi of the East—the divine lord who governs the blue Qi of the east—come in ranks from all four directions and guard a certain Yi’s left side. The troops commanded by the Lord of Red Qi of the South guard a certain Yi’s right side; those commanded by the Lord of White Qi of the West guard the front; those commanded by the Lord of Black Qi of the North guard the rear; and those commanded by the Lord of Yellow Qi of the Center guard the body within. Here, “a certain Yi” is a ritual term referring to the recipient of a register or the ritual practitioner.

At the appointed time, transmit and entrust these troops to a certain Yi, so that each may guard the Qi of its respective direction. Using the nine military talismans below, drive out the ghost bandits and unrighteous ghostly Qi that do evil and rebel in the five directions. Wherever they hide, subdue and destroy them at once. By the command of the Most High Lord Lao, carry this out swiftly.

The Left Supreme Pillar-of-Heaven soldiers number four hundred thousand. They are charged with subduing the Great Delusion Ghosts.

The Right Supreme Five-Kinds soldiers number three hundred thousand. They are charged with subduing newly arrived ghosts.

The Left Supreme Central-Palace Five-Camp soldiers number three hundred thousand. They are charged with subduing the Great Rebel Ghosts.

The Right Supreme Domain-Gate soldiers number three hundred thousand. They are charged with subduing the Unrighteous Ghosts.

The Left Supreme Central Great soldiers number three hundred thousand. They are charged with subduing the Essence-Evil Ghosts.

The Right Supreme Nine-No-Middle-Wilderness soldiers number three hundred thousand. They are charged with subduing the “Thousand-Righteous Ghosts.”

The Left Supreme Heaven-Commanding soldiers number three hundred thousand. They are charged with subduing the “Northern-No-Rebel Ghosts.”

The Right Supreme Seven-Bureau Officials and Generals are charged with subduing the Three Officials of Heaven, Earth, and Water—the Daoist divine offices that govern those three realms—as well as the unrighteous and deceitful deities among the five directions who make it their business to frighten and disturb the people.

The Mysterious Elder Xuanliu, Great General, commands an army of one hundred thousand.

The Mysterious Elder, General of the Circuit of Heaven, commands an army of one hundred thousand.

These are the names of divine generals and troops listed in the Zhengyi Mengwei registers (a type of Daoist talismanic register). The scripture says they act under orders from the Most High or the Mysterious Elder, suppressing evil gods and wicked ghosts and protecting the people.

Under the Mysterious Elder are several great generals, each commanding 100,000 troops. They include the generals Xuanliu, Zhoutian, Zhongxuan, Wuwu, Gaitian, Jiutian, Zhonglü, Jianxuan, Huitian, Zhongyu, Zhongwei, and Zhongting. There are also 100,000 troops under the Mysterious Elder’s Jiutian Elder. They are specifically responsible for treating those who have died as women and are called “masters,” targeting those who claim to heal people through religious instruction.

Under the Most High are several forces, each numbering 400,000 troops and assigned a particular duty: the Western Regions troops capture newly emerged rebellious ghosts; the Palace Gate troops capture newly beheaded, greatly rebellious ghosts; the Nanxi troops capture the so-called “one hundred and twenty city-making Heavenly Emperor ghosts”; the Camp Gate troops capture horn-fighting ghosts; the Earth-Raising troops capture Heavenly Emperor ghosts; the Heaven-Supervising troops capture ghosts who claim to be emperors; the Great Troops of Front Reception capture shrine-and-stove ghosts, spirits associated with the gods of shrines and stoves; and the Northern Three Qin troops capture ghosts of people who died away from home. “Great Emperor Ghost” appears in the scripture as a name on its own.

The Most High also commands the great generals Yuetian, Zhengtian, Jiudao, Jiuzhu, Jiugang, Yingmen, and Yugai, each with 400,000 troops.

The Grand Supreme General of the Blue Canopy commands four hundred thousand men;

The Grand Supreme General of the Red Canopy commands four hundred thousand men;

The Grand Supreme General of the White Canopy commands four hundred thousand men;

The Grand Supreme General of the Black Canopy commands four hundred thousand men;

The Grand Supreme General of the Yellow Canopy commands four hundred thousand men;

The Grand Supreme General of the Palace Gate commands four hundred thousand men.

The officials and generals of the Grand Supreme’s Twenty-Three Divisions are responsible for apprehending subordinate officials. They call themselves awe-inspiring spirits and restrain those who cause disorder by setting up unauthorized affairs, or who injure and kill the people. Ordinary people may not establish other designations to apprehend, investigate, or assess them. These are the Grand Supreme’s Three-Five Officials and Generals, under the command of the Left-Side Supreme Elder of the Mysterious Origin. They include the officials within the realm and one hundred generals. Ordinary people may not establish other designations to apprehend and investigate those who cause disorder without authorization or harm the people. It is also stated here that the Grand Supreme’s Three-Five Officials and Generals, under the command of the Left-Side Supreme Elder of the Mysterious Origin, include one hundred and twenty officials within the realm, who serve the Water Officials in governing and administering the realm.

Section Sixteen: Register of the Grand Supreme Orthodox Unity Nine Palaces for Guarding Against Calamities

The Right-Side Merit-Overseeing Libationer of the Zhenping Gai administration belongs to the Earth direction. His seat is in Xinjin County, Shuzhou; he corresponds to the Horn Lodge (a lunar mansion), and his season is the eighth lunar month, when the autumn equinox falls.

A certain disciple of the registers, so-and-so, reveres and delights in the Daoist teachings. He is a descendant of the Grand Supreme, and his fate is recorded in the jade calendar of the immortals. With the Lords of the Seven Stars of the Northern Dipper above, the disciple now respectfully prepares an offering of faith and goes to the residence of a certain ritual master to pay homage and receive the Grand Supreme Orthodox Unity Nine Palaces Register for Guarding Against Calamities, a register used to protect the body and avert disasters. May so-and-so dwell long in this world, remain safe in body, pass through the nine calamities, escape the many evils, and see disasters disperse. May he soon encounter immortals as he travels throughout the world, extend his years and lifespan, and have all manner of calamities lie concealed and fade away. This is the disciple’s wish. He wears and receives the register, following in all respects the Mysterious Statutes, the Daoist rules and ritual procedures.

End of Volume Five of the Grand Supreme Three-Five Orthodox Unity Covenant Might Register

Volume Six of the Grand Supreme Three-Five Orthodox Unity Covenant Might Register

Section Seventeen: Eight Trigrams Register for Protecting the Body

The Qi of this register corresponds to the solar terms of the ninth month. Its day is paired with the Horn and Neck Lodges, and it belongs to the Zhenyun Terrace administration. The time is Cold Dew, one hundred and five days after the summer solstice.

Section Eighteen: Register for Examination and Summons

The Qi of this register corresponds to the middle solar term of the ninth month.

The Qi corresponds to the solar term in the ninth lunar month. This day corresponds to the Horn and Neck mansions (star mansions among the ancient Twenty-Eight Mansions), guards Yuntai governance center, and corresponds to Cold Dew, 105 days after the summer solstice.

The Register of Examination and Summoning, Section Eighteen

The Qi corresponds to the mid-month solar marker in the ninth lunar month. This day corresponds to the Root mansion, guards Jinkou governance center, and corresponds to Frost’s Descent, 120 days after the summer solstice.

The Register of Scarlet Talismans for Cutting Down Evil, Section Nineteen

The Qi corresponds to the solar term in the tenth lunar month. This day corresponds to the Room mansion, guards Houcheng governance center, and corresponds to the Beginning of Winter, 135 days after the summer solstice.

The Register of Divine Talismans for Repelling Evil, Section Twenty

The Qi corresponds to the mid-month solar marker in the tenth lunar month. This day corresponds to the Heart and Tail mansions, guards Gongmu governance center, and corresponds to Minor Snow, 150 days after the summer solstice.

The Register of the Four Divisions for Restraining Qi, Section Twenty-One

The Qi corresponds to the solar term in the eleventh lunar month. This day corresponds to the Winnowing Basket mansion, guards Pingwang governance center, and corresponds to Major Snow, 165 days after the summer solstice.

The Register for Cutting Down River Demons, Section Twenty-Two

The Qi corresponds to the mid-month solar marker in the eleventh lunar month. This day corresponds to the Dipper mansion, guards Chief Clerk governance center, and corresponds to the winter solstice, 180 days after the summer solstice.

The Register of Merit Officers, Section Twenty-Three

The Qi corresponds to the solar term in the twelfth lunar month. This day corresponds to the Ox mansion, guards Yuju governance center, and corresponds to Minor Cold, 15 days after the winter solstice.

The Register for Preserving Life and Attaining Longevity, Section Twenty-Four

The Qi corresponds to the mid-month solar marker in the twelfth lunar month. This day corresponds to the Girl mansion, guards Beiman governance center, and corresponds to Major Cold, 30 days after the winter solstice.

The Supreme One’s Orthodox Unity Eight Trigrams Body-Protection Register, Seventeenth

The Left Supervisor Gongqi Libationer of Yuntai governance center, a Daoist officeholder, belongs to Fire and is located in Cangxi County, Yuezhou. It corresponds to the Horn and Neck mansions and falls at Cold Dew, the solar term of the ninth lunar month.

On [year] [month] [day], in [province], [prefecture], [county], [township], [village], the Fulu disciple [Yi], born in the [month], [day], and [hour] of the [Jiazi] year, belongs to the Star Lord [X] of the Northern Dipper. Now, with due reverence, I prepare offerings and go to the residence of [Master X] to receive the Mysterious Origin Primordial Qi (the primordial energy at the birth of Heaven and Earth) and the Eight Trigrams, transmitted by the Most High, the Lord Taiyi, the August Celestial Emperor, the Most High Primordial Lord, and the Primordial Lord Taiyi, along with the secret register for warding off calamity, preserving life, and protecting the body—a Fulu used to pray for safety from disaster and protection of life and body.

The Celestial Emperor gives me life and nurtures me; August Heaven protects and sustains me. The sun and moon shine upon me; the Northern Dipper lends me its aid. Mountains and rivers guide my way; the myriad gods attend me. The Qi of Yin-Yang flows in communion with me, and the Earl of Wind escorts me. The Celestial Kitchen provides for me; purple clouds shelter me; divine medicines heal me. My comings and goings are without end: when I enter the sea, I emerge through Heaven’s Gate; when I enter a river, I emerge through Earth’s Gate. The God of Destiny supports me, so that all I seek is granted and every place I point to is accessible. A single meal extends my life by a thousand years; my lifespan is joined to the sun and moon and endures as long as Heaven and Earth.

I ascend to the Celestial Pivot, command the Kui star, and ride the Gang star. Whatever I point to, harmful evil perishes. My body bears the divine talisman of the Most High Emperor Lord; whoever receives the talisman can wield its power. August Heaven covers me; the Dragon and Tiger guard me; the Vermilion Bird guides me; the Black Tortoise follows me. The Azure Dragon accompanies me on my left, and the White Tiger stands guard on my right. The Seven Stars crown my head, and my ritual measure accords with the Northern Dipper.

The God of Destiny lengthens my life; the God of Records protects it. Illness keeps far from me, lawsuits and disputes withdraw from me, and thieves avoid me. The constellations shine upon me; the Qi of Heaven brings me good fortune, and the Qi of Earth keeps me secure. When I cross rivers and seas, no wind or wave rises. When tigers and wolves see me, their teeth break, and they dare not harm me.

The nine transmissions of the cinnabar writings drive away calamity; white silk, serving as talisman cloth, makes misfortune and harm vanish. Yu the Great opens the way for me; Chiyou shuns the might of my weapons. I live forever without limit, enduring as long as Heaven and Earth. Swiftly, in accordance with the statutes and commands!

“Register of the Three Examinations and Summons of the Most High Zhengyi,” Section Eighteen.

“Supreme Warden of the Right, Who Quells All Evil and Offers Qi in Sacrifice” is a Daoist official title. It belongs to the Metal phase and is located in Xixian County, Xingyuan Prefecture. “The lodging of Ying” refers to the star lodge corresponding to Ying; the time is mid-ninth month, around the Frost Descends solar term.

On a certain day and hour at the start of a certain month in a certain year, a disciple of the registers and rites, so-and-so, from a village in a county of a certain prefecture, born on a certain day and hour in a certain sexagenary year, corresponds above to a certain Lord of the Northern Dipper. Now, with due reverence, the disciple prepares the proper offerings and goes to the residence of a certain ritual master to receive the “Register of the Three-Five Generals of the Central Palace of Great Clarity,” a Daoist talismanic register used to summon officers and generals and to interrogate and summon ghosts and spirits. The disciple prays that the officers and soldiers named in the register will come to help heal the people and assist a certain Lord of the Northern Dipper in protecting the state and preserving life. May this petition be carried out promptly in accordance with the statutes and commands.

With due reverence, summon from above the great generals who summon ghosts from the east, south, west, north, above, and below, each leading ten thousand officers and soldiers. Also summon the great generals of the stove—the Stove God—the Seven Ancestors, the household, and the earth altar, each leading ten thousand officers and soldiers. Summon the great general of the divine troops, leading the officers and soldiers of the Eight Ren. Then summon the great generals of the Five Directional Emperors—the Azure, Red, White, Black, and Yellow Emperors—each leading six thousand officers and soldiers. Also summon the great general Left Vice Director, leading six thousand officers and soldiers, and the great general Right Vice Director, also leading six thousand officers and soldiers.

I respectfully summon the Great General of the Yellow Emperor, commanding six thousand officials and soldiers to come and protect.

I respectfully summon the Great General, Left Vice Director, commanding six thousand officials and soldiers to come and protect.

I respectfully summon the Great General, Right Vice Director, commanding six thousand officials and soldiers to come and protect.

I respectfully summon the Great General Who Preserves Life, commanding twenty thousand officials and soldiers to come and protect.

I respectfully summon the Great General Who Subdues Demons, commanding twenty thousand officials and soldiers to come and protect.

I respectfully summon the Great General Who Beheads Demons, commanding twenty thousand officials and soldiers to come and protect.

I respectfully summon the Great General Who Attaches to Water, commanding four thousand officials and soldiers to come and protect.

I respectfully summon the Great General Who Attaches to the City, commanding four thousand officials and soldiers to come and protect.

I respectfully summon the Great General Who Attaches to the Whip, commanding four thousand officials and soldiers to come and protect.

Supreme Taishang Zhengyi Register for Beheading Evil, Section Nineteen

This register belongs to the lineage of the Libationer of Qi, Left Director of the Houcheng Administration. Its phase is Water, and its place is Shina County in Hanzhou. It corresponds to the Room lunar mansion, one of the Seven Mansions of the Azure Dragon in the east, and is associated with the solar term Beginning of Winter and the tenth lunar month.

A disciple receiving a ritual register, so-and-so, whose destiny is governed by a certain Lord of the Northern Dipper, entered the Dao on this day and declared his origins and experiences. Fortunate to have been born human, he has received the teachings of purity and stillness, yet, being dull-witted, has failed to act with understanding. He comes from the dark, ordinary world and holds a lowly position. From childhood onward, he has suffered chronic illness, with ailments that linger and leave him few days of health. He has also repeatedly been troubled by treacherous and malign forces.

Now he respectfully prepares the ritual pledge—a token offered when receiving a register—and goes to the residence of a certain master to request the Taishang Zhengyi Great Red Register of the Celestial Spirits for Beheading Evil, together with the generals and troops summoned within it, to protect so-and-so. He prays that they accompany him wherever he goes, whether leaving home, entering a room, dwelling or resting, and drive away every kind of evil presence; subdue and destroy spirits and demons, including long-cultivated spirits such as the softshell turtle, alligator, tortoise, terrapin and fox; thousand-year-old monsters and hundred-year-old malign spirits; and all manner of shape-shifting, mixed and deceptive demons and false, wicked Qi dwelling among mountains and seas.

He also prays that his Three Hun and Seven Po souls, as understood in Daoism, be settled, and that the spirits guarding his body be securely anchored. All these petitions are made in accordance with Lord Lao’s commandments.

Heaven above drives back all forms of evil and brings under control and destroys spirits and monsters, including giant softshell turtles, alligators, tortoises and turtles, fox spirits, monsters that have cultivated for a thousand years, and evil spirits that have wrought havoc for a hundred years. Whether they are hard or yielding, pure or turbid, whether they come from high mountains, deep seas, or low-lying places, no matter what deceptions they employ, they must all be subdued. The former evil Qi of the “Six Heavens”—malevolent forces believed in Daoism to cause calamity and disturbance—and people’s Three Hun and Seven Po souls must be settled and brought to serve the body’s deities, acting in accordance with the commands of the Most High Lord Lao.

Listed below are the divine officers and generals, two of each, who carry out Heaven’s mandate to destroy evil:

Under the jurisdiction of the Red Officers of the Heavenly Spirits are the Direct Bureau for Slaying Evil, the Correct Bureau for Slaying Evil, the Governing Bureau for Slaying Evil, the Left Bureau for Slaying Evil, the Right Bureau for Slaying Evil, and the Chief Emissaries for Slaying Evil; the Yang-Spirit Decisive Officers and Yin-Spirit Decisive Officers for Slaying Evil; the Yang-Officer Grand Physicians and Yin-Spirit Grand Physicians for Slaying Evil; the generals who subdue, exterminate, strike down, slay, govern, and intercept evil; the Yang-Spirit and Yin-Spirit Generals for Slaying Evil; the Generals for Protecting the Body, Seizing and Subduing, and Slaying Evil to Guard the Body; the Supervising Officers of Evil and the Direct Talisman Officers of Evil; and the Emissaries for Slaying Evil, the Orthodox Unity Emissaries for Slaying Evil, the Imperial Censors for Slaying Evil, and the Inspectors of Treachery for Slaying Evil.

Within the celestial numinous red office are two great deities charged with subduing evil spirits and protecting the body; two messengers who slay evil and seize strange ghosts; two celestial physicians, Bian Que, who slay evil; two immortals who slay evil; two Daoists; two jade maidens; and two each of the Azure Dragon, Vermilion Bird, White Tiger, and Black Tortoise.

The celestial talisman, a command bestowed from Heaven, has a fixed set of instructions and orders me to come here. The ghosts and spirits under the jurisdiction of the Northern Dipper are all terrified and flee. It protects life and prolongs one’s years. The Azure Dragon guards the left, the White Tiger guards the right, the Vermilion Bird leads the way, and the Black Tortoise follows behind. Thirty-six immortals support and guard me from both sides, while one hundred and twenty deities provide celestial and terrestrial talismans and provisions. Wherever I travel, entering or leaving by the east, west, south, or north, I journey with the immortals. The one hundred and twenty spirit-commanding messengers obey my orders and subdue the hundred ghosts. The Southern Dipper’s life-protecting celestial talisman assists my body; the immortals ride the four dragons and travel far to the Gate of Heaven. The Most High protects my body. Let this be carried out swiftly in accordance with the statutes and commands!

The Most High’s Zhengyi Great Register for Driving Away Evil provides abundant provisions. Entering or leaving by the east, west, south, or north, I journey with the immortals. The one hundred and twenty spirit-commanding messengers obey my orders and subdue the hundred ghosts. The Southern Dipper’s life-protecting celestial talisman assists my body; the immortals ride the four dragons and travel far to the Gate of Heaven. The Most High protects my body. Let this be carried out swiftly in accordance with the statutes and commands!

The Most High’s Zhengyi Great Register for Driving Away Evil, fascicle twenty.

The Zhen Gong Mu establishment; the Right Metropolitan Qi Libationer, an office in the Zhengyi tradition, belongs to Water and is located in Shifang County, Hanzhou. It corresponds to the Heart and Tail lunar mansions. The date falls in the middle of the tenth lunar month, during the Minor Snow solar term.

The disciple of the ritual register, so-and-so Yi, belongs by destiny to a certain Star Lord of the Northern Dipper. I, the disciple, was born with an ordinary mortal body and am descended from officials. By good fortune, I have been able to establish and continue my record of examinations, the Daoist reckoning and assessment of lifespan. Now my illness is growing steadily worse. I fear that evil essences and ghostly beings are at work, but I cannot discern the cause. Therefore, I have respectfully prepared the ritual implements in accordance with the liturgy and come before the residence of so-and-so Master of the Dao to request and receive the Most High’s Zhengyi Great Register for Driving Away Evil, so that I may capture evil spirits on my own. On the day I receive the talisman, I must discipline myself according to the rules, sever ties with evil, and have no dealings with wicked ghosts. In all matters, I shall comply with the precepts and commands of the Most High’s Mysterious Capital tradition.

Talismans protect a person’s body. Because of the malign influences left by the past, people come to a certain ritual master and ask to receive, through formal initiation, the Great Talisman for Exorcism of the Supreme Oneness Orthodox Unity (a Zhengyi talisman used to drive away evil and protect the body), so that they may subdue harmful spirits. On the day they receive the talisman, they must discipline themselves according to the rules, abandon evil conduct, avoid contact with evil ghosts, and fully observe the precepts of the Supreme Mystery Capital’s ritual tradition.

Talismans protect a person’s body. Because of the malign influences left by the past, people command the You ghost (a harmful spirit associated with the You hour or direction) to depart at once. We already know your name. You must leave immediately; let everything be carried out in accordance with the laws and commands.

Section Twenty-One: The Register of Qi-Restraint from the Four Traditions of Supreme Oneness Orthodox Unity

The Left Tribute Ritual Master of Zhenpinggang Monastery (a Zhengyi Orthodox Unity seat), affiliated with Water and located in Xinjin County, Shuzhou, corresponds to the Ji lunar mansion and the seasonal period of Major Snow, the eleventh lunar month.

A disciple of a certain talisman tradition, named So-and-so, whose destiny is governed by a certain Lord of the Northern Dipper, loves the Daoist teachings. He has traveled among famous mountains and journeyed across rivers, mountains, lakes, and marshes, aspiring to and admiring the immortals. Now he respectfully prepares one large knife, one shi and two dou of rice for his life offering, one bundle of firewood, seven chi and five cun of crimson silk, one pair of silver rings, forty chi of plain white silk, one hundred sheets of paper, one ink pellet, one writing knife, and one liang of pearls as tokens of his vow. He comes before a certain ritual master and asks to receive, through formal initiation, the four traditions of qi-restraint talisman methods: the Supreme Mystery, Hu Xuan, Xi Xuan, and the mixed incantations of Lord Hu (four kinds of talismanic methods for restraining malign influences). He seeks to dispel harmful spirits, preserve life, support his family and the state, and carry the talismans with him. Let all of the above be carried out in accordance with the laws and commands of the Supreme One.

From the Zi, Chou, Yin, and other directions, perform the Yu steps (a Daoist ritual pattern of three steps following the celestial configurations) in sequence: take three steps forward, return to the King’s position, then swallow twelve mouthfuls of Qi (vital energy).

Next, repeat the ritual in the order of the twelve earthly branches, at the Zi, Chou, Yin, Mao, Chen, Si, Wu, Wei, and Shen directions: each time, take three Yu steps forward, return to the King’s position, then swallow twelve mouthfuls of Qi.

In sequence, at the twelve double-hours (Zi, Chou, and so on), perform the Yu Steps—the Daoist method of pacing the Dipper. At each double-hour, draw Qi from above and swallow the twelve Qi. Once the swallowing ritual for all twelve double-hours is complete, visualize the Qi of the five directions: green Qi in the east, red in the south, white in the west, black in the north, and yellow at the center. Next, visualize the twenty-four Qi governed by the Grand Year Star. First visualize and swallow the superior Qi of the day, then visualize and swallow the superior Qi of the current double-hour. This completes the visualization ritual for the Qi of the five directions and related Qi.

Next, visualize the Qi of the five organs: green Qi enters the liver and presides as the Azure Dragon; red Qi enters the heart and presides as the Vermilion Bird; white Qi enters the lungs and presides as the White Tiger; black Qi enters the kidneys and presides as the Black Tortoise; and yellow Qi enters the spleen and presides as the Yellow Lord. These colors correspond to the directions, Five Phases, and internal organs, forming a system of associations used in Daoist visualization and Qi-gathering practices.

The number of Wood is nine, Fire eight, Water seven, Metal six, and Earth five. Different kinds of creatures are subdued with their corresponding Qi: use Wood Qi to subdue the naked creatures, Metal Qi for the scaled creatures, Water Qi for the feathered creatures, Fire Qi for the furry creatures, and Earth Qi for the shelled creatures. Apply all the methods for subduing with Qi in the order given above.

A certain person, referred to as “Person B” as a placeholder for the recipient of the transmission, practices the Daoist methods with reverence, diligently observes the prohibitions, and wholeheartedly requests instruction in the immortal art of subduing through Qi. The recipient holds a knife, kneels upright, and bows twice before performing the star-activation method. Following the twelve double-hours, the recipient gathers Qi and performs the steps, beginning at Zi hour with the Yu Steps: the left foot leads, the right foot follows, and a spell is recited at the same time.

Then recite the texts for commanding hot water and fire, for commanding the road and lodging, and for commanding protection of one’s own body.

It also mentions written talismans or ritual texts for relieving wax-related afflictions, commanding snakes, rescuing people from evil ghosts, warding off poison attributed to the village earth god, commanding seals, commanding ghost children in the clouds, treating carbuncles and other swellings, commanding miscellaneous talismans, treating tumors, commanding wild creatures, protecting ordinary households in matters involving rooms, temples, and seats, commanding water whips, rescuing people from insects, treating illness in a household before the master, treating malignant sores, rescuing ordinary ritual masters, commanding tigers and wolves, regulating food, performing massage, addressing another household’s bamboo graves, commanding dogs, using needles, rescuing people from miscellaneous Qi, prohibiting trees, commanding knives, and treating sores caused by snakes and tigers, among other matters.

Here, “command” refers to issuing orders, prohibitions, or expulsions in the form of talismans or ritual decrees; “rescue” refers to healing, averting calamity, or delivering someone from peril. The names indicate that these texts were used to address snakes, evil ghosts, poisoning, swellings, insect infestations, malignant sores, tigers and wolves, needles and knives, as well as situations involving ordinary homes, temples, seating places, and bamboo graves.