《太上助国救民总真秘要》Vol. 4

Jia, Gui, Ren, Xin, Geng, Ding, Bing, Yi, Jia.

Earth Soul: Gui, Ren, Xin, Geng, Ding, Bing, Yi, Jia, Gui, Ren, Xin, Geng.

Heavenly Thief: You, Yin, Wei, Zi, Yi, Yi, Xu, Mao, Jia, Chou, Wu, Hai.

Monthly Virtue: Ding, Kun, Ren, Xin, Qian, Jia, Gui, Gen, Bing, Jia, Xun, Geng.

Monthly Sha: Chou, Xu, Wei, Chen, Chou, Xu, Wei, Chen, Chou, Xu, Wei, Chen.

The entries above list the Heavenly Stems and Earthly Branches, directions, or names of spirits associated with each month, for reference when selecting auspicious dates and directions. In any month when a Great Sha, Lesser Sha, or Monthly Sha is present, one should not write or use Fulu (talismans and registers). When an inauspicious Sha is present, it should be subdued by means of exorcistic suppression. When visiting a sick person’s home, one must also avoid the relevant taboos: if the home lies in the “direction of hell,” neither entering the house nor treating the patient should be done facing that direction.

If a person’s birth year matches that day’s Heavenly Soul or Earth Soul, one must not write a talisman that day or give one to that person. Violating this taboo invites grave danger. If the direction corresponding to that month’s Heavenly Soul or Earth Soul is involved, one must not pin a talisman into the ground; violating this taboo will bring losses to farmland and silkworm cultivation, and ill fortune in all matters. For example, people born in Ding, Gui, Jia, or Geng years should not write talismans for others on the first or fourth month, or on Ding or Gui days, nor give talismans to people born in Ding or Gui years. This is one such example.

It is considered auspicious if a sick person can be placed in the direction corresponding to that month’s Monthly Virtue and treated there.

The directions occupied by “Heavenly One” (Tianyi), an auspicious spirit in Daoist methods for selecting directions, in the four seasons are: east in spring, south in summer, west in autumn, and north in winter.

When writing a talisman, it is most auspicious to bow toward the direction where the noble person is located. One may also set up an altar for the Heavenly One spirit, place the talisman on it according to the direction’s color and Qi (vital energy), and bow in worship. Use nine in spring, three in summer, seven in autumn, and five in winter. After completing the worship, give the talisman to someone else to use, and its efficacy will be verified.

This concludes Volume Nine of The Supreme Essential Secrets for Aiding the State and Saving the People. Volume Ten is credited to Master of the Cavernous Mystery Yuan Miaozong.

Format for Official Documents Issued by the Shangqing Northern Pole Court for Expelling Evil: The format for documents handled by the Shangqing Northern Pole Court for Expelling Evil.

According to the regulations of ritual law, whenever circumstances require submitting documents to numinous beings (deities) or presenting reports to divine immortals, these are matters of the utmost importance. The required document formats and procedures must be complete. The formats for documents needed in various related matters are now revised and set out here to prevent omissions or errors. Documents required for particular circumstances are not limited to those listed here. Where a format is not included, a similar format may be used as a guide, adapted as circumstances warrant.

Format for a Disciple’s Petition to Receive the Transmission of the Dharma: The format for a written petition submitted when seeking a master’s transmission of ritual arts.

Disciple [name], of [province], [county], [village], [outer ward], [district], or [market], respectfully states:

I, disciple [name], have reverently prepared a token of faith for the transmission of the Dharma (an offering presented when receiving the transmission), specifying its exact kind. With utmost sincerity, I come before the Shangqing ritual master [name], solemnly pledging and earnestly requesting transmission of one volume of the Northern Pole Celestial Heart Orthodox Method. I am resolved to assist Heaven in carrying out its teachings, aid the state and relieve the people, treat illness and rescue those in peril, and put an end to demons and malign forces.

In practicing this method from now on, I will surely follow my master’s instructions. I will not presume to transmit the ritual arts to those who are unfit according to the Dao, nor rely on this method to violate or obscure the Great Dao. Should I commit even the slightest transgression, I pray that punishment first destroy me, and then fall upon my Seven Generations of Ancestors (the seven preceding generations on my father’s side). I respectfully ask that a petition be presented on my behalf to the Seven Primordial High Perfected Ones (high-ranking divine beings presiding over the seven stars of the Northern Dipper) and the Sagely Emperor of the Eastern Peak (the deity of Mount Tai), asking them to bestow their compassion and favor and permit the transmission. I hereby submit this petition.

On [year], [month], [day], disciple [name], of [rank], submits this petition.

Format for a Disciple’s Petition Asking the Master to Recommend and Sponsor Them: The format for a written petition by a disciple asking the master to recommend them.

Disciple [name], of the [surname] household in [province], [county], [township], [district], [village], or [ward], respectfully states:

On [year], [month], [day], I, disciple [name], prepared a written petition and personally went before the Shangqing ritual master [name], requesting transmission of one volume of the Orthodox Method of the Celestial Heart, and resolving to assist …

The Dao’s workings guide and transform; they assist the state and rescue the people, heal illness and provide aid in times of danger, and dispel evil spirits. Now I have received permission to bestow the teachings. I have set a date to submit my name and, under command, to seek a worthy master of the Dao in accordance with the prescribed rites, asking that he recommend me for instruction. I privately reflect that I was fortunate to be born in China, yet my heart has long been set beyond the worldly realm. In seeking a master, I have repeatedly visited people of reputation and, under command, sought a worthy master of the Dao in accordance with the prescribed rites, asking that he recommend me for instruction. I reflect that I was fortunate to be born in China, and that my heart has long been set beyond the worldly realm. In search of a master, I visited those who understood me time and again and offered them my utmost sincerity; only then was I able to meet an enlightened master.

Of late, I have admired the depth of the arts practiced in your school and your promotion of the Great Dao, your aid to the people and benefit to all things, and your profound kindness. I respectfully come to place myself under your guidance, hoping you will recommend me. If you accept me, how could I fail to hold fast to my resolve, engrave your kindness on my heart, and devote myself to cultivation in repayment for your act of advancement? I would consider myself profoundly fortunate. I have prepared this document and respectfully submit it, awaiting your instructions.

On the [day] of the [month] of the [year] of [country]. Submitted by [surname], holder of the office of [title].

Form of the petition by which disciples seek a master and receive the teachings

[Province], [prefecture], [county], [township], [ward], [village], [hamlet]; disciple [name].

The disciple named above, [name], was born in the year, month, day, and hour of their birth cycle, and is under the charge of the Lord of the [number]th Star of the Northern Dipper (the deity of the Northern Dipper). I respectfully prepare nine taels of gold, a pair of gold rings, and a length of white silk as tokens of trust; four taels of black silk in place of the rite of cutting the hair; and seven taels of cinnabar in place of the rite of mingling blood to make an oath. The disciple respectfully approaches the school of Master [name], seeking instruction in the Orthodox Method of the Celestial Heart (a Daoist ritual lineage), with the wish to assist the Dao in guiding and transforming, and to aid the state in rescuing the people.

I privately observe the fates of people in this world and am often troubled by how fragile and brief life is. I am ashamed that I lack the ability to eliminate harm or any means to promote benefit. My daily cultivation has also been lax, which leaves me fearful and uneasy. I never expected that, after passing through many kalpas, I would finally have the chance to meet you today. I have heard that you do not close the road leading to the Mysterious Capital (the celestial capital, a Daoist realm of immortals), and that you especially promote…

Relying on the teachings of the Most High, I sincerely wish to put this method into practice, bring greater honor to Daoism, and make the salvation of all living beings my charge. May I break free from the bonds of the mundane world and support those who have withered like dead trees, helping them regain their strength through cultivation and support. Having received these teachings, I would not dare act against the righteous Way. Should I forget the grace of this instruction, I willingly accept the bitter consequences of sinking into ruin. To escape the cycle of rebirth and attain salvation, I will devote all my strength to practice. Should the time come when the workings of Heaven are in accord, I will do my utmost to repay this kindness.

I respectfully beseech [name] to extend compassion and take some account of my humble sincerity. I venture to submit these words and earnestly ask for your pity and understanding. Filled with gratitude, I submit this petition.

On [day] of [month], [year], in [country].

Format for a Petition Submitted by a Ritual Master on Behalf of a Disciple

State the ritual master’s full title, then submit the petition sincerely:

I earnestly ask for your pity and understanding. Filled with gratitude, I submit this petition.

On [day] of [month], [year], in [country].

Format for a Petition Submitted by a Ritual Master on Behalf of a Disciple

State the ritual master’s full title and the name of the petitioner.

I, your subject, have received a written petition from Disciple B of the ward in the town of [county], [prefecture], along with the ritual gifts he has presented in accordance with the rites of transmission. He has come to me requesting instruction in the Northern Pole Heavenly Heart Stilling Method, a technique transmitted by the divine beings of the Northern Pole for restraining evil spirits. The disciple has declared his resolve to assist Heaven in carrying out its teachings, help the state bring peace to the people, heal illness, relieve suffering, and put an end to the harassment of evil spirits. He states that after receiving the method, he will follow his master’s guidance and dare not pass it on casually to anyone unfit to receive it, nor presume upon its power to act against or obscure the Great Way. Should he violate this pledge in the slightest, he willingly accepts the punishment of his own destruction first, and of bringing calamity upon the Seven Ancestral Generations.

I have carefully examined this man and find him plain and sincere in nature, steadfast in goodness, and devoted in his reverence for the High Perfected, the honored deities of Daoism. He has long taken refuge in the Great Way, aspires to aid the people, and is willing to receive the transmission of the Orthodox Method. I therefore request that, once this petition has been submitted, the Orthodox Method be transmitted to him in accordance with the regulations, together with the Fulu or talismanic methods of the Three Luminaries, the Northern Dipper, the Celestial Ladle, the Great Sage, Zhenwu, and the Black-Killer Heavenly Talisman. I further request that Disciple B be entered on the rolls and appointed to the position of [office], as submitted in this petition.

The seal format of the Northern Dipper Exorcism Office, as well as the procedures and designations for issuing talismans, must follow the prescribed forms. I dare not decide these matters on my own. I have therefore respectfully set them out in a memorial and submit them to the court, humbly requesting that the Great Emperor of Supreme Purity, the Patriarch Great Emperor of Highest Clarity, and the Lord of Jade Clarity issue an edict instructing the departments under Mount Tai to dispatch divine talisman officers and soldiers to the office where a certain person, B, is stationed, to assist in carrying out Daoist rites. I humbly request the sacred favor of permission to transmit this method and to conduct its transmission ceremony according to the regulations, so that it may prove efficacious.

I presume to address the heavenly court, and my heart is filled with fear and unease. I bow my head and prostrate myself twice. Respectfully submitted.

Year, month, and day. The officiating master’s full title and name are entered here. Memorial respectfully submitted.

Format for the Memorial’s Dispatch Pass

The Northern Dipper Exorcism Office notifies the Merit Officer messenger on duty on the specified day (the divine official responsible for conveying documents):

On a specified day and hour this month, one memorial is to be sent out. Its corners are to be sealed, it is to be placed in a leather tube and sealed again, then delivered to the Celestial Pivot Office for registration and safekeeping.

This document is now entrusted to the Merit Officer messenger on duty on the specified day. In accordance with the instructions above, it must be conveyed promptly and according to established procedure, and delivered for registration. There must be no delay en route, and the corner seals must not be damaged, soiled, or rubbed away. The document must arrive intact at the Celestial Pivot Office for registration and safekeeping.

This document is now entrusted to the Merit Officer messenger on duty on the specified day. In accordance with the instructions above, it must be conveyed promptly and according to established procedure, and delivered for registration. There must be no delay en route. Any damage, soiling, rubbing away of the seals, or other mishap such as an illegible seal at the opening will be treated as a grave offense and will not be lightly forgiven. Do not neglect your duty or disobey the order. This notice is hereby issued.

Year, month, day, and hour. Notice issued.

The Great Celestial Master, presiding over the affairs of the Northern Dipper Exorcism Office, signs and seals.

Format for a Petition to Mount Tai

The Great Celestial Authority, who commands all spirits and demons and brings them back to the right path, enters the full title and name here.

On a specified day this month, our office received a request from a disciple, a certain person, B, residing in the ward of a county seat in a specified prefecture. Person B came with sincere intent to submit a petition, humbly requesting transmission of the Northern Dipper Celestial Heart Orthodox Method, a Daoist method centered on worship of the Northern Dipper, to uphold the righteous Way and expel baleful influences, assist Heaven in spreading its teachings, relieve the people’s suffering, and put an end to the mischief of ghosts and spirits. The petitioner also declares a commitment to cultivate and practice this method.

The matter has now been set out in a memorial and submitted to the heavenly court.

The Supreme God appointed a certain person to a new post, replacing the previous official, and gave him the talismanic texts, a catalogue of ritual formulas, and the seal design of the Court for Expelling Evil. The prescribed transmission-of-the-Dharma ceremony was then held. After it was completed, a respectful written report was submitted.

We respectfully beseech the Eastern Peak, Heavenly Equal, Benevolent and Sagely Emperor to hear this petition, grant instructions, and notify the City God Kings throughout the Three Realms, together with the Orthodox Law officials and former officials under their respective jurisdictions, to handle the transmission-of-the-Dharma affairs as prescribed. We also ask that this notice be conveyed to the Five Sacred Peaks and Four Great Rivers, famous mountains and great rivers, palaces and temples, local altars, numinous places among the mountains and rivers, and all the gods and spirits: a certain person has received the Dharma and been granted an official post. In future, when he treats people’s illnesses or expels malign influences, we beseech the gods to assist his Daoist rites and capture ghosts and spirits, without neglect or delay.

We further ask that, in accordance with precedent, two divine generals of great supernatural power and martial strength, along with one thousand divine soldiers, be assigned to the court within the residence of the newly appointed Dharma official, a certain person. They are to serve under his command and assist in carrying out ritual methods. The Great Master of All Heavens’ seal, used by a certain person, and his personal handwritten signature have been delivered for his use. A copy of the relevant petition and seal impression is attached above for respectful inspection. The seal inscription is as follows:

This seal differs from the talismanic seals used elsewhere. Its inscription and seal script were specially made, with the true Dao as their guiding purpose. From now on, all petitions and official notices required by a certain person are to bear this seal.

We respectfully request that, after inspecting the seal inscription, permission be granted for its use, so that no one may forge or misuse it. Respectfully submitted.

On a certain year, month, and day, the duly appointed official, [name], respectfully submits this petition.

Format for dispatching documents to Mount Tai:

Court for Expelling Evil of the Northern Pole:

On a certain month, day, and hour, one sealed petition was dispatched, entrusted to the designated messenger to deliver before the throne of the Eastern Peak, Heavenly Equal, Benevolent and Sagely Emperor.

The official document issued earlier should be handed to the local earth gods along the route to Mount Tai—the deities responsible for each area. Ask them to relay the attached documents swiftly, one after another, until they reach the designated destination. There must be no delay, damage, soiling, or negligence. Should any breach occur, responsibility will be assigned and the matter investigated and dealt with. There will be no pardon.

Issued at [hour], on [day], [month], [year].

Signed and sealed by the Commissioner of the Northern Pole Office for Expelling Evil.

For any delay, damage, soiling, negligence, or other breach, responsibility will be assigned and the matter investigated and dealt with. There will be no pardon.

Issued at [hour], on [day], [month], [year].

Signed and sealed by the Commissioner of the Northern Pole Office for Expelling Evil.

Format for documents submitted to the Celestial Pivot Office

To the Northern Pole Office for Expelling Evil:

On [day] of this month, one sealed memorial was issued concerning [matter] involving [Person B] of [township or ward], [county], [prefecture]. It must now be reported and submitted.

Once the memorial has arrived, please do not file it together with memorials and other documents from the various regions. We respectfully ask that it be forwarded directly.

I hereby submit this document to the Celestial Pivot Office.

Respectfully submitted.

Presented by [official rank and name] on [day], [month], [year].

Format for a memorial praying for rain

[Full official title of the ritual master], your servant [surname and name], submits this memorial.

Your servant has received the following account from [Person B] of [county], [prefecture]: Drought has damaged the crops in [place], and the young and old in one household are distressed day and night. The rent and taxes owed to the authorities are substantial, and the household can no longer pay them. All its members fear famine and calamity and that they will be unable to survive, so they request relief. Your servant has immediately investigated and confirmed that there has been little or no rain since [month] of [year], and the drought continues to this day.

We humbly ask the Ancestral Master, the Great Emperor of the Upper Clarity, the Great Emperor of the Great Clarity, and the Supreme Emperor of the Jade Clarity—the three revered deities honored in Daoism—to look upon us with compassion and grant this petition in particular. May they issue an order to the divine offices under their authority, directing the Six Ding and Six Jia, the protective generals of Daoism, the Thunder Lord, the Lightning Mother, the Wind Earl, the Rain Master, the heavenly soldiers and mighty warriors, and the Dragon Kings of the Five Directions to send rain swiftly and relieve the people’s suffering. Your servant has established a ritual altar at [place] and performed a Jiao ritual, a Daoist rite of prayer to the gods, averting calamity, or offering thanks, in the hope of receiving a response. I respectfully submit this memorial.

I respectfully submit this petition.

On a certain year, month, and day, I, your servant [name], holding the full title of [official position], submit this written petition.

Format for Official Documents to the Bureau of Clouds, Thunder, and Rain

An official document from the Northern Pole Bureau for Expelling Evil, the Daoist office responsible for driving out evil, to the Bureau of Clouds, Thunder, and Rain and the divine host of the Six Ding and Six Jia should preferably be addressed separately according to each deity’s rank and title.

Acting on the petition of [name], this bureau shall follow the format above and briefly explain the circumstances. If it is necessary to dispatch divine officials specifically to carry out the task, a separate document should be issued.

The document reads as follows: This bureau has already submitted a memorial explaining the matter and reported it to the Supreme Emperor. A Zhaijiao altar and offering have also been established at [place] to pray for a response. We now request that the Bureau of Clouds, Thunder, and Rain and the divine host of the Six Ding and Six Jia promptly send abundant rain to the area, nourish the fields throughout the region, and save the crops, without harming the lives of the people. Please carry this out swiftly and without delay. This document is hereby issued.

Issued on a certain year, month, and day.

[Full title and name of the ritual master], signed and sealed.

Format for a Writ to Treat Afflictions Caused by Hidden Corpses and Evil Spirits

Northern Pole Bureau for Expelling Evil:

Send rain to [place] to nourish the fields and save the crops, without harming the lives of the people. Please carry this out swiftly and without delay. This document is hereby issued.

Issued on a certain year, month, and day.

[Full title and name of the ritual master], signed and sealed.

Format for a Writ to Treat Afflictions Caused by Hidden Corpses and Evil Spirits

Northern Pole Bureau for Expelling Evil:

At [place], [name] is suffering from [illness]. You are hereby ordered to drive from the home all hidden corpses from the past, wandering dead, mountain demons, goblins, and ancient spirits of the thunder-earth clump, as well as hidden corpses left by those who died earlier, corpse-transmission afflictions—believed to spread or attach themselves to people—mountain spirits and tree demons, hunting spirits in local shrines, and all other evil spirits that cause calamity. Order them to leave the patient’s home at once and dwell elsewhere. They must not remain here as before to cause further harm or injure the people. Also order the patient’s Hun soul to return to the body immediately, so that the illness may disperse.

Should these spirits continue their mischief after receiving this order, the divine officials responsible shall be severely punished along with the evil spirits and demons, and the matter shall be reported to the Eastern Peak, the Great Emperor of the Eastern Peak and the divine offices under his authority, so that they may be forever deprived of the chance to cause harm again.

This document is hereby issued to the gods and officials of the Directorate of Fate (Siming, which governs human lifespans), the Five Roads (Wudao, local gods of places such as land and roads), the Earth God’s shrine, and other places under the household of So-and-so. Carry this out accordingly.

Endorsed and signed on a certain year, month, and day.

Format for a Writ to Govern an Epidemic

Bureau for Expelling Evil at the Northern Pole:

Someone in the household of So-and-so in a certain place has contracted an epidemic, and the illness has taken hold. We fear it may cost them their life. Order the envoy charged with spreading the pestilence to seize the sick person in So-and-so’s household at once. From today onward, command the eighty-four thousand True Spirits within the patient’s body, together with the spirit lords of the five viscera and six bowels, to return to their proper places. Disperse the poison medicine and poisonous Qi previously inflicted on So-and-so, so that their three Hun and seven Po return to the body and normal health is restored. All evil spirits must quickly leave the patient and their home and may not linger there.

If someone in So-and-so’s household is indeed destined to die, and the Celestial Bureau has in fact struck their lifespan from the registers, require the relevant authorities to submit a written account of the reasons and report it directly for the record. If the Celestial Bureau truly must seize this person, immediately write out the circumstances and reply to the messenger who came to deliver the order. State only that, following the Bureau for Expelling Evil’s directive, the person has been detained; do not seize everyone indiscriminately. At the same time, report the matter directly for the record. Also instruct the Directorate of Fate, the Five Roads, and the other deities to explain the situation clearly and ensure no one’s life is harmed. Await further instructions on the specific measures to be taken.

This document is hereby issued to the envoy charged with spreading the pestilence. Carry it out accordingly.

Endorsed and signed on a certain year, month, and day.

Format for a Document to Cut Off the Ghosts of Contagious Consumption

Document from the Bureau for Expelling Evil at the Northern Pole, submitted to the relevant office of the Eastern Peak:

It is reported that a divine general dispatched by your sacred peak has stated that a spirit said the following: So-and-so in a certain place has fallen ill. The illness has not eased despite taking medicine and performing good deeds and prayers to avert misfortune. The person says they are entangled and harassed by ghosts of contagious consumption, cannot find peace, and has therefore urgently appealed for help and protection.

This Bureau has established a Celestial Prison in So-and-so’s home to confine the evil spirits, and has submitted a written report to the Celestial Court. We respectfully request…

I hereby command the divine generals, together with the officers of the local City God, the Gods of Fate, and the host of the Five Roads Gods, to go at once to the person concerned. They shall pursue and capture the evil ghosts who, under the law, are to be dealt with for causing harm, as well as the ghosts who spread corpse sickness and cause successive disturbances. They shall swiftly escort them to the Celestial Prison, make them reveal their whereabouts, and hold them pending further disposition. The relevant details shall then be reported to the Underworld. On the day this office has completed its review and closed the case, the ghosts shall, in accordance with regulations, be allowed to be reborn among humanity and shall no longer be permitted to cause disturbances or entanglements. This document is hereby issued.

Issued on a certain day of a certain month in a certain year.

The ritual master’s full title, name, and seal.

Forwarding document: route format for each place along the way

After the Northern Pole’s expulsion of evil is complete, the relevant ghosts shall, in accordance with regulations, be allowed to be reborn among humanity and shall no longer be permitted to cause disturbances or entanglements. This document is hereby issued.

Issued on a certain day of a certain month in a certain year.

The ritual master’s full title, name, and seal.

Forwarding document: route format for each place along the way

The Northern Pole Office for Expelling Evil hereby forwards this document to the mountains, forests, and roads within the jurisdiction of a certain prefecture, county, and circuit.

On a certain day and at a certain hour of this month, our office will set out for a certain place to carry out a certain task. The distance from the point of departure to the destination is approximately a certain number of li. Since the local Earth Deities, who govern the land in each area, may not know of our office’s passage, and since tigers, wolves, ghosts, and evil spirits lurking along the roads may pose a threat, this document is being forwarded in advance.

The order is as stated above. This document is now being sent throughout the territory of a certain prefecture. Along the route from this prefecture to a certain place, all mountains, forests, roads, talisman temples, springs, caves, ponds, and other locations under the jurisdiction of local Earth Deities, community shrines, and spirit shrines shall comply with this order and strictly restrain the ghosts, spirits, and evil entities within their territories. They must remain quiet and concealed and must not block the roads or obstruct our office’s passage. Ghosts and spirits within the jurisdiction along the route shall respectfully await our office’s orders on the road and must not neglect their duties. Should anyone disobey, the road deities responsible for conveying and carrying out the order shall be reported immediately to Mount Tai for renewed review and judgment. The mission of our office must be carried out without any falsification. This document is hereby issued.

Issued at a certain hour on a certain day of a certain month in a certain year, under the Tai Sui.

Red annotation: Reason for the matter.

Official titles, surnames, and seals.

The document issued on the right is to be entrusted to the local Earth God, who must fast before setting out. It should then be passed along from station to station along the route.

Form for posting to Earth Gods and other deities, to restrain and control demons

The Northern Pole Office for Expelling Evil, the Daoist agency responsible for driving out evil, posts this notice to the local Earth God, God of Destiny, Five Roads deities, and other relevant spirits:

This Office has received a petition from a household stating that a certain incident occurred on a certain date and month. Ghosts and spirits take many forms, and demons, mountain spirits, the Five Tong (five kinds of spirits in popular belief), and groups of ghosts have joined together to cause trouble. They cannot be subdued by ordinary means, so the matter must be investigated carefully and every detail recorded. As this may cause injury or death, whether now or in the future, this notice is issued specifically to deal with it.

The document on the right is entrusted to the local Earth God, God of Destiny, Five Roads deities, and other spirits. In accordance with these instructions, investigate what kinds of demons have afflicted the sick person, why they have caused these disturbances and harmed the people, and whether they have been moving about within your jurisdiction. Take immediate steps to intercept them. Do not let them escape.

A separate notice has been sent to the local City God, and divine generals have been dispatched to help seize them. They must be captured. When this Office arrives, bring the demons to prison and interrogate them about their motives; further measures will be decided separately. If any demons escape, or if the relevant spirits in the jurisdiction fail to perform their duties truthfully or conceal their involvement, investigate the reasons, submit a written report, and send the matter to Mount Tai for judgment and assignment of punishment. Do not delay or use any excuse to hold things up.

Posted on a certain day and month in a certain Jiazi year of the Grand Year.

Approved by vermilion rescript.

Official titles and seals.

The document on the right should be delivered to the Earth God in person and issued directly to him. If the place is far away, a divine general or a duty-serving Merit Officer, a divine clerk responsible for transmitting documents, may be sent to deliver it. Give them careful instructions. If it must be dispatched immediately, write “dispatch to proceed” in the document, so that the matter is made clearly known before issuing a notice to the City God.

Form for notifying the City God and treating the afflicted person

The Northern Pole Office for Expelling Evil issues this official notice to the City God of a certain place:

This Office has received a petition from a person living in a certain prefecture, county, or village, who states that they have been afflicted because of a certain incident. The course of events must be written down in full, with nothing omitted. This notice is issued specifically to deal with the matter.

The matter is as stated above. On the basis of the person’s account and the reasons presented, this Office submits the petition.

If an incident occurs beyond the jurisdiction of the Eastern Peak, the ritual master must first send an official document to the local City God—the deity responsible for the affairs of the underworld in that area. Once the City God has received it, the master should ask him to examine the case described in the earlier document and dispatch spirit generals directly, leading the required underworld officials and soldiers to the relevant place. If a prison is to be established in someone’s home, summon and dispatch the spirit generals with a sacred formula to conduct an interrogation. If an evil spirit is to be expelled, state from which household it is to be expelled, then await the ruling and disposition under the divine law.

During the investigation, determine the origin of the troublesome spirit and the source of its harm. Begin by asking about the original cause, and order it to reveal its true form and the course of its misdeeds in the prison, so that it can be dealt with separately. This document is hereby issued.

The document must specify the cyclical year, month, day, and hour, and the ritual master must annotate it in vermilion and sign with his ritual title.

Form for Sending an Evil Spirit to the City God: Send an official document to the City God of a particular place, stating that the Northern Pole Office for Expelling Evil—Daoism’s divine bureau responsible for expelling malign forces—has received a complaint from a person in a certain prefecture or county. The complainant reports suffering from a particular illness or being troubled by ghosts and evil spirits. The Office for Expelling Evil has already apprehended and interrogated the spirits locally, found that the ghosts inhabiting this person confessed the cause of their misdeeds, and confirmed that their testimony is true. It therefore issues this document specifically to ask the local City God to adjudicate the matter according to the law.

Cite the statutes promulgated by the imperial court, setting out the causes of the ghosts’ and spirits’ misdeeds and the measures to be used in adjudication and disposition. The document is to be worded as described above.

Upon receiving it, the local City God should administer justice in accordance with the provisions of the divine law. After the matter has been settled, notify the Five Roads Bureau of Cases, the divine office responsible for relevant underworld records, to preserve the documents and report the outcome, so that it may be carried out accordingly. This document is hereby issued.

The document must specify the cyclical year, month, day, and hour, and the ritual master must annotate it in vermilion and sign with his ritual title.

Form for Requesting Spirit Generals and Underworld Officials and Soldiers from the City God and Nearby Shrines: Send an official document to the numinous shrine of a particular temple.

The Daoist monastery, on the basis of a petition submitted by a person from a village in a certain prefecture and county, reports that an incident has occurred. After reviewing the petition, the monastery considers that the sequence of events described in it has become clear and appears to involve the troubling influence of ghosts and spirits. The petition sets out how the matter began and unfolded. The monastery now needs to deploy the following divine officers and troops, and is therefore temporarily assigning a certain divine general and a thousand divine soldiers. This official dispatch is hereby issued.

The dispatch reads as follows: In addition to submitting a memorial separately to the Daoist monastery and requesting an edict with instructions, a document must also be sent to the numinous presence at a certain place—the site where the deity is stationed or manifests. Upon receiving this document, please review the reasons set out in the preceding dispatch and send a senior general directly, commanding a thousand divine soldiers, to meet at the ritual altar in a specified direction and capture the demon. Also instruct and direct the appointed divine general to lead the divine soldiers here in accordance with regulations, investigate the baleful Qi at the designated location, and seize the evil spirits and ghost bandits. When the matter is concluded, prepare a separate document detailing the circumstances and submit it in a memorial; then arrange the rewards and esoteric rites in accordance with regulations. This dispatch.

Issued in the year, month, day, and hour of a certain Tai Sui cycle.

Approved with vermilion comments.

The holder of the ritual rank, signing and affixing the seal.

Memorial Format

Your servant, [name], with full official titles set out below.

Your servant [name] submits this memorial: According to a petition submitted by a person from a certain prefecture and county in a certain state, the petitioner plans to travel with family members and others, and fears that their coming annual fortunes may be unfavorable and bring calamity, yet has no means to guard against or avert it. The petitioner therefore asks to be granted “covering protection,” a rite of safeguarding, in the hope of remaining safe and at peace. I have accordingly performed the covering rite in accordance with the ritual, for [name] and the others, [number] persons in all, taking their birth-year destinies into account, at a specified direction within their family home. I have also submitted a notice and petition to the Palace of the Seven Kings of the Northern Dipper, the celestial residence of the Northern Dipper deities, and to Mount Tai. In addition, I have notified the City God, the local guardian deity, of their county seat, so that divine generals, the Ganji Striking Deities, and others may jointly patrol and protect the people included in the covering rite. May they be protected and remain safe and unharmed throughout the year, encountering none of the various calamities.

The Seven Kings’ Palaces of the Northern Dipper meet with Mount Tai and confer with the City Gods of the relevant prefectures and counties. They dispatch divine generals, including Ganji, and other spirits to patrol and protect the people entrusted to their care. For one year, they are responsible for keeping those people safe and shielding them from every kind of calamity. When the year’s term ends, the method of protection is activated anew. The person’s birth details and destiny are now listed and assigned to the corresponding palace as follows: Disciple So-and-so, born in the jiazi year, on such-and-such month, day, and hour, is assigned to the Northern Dipper’s First Palace, the Heavenly Gate Palace of the King of Greedy Wolf.

For anyone born in one of the sixty sexagenary years, the star associated with the calamities indicated by their birth details determines, in sequence, the palace to which they are assigned. I have completed the procedure according to the method described above and now submit a separate memorial by express dispatch. I respectfully request that the Great Emperor of Great Clarity, the Ancestral Master, the Great Emperor of Highest Clarity, and the Lord of Jade Clarity issue an edict authorizing the procedure I have memorialized. I presume to bring this before the sacred presence, trembling with fear. I bow my head twice, acknowledge my guilt, and respectfully submit this memorial. I also submit a separate memorial by express dispatch, again respectfully requesting that the Great Emperor of Great Clarity, the Ancestral Master, the Great Emperor of Highest Clarity, and the Lord of Jade Clarity issue an edict authorizing the procedure I have memorialized. I presume to bring this before the sacred presence, trembling with fear. I bow my head twice, acknowledge my guilt, and respectfully submit this memorial.

On such-and-such day of such-and-such month in the year of the Grand Duke, your servant So-and-so respectfully submits this memorial.

Format for a Document Reporting an Assignment to the Seven Kings’ Palaces of the Northern Dipper

Office of the Northern Pole for Expelling Evil, the Daoist institution responsible for dispelling evil and performing rites:

This office has received a petition from So-and-so, of such-and-such county in such-and-such prefecture of such-and-such state. The petitioner says that they plan to travel with their family and fear that members of the household may have an unfavorable year and suffer calamities. They request protection so that the whole family may remain safe. Accordingly, this office has followed the prescribed ritual format to assign So-and-so’s birth details and destiny to the corresponding palace in a certain direction. We have set out the circumstances in a document submitted by express dispatch, and have also notified Mount Tai, requesting that it confer with the City Gods under its jurisdiction and dispatch divine generals and other relevant spirits to patrol and protect the people entrusted to their care. For one year, they are responsible for keeping those people safe and shielding them from every kind of calamity. The person’s birth details and assigned palace are listed below:

Disciple So-and-so, born in an Ox year or a Pig year, currently aged such-and-such, is assigned to the Northern Dipper’s Palace of the King of the Lesser Minister of the Great Gate.

Fill in the details according to the format above: the person’s year of birth, such as the Year of the Ox or the Year of the Pig; their current age; and a note that they are to be placed under the protection of the Palace of the Junior Minister, governed by the Lord of the Great Dipper’s seventh star, Jumen.

The matters listed above have now been fully attended to by this office. We respectfully submit this report to the Palace of the Seven Lords of the Great Dipper, humbly beseeching their sacred wisdom and compassion to bestow their gracious command and instructions. Respectfully submitted.

Submitted by: [name], on the [day] of the [month], in the [year] of the Grand Year.

Format for a Petition to Mount Tai Requesting the Protection of Divine Generals

Office for Expelling Evil of the Northern Pole:

This office has received a petition from [name], of [county or prefecture], stating that they will be traveling with their family and fear that the people of their household may face ill fortune in the coming year, encounter baleful stars, and suffer calamity, with no means of protecting themselves. They therefore request that their names and ages be registered and placed under the protection of the gods, so that their lives may be safeguarded. They pray for a year free from mishap or unforeseen disaster, and hope to enjoy good fortune and peace. When the appointed period has ended, they will hold a purification ritual and burn the documents in thanks for Heaven’s grace.

In accordance with the foregoing, this office has performed the prescribed rites and established a shrine for placing the petitioners under divine protection at [place and direction]. We have prepared the documents and sent them swiftly to the celestial court, and have also reported the matter to the Palace of the Seven Lords of the Great Dipper. We now respectfully submit the petitioner’s circumstances to the Eastern Peak’s Celestial Equal, Benevolent and Sagely Emperor, the principal deity of Mount Tai, and humbly request an order directing the City God of the relevant county or prefecture to select one capable and courageous commander, formidable in battle.

First, let the document recording the offenses of the divine general assigned to this duty be brought forward and entered into the register. Then immediately dispatch the general to the home of [name] at [place], to join the household deity, the deity in charge of destiny, the Five Roads’ local earth deities, and the relevant gods who oversee the twelve prohibitions in guarding the household. Let them patrol and protect it day and night, safeguarding the [number] people placed under divine protection, so that they may remain safe throughout the year, suffer no calamities, and travel and conduct their affairs without hindrance. When the appointed period has ended, they will hold a purification ritual, burn the documents of divine protection, and give thanks for the gods’ grace.

Having humbly received the Sacred Favor, we request that the City Gods (local guardian deities) of the prefectures and counties be instructed to inspect the relevant affairs promptly in each of the four seasons—spring, summer, autumn, and winter. Let them not allow the divine generals to neglect their duties, thereby permitting heterodox ways to run rampant and harm the people. Should there be even the slightest breach, please examine and register the original written documents, and deal with the matter in accordance with the regulations. This is done so that heterodox ways may cease and the people may live in peace.

We further pray that from this time onward, the lives and health of so-and-so and their household remain sound, that they enjoy peace in all four seasons, bright prospects, and lasting well-being, and that they suffer no calamities. Respectfully submitted.

Respectfully presented in memorial.

On the [day] of the [month] in the [year] of the Grand Marshal. Submitted by so-and-so, of the [surname], whose full official titles are listed below.

Form for Opening the Altar and Sending Off the Divine Generals

Office of the Northern Pole for Expelling Evil:

On [day] of [month] in [year], this Office previously submitted a written petition to Mount Tai, requesting that your temple join in carrying out this matter. In accordance with the divine generals dispatched by your temple, they guarded and protected the household members at so-and-so’s home, and no lapse occurred during their service. Their term of protection has now ended, and they should be sent back.

This Office has now reviewed the foregoing matter and confirmed that these divine generals guarded and protected the household members at so-and-so’s home, without lapse during their service. We have issued a document notifying the divine generals originally dispatched to return. We respectfully place the reply on record and submit it. Once the reply is received, please instruct that the divine generals be assigned to the units under their respective posts, where they shall continue to perform their duties as before. Respectfully submitted.

Dispatch document issued on [day] of [month] in [year] of the Grand Marshal.

Signed and sealed by so-and-so, whose full ritual and official titles are listed below.

Form for Replacing the Divine Generals and Troops Commanded to Assist the Rite

Office of the Northern Pole for Expelling Evil:

On [day] of [month] in [year], this Office previously submitted a written petition to …

We respectfully petition the honored sacred mountain—an honorific for the deities of the Mountain Prefecture—to select two divine generals, one to command the troops and one to assist in ritual practice, and to lead a thousand divine soldiers here to support this court in cultivating Daoist methods, aiding the state, relieving the people, curing illness, dispelling demons, eradicating evil, and upholding order. Their term of service has now reached one year, so arrangements should be made specifically for their replacement.

On the matter stated above, this court has now verified that the two original divine generals and the thousand divine soldiers remain here, awaiting orders, with none missing. We therefore respectfully submit this document to the Eastern Peak Mount Tai, the Heavenly Equal, Benevolent and Sagely Emperor (the principal deity of Eastern Peak Mount Tai), and earnestly request instructions to appoint two other divine generals, fully endowed with spiritual powers and great might: one to serve as commander of the troops and the other as assistant in ritual practice. We also request that a thousand divine soldiers be sent to this court to replace those originally dispatched.

We respectfully request that the documents making the original divine generals accountable for their service first be received and placed on file. Thereafter, please instruct the newly appointed divine generals to accompany this court whenever it goes out or returns, assisting in the cultivation of Daoist methods and obeying all commands and deployments. Whenever evil spirits are subdued or calamities among the people are eradicated, they must fully display their might and spiritual powers to overcome the wicked. When the people fall ill, they must bring about their swift recovery. They must not leave this court’s side without authorization, nor allow the divine soldiers to grow lax. When their one-year term ends, arrangements for another replacement will be made. Upon taking up their posts, the divine generals must also clearly manifest signs and bring about verifiable responses, so that this court may regulate and manage them accordingly and ensure that ritual rules and procedures are properly observed. We respectfully record and submit this petition.

Respectfully submitted.

On the [day] of the [month] in the year of [the current] Tai Sui, the undersigned, [surname and official title], submits this petition.

Format for Announcing the Sacrifice to the Divine Officers and Soldiers

Northern Polestar Court for Expelling Evil (a Daoist institution that conducts rites for dispelling evil):

On [day] at [time] of this month, this court will hold a feast and make offerings to the troop-commanding and ritual-assisting divine generals, together with the thousand divine soldiers sent by the Mountain Prefecture. This rite may be performed to mark the changeover at the end of a term of service, or to welcome newly appointed divine generals. Offerings include food and wine, money and silk, paper horses, and other items. If the ritual is being performed on behalf of a patron, the patron’s name should be stated, along with confirmation that the offerings were indeed prepared and set out by them.

Fill in the documents as before, but inform the divine generals and troops mentioned earlier of the relevant matters so that each understands their duties. When acting on someone’s behalf, if food, money, or horses are provided, state the donor’s name. “Clouds truly screen; those who truly establish” is likely wording used in documents, intended to describe the actual circumstances of the relevant offerings or arrangements.

Fill in the foregoing as before, and also notify these divine generals and troops so that they know their tasks and all arrive together at the appointed time, without violating the ritual rules.

Year, month, and day.

Sign and affix a half-seal.

Directory of Documents to Be Used by the Offices of the Various Gods: Die, Tie, Yin, Zha, and Other Documents

To request that the Sacred Emperors of the Five Sacred Peaks and the ritual masters carry out a task, submit a petition to this court and use a die document. To ask the local earth gods along the route to relay official documents, use an yin tie.

For correspondence with the officials of the Underworld and Water Realm, and with this court, use a guan die. For documents relayed by the Merit Officer on Duty for the Year, use a guan yin tie. For correspondence with the Six Dings, City God, and Grand Duke Jupiter, use a die or guan document.

To issue instructions to the local earth god and the household God of Fate, use an yin tie or zha document.

Documents for sacred mountains and blessed lands should be conveyed by the Six Jias and Six Dings.

Matters concerning ghosts and spirits under guard are handled by the divine generals of the Eastern Peak.

To deliver and liberate departed souls, send a die to the Path of Hell.

For deliberations about prolonged illness, send a die to the Office of the Celestial Bureau.

For merit rites, send a die to the Office of Review and Assessment.

For deliberations about affairs involving ghosts and spirits, send a die to the General Office of the Five Paths.

For deliberations about grave misfortunes, send a die to the Office of Birth Certificates and Witnesses.

For merits related to promotion, send a die to the Office of the God of Fate for Adding Emoluments and Longevity.

To summon someone who has recently died, send a die to Judge Zhang of the General Office.

If a cold illness cannot be made to sweat out, send a die to the Office of Inducing Sweating.

For sins committed in the realm of the living, send a die to the Transcription Clerk.

If a cold illness cannot be cleared, also send a die to the Office of Inducing Sweating.

For deliberations about lifespan, send a die to the Office of Inscribed Fate.

To arrange the release of living creatures, send a die to the Office of Life.

If a person remains warm three days after death, send a die to the Transcription Clerk.

For matters concerning the pardon of sins, send a die to the Judge of the Underworld Office.

For deliberations about the number of Daoist scripture volumes, send a die to the Office of Ghost Immortals.

For deliberations about lost money and cloth, send a die to the Office of Seized Surplus.

To request an increase in one’s allotted years, send a die to the Office of Shortened Lifespans.

For a deceased person, a merit document prepared for a rite of posthumous deliverance should be sent to the underworld and entered in the Register for Preserving the Form. Merits cultivated for someone still living should be entered in the Register of the Heavenly Realm. Prayers for blessings and the averting of calamity in cases of illness should be entered in the Register of Epidemics; matters involving life and death should be entered in the Register of the Capital of Haoli. After someone dies, the document should be sent to the Judge of the Register of Li Du. To record the deceased’s circumstances, it should be sent to the Register Within the Six Paths.

Whenever blessings or longevity are assigned to someone, blessings are bestowed from Heaven, the God of Fate records a person’s stipend in the register, or years of life or wealth are increased, the seriousness of the matter and whether the regulations permit it must first be weighed. Only then may the matter be handled, recorded, and an official document issued. As for judgments involving such hells as the Mountain of Blades, the Cauldron of Boiling Oil, the River of Ashes, the Tree of Swords, Tongue-Pulling, and the Grinding Mill, the good deeds the deceased performed in life must also be reviewed before deciding what sentence to carry out. The officials’ ranks and grades must likewise be carefully considered so that the documents conform to regulations: civil officials of seventh rank or above fall under the jurisdiction of Judge Huo of the Celestial Bureau; military officials of seventh rank or above fall under the jurisdiction of Judge Li of the Celestial Bureau.

Water Emperors of the Four Rivers (water deities who govern the four great rivers):

The Water Emperor of the Nine Rivers is titled King of Broad Source of the River; the Water Emperor of the Yellow River is titled King of Numinous Source; the Senior Minister of the Huai River is titled King of Long Source of the Huai River; and the Senior Councillor of the Ji River is titled King of Clear Source of the Ji River.