《清微元降大法》Vol. 3

Lord Jun Buji of Jizhou.

Lady Zhaoning Shenyao Baotian Daohua Yuanyuan.

Lady Mingqing Daohua Yuanjun Qiu Mu.

Perfected Master Taiming Qinghui, Master Hou.

Lady Qingwei Dongguang Baoheng Zihua Yuanhe Mingdao Taiyi Yuanjun Wang Hong.

Lady Tongmiao Yuanhua Taiyi Chonghe Yuanjun Xie Jingang.

Lady Qingwei Maochen Baoyun Jinming Yuanjun Peng Hanyuan.

Lady Xihua Tonghui Yuanjun Pang Qiaodao.

Lady Taihe Yixuan Yuanjun Song Yicheng.

Lady Yiling Miaohening Yuanjun Xu Dong.

Perfected Lord Xu Xun, Grand Historian and High Envoy of the Immortals of the Nine Provinces, whose divine merit brings wondrous deliverance.

Heavenly Official Nanling Fuguang Langqi.

Consort Huming, Holy Mother Xuanguang Wang Xian.

Lady Qingwei Yuanji Yuanling Yuanjun Long Ji.

Lord Qingwei Linghe Junyuan Guan Jingqing.

Holy Mother Lingguang Zhu Sui, Perfected Lord Xu Xun.

Heavenly Official Nanling Fuguang Langqi.

Consort Huming, Holy Mother Xuanguang Wang Xian.

Lady Qingwei Yuanji Yuanling Yuanjun Long Ji.

Lord Qingwei Linghe Junyuan Guan Jingqing.

Holy Mother Lingguang Zhu Suiyuan.

Lady Jinqe Zhaoning Miaodao Baoxian Yuanjun Zu Shu.

Chart of the Upper Clarity

The Great Lord of the Dao, Jade-Countenance of the Supreme Emperor of the Upper Clarity and Lingbao.

The Great Heavenly Emperor of Purple Palace and Great Hua.

The Supreme Lord of the Dao, Dark Origin, Holy One of Highest Virtue and Great Peace, Emperor of the Golden Palace.

Lady Yuanyuan, Primordial Ancestress of the Western Perfected of Great Hua, of the White Jade Turtle Terrace, whose Brahma Qi is pure.

Lord Qing Tong, Duke of Wood, Chancellor of the Golden Palace, who serves as Director of Destinies in the Eastern Florescence.

Lady Yuanjun, Jade Immortal of the Clear Deep and Great Simplicity, Senior Tutor of the Golden Palace and of White Mountain Palace.

Perfected Master Wang Yuan, Chief of the Perfected in the Western Citadel, Chancellor of the Golden Palace.

Perfected Master Wang Bao of Jade Clarity and Emptiness, from the Lesser-Abode Heaven.

Lady Wei Huacun, High Protector of the Golden Palace, the Exalted Origin and Purple Emptiness Yuanjun.

Lady Li Qian, Yuanhuang Yuanjun.

Lady Yuwen Ji, Zhaoling Guanghui Chongying Yuanjun.

Perfected Master Yang Yi, Senior Assistant in the Eastern Florescence and Director of Destinies.

Xu Hui, Upper Clarity Immortal of the Eastern Florescence and Chancellor of the Golden Palace.

Lady Mou Ying, Yuanjun of the Upper Clarity and Holy Mother of the Western Terrace.

Xu Xun, Perfected Lord of Divine Merit and Subtle Aid, Great Envoy of Lofty Illumination, Grand Historian of the Nine Provinces.

Wen Yong, Primordial Lord of Supreme Clarity and Great Mystery.

Zu Shu, Primordial Lord Who Illuminates and Coalesces in the Golden Palace, Protects the Immortals through the Wondrous Dao.

The Lineage of the Lingbao Tradition

(The succession of the Lingbao tradition)

Xu Xun, Perfected Lord of Divine Merit and Subtle Aid of the Highest Clarity.

Wen Yong, Primordial Lord of Supreme Clarity and Great Mystery.

Zu Shu, Primordial Lord Who Illuminates and Coalesces in the Golden Palace, Protects the Immortals through the Wondrous Dao.

The Dao Lord of the Jade Empyrean, Great Dao of the Jade Morn, Celestial Worthy of Lingbao of the Highest Clarity.

The First Perfected of Great Mystery and the One; Yu Luo Qiao, Celestial Lord of Azure Yang and Wondrous Dao of the Jade Clarity.

The Second Perfected of Great Mystery and the One; Guang Miao Yin, Celestial Lord of Cinnabar Yang and Wondrous Transformation of the Highest Clarity.

The Third Perfected of Great Mystery and the One; Zhen Ding Guang, Celestial Lord of Purple Yang and Wondrous Resonance of Supreme Clarity.

Xu Lai Le, Perfected of the Supreme Ultimate.

The Immortal Envoy of the Left Palace of the Supreme Ultimate; Ge Xuan, Perfected Lord of Responsive Aid and Auspicious Protection of the Highest Clarity.

Zheng Siyuan, Perfected of Inner Assistance to the Northern Spirit of Celebrated Harmony of the Supreme Ultimate.

Ge Hong, the Embracing Simplicity Minor Immortal.

Wen Yong, Primordial Lord of Supreme Clarity and Great Mystery.

Zu Shu, Primordial Lord Who Illuminates and Coalesces in the Golden Palace, Protects the Immortals through the Wondrous Dao.

The Orthodox Lineage of the Dao and De

(The succession of the Dao and De tradition)

The Most High Lord Lao, Primordial Elder of the Mystery, Celestial Worthy of Dao and De of Supreme Clarity.

Guan Yin Xi, Master of Wen Shi and Keeper of the Pass.

Zhao Long, Perfected of Great Mystery.

Hong Bin, Perfected of Mount Tian.

Lu Hui, Perfected of the Mystery Above.

Wen Yong, Primordial Lord of Supreme Clarity and Great Mystery.

Zu Shu, Primordial Lord Who Illuminates and Coalesces in the Golden Palace, Protects the Immortals through the Wondrous Dao.

The Origins of Zhengyi

(The lineage and origins of the Zhengyi tradition)

The Most High Primordial Elder of the Mystery, Celestial Worthy of Dao and De of Supreme Clarity.

Zhang Daoling, Perfected Lord of Stillness, Response, Manifest Aid, and Protection, Sage Master of the Three Heavens and Zhengyi.

Zhang Heng, Successor Master, Perfected of Supreme Clarity and Palace Attendant.

Zhang Lu, Lineage Master, Perfected of Supreme Clarity and Marquis of Langzhong.

Zhang Daoling, Perfected Lord of Wen You, Princess Consort of the King of Ling, Primordial Lady and Female Master of the Tomb Mound.

Zhang Heng, Successor Master, Perfected of Supreme Clarity and Palace Attendant.

Zhang Lu, Lineage Master, Perfected of Supreme Clarity and Marquis of Langzhong.

Wen Ji, Perfected Lady of Wen Guang, Princess Consort of the King of Ling, Primordial Lady and Female Master of the Tomb Mound.

Wen Yong, Primordial Lord of Supreme Clarity and Great Mystery.

Zu Shu, Primordial Lord Who Illuminates and Coalesces in the Golden Palace, Protects the Immortals through the Wondrous Dao.

This passage lists the honorific titles and names of many revered Daoist deities, Perfected Ones, and patriarchs, arranged under “The Lineage of the Lingbao Tradition,” “The Orthodox Lineage of the Dao and De,” and “The Origins of Zhengyi.” The names Xu Xun, Ge Xuan, Ge Hong, Guan Yin Xi, Zhang Daoling, Zhang Heng, and Zhang Lu are retained as they appear in the original. “Successor Master” and “Lineage Master” are patriarchal titles within the Zhengyi tradition. The relationships between names and honorific titles follow the order given in the original.

The following names and titles are listed: Huai Dao Qingwei Yuanshang Shichen; Jinque Zhaoning Miaodao Baoxian Yuanjun Zu Shufu.

Qingwei Chaling Zhaohua Yuanjun Xiuduan.

Qiongshi Neiying Dongqing Yuanjun Guo Yulong.

Ziguang Yaoyan Fuhe Yuanjun Fu Yu.

The Three Heavens’ Scripture Attendant, Longguang Daoming Yuanjun Yao Zhuang.

The Three Heavens’ Censor Attendant, Ziying Yuhui Yuanjun Gao Shuang.

Qingwei Mingyuan Left Minister; Dongyang Chief Minister, Qingxu Perfected Hua Ying.

Qingwei Dongwei Senior Minister; Qingcheng Tonghui Perfected Zhu Dongyuan.

Qingwei Duyuan Right Minister; Yunshan Baoyi Perfected Li Shaowei.

Qingwei Baohe Immortal Minister; Meishan Dongwei Senior Minister; Qingcheng Tonghui Perfected Zhu Dongyuan.

Qingwei Duyuan Right Minister; Yunshan Baoyi Perfected Li Shaowei.

Qingwei Baohe Immortal Minister; Meishan Hunyin Perfected Nan Bidào.

Qingwei Inspection Envoy; Bishui Leiyuan Perfected Huang Shunshen.

Qingwei Thunder Rites: Hidden Instructions

Ranks of the Generals: Qingwei Xiandu Writ-Executing Swift-Flame Talisman Envoy Zhao Yi (the names of the divine generals summoned and dispatched are listed here).

Zhao Yi wears a tall, sky-reaching headcloth, with a yellow headband around his forehead. His face is jujube-red, his eyes are large, and he has a handsome beard. He wears black robes and green boots and carries a long axe.

Invocation

Shi qi yu ping.

Command Talisman

General-Purpose Prayer Talisman

Prayers, exorcisms, and healing are all classified as “active” methods. Stopping wind or rain, and praying for clear skies, are classified as “still” methods.

Secret Characters of the Three Pure Ones

Hongming Lannashou z.

Secret Taboo Name of the Five Emperors

Hemingtian di ri.

Talisman Method

When writing a Fulu, keep the mind and spirit still and free of distracting thoughts. Place the paper and brush on the desk, then click the teeth together—a Daoist ritual method for centering the spirit and performing rites. Visualize golden light shining from both eyes and spreading across the paper. Then write the talisman, visualizing its characters turning gold. Write in the divine general’s name and visualize the general entering the talisman. Next, sweep a fire-brush over the talisman to cover it, visualizing the whole sheet filled with golden light and flames. Finally, write beneath the talisman what it is intended to be used for.

Two incense talismans can summon all the deities. Write the talisman in cinnabar on slices of jiangzhen incense wood and write on the back, “Your servant [Name] performs it”—that is, the ritual officiant so-and-so carries out this method.

The characters for “wind, cloud, thunder, rain, lightning, snow, clear, dragon, stop, gather, twofold flying, twofold speed, twofold charge,” and so on, can be used in prayers to raise thunder and rain and are suited to rituals of activation and impulsion.

The three characters “summon, command, rescue” can summon the deities. The character “penetrate” can be written as the Opening Heaven Talisman; when someone falls ill from causes such as stagnation of the Qi mechanism, this talisman may also be written for the patient to ingest, with the brush set down according to the ritual formula.

The character “move” is used for matters of activation; the character “quiet” is for matters of stillness and withdrawal.

The character “clear” is used to remove defilement and perform sprinkling purification, and can also serve as a talisman to protect the dwelling. The character “trust” is used to summon the deities.

The character “birth” is used to hasten childbirth; the patient may ingest it, and one recites the “Three-Character Incantation” (a spell connected with the three characters); after writing the talisman, smear it on top. There is a lacuna in the original text here.

The character “Qi” can be used to treat illness; give the talisman to the patient to swallow.

The character “Jie” is used to treat plague; the talisman may be posted as a ward, ingested, or used in fumigation, while one silently recites “Dongyuan shenling” (the Cavern Abyss divine spirits) in the mind.

The character “□” is used to summon the thunder deities.

The character “Zhou” is used to stabilize the earth. If someone becomes ill because breaking ground has violated a taboo, this talisman may be used; prepare joss money and paper horses (symbolic wealth and mounts for divine service in sacrifice), and at the direction where the taboo was offended recite “Dongyuan shenling.” One may also burn joss money and paper horses in that direction and then write the character “Zhou” as a talisman pill for the patient to ingest.

Taishang Yuanji Dadao Tianjing (The Most High Heavenly Scripture of the Great Dao of the Primordial Ultimate)

The above methods are used to deploy ritual techniques, command the deities of the Three Realms, and swiftly transmit orders to the thunder deities.

The character “wu” (non-being) is used to petition the Supreme God. Write it on yellow paper with cinnabar and place it within a memorial; it is suitable for grand prayers and may also be used for Huanglu Zhaijiao (a type of Daoist Zhaijiao purification ritual).

The character “ji” (ultimate) is used to memorialize the Supreme God. During prayer, burn incense and submit the petition; it can summon the deities to descend.

The character “shi” (beginning) is used to memorialize the Supreme God; it is also called “Yuanshi Yiqi Dongzhen Tianzhang” (Primordial Beginning One-Qi Dongzhen [Cavern Perfection] Heavenly Chapter). Used in prayer, its efficacy is marked; it is not used for other rituals. It can summon the deities and is suitable for great affairs involving the Three Realms; when the deities hear the command, they swiftly descend.

The character “Yuan” can be presented in a memorial to the Celestial Emperor to set the stars in orderly motion. During a Huanglu Lingbao Zhai, a Daoist purification ritual for praying for blessings and delivering the dead, it may be burned at the altar to summon the gods to descend. In an emergency or serious illness, it may be burned while facing the Gate of Heaven. The thunder deities will all obey its command. This talisman may also be used to deliver and redeem the souls of the dead who have sunk into the netherworld. It is written in cinnabar ink in two colors, blue-green and plain, and titled “Lingbao Talisman Decree.”

The character “Xuan” can summon the gods to descend. In an emergency or serious illness, it may be burned while facing the Gate of Heaven; the thunder deities will all obey its command. This talisman may also be used to deliver and redeem the souls of the dead who have sunk into the netherworld. It is written in cinnabar ink in two colors, blue-green and plain, and titled “Lingbao Talisman Decree.”

Another character, also “Xuan,” is used in the same way as the previous one. When an epidemic is spreading, the talisman may be burned while facing the direction from which the pestilential Qi is coming; it is said that the epidemic Qi will then disperse. This talisman is called “The Upper Scripture of the Cavern of Spirits and the Cavern of the Abyss.”

The character “Dong” can be presented in a memorial to the Celestial Emperor and used to set the stars in motion, guiding them to move in proper order. It can also command the thunder. When praying for matters of great importance, it can be used to direct the gods. It can also treat illness and dispel harmful influences, help women through difficult childbirth, summon clouds and dragons, subdue flood dragons, and destroy all kinds of demons and spirits. It may also be used to address eclipses caused by the sun and moon being obscured, and imbalances in Yin-Yang. The talisman is burned in an open space and used together with the practice of inscribing a command upon it; this is said to be especially effective.

The character “Jing” is used to stabilize mountains, guard the realm, protect the state, and bring peace to the home. It can also stop rain and wind, calm waves, and command the thunder, bringing the Three Realms to stillness. It can summon harmonious Qi and is used for various illnesses and states of physical or mental unrest. It may be burned or placed in position as a protective talisman. This talisman is also called “The Celestial Chapter of the Primordial Beginning for Pacifying and Protecting Against Calamity.”

The characters “Guangming” can be presented in a memorial to the Celestial Emperor and proclaimed throughout the Three Realms and among the stars. For major matters, one may pray for favorable wind and rain; for minor matters, one may pray for protection and a long life. Hanging the talisman in the courtyard is said to bring brightness and peace to the whole household, summon harmonious Qi, and invite blessings upon the state and family. This talisman is also called “The Wondrous Scripture of the Primordial Beginning’s Numinous Light.” Worn on the body, it is said to protect the wearer with the guardianship of the gods. It may also be used to deliver and redeem the souls of the dead who have sunk into the netherworld, helping them leave the darkness, see the light, and have their sins and karmic burdens removed. Its power is believed to receive the essence of the sun, moon, and stars, thereby gathering and preserving the body and sustaining life.

The character “Qi” can bring peace and harmonious Qi, bestowing blessings upon the state and family. This talisman is also called “The Wondrous Scripture of the Primordial Beginning’s Numinous Light.” Worn on the body, it is said to protect the wearer with the guardianship of the gods. It may also be used to deliver and redeem the souls of the dead who have sunk into the netherworld, helping them leave the darkness, see the light, and have their sins and karmic burdens removed. It receives the essence of the sun, moon, and stars to gather and preserve the body and sustain life.

The character “Qi,” also called the “True Talisman of the Primordial Beginning’s Original Qi, Which Opens the Three Luminaries,” symbolizes the Qi of the Primordial Beginning and the true talisman that opens the Three Luminaries. It can be used for affairs of every kind and scale throughout heaven and earth, in all four directions, and across the Three Realms. In performing the various Thunder Methods, obtaining this talisman enables one to master them. As long as it is held and practiced with single-minded devotion, a response will come swiftly.

The Great Method of the Five Thunders of Qingwei’s Heavenly Movement

Register of Thunder Generals

Great Divine Thunder Commander, Heavenly Lord of the Flame Emperor, Deng Xie: He wears a Crown of Reaching Heaven and has the appearance of a celestial official. He is clad in golden armor from head to toe, wears red robes and red shoes, holds a treasured sword, and rides a golden dragon.

Marshal Xin Zhongyi, Commander-in-Chief of Thunder, Perfected Lord of the Jade Palace: He wears a Crown of Reaching Heaven and has the appearance of an earthly official. He is clad in golden armor, wears green robes and red shoes, and holds a brush.

Great Divine Thunder Deity of the Cavern Yang, Zhenxuan, Jiang Hechong: He wears a pig-shaped crown, has red hair and a blue-green face, and is clad in golden armor with red robes and red shoes. He holds a small golden axe in each hand.

Illustrious Deity of the Cavern Yin, Lady of Lightning, Yuanjun Xiu Wenying: She wears a phoenix crown, has blue-green hair and the appearance of a jade maiden, and is clad in fine golden armor with blue-green robes and red shoes. She holds a sword in her right hand and a luminous pearl in her left.

Great Divine Wind Earl of the Flying Heavenly Radiance, Fang Daozhang: He wears a Crown of the Five Clouds and has a handsome appearance. Clad in golden armor with blue-green robes and red shoes, he hurls a wind wheel.

Great Divine Rain Master of Sweet Dew and Heavenly Spirit, Chen Huafu: He wears a Crown of Great Mystery, has round eyes, a fine beard, and a red face. Clad in golden armor with green robes and red shoes, he hurls a fire wheel.

Thunder King of the Eastern Azure Origin, Ma Yulin: He wears a Central Crown, has loose red hair and a blue-green face, and is clad in golden armor with blue-green robes and boots. He holds an axe.

Thunder King of the Southern Cinnabar Origin, Guo Yuanhuang: He wears a Central Crown, has loose yellow hair and a red face, and is clad in golden armor with red robes and red shoes. He hurls a fire wheel.

Thunder King of the Western Bright Origin, Fang Zhonggao: He wears a Central Crown, has loose white hair and a purple face, and is clad in golden armor with white robes and red shoes. He hurls a fire wheel.

Deng Gongchen, the Northern Mysterious Origin Thunder King, wears a central cap and has blue-green hair hanging loose. His face is dark, and he wears golden armor over black robes.

Zhu Zhonggao wears a central cap and has white hair hanging loose. His face is purple, and he wears golden armor over white robes and red shoes. He hurls a wheel of fire from his hand.

Deng Gongchen, the Northern Mysterious Origin Thunder King, wears a central cap and has blue-green hair hanging loose. His face is dark, and he wears golden armor over black robes and red shoes. He holds an iron tablet in his hand.

Tian Yuanzong, the Central Palace Thunder King who governs the center, wears a central cap and has red hair hanging loose. His face is crimson, and he wears yellow robes and holds a wheel of fire.

The Jade Office of the Bixiao (Azure Heavens)—the Thunder Gods’ administrative office among the azure clouds—oversees Baosheng, Shenhui, Weizhen, Qingguang, and Zhongtian.

The Jade Office of the Jiangxiao (Crimson Heavens)—the Thunder Gods’ administrative office among the deep-red clouds—oversees Fengling, Huoyun, Zh ens han, Shuiyun, and Dingguo.

The Jade Office of the Jingxiao (Radiant Heavens)—the Thunder Gods’ administrative office among the radiant clouds—oversees Feiying, Mingyan, Shengyuan, Longyuan, and Yizhi.

The Jade Office of the Yuxiao (Jade Heavens)—the Thunder Gods’ administrative office among the jade-colored clouds—oversees the Wind and Thunder that Carry Commands, Leiguang, the Golden Qi that Rises at Dawn, the Divine King, and Lie.

The Jade Office of the Langxiao (Jade-Luster Heavens)—the Thunder Gods’ administrative office among the lang-colored clouds—oversees Ruichang, Yangyan, Chongling, Longyun, and Taiji (Supreme Ultimate).

The Jade Office of the Zixiao (Purple Heavens)—the Thunder Gods’ administrative office among the purple clouds—oversees the Northern Pole Heavenly Heart, Xuanguang, Tianyun, Ruishu, and Wanhua.

The Inner Assistants to the Jade Pivot Thunder within the Nine Heavens—the Thunder Division that assists the Jade Pivot Thunder method—oversee the Celestial Division, Divine Division, Water Division, Dragon Division, and Earth Altar Division.

The Outer Guard of the Jade Origin Thunder beyond the Nine Heavens—the Thunder Division that protects the Jade Origin Thunder method—oversees the Jade Gate, Punishment and Inspection, Purple Essence, and Fire Cloud.

The Northern Pole Heavenly Heart, Xuanguang, Tianyun, Ruishu, and Wanhua are also listed among the divisions of the Nine Heavens Thunder Department.

The Inner Assistants to the Jade Pivot Thunder within the Nine Heavens oversee the Celestial Division, Divine Division, Water Division, Dragon Division, and Earth Altar Division.

The Outer Guard of the Jade Origin Thunder beyond the Nine Heavens oversees the Jade Gate, Punishment and Inspection, Purple Essence, Fire Cloud, the Jade Division, Golden Gate Shaoyang, and Shiyang.

The Thunder Division of the Nine Heavens’ Central Administration, which governs the Thunder Department’s central offices, is divided into Central Transformation, Pivot Transformation, Central Governance, and Pivot Governance.

The Four Cardinal Thunder Divisions of the Nine Heavens, which guard the four directions, are divided into Eastern Pole Fusang, Southern Pole Danling, Western Terrace Sul ing, and Northern Pole Dongyang.

The Ziwei Enclosure—the celestial region where the Celestial Emperor resides and the star officials are located—contains the Hunyuan Responding Spirit Thunder Division:

They evolve celebration and rejoicing, light, deities and spirits, mysterious wonders, commands, and the Qi of the Five Phases—Wood, Fire, Metal, Water, and Earth. They also evolve pivotal mechanisms and secrets, Heaven and Earth, the sun, moon, and stars, chaos, might, movement, clouds and Qi, and the cardinal directions, as well as the Heavenly Stems: Jia, Yi, Bing, Ding, Wu, Ji, Geng, Xin, Ren, and Gui.

The Thunder Department of the Celestial Origin of the Cavern of Numinous Power, in the Enclosure of Grand Tenuity (a region of stars in the heavens):

It expands the powers of Heaven, Earth, the sun, moon, and stars, as well as Wood, Fire, and other forces. At this point, the original text reads “expand Fire,” followed by two commas, then “evolve Bing, evolve Ding, evolve Wu, evolve Ji, evolve Geng, evolve Xin, evolve Ren, evolve Gui”—which, taken literally, means evolving these Heavenly Stems.

The Thunder Department of the Celestial Origin of the Cavern of Numinous Power, in the Enclosure of Grand Tenuity:

It expands Heaven and Earth, the sun and moon, the stars, the Five Phases, and the pivotal mechanisms, transformations, movement, light, fierceness, impact, and other powers of thunder. It expands the Heavenly Stems Jia, Yi, Ding, Wu, Ji, Geng, Gui, Xin, and Ren, as well as the Bagua (Eight Trigrams) directions: Qian, Kan, Gen, Xun, Zhen, Li, Kun, and Dui.

The Thunder Department of the Restoration of Spirit in the Cavern of Clarity, in the Enclosure of Lesser Tenuity:

It commands the Five Emperors, Yin-Yang, the seasonal cycles, the spirits and powers of the Six Jia, and other forces. It unleashes thunderclaps, raises waters, and summons winds from the eight directions and timely rain. It governs the Six Paths, lightning, thunder, wind and rain, the shifting of mountains and rolling of stones, the gathering of clouds and scattering of rain, and the bringing of snow and spreading of frost. It can also bring plague and drive out evil, manifest light and darkness, and perform arts such as the Fire Seal and breaking formations. Its jurisdiction also includes the Five Sacred Peaks, the Four Rivers (four great waterways), sounding drums, roaring wheels, fire chariots, and fire transports.

The Thunder Department of Purple Jade in the Enclosure of the Heart Market, also known as Man Thunder: evil, light, darkness, the Fire Seal, breaking formations, the Five Sacred Peaks, the Four Rivers, sounding drums, roaring wheels, fire chariots, and fire transports.

These are the titles and jurisdictions attributed to the Thunder Departments. Both “evolve” and “expand” indicate transformation and extension. Here, the Thunder Departments—the divine offices within Daoism’s Divine Empyrean and thunder ritual systems—are described as commanding the forces that govern the movement of Heaven and Earth, the Five Phases, the Bagua, wind, rain, thunder, and lightning, as well as the powers to drive out evil and break formations.

Heavenly Cavern, Heavenly Truth, Complete Truth, Heavenly Suppression, Mighty Fierceness, Ice Wheel, Flowing Radiance, Wind Command, Hejial, Primordial Sovereign, Biting Net, Repeated Fortune, Rank Smoke, Thunderclap, Flying Lightning, Immortal Capital, Fire Cloud, Wind and Fire, Wind Court, Empty Origin, Divine Command, Vast Splendor, Cavern Yang, Metal Qi, Metal Essence, Green Grove, Blackened Calendar, Flame Pass, Jade Yang, Bound Origin, Flying Transformation, Majestic Brightness.

Thunder Division of the Great Horn Enclosure’s Cavern Radiance:

The Great Spirit of Eastern Florescence in the east, Great Flame of Southern Florescence in the south, Supreme Harmony of Western Florescence in the west, and Great Harmony of Northern Florescence in the north, together with the gods of Flame, Scorching, Brightness, and Brilliance who govern the four directional dimensions of southeast, southwest, northeast, and northwest. Also included are the Celestial Radiance gods of each of the Twenty-Eight Lunar Mansions, the twenty-eight divisions into which ancient astronomy divided the sky: Horn, Neck, Root, Room, Heart, Tail, Winnowing Basket, Well, Ghost, Willow, Star, Extended Net, Wings, Chariot, Legs, Bond, Stomach, Hairy Head, Net, Turtle Beak, Three Stars, Dipper, Ox, Girl, Emptiness, Danger, Encampment, and Wall.

Thunder Division of the Five Heavens’ Tally:

The nine Qi of the Azure Heaven in the east, the three Qi of the Cinnabar Heaven in the south, the seven Qi of the Bright Heaven in the west, the five Qi of the Mysterious Heaven in the north, and the one Qi of the Yellow Heaven at the center.

Thunder Division of the Central Heaven’s Purple Pole and Jade Thunder:

It contains thirty grades.

The Dipper Pivot within governs nine grades, and the Dipper Mechanism within governs nine grades. The Mysterious Circuit is divided into nine grades; the Mysterious Spirit’s flying transformations into nine grades; the Divine Pivot into nine grades; and the Purple Tenuity Primordial Sovereign into nine grades. The Purple Radiance’s Revolving Transformation is divided into twelve grades. The Northern Perfected’s divine transformations, the Purple Pole’s assisting pivot, the Mysterious Pattern, the Kui Constellation’s radiant governance, the Kui Spirit’s Jade Pivot, and the world’s Jade Pivot are among the northern designations, each divided into nine grades.

The Divine Pivot is divided into nine grades, the Purple Tenuity Primordial Sovereign into nine grades, and the Purple Radiance’s Revolving Transformation into twelve grades. The Northern Perfected’s divine transformations, the Purple Pole’s assisting pivot, the Mysterious Pattern, the Kui Constellation’s radiant governance, the Kui Spirit’s Jade Pivot, the world’s Jade Pivot, the Northern Pole’s Jade Pivot, the Great Unifying Dipper Step, and Yang-flame and Yin transformations are all names for related divine offices or methods of transformation.

The divisions of the Northern Pole’s command over the world’s Thunder Department are as follows:

Upper Florescence, Central Florescence, Flame Emperor Flame-Yang Primordial Florescence, Circulating Transformation, Pure Void Leaping Spirit, Grotto-Pure Purple Radiance, the flying transformations of all directions, Yang Radiance’s Vast Present, and Floating Radiance.

The Thunder Department of the Three Heavens’ Wind, Fire, and Thunder has forty-five grades in all. Transformative Thunder is divided into six grades, and Harmonizing Thunder into seven.

The Great Grotto’s Awe-inspiring Power has more than twenty grades; Swift-Flying Heaven is subordinate to it. Responding Transformations of the Ten Directions, the Ten Directions’ Azure Spirits Who Rescue from Suffering, Transformations of the Ten Directions, and the Primordial Unity that Circulates Throughout Heaven and Bears the Dog each have ten grades. Protecting the Realm of the Three Worlds has more than twenty grades. Later, related categories are listed again: Swift-Flying Heaven is subordinate to the Great Grotto’s Awe-inspiring Power; Responding Transformations of the Ten Directions, the Ten Directions’ Azure Spirits Who Rescue from Suffering, Transformations of the Ten Directions, and the Primordial Unity that Circulates Throughout Heaven and Bears the Dog each have ten grades; Protecting the Realm of the Three Worlds has twenty grades. Yin-Shadow Responding to the Cycle has sixteen grades; the Fusang Dragon Transformation has twenty-five grades in all; the Five Peaks’ Five Heavens’ Frozen Governance has twenty-five grades in all; and the Divine Land’s Vast Response has twenty-four grades in all. The Red Citadel’s Vast □ Spirit gathers eighty-one grades.

These are called “Scenic Qi Thunder,” the name of a Thunder Department system of methods or grades associated with Scenic Qi.

Among the ranks and grades of the Three Heavens’ offices, the titles for male officials include: Qingwei ○○ Envoy, Yuyu ○○ Envoy, and Great Red ○○ Envoy.

Dongzhen, Dongling, Dongming, Dongyang, Chafang, Jiufang, Lianfang, Caifang, Weifang, Chongfang, Zhaozhen, Zhaoyuan, Chaming, Longguang, Yulong, Tongdao, Chongdao, Yandao, Hongling, Longyuan, Chongzhen, Tongzhen, Baoguang, Baozhen, Shuyuan, Chongyuan, Chongjing, Yaoguang, Xuntong, Liancha, Chonghua, Chongzhen, Chongdao, Xuandao, Mingzhen, Hongdao, Dongyuan, Dongxuan, and Chongling are all titles or offices within the Qingwei Daoist ritual system.

Immortal Ministers’ titles: Qingwei Guangming Immortal Minister, Lingmiao Tongxuan Immortal Minister, Tongzhen, Baoguang, Baozhen, Shuyuan, Chongyuan, Chongjing, Yaoguang, Xuntong, Liancha, Chonghua, Chongzhen, Chongdao, Xuandao, Mingzhen, Hongdao, Dongyuan, Dongxuan, and Chongling. This list gives the Immortal Ministers’ titles and designations of their duties.

Immortal Ministers’ titles: Qingwei Guangming Immortal Minister, Lingmiao Tongxuan Immortal Minister, Ziwei Immortal Minister, and Lingbao Zhenyi Immortal Minister.

Supervisory offices: Lingbao Tongyuan Immortal Supervisor and Qingwei Immortal Supervisor.

Scripture offices: Scripture Attendant of the Three Heavens, Scripture Attendant of Mingchen, and Scripture Attendant of Zixuan. “Scripture Attendant” is an office for serving and overseeing scriptures and ritual methods.

Command and ritual offices: Qingwei High Command, Five Thunders High Command, and Officer of the Five Thunders. The “Five Thunders” are divine thunder methods in Daoist thunder rites; these titles are associated with holding ritual commands and conducting thunder rites.

Women’s offices: Attendant of the Perfected Ones of the Purple Pole, Attendant of the Perfected Ones of the Purple Palace, and Attendant of the Perfected Ones of the Jade Palace. “Attendant of the Perfected Ones” is an office for serving perfected spirits.

Qingwei Yujiang Dafa, juan 25.