《太上三洞神咒》Vol. 2

This scripture records several thunder magic incantations (ritual spells harnessing lightning power) used in Daoist practice, primarily for summoning thunder deities and purifying ritual altars.

The "Thirty-Six Thunder Commanders' Summons" enumerates the titles of thirty-six thunder generals, including: Fierce and Valorous Dingsin, Great Unity Primordial Lord, Heaven's Barrier Thunderbolt, Iron-Armored Soaring Hero, and others. Each general has specific duties—some govern ice wheels and fire wheels, others command wind-thunder couriers—concluding with the standard Daoist spell-ending phrase "Swiftly, swiftly, in accordance with statutes and ordinances" (indicating immediate execution).

The "Seventy-Two Seasonal Thunder Summons" employs unique syllabic combinations to invoke a broader range of thunder forces. It mentions "the Weaver Maid's Four Brothers" (attendants of the star Vega) and "Jade-Flame Thunder Harmonizer" (a deity governing lightning regulation). The incantation's syllables often mimic thunderclaps, similarly ending with the execution command.

The "Banner-Unfurling Incantation" is used at ritual commencement when raising the command flag. It summons the Five Fierce Thunder Generals (principal thunder deities) and the Chariot-Fire General (a deity steering fiery-wheeled battle chariots), demanding they swiftly assemble celestial troops without delay.

The "Sword-Consecration Incantation" accompanies sword rituals, beseeching the Great Emperor of Azure Radiance (a Daoist honored deity) to imbue the sacred blade with power. It channels the qi of the Nine Heavens, combining with the blazing fire of the Six Ding Spirits (guardian generals) to "shatter wicked essences with thunderbolts." The spell emphasizes how the sword's sweep can stir heaven-and-earth storms.

The "Altar-Patrol Incantation" has two sections: The first summons the Azure Dragon, White Tiger, and other directional beasts to guard the altar and purge demonic influences. The second calls the Wind-Thunder Envoys and Wind-Fire Lords (deities governing wind and flame), commanding them to "raise sand and stones" to sweep away malign vapors while meticulously inspecting every crevice for residual defilement. Both sections stress "purifying our altar realm" to maintain ritual purity.

This scripture records a series of Daoist incantations for summoning thunder deities, primarily used in rituals to mobilize the power of thunder. The main content can be divided into several sections:

The first section consists of incantations to invoke the thunder pantheon, including the Thunder God (Leishen), celestial guardians (Tianding Lishi), and the five thunder officers (Wulei Libing) who encircle the ritual altar. Deities like the Fire Bell Youth (Huoling Tongzi) and Fire Wheel General (Huolun Jiangjun) are specialized thunder commanders who wield flaming ritual implements, assisting the Daoist priest through bell-ringing and drum-beating ceremonies.

The second section contains potency-enhancing incantations summoning deities such as the "Harmonious Bright Celestial Emperor" (Hemingtian Di) to descend swiftly. "Striking the Celestial Drum" represents a crucial ritual moment for gathering all deities, while the phrase "urgently urgent as the law commands" (jiji rulüling) serves as the standard Daoist incantation conclusion indicating immediate execution.

Subsequent sword incantations emphasize the Three Pure Ones (Sanqing) as the primordial source of thunder, with the Jade Emperor (Yuhuang Dadi) governing thunder's commands. Phrases like "if the first summons goes unheeded" demonstrate escalating warnings to the deities.

Purification chants employ Five Phases (Wuxing) imagery - with Bing and Ding representing fire, while dragon, snake, turtle, and tiger symbolize the four directional deities. The deity-transformation chant converts ordinary offerings into celestial nectar to enhance ritual efficacy.

The final step-chants (bugang zhou) and troop-assembly incantations detail the process of summoning the Azure Dragon of the East and commanding the six Yin spirits (Liuding) to bring rain and thunder. Phrases like "those who dare arrive late shall first be annihilated" reveal the formidable, awe-inspiring nature of Daoist thunder rituals. Together, these incantations form a complete thunder ritual system.

This scripture records several important incantations and talismanic spells in Daoism, primarily used for rituals such as summoning thunder deities, praying for rain, exorcising evil spirits, and healing illnesses. These incantations hold significant status in Daoist Zhaijiao (purification rituals) and Keyi (liturgy), embodying the Daoist mastery and application of natural forces.

The Thunder Summoning Incantation is used to call upon the thunder generals. By reciting phrases like "Summon the thunder generals, summon the thunder soldiers," one can invoke the celestial thunder troops, compelling them to beat heavenly drums, wield fiery wheels, and unleash the Xun wind Qi (the wind attribute among the Bagua/Eight Trigrams) to vanquish demonic entities. The concluding phrase "urgently and swiftly as the law commands" is a common ending in Daoist incantations, signifying immediate execution of the order.

The Rain Prayer Incantation is employed to beseech rainfall. It first petitions the Five Directional Heavenly Emperors and Dragon Kings to send wind and rain, then commands the Dragon Kings of the Four Seas to obey. Any defiance would incur punishment by thunder axes. This reflects the Daoist belief that natural forces can be mobilized through incantations.

The Thunder Gesture Incantation describes seven transformations: beginning with the rotation of the celestial pivot, progressing to thunderbolts clashing, dragon deities exhaling mist, widespread sweet rain, flying sand and rolling stones, subduing mountain spirits, and finally capturing malevolent ghosts. Each step corresponds to different manifestations of spiritual power, showcasing the might of Daoist thunder methods.

The Five Thunder Healing Incantation is used for exorcism and curing illnesses. It summons deities from the five directions—east, south, west, north, and center—each associated with specific attributes: the east with Wood, the south with Fire, the west with Metal, the north with Water, and the center with Earth. The incantation demands these deities assist in expelling pathogenic influences, imprisoning resisters beneath Kuigang (referring to two principal stars of the Big Dipper in Daoism).

The Weather Regulation Incantation is employed to adjust climatic conditions. By invoking the names of constellations (such as Bi, Fang, and Xin from the Twenty-Eight Mansions), it can control changes between sunshine and rain, aiding practitioners in completing their rituals.

The Dispatch Incantation and the Commanding All Spirits Incantation are both used to mobilize deities. The former summons protective deities like the Six Jia and Six Ding (Daoist guardian generals) to assist, while the latter recites the names of various deities—such as the "Eight Immortals" and "Supreme Deity"—to command the service of all spirits. These incantations embody the Daoist belief that specific language can harness the power of divine forces.

This scripture contains multiple Daoist exorcistic incantations (shenzhou, empowered mantras) primarily used for summoning deities, subduing demons, and dispelling calamities. Each incantation concludes with "ji ji ru lü ling" (urgently as by divine decree), a standard Daoist formula indicating immediate enforcement of the command.

The "Jade Character Fourfold Radiance Incantation" describes the summoning of celestial guardians from the four directions. By chanting these syllables containing cosmic essences (yuzi sijing), it mobilizes divine forces from the Nine Heavens, Six Heavens, and Four Heavens—externally to vanquish demons (destroying a thousand malign entities) and internally to protect the practitioner (guarding the commander's troops). Wearing authentic talismans (Daoist ritual implements) enables command over ten thousand spirits and ascension to the Three Pure Realms (Daoism's highest cosmological plane).

The "Five Sacred Peaks Summons" sequentially calls upon the mountain deities: the Celestial Descendant of Eastern Peak Tai Shan, the Southern Cinnabar Heavenly Emperor of Southern Peak Heng Shan, the Great White Golden Star Deity of Western Peak Hua Shan, the Mysterious Emperor of Northern Peak Heng Shan, and the Great Void Lord of Central Peak Song Shan. These mountain gods who govern life and death manifest instantly within the talisman upon hearing the thunderous summons.

The "Thunder Talisman Activation" details thunder convocation: wind deities from all directions (North Wind, West Wind) and fire gods (Southern Cinnabar Phoenix, Eastern Fire Dragon) assemble as Thunder Department adepts wield talismanic warrants to summon thunder deities, demanding their swift descent to the ritual platform to relieve mortal suffering.

The "Savage Thunder Incantation" represents an intense thunder conjuration technique. The practitioner claims authority over cosmic creation and destruction ("holding heaven and earth in one's palm"), capable of concealing or unleashing thunderstorms through mantra. It warns the Five Thunder Generals to assist immediately or face celestial punishment ("instantly beheading seven generations of your lineage").

The "Demon-Slaying Exorcism" elaborates on the ritual procession: the Supreme Unity Lord (Tianyuan Taiyi) commands celestial troops with Azure Dragon and White Tiger as protectors, wielding dragon swords and ritual seals. The Three-Five Generals (Daoist guardian deities) receive orders to execute evil entities, while the Five Directional Thearchs descend with majestic power, culminating in the Yellow Dragon's appearance symbolizing heavenly benediction.

Finally, the "Kalpic Salvation Mantra" addresses eschatological practice: when the five cosmic cycles (Daoist cosmological periods) approach their end, the Nine Heavens' Resplendent Empyrean sends thunder deities (Lieque, Fenglong) to earth. The Five Elder Immortals (embodiments of the Five Phases) and Five Thunder Lords manifest with ritual implements to purge demonic hordes and restore cosmic order.

These incantations reflect the Daoist Thunder Rites (leifa) system, employing specific rituals and esoteric mantras to mobilize divine power for exorcism, disaster prevention, and salvation. The recurrent "urgently as by divine decree" formula underscores their imperative nature.

This scripture contains multiple sets of Daoist exorcistic incantations (spells with ritual power), each serving specific purposes:

The first section is an Evil-Dispelling Incantation, depicting the ritual master riding black clouds to patrol the Nine Nether Realms, using blazing flames to purge malignant miasmas and demonic vapors. The spell emphasizes the unleashed might of the Five Thunders (Daoism's most powerful five thunder types), asserting all calamities will be pacified. The concluding phrase "ji ji ru lü ling" (immediately as ordained by law) is a standard Daoist spell ending commanding instant execution.

The Plague-Eradicating Incantation begins by invoking the "Celestial Azure Mandate" (a divine decree from the heavens), describing the majestic procession of the Thunder Ministry deities (gods governing thunder phenomena). The spell commands the imprisonment of demons and vengeful ghosts in the Nine Nether Realms, with disobedient spirits facing punishment by Wind Blades (a Daoist penal method), eternally barred from rebirth.

The Healing and Life-Preservation Incantation extols the power of the "Mystically Wondrous God of the Great Void" (a deity governing vitality), who eliminates pathogenic energies and harmonizes Yin-Yang. Wearing the Luminous Heaven talismanic script (a protective charm) ensures balanced internal organs, promotes mutual generation among the Five Phases (Water-Fire-Metal-Wood), and unblocks all meridians.

The Great Brahma Sea-Reversing Incantation employs more obscure imagery, likely serving as a water-controlling spell. It describes surging waves and manifestations of aquatic deities.

The Five Thunders Summoning Incantation explicitly calls upon the Five Directional Thunder Gods (Eastern, Southern, Western, Northern, and Central Thunders), demanding their immediate arrival and swift thunderous response.

The Celestial Thunder and Earthly Thunder Incantations respectively invoke heavenly and chthonic thunder deities, stressing their obligatory instant response to appear before the ritual master. These mention the "Supreme Unity Imperial Lord" (a high-ranking thunder deity) and the "Three Heavens" (Daoism's supreme Sanqing realms) among other cosmological concepts.

This scripture is a collection of incantations used in Daoism to summon thunder deities and exorcise evil spirits. It primarily contains six thunder invocations:

The first passage depicts the majestic presence of thunder deities: Mysterious Qi (Xuanqi) circulates in the Crimson Heaven (Dantian, a Daoist celestial realm), and when the Fire Ministry issues its commands, the cosmos trembles. The City of Smoke (the underworld) receives orders to slay evil spirits and protect living beings. Fire Ministry generals ride flaming chariots, commanding the thunder troops. When the Jingxiao (high-ranking thunder deities) decree, the entire celestial realm shakes.

The second passage, the "Water Thunder Divine Incantation," describes: In the Azure Beginning Heaven (eastern celestial realm), edicts descend as Jingxiao immortals summon wind and thunder with piercing cries to vanquish demons. Thunderclaps shake heaven and earth, Yin-Yang energies converge, lightning encircles, flames blaze, and thunder chariots swiftly descend to the human world.

The third passage, the "Divine Thunder Incantation," states: The mysterious sounds from the Nine Heavens urgently summon deities to gather at Jingxiao. Thunder deities ride clouds with golden axes clearing the path, their drums resounding. The Supreme Unity (Taiyi) executes punishments as thunder troops respond to talismanic commands, sweeping away worldly evils.

The fourth passage, the "Earth Thunder Incantation," portrays: Deities dwelling in Jingxiao regulate thunder, issuing orders for the Three Realms (heaven, earth, and water) to obey. Territorial gods of the Nine Provinces assist in harmonizing Yin-Yang. Thunder shakes the celestial vault, responding to talismans by slaying demons and protecting sentient beings.

The fifth passage, the "Thunder Command Talisman Incantation," vividly depicts: Thunderflames blaze crimson bright, cloud-qi surges like flowing ritual bells. When the immortal capital issues decrees, stars hide behind dark clouds, lightning streaks like meteors, golden axes unfold in all directions to capture and slay demons. At heaven's command, thunder roars instantly.

The final three passages contain Sanskrit-derived mantras with numerous thunder deity names and descriptions of their power, such as "pīlì shè" (thunderbolt capture) indicating demon subjugation, and syllables like "om hūm" representing thunder mantras. These incantations are primarily used by Daoist priests in rituals to summon thunder deities and subdue evil spirits, channeling thunder's power through recitation of these esoteric phrases imbued with divine energy.

Note: The □ symbols in the text represent "cloud-seal thunder script" (Yunzhuan Leiwen), a secret Daoist writing system whose exact pronunciation and meaning are traditionally transmitted only between masters and disciples.

This incantation is from the Supreme Three Caverns Divine Spells (Taishang Sandong Shenzhou) of Daoism, primarily used for summoning thunder deities and mobilizing natural forces. The recurring syllable "Om" at the beginning is a common opening in Daoist mantras, believed to activate divine power.

The text consists of two main sections. The first part invokes various deities for protection, including the Three Officials (Celestial Official, Earthly Official, and Water Official), the Five Emperors, the Northern Dipper and Southern Star deities, as well as guardian generals like Marshal Tianpeng and the Mysterious Heavenly Perfected Warrior (Xuantian Zhenwu). It petitions them to open the celestial gates, unseal the earthly portals, and mobilize natural forces such as wind, rain, thunder, and lightning. References like the "Twenty-Four Qi" denote the cosmic energies corresponding to the twenty-four solar terms, while "Nine Palaces Conceal Me" alludes to esoteric techniques based on the Nine Palaces and Eight Trigrams (Bagua).

The latter section focuses on commanding thunder deities, with lines like "Thunder Lords and Lightning Mothers strike at the drum's call," depicting the thunder gods responding to the summons with their might. "Yellow Center Regulates Qi" refers to harmonizing the Five Phases (Wood, Fire, Earth, Metal, Water) energies within the body, while "bronze teeth and iron claws" vividly portray the fierce visage of thunder generals. The entire incantation achieves resonance between heaven and human through repetitive chanting of specific syllables, combined with visualization (cunxiang) and hand seals (shoujue).

Such thunder rituals represent advanced Daoist practice, typically requiring formal ordination (shoulu) before cultivation. Lay practitioners are advised against casual recitation. The text preserves archaic transliterated characters, reflecting Daoism's unique transmission of ancient phonetic traditions.

This scripture passage describes the Thunder Ritual (Leifa) in Daoism—a method for summoning thunder deities—demonstrating the awe-inspiring power of thunder and the scene of invoking the pantheon of thunder gods.

The text first depicts the earth-shaking spectacle when the thunder generals mobilize: darkness trembles, even the celestial regions of the Dipper and Ox constellations are shaken, while ghosts wail and spirits howl. The Metal Spirit (embodiment of the White Tiger's seven mansions in the west) and Wood Lord (embodiment of the Azure Dragon's seven mansions in the east), along with other Five Phases deities, manifest their sacred presence. Water and Fire achieve harmony (representing the alchemical state of their fusion), the Earth Star stabilizes the five directional palaces, the sun and moon shine brightly, and the Dragon and Tiger (symbolizing the body's Yin and Yang energies) unite. Storms arise in response to the summons, and even rivers, seas, mountains, and peaks overturn in reverence.

Next, it enumerates the main hierarchy of thunder generals: Tian Gang (the handle of the Big Dipper), He Kui (the bowl of the Big Dipper), and other venerable deities, along with the four directional guardians—the Azure Dragon (east), White Tiger (west), Vermilion Bird (south), and Dark Warrior (north). These celestial beings receive celestial authority from the Hua Gai Star (an asterism in the Purple Forbidden Enclosure) above and tread upon the Dipper's power below, their majesty shaking the ten directions. The scripture emphasizes that those who comply with the Thunder Ritual will prosper, while those who defy it shall meet calamity.

Then appear the "Divine Children and Celestial Maidens," the "Demon-Subduing Vajra Guardians," and 3,600 protector generals bearing tally-credentials to accompany the ritual master. Twenty-four divine talismans (Fulu) resonate with the movements of the stars, enabling the master to ride dragons and tame tigers while vanquishing evil spirits. Any who dare disobey the thunder command shall be immediately delivered to the Thunder Tribunal for judgment.

The latter section contains specific thunder incantations, first summoning the Supreme Emperor of Great Clarity (a high Daoist deity) and the Black Marshal of the Northern Dipper (a fierce general under the Purple Tenuity Emperor). These are followed by successive invocations: the Wind-Bearing Fierce Officer and Wind-Chasing Messengers from the wind division; the Thunder-Summoning Envoys and Lightning Radiance Deities from the thunder command; and the Five Directional Thunder Dukes—including the Crackling Thunder Duke, Yin-Yang Thunder Duke, and twenty-four other thunder gods with distinct duties, governing all natural domains from the Five Sacred Mountains and Four Great Rivers to the twenty-four solar terms. Each thunder deity oversees specific functions—some command lightning, others govern wind and rain—working collectively to maintain cosmic order.

The incantation concludes with the "Swift Fire" general (the fire-bell commander in thunder rituals) and the Five Emperor Thunder Dukes, signifying the full assembly of thunder deities ready to execute celestial justice. Through this cascading litany of divine names, the text constructs an immense and meticulously organized thunder pantheon, showcasing the Thunder Ritual's capacity to "command all three realms"—a testament to Daoism's formidable spiritual power.

This scripture describes the powers of multiple thunder deities in Daoist Thunder Magic (a ritual art for summoning lightning forces). The Thunder God (Leishen) possesses various supernatural abilities: he can beat thunderous drums, ride fiery chariots, move mountains, dispel plagues and evil spirits, while controlling both illumination and darkness. These thunder deities command natural forces including lightning, wind, rain, frost, and snow.

The text emphasizes how practitioners can command thunder department deities through incantations: deities like the Great Thunder General, the Mighty Thunderbolt God, Marshal Huohuo Bowen (a thunder department general), and Zhao Gongming (God of Wealth who also serves as Thunder Department Marshal) all obey these summons. Those who refuse face immediate execution by thunder axes. Successful practitioners of this method may have their names recorded in the Shangqing Realm (Daoism's highest celestial abode), receiving recommendations from the Supreme Mystery (Taixuan, the highest Dao) to join the ranks of immortals.

Subsequent incantations detail thunder summoning methods: The "Qian Heaven Thunderbolt Incantation" demands lightning to traverse the Nine Regions, uniting heaven and earth; the "Thunder Driving Incantation" summons eight thunder department envoys (including Goumian, Liemian, and Zhimu) to form arrays against demons; the "Thunder Pursuit Incantation" commands celestial troops to hunt evil spirits, with immediate annihilation for any resistance. Each incantation concludes with "Swiftly, swiftly, in accordance with the statutes" (a standard Daoist phrase emphasizing immediate enforcement).

These spells embody the Thunder Magic principle of "using human form to mobilize cosmic forces." Through specific rituals and incantations, practitioners can command thirty-six thunder generals to subdue demons and resolve disasters. Mentioned deities like Tian Wenqing, Tian Wenguang, Feng Yi, and Yan Shichong are specialized thunder department generals, each governing distinct functions including lightning, fire bells, and tree-splitting powers.

This scripture is a collection of Daoist incantations for summoning thunder deities and exorcising evil spirits, containing several powerful divine chants. It primarily describes the might of the Thunder Department deities (the Daoist pantheon governing thunder and lightning) and their exorcism processes.

The "Heavenly Thunder Resounds" chant depicts the majestic formation of the thunder deities: celestial thunder shakes the Nine Provinces, reaching up to the Jade Pure Realm (Daoism's highest heaven) and down to the Northern Fengdu (the underworld). Seventy-two divine generals and five divisions of thunder gods stand in formation, with golden chariots leading the procession and the Purple Mansion's Primordial Lord (a high-ranking female immortal) following behind. It summons thunder envoys like Xie Daobo, Wen Lizhongqing, and Huang Tianyou, demanding they immediately carry out their thunderous duties.

The "Instant Retribution" chant is a short incantation for urgently summoning thunder, commanding the Thunder God and the Winged Star (a constellation deity) to immediately produce thunderclaps.

The "Oath to the Thunder Gods" sternly admonishes each thunder deity to fulfill their duties, mentioning the Nine Heavens' Mysterious Decree (the highest celestial command), the Flaming Fire Lord Wen (a key thunder general), and the Fierce-Faced Envoy. It emphasizes that thunder deities must obey the summons.

The "Talisman Command" chant is used when activating talismans, declaring it carries the Celestial Emperor's decree (the highest heavenly order) and calls upon thunder generals to assist in slaying demons.

Finally, the "Winged Star Blood-Execution" chant specifically summons the four Blood Star Lords (stellar deities governing calamities of bloodshed), combining their power with the Eastern Wood-Virtue Thunder Emperor (the thunder god associated with the Wood phase of the Five Phases). It employs crackling thunderfire to expel evil and subdue demons. The chant references "Flaming Fire" (a key thunder general) and "Cosmic Divine Mandate" (the highest celestial law), indicating this is a supreme-level exorcism incantation.

These chants exemplify the characteristics of Daoist Thunder Magic (the art of harnessing lightning power): by invoking the names and authority of thunder deities and leveraging celestial mandates to achieve exorcism and demon-subjugation. The frequent use of standard Daoist phrases like "urgently as the law commands" at the end signifies immediate enforcement.

This scripture records several crucial incantations from Daoist Thunder Magic (a ritual art for summoning lightning and commanding thunder). The True Fire of the Sun (the pure Yang fire in Daoist cosmology) manifests in radiant brilliance through the fire deity Deng Hua and the fire essence Song Wuji, capable of scorching heaven and earth. I command three thousand six hundred divine generals, seventy-two celestial commanders, and thirty-six decrees, presiding over the punishments of the celestial prison. If the thunder generals do not fail me, I shall not fail them.

When the mortal realm suffers from severe drought, hardship among the people, withered crops, and locust plagues, I shall summon the thunder deities of heaven and earth to govern the true decrees of the five directions (east, west, south, north, and center). The mountain gods of the Five Sacred Peaks shall transform at my command, and the thunder generals along with the Blood Seal Divine Lord (the deity overseeing punitive seals) shall act immediately. At the sound of thunder, General Thunder Duke shall spread clouds and release rain, while the True Lord of Wood (the deity governing plant growth) descends from the Jade Pool paradise to the human world. The moment the True Lord of Wood arrives, lightning shall shake heaven and earth. I issue this decree now—let there be no delay! The Nine Heavens Dragon-Dispatching Envoy (the divine messenger controlling clouds and rain), Yan Guang, shall swiftly shatter mountains and split rocks, summoning the ghosts and deities of heaven and earth with a wrathful gaze. Should they dare disobey, I shall immediately summon celestial thunder and earthly tremors, darken the sun and moon, and bring instant retribution.

Next is the Incantation of the Five Thunder Emperors: the Green Mystic Thunder Emperor of the East, the Blazing Light Thunder Emperor of the South, the White Execution Thunder Emperor of the West, the Disheveled Thunder Emperor of the North, and the Thunder Emperor of the Central Earth. These five sovereigns of the Thunder Department shall heed my command and act with haste!

The Nine Heavens Thunderstrike Incantation begins with esoteric syllables like "Om," invoking supreme deities such as the Heavenly Sovereign, Earthly Sovereign, and Human Sovereign. The thunder of Yin and Yang shall obey, leaving no hiding place for ghosts and spirits. Upon hearing my summons, they shall descend like shooting stars. This is followed by a series of thunder magic mantras capable of annihilating ten thousand ghosts.

The Heaven-Splitting Fierce Thunder Incantation harnesses the power of the Kuai and Gang stars (the first and seventh stars of the Big Dipper), causing the Five Sacred Peaks and Four Holy Rivers to shake heaven and earth. Today, I summon the thunder gods to reveal their true forms and command the fierce thunder to act at once.

The final Nine Heavens Galloping Thunder Incantation praises the Flying Sword Divine King of the highest heavens, whose might shakes the Three Terraces (celestial administrative stars) and the four directions. Deities like the Yellow Thearch Gouchen and Yide (possibly referring to Lord Guan) heed the command, causing heaven and earth to tremble and the seas to churn. This incantation is primarily used to summon the highest thunder deities to unleash their lightning.

This passage contains common incantations used in Daoist Thunder Magic (a ritual practice characterized by summoning thunder and lightning), primarily depicting the scene of invoking Thunder Department deities (Daoist gods governing thunder and lightning) to subdue demons.

The first segment, "Thunder Gods swiftly obey the command," is an incantation summoning rapid action from the thunder deities. It signifies: the Thunder Department deities heed the command as celestial thunder descends from the heavens, terrestrial thunder courses through the earth, divine thunder shakes the Five Sacred Mountains, and water thunder churns the Four Seas. This year, the thunder gods must assemble swiftly, secretly patrolling the five celestial directions, unleashing peals of thunder with divine might. Wherever the sacred talismans reach, no evil spirit dares to act. The concluding phrase "urgently, urgently, as by law and command" is a standard Daoist incantation ending, indicating immediate execution like a legal decree.

The second incantation, "Western Command," primarily summons Deng Bowen, the Western Thunder God (a key general in the Thunder Department). It describes him riding a fire dragon with golden light flashing from his eyes, wielding lightning with flames stretching ten thousand li. He is commanded to descend swiftly, guarding heaven and earth while leading celestial soldiers (including heavenly warriors and the Liujia protectors) to eradicate evil. Vermilion Bird and Black Tortoise (the southern and northern celestial animals) along with other directional deities come to assist, as three hundred thousand heavenly troops array themselves to dismember evil spirits across a thousand li. The incantation emphasizes that any malevolent entity daring to cause chaos shall be reduced to ashes.

The third "Thunderclap Incantation" vividly portrays the thunder gods' majestic deployment: the Thunder Duke rides black clouds amid the escort of the Six Ding divine generals (Daoist protective deities), surging forth like ten thousand galloping horses while thunder shakes the cosmos. Fire serpents spew flames as demons scatter in hiding. The powers of sun and moon, Yin and Yang, activate simultaneously, churning the Five Lakes like torn silk. The incantation summons twelve celestial, terrestrial, and aquatic thunderbolts each, transforming into thunderclaps, with esoteric syllables like "Om hei hei zha zha she" enhancing their potency.

The final two segments are the "Nine Heavens' Smiting Thunderbolt Incantation" and the "Summoning the Ten Great Taiyi Deities Incantation." The former calls upon the Nine Heavens' thunder gods, commanding them to descend immediately with wind, rain, and lightning to guard the four directions. The latter invokes the Ten Great Taiyi deities (an important Daoist protective pantheon), depicting Azure Dragon and White Tiger (eastern and western celestial animals) flanking them, demanding the ten deities' prompt obedience.

These incantations are employed in Daoist rituals for exorcism, healing, and rain-making ceremonies. Daoist priests believe that by reciting these spells while combining talismans (fulu) and hand seals (shoujue), they can summon Thunder Department generals to vanquish demons. The abundant use of onomatopoeia and repetitive phrasing enhances the incantations' rhythmic quality and mystical power.

These incantations are secret oral formulas used in Daoist exorcism rituals, each invoking the divine power of different deities. The first segment, "Celestial Brush Luminous and Numinous," summons deities with the meaning: The sacred brush of Heaven is supremely efficacious, connecting with the divine realm—writing a god's name brings immediate manifestation, while writing a demon's name annihilates its form and spirit. By decree of the Supreme Purity Celestial Worthy (one of Daoism's highest deities), all malevolent spirits shall be reduced to dust. The Twenty-Eight Lunar Mansions (key astral deities in Daoism) and baleful spirits must immediately manifest their power, executing this command as irrevocably as imperial edicts.

The "Five Thunder Envoys Incantation" summons the thunder generals from five directions: the Five Thunder Envoys, Five Ding Divine Generals, and the Hanging Void Sage—all thunder deities whose lightning shakes heaven and earth. The Five Sacred Mountains (including Mount Tai of the east) maintain cosmic order; should any evil dare defy this command, their souls shall be instantly severed.

The "Binding Evil Talisman Incantation" describes fierce protector deities like the Black-Faced Thunder Lord and Black Balestial Heavenly Soldiers, who tread the steps of the Big Dipper (the crucial Daoist ritual pacing technique Bugang). Generals of the Dark Warrior Emperor of the North guard the ritual master. These deities deploy a qi barrier, swiftly mobilizing 3,600 Five Phases generals. Crowned with the radiance of sun, moon, and stars, they illuminate demonic lairs—all celestial and earthly spirits must obey and attach to the ritual master.

Subsequent segments correspond to stellar deities:

• The Solar Star Lord dominates the east, wielding thunder by the Jade Emperor's decree
• The Wood Virtue Star Lord (Jupiter) governs growth, commanding plant spirits
• The Blazing Spark Star Lord (Mars) rules the fire department, its flames consuming monsters
• The Great White Star Lord (Venus) guards the west, its white light dispelling calamities
• The Water Virtue Star Lord (Mercury) governs aquatic realms, exterminating water spirits
• The Earth Virtue Star Lord (Saturn) commands the center, with Huangting (the vital energy of the human body's central region) eliminating disasters

Final specialized incantations include:

• The "Divine Vanguard Incantation" summons heavenly vanguards whose might splits mountains
• The "Divine Rearguard Incantation" calls formation-anchoring generals whose dark qi blocks the nine heavens
• The "Purple Qi Incantation" attracts auspicious violet vapor, its divine light subduing ghosts
• The "Moon Comet Incantation" invokes comet-like fierce generals whose swords destroy the Nine Netherworlds' ghosts
• The "Dipper Rotation Incantation" harnesses the Big Dipper's power

The standard closing phrase "Urgently, urgently, according to statute and ordinance!" emphasizes immediate execution with the force of law. These incantations are primarily used in exorcisms, disaster-averting rites, and protective rituals. Daoist priests employ visualization (of deities), mudras (ritual hand seals), and star-stepping (Bugang) alongside the incantations to mobilize cosmic powers.

This scripture compilation brings together multiple Daoist divine incantations, primarily used to summon the power of celestial deities such as the Big Dipper's seven stars and the Six Jia Generals for rituals of exorcism, healing, and spiritual pacification. Below is a section-by-section interpretation:

Big Dipper Seven Stars Incantation

This section repeatedly emphasizes the might of the Big Dipper's seven stars (a central astral deity belief in Daoism): the Star Lords of Greedy Wolf, Giant Gate, and Literary Curved Star can shake heaven and earth, cast celestial nets, and command the Five Thunders (Daoist thunder rituals). They can both expel demons and heal illnesses while also protecting longevity. The closing phrase "urgently as the law commands" is a common conclusion in Daoist incantations, signifying immediate execution.

Six Jia Generals Incantation

This summons the Six Jia (the six guardian generals: Jiazi, Jiaxu, etc.) and Six Ding (the six yin spirits: Dingmao, Dingchou, etc.) Thunder Gods, describing their power as sufficient to awe the cosmos and split the seas. "Thirty-six battalions" refers to the celestial troops' organization, while "Yellow Heaven's Rushing Thunder" depicts the swift movement of thunder deities.

Heaven-Shaking Incantation

This mobilizes the power of the Twenty-Eight Lunar Mansions (ancient astronomical groupings of stars), compelling the sun, moon, and stars to participate in exorcism. "Dipper and Ox Star" refers to the Big Dipper and Altair, while "Willow Ghost" is the name of a lunar mansion, here representing all stellar spirits uniting to destroy demons.

Spirit-Pacifying Incantation

Using the Heavenly Emperor's decree to stabilize the cosmos, it arranges the Twenty-Eight Mansions and Seven Stars into formation. "Qian, Kan, Li" are three of the Eight Trigrams (Bagua), representing natural forces like heaven, earth, and fire. The incantation demands thunder troops and generals swiftly take their positions.

Supreme Command Incantation

"Yellow God" refers to the Yellow Emperor of the Center, described here as commanding the Eleven Luminaries (sun, moon, and nine planets) to strictly deploy formations. Violators will face thunder punishment. "Xingling" refers to ancient beheading penalties, metaphorically representing divine retribution.

Star Marshal Incantation

"The Great One Star Marshal" is the deity of Polaris, capable of summoning wind and rain and shaking mountains. "Luo and Ji" refer to the two invisible stars Rahu and Ketu, while "Bo Comet" denotes comets. The incantation depicts a spectacular scene of stars igniting thunder and fire.

Sun Star Marshal Incantation

This describes the Sun God (Fusang being the mythical land of sunrise) riding his chariot of light to patrol the east. "True talismans take flight" refers to using incantation seals to invoke solar fire. These incantations must be used in Daoist rituals alongside visualization techniques and hand-seals (mudras).

This scripture describes the divine powers and formidable capabilities of the Nine Great Star Lords (Jupiter, Mars, Venus, Mercury, Saturn, Rahu, Ketu, Purple Qi, and Cometary Essence) in Daoist tradition. Each star lord possesses corresponding "true talismans" (zhenfu) that manifest their respective divine powers when activated.

The Eastern Wood Star (Year Blossom Star Lord) governs the Zhen trigram direction and presides over the Awakening of Insects solar term, capable of unleashing thunderous might. The Southern Fire Star (Flickering Confusion Star Lord) enforces cosmic laws with strict severity, awing all spirits across the Three Realms. The Western Metal Star (Great White Star Lord) can trigger conflicts and warfare. The Northern Water Star (Water Virtue Star Lord) commands all water deities of rivers, lakes, and seas. The Central Earth Star (Earth Lodging Star Lord) governs the Qi of the earth.

Rahu (Divine Head Star Lord) possesses the power to crumble mountains, while Ketu (Divine Tail Star Lord) can obscure the sun and moon. The Purple Qi Star Lord (Celestial Unity) resolves calamities, and the Cometary Essence Star Lord wields the force to split rocks and collapse peaks. Finally, the Azure Yang Imperial Lord (deity of compassion) issues talismanic commands requiring all deities to cease their wrathful manifestations and comply immediately.

The text then presents several crucial Daoist incantations: The "Nine Heavens Sovereign" passage serves as an imperial decree summoning celestial star lords to return to their proper stations. The "Flying Gang Divine Incantation" functions as a protective chant, invoking the Supreme Mysterious Primal Emperor to safeguard the three hun and seven po souls. The "Five Spirit Talisman Chant" stabilizes the shen (spirit) during Neidan (internal alchemy) practice, referencing cultivation in the "Yellow Court" (Huangting, the body's Dantian energy centers). The "Spirit Flight Incantation" facilitates ascension during advanced practice, describing the marvelous functions of "jade essence" (yujing, the refined vital energies).

These incantations conclude with standard Daoist formulaic phrases like "urgently as the law commands" or "urgently enacted," indicating immediate efficacy. The entire passage demonstrates the Daoist integration of astral veneration with talismanic arts within its cultivation system.

This incantation depicts a practitioner's invocation for divine protection during cultivation. "Ling zi gai" (Numinous Purple Canopy) refers to the auspicious purple clouds forming a ceremonial canopy (resembling the imperial parasols of ancient rulers, here symbolizing sacred shelter), with radiant light illuminating the practitioner's form. Jade maidens and youths (attendant spirits serving high deities in Daoism) summon celestial and earthly Qi for the adept, while the Nine Celestial Sovereigns (nine paramount Daoist divinities) simultaneously manifest their majestic dharma forms.

"San guang" (Three Luminaries) denotes the sun, moon, and stars; "tong ping" (traveling abreast) describes the practitioner riding the auspicious canopy clouds, journeying alongside the Three Luminaries to ascend into the heavenly courts. The concluding phrase "ji ji ru lü ling" (swiftly as by imperial decree) is a standard Daoist incantation formula commanding immediate execution. The entire passage illustrates how practitioners, through reciting sacred words, resonate with celestial guardianship, ultimately attaining the realm of ascension to immortal realms.