《無上玄元三天玉堂大法》Vol. 12

This Supreme Mysterious Primordial Three Heavens Jade Hall Great Method scripture expounds the worship and ritual practices of the Southern Dipper Lords (six stellar deities governing blessings and longevity in Daoism). The text states that the Southern Dipper constellation resides in the southern Li Palace (the southern trigram in the Bagua), shining brightly like the sun. It governs human souls, oversees worldly affairs, and commands the Fire Virtue Star Lords (stellar deities of the Fire phase in the Five Phases system), possessing immeasurable merit. The Southern Dipper cooperates with the Northern Dipper (seven stellar deities governing life and death) in jointly administering human affairs.

During times of crisis, one should establish an altar for the Southern Dipper with lit lamps and candles, similar to Northern Dipper rituals. However, while the Northern Dipper focuses on matters of life and death (hence its ceremonies are particularly detailed), the Southern Dipper primarily governs blessings and longevity, with rituals emphasizing supplication for divine favor. The scripture emphasizes that without Fulu (talismans and registers) one cannot summon the deities, and without incantations one cannot communicate with them. Therefore, it meticulously records the Southern Dipper ritual procedures and provides the corresponding Fulu and incantations for each of the six Southern Dipper Lords:

The first is the Life-Sovereign True Lord (stellar deity governing lifespan), whose incantation seeks disaster elimination and illumination of the nine orifices (key acupoints in the body), praying for the fusion of primordial Qi with the talismanic power.

The second is the Record-Keeping True Lord (deity documenting merits and faults), whose incantation petitions for thousand-year longevity and protective Qi.

The third is the Longevity-Preserving Life-Protecting True Lord, whose incantation emphasizes severing the roots of death and restoring primordial energy.

The fourth is the Life-Calculation Augmenting True Lord (longevity-extending deity), praying for increased lifespan and nurturing the original spirit.

The fifth is the Adversity-Transcending Soul-Refining True Lord (deity for soul salvation), whose incantation assists deceased souls in liberation and rebirth in immortal realms.

The sixth is the Ascension-Registering True Lord (deity recording virtuous deeds), seeking longevity, calamity prevention, and transcendence of tribulations.

Each stellar deity's incantation concludes with "Swiftly, swiftly, in accordance with the statutes and ordinances" (a standard Daoist incantation phrase indicating immediate execution). These incantations all emphasize the descent of primordial Qi to merge with the practitioner's spirit, achieving effects of longevity extension and disaster elimination.

This passage documents the ritual methods concerning the Southern Dipper (Nandou, the six stars governing lifespan in Daoism) lamp ceremony and talismans from the Wushang Xuanyuan Santian Yutang Dafa (Supreme Mysterious Origin Three Heavens Jade Hall Great Method) scripture.

The specific practice involves first writing talismans with cinnabar on yellow paper (using yellow silk with vermilion ink), then hanging these talisman banners beneath corresponding lamp positions. The presiding ritual master explains that when making petitions to the Southern Dipper constellation (six stars), one must arrange six lamps and burn six talismans during the Zhaijiao (Daoist sacrificial ceremony). These talismans are all written with yellow characters on red paper, using the same hand mudras (finger gestures) as previously described.

The six talismans are: 1) Siming (Director of Fate) Talisman, 2) Silu (Director of Records) Talisman, 3) Yanshou (Life-Extending, also called Baoming) Talisman, 4) Baosheng (Life-Preserving) Talisman, 5) Lianhun (Soul-Refining) Talisman, and 6) Dali (Great Principle) Talisman. These talismans can summon the six True Lords to descend in vermilion carriages.

The incantation continues: praying for the Southern True Lord to bestow jade radiance, protect life and destiny, and eliminate calamities. On this auspicious day, we gaze upward for divine manifestation—may they descend with the lamplight, radiating with primal Qi to grant the petitioner extended lifespan, promise of immortality, liberation from suffering, and severance of the Three Corpses (the three pathogenic energies in the body according to Daoism). Thus attaining natural longevity, partaking of mystic mushrooms and immortal herbs, swiftly arriving in cloud chariots to audience with the Celestial Emperor.

During practice, visualize each star emitting intensely bright Qi—neither purple nor white, neither golden nor jade-like, but the natural, authentic hue descending into the lamps for efficacy. For lifespan extension, circle the lamps three times while silently reciting incantations and burning talismans. If the flame extends by one inch, it foretells obtained longevity.

Finally, the method for using the "Qi Deng Ting Sheng Zhu Ling" (Lamp-Petitioning Life-Extending Age-Bestowing Talisman) is mentioned: circle the lamps six times while burning six talismans, with bright lamp flames as the auspicious sign. If the flames grow long and crimson, this clearly indicates the attainment of extended lifespan.