《法海遺珠》Vol. 32

Pearls Left Behind in the Sea of Daoist Teachings, Volume 32: Li Shi

Secret Method of the Four Sages of the Northern Emperor for Subduing Demons: Procedures for Practice

General Instructions

Before carrying out a rite or writing a talisman, enter a quiet chamber (rujing). Then visualize transformation (cunbian), gather the spirit, and regulate the breath. After that, recite the incantation, offer incense, and invite the holy beings.

Offering Incense and Inviting the Holy Beings

The incense burns with precious patterns, and its smoke drifts into the blue sky, forming a jeweled altar and adorning the ritual realm. Through the incense, we open the gateway and invite: the Northern Emperor’s chief marshal for subduing demons, the True Lord Tianpeng, Great Marshal; the deputy marshal, the True Lord Tianyou, Great Marshal; the assisting marshal, the True Lord Heisha Yisheng, Marshal; the supporting marshal, the True Lord Xuanwu Yousheng; the True Lords of the Five Stars and Five Dippers; the Star Lords of the Twenty-Eight Lunar Mansions; the Star Lords of the Twelve Palaces; the Four Great Celestial Attendants Cui, Lu, Deng, and Dou; the Divine Kings of the four divisions of Wind, Thunder, Water, and Fire; the Lords of the Five Sacred Peaks; the Dragon Kings of the Four Seas; the Water Emperors of the Nine Rivers; General Tie Mian of the Chan River; the mounted officers Feilong and Feihu; marshals and generals of the various bureaus; the officials of Fengdu; countless divine troops; and the boundless host of holy beings.

By means of this true incense, we present offerings everywhere. We state our purpose and humbly beseech the holy ones’ compassion: do not forget your original vow. Descend to this altar, proclaim the transformation wrought by the Dao, save the people below, and make the workings of retribution known in all their power.

After the Prayer

The master joins both hands in the Sha-wen sword mudra and raises them to the forehead.

Summoning Incantation One

The Northern Emperor’s jade seal, the Primordial Emperor of the Jade Heaven; within and without, the Central Yellow; at the North Pole, radiant flying light. Swallow the crimson clouds and take them in; at the beginning, Yang is born, and vermilion brilliance shines. As Yang reaches its next phase, Yin is born, and the pale clouds gleam clearly. The might of Yang rises together; in the Fire Court of Vermilion Mound, the two baleful forces stand opposed. Primordial radiance and Qi; the Southern Dipper alone stands in its quarter; the stars Jiao and Zhen divide the palaces. With one summons of Yin and Yang, come swiftly with divine might and radiance. Hasten in accordance with the statutes and commands.

Om, hong, hong, mo [talismanic mark], by imperial command, hong.

Summoning Incantation Two

By command of the Northern Emperor, I summon: the Four True Ones; the Jade Chief, true marshal; the thirty-six generals; Mingyuan Yaoqi; the thirty-five generals; the Twenty-Eight Lunar Mansions; the gods of the Twelve Palaces; celestial attendants and officers; thunder, lightning, clouds, and sky; the lords of Wind, Thunder, Water, and Fire; the Immortals of Ze and Yan; those who reach the North Pole and descend into the dark springs; the judges and officials of the bureaus; the assembled elite troops; and the yin officers of Fengdu. Follow me as I carry out my commands. On hearing the summons, come swiftly, whether directly, in an orderly course, obliquely, or crosswise. Hasten in accordance with the statutes and commands.

After Completing the Above Incantation Three Times

Take in the Qi of the Dark Heaven, trace the mudra over the incense, and visualize until the purpose has been stated; then write the talisman. Form the Sha-wen sword mudra and bring it to the Miao Gate, visualizing both… (the original volume continues below).

Notes for Understanding the Practice

• Rujing means practicing in a clean, quiet chamber, separated from the outside world.
• Cunbian, gathering the spirit, and settling the breath involve using visualization and breath regulation to focus the mind on the altar and the holy beings.
• Subduing demons through the Northern Emperor centers on the Northern Pole Dark Heaven system, with Tianpeng, Tianyou, Heisha, and Xuanwu as its chief marshals. It summons the powers of Wind, Thunder, Water, and Fire, the stars, the sacred peaks and rivers, and the divine troops of Fengdu to protect the writing of talismans and subdue demons.
• The Sha-wen sword mudra and the Miao Gate refer to coordinating hand signs with the space between the eyebrows, or with the mysterious pass within the body. This signifies that the practitioner acts under command and has authorization to summon generals and write talismans.
• The mark shown as “[talismanic mark]” in the text often indicates the heart of a talisman or a missing character. In practice, follow the complete incantation and talisman text transmitted by one’s teacher; do not alter them arbitrarily.

Interpretive Translation

Inner Visualization and Spirit Contemplation

At the center of the kidneys is a golden light. It rises along the Jiaji (the middle of the spine), passes through the Fengfu point (at the back of the neck), and emerges, reaching Yintang (the point between the eyebrows). From both eyes, the golden light streams forth, crossing like golden rainbows and ascending straight into the distant, dark heavens.

Above, visualize the dwelling of the Northern Emperor (the Great Emperor of the North Pole and Purple Tenuity). Amid golden radiance, the hundred spirits gather to support and guard him. The Four Sages (including Tianpeng, Tianyou, Zhenwu, and Heisha) each lead heavenly troops to defend one of the four quarters. The other divine generals stand at their assigned directions. Among them are arrayed the Five Stars, the Four Celestial Divisions, the Twenty-Eight Lunar Mansions, and the gods of the Twelve Palaces. Their radiance shines through Fengdu, the seat of government in the underworld, and across mountains, peaks, rivers, and waterways. The assembled gods stand in attendance around the Emperor’s throne.

Amid the radiance of countless treasures, golden light streams downward from between the Emperor’s eyebrows, joining with the light of your own body. Open your eyes and visualize the character “chariot” above your head. You, too, transform into the Northern Emperor, while the perfected beings stand before you in attendance according to their directions.

Next, visualize the Northern Emperor sending down a golden character meaning “edict.” Inhale it and spread it across the writing brush. Silently recite the incantation to urge the spirits:

Om, hum, hum. All the gods bow their heads; evil spirits return to the righteous path. Should any dare disobey, may they be reduced to dust. Hasten, in accordance with the law of the Jade Emperor!

Deploying and Transforming Talismans in the First Altar Rite

Whenever the first altar rite is performed, summon and command the four great Celestial Soldiers Cui, Lu, Deng, and Dou, who direct the officers and generals of the ritual bureau in carrying out their duties.

(At the Northern Emperor’s command) Tianpeng, the principal marshal, descends and spreads righteous Qi; swiftly aid the Celestial Soldiers in seizing the demon spirits who bring calamity—at the Shen position, with the Qi of the southwest.

(At the Northern Emperor’s command) Tianyou, the deputy marshal, descends and spreads righteous Qi; swiftly aid the Celestial Soldiers in seizing the ghost spirits who bring calamity—at the Si position, with the Qi of the southeast.

(At the Northern Emperor’s command) Great God Heisha descends and spreads righteous Qi; swiftly aid the Celestial Soldiers in seizing the great demons who bring calamity—at the Hai position, with the Qi of the northwest.

(At the Northern Emperor’s command) Great God Zhenwu descends and spreads righteous Qi; swiftly aid the Celestial Soldiers in seizing the baleful spirits who bring calamity—at the Yin position, with the Qi of the northeast.

The Four Sages command as follows:

On the left: Azure Dragon Cui Lei, Celestial Soldier, capture the spirits—at the Mao position, with the Qi of the east.

The Four Sages command as follows:

On the right: White Tiger Lu Dian, Celestial Soldier, capture the ghosts—at the You position, with the Qi of the west.

The Four Sages command as follows:

In front: Vermilion Bird Deng Xiao, Celestial Soldier, capture the Jing—at the Wu position, with the Qi of the south.

The Four Sages command as follows:

Behind: Black Tortoise Dou Yun, Celestial Soldier, capture the baleful spirits—at the Zi position, with the Qi of the north.

Note: This text belongs to the visualization practices and incantations used in Daoist Zhaijiao (purification ritual), Feifu (flying talisman), and spirit-summoning rites. Cui, Lu, Deng, and Dou are the surnames of the four great Celestial Soldiers who protect the ritual. The directions correspond to the cyclical signs and Qi orientations, and are used to determine the directions for summoning officers and generals. The characters used in talismans and incantations, as well as the directional terms, must follow the original text and the master’s transmission; they should not be altered at will.

Pearl Beads from the Ocean of the Dharma: A Plain-Language Reading

The Star Lords of the Five Directions and the Formula for Subduing Ghosts

The Eastern Star Lord of Wood Virtue, acting under the command of the Northern Emperor (the Great Emperor Zhenwu), has the Four Sages, Zhenwu’s four protectors, send down starlight to illuminate the earth and seize evil spirits, leaving them nowhere to hide. At the mao hour, from five to seven in the morning, the rite is performed while exhaling with the sound “xu.”

The Western Star Lord of Metal Virtue likewise acts under the Northern Emperor’s command and the Four Sages’ order, spreading starlight to seize ghosts. At the you hour, from five to seven in the evening, the sound “si” is used.

The Southern Star Lord of Fire Virtue acts under the Northern Emperor’s command and the Four Sages’ order, spreading starlight to seize ghosts. At the wu hour, from eleven in the morning to one in the afternoon, the sound “he” is used.

The Northern Star Lord of Water Virtue acts under the Northern Emperor’s command and the Four Sages’ order, spreading starlight to seize ghosts. At the zi hour, from eleven at night to one in the morning, the sound “chui” is used.

The Central Star Lord of Earth Virtue acts under the Northern Emperor’s command and the Four Sages’ order, spreading starlight to seize ghosts. The rite is accompanied by the “sha text” and by “calling out Qi” (the ritual calling and exhaling of vital energy).

Instructions for Inscribing and Annotating the Flying Talisman

By the Northern Emperor’s command and the Four Sages’ order, dispatch the heavenly troops of a certain division, together with a general from the ritual department, leading elite forces to the local community where the patient’s household is located. Ask the Six Household Spirits of Destiny, the six household deities who govern the family’s fortune and misfortune, to protect the patient and steady the soul and spirit, so the pulse becomes calm and even. Carefully drive out every harmful spirit afflicting the patient, making them leave the body at once and preventing their escape. Wherever the flying talisman reaches, seize and bind them and bring them forward for presentation; let the response be unmistakable. Carry this out with utmost urgency.

Instructions for Inscribing and Annotating the Main Talisman

By the Northern Emperor’s command and the Four Sages’ order, dispatch the four great heavenly troops Cui, Lu, Deng, and Dou, fierce generals under Zhenwu, leading a certain marshal’s forces to the site to supervise and command the local community. Ask the Six Household Spirits of Destiny to assist in a rigorous capture of every ghost and bandit afflicting the patient. Whether they are great demons, spirit beings, Jing apparitions, Xiao monsters, sudden violent deaths, spirits of deceased relatives or other intruders, harmful knife and horn magic, ritual specialists and mediums, corpse-transmission spirits that spread epidemics, spirits of death in childbirth, curse and gu poison, pestilence, huang illness (a tuberculosis-like disease), earth ghosts, or any others, capture them all and make them leave the patient’s body at once. The aim is full recovery; let the response come swiftly. Hasten to carry out the Northern Emperor’s command and the Four Sages’ order.

Invocation for Sending Forth the Command (General Meaning)

The Great Dao’s great deity is named Heavenly Troop. In obedience to the Nine Heavens and charged with service by the Three Pure Ones (Sanqing), it descends into the human world to cut down and destroy Jing spirits. When the spirit king grows angry, the Five Sacred Peaks are shaken and toppled; the assembled demons are bound and carried away, while thousands upon thousands of ghost soldiers have their heads severed and their forms cut apart. Those who dare profane Luofeng, the ghost city of Fengdu, or the sacred mountains and waterways are put on trial. The fierce and violent are executed; the good and compliant live. The sunken souls of the Six Heavens, those who have fallen into the ghost realms of the Six Heavens, are punished.

The text above is a Daoist set of talismans and incantations for prayer, averting calamity, and driving out harmful spirits. Invoking the Northern Emperor and the Four Sages, it summons the Star Lords of the Five Directions and heavenly troops such as Cui, Lu, Deng, and Dou. These rites use directions, times of day, and vocalized exhalations, and involve writing and annotating flying and main talismans. Their purpose is to capture all manner of harmful spirits and disease spirits said to afflict the patient’s household, and to protect the soul and calm the pulse. “Annotating” means adding names, place names, generals’ names, and similar details to the talisman so that its efficacy is directed to the particular patient and locality.

This scripture describes a Daoist exorcism ritual that employs the "Four Sacred Commands" to mobilize celestial soldiers and divine generals for subduing demons. The Northern Emperor (Ziwei Beiji Dadi, a major Daoist deity) issues an imperial decree dispatching four principal generals—Marshal Tianpeng, Vice-Marshal Tianyou, Great Deity Heisha, and Great Deity Zhenwu—each commanding four divisions of divine kings (wind, thunder, water, fire) and four celestial officers (thunder, lightning, mist, clouds) to capture malevolent spirits causing chaos.

During the ritual, the priest forms hand seals (mudras corresponding to specific directions, such as the southwest Qi for the "Shen" position or southeast Qi for the "Si" position) while reciting incantations, harmonizing with the Qi (energy) of different orientations. The Four Sacred Commands further deploy directional generals: Azure Dragon Cui Lei (eastern thunder officer), White Tiger Lu Dian (western lightning officer), Vermilion Bird Deng Xiao (southern mist officer), and Black Tortoise Dou Yun (northern cloud officer). Each leads their respective divisions of divine kings to suppress demonic disturbances from the four cardinal directions.

This text belongs to the Daoist practice of "flying talismans to capture ghosts," where celestial forces are summoned to punish "those who defy the Dao" (malevolent spirits opposing cosmic order) while protecting "those who follow the Dao" (righteous practitioners). The central altar (zhongtan) serves as the ritual's core space, where the priest invokes divine generals and imbues talismans (fulu) with their power.

《Pearls Left Behind in the Dharma Ocean»: A Plain-Language Interpretation

(Method for commanding and supervising the gods of the Wind, Thunder, Water, and Fire divisions; an invocation for a certain general to seize and capture spirits bringing calamity. Northern Qi.)

(East / Northern Emperor)

The Northern Emperor commands the Wood Star (Mao hand-sign / exhale Qi) and the seven lunar mansions under its division: Jiao, Kang, Di, Fang, Xin, Wei, and Ji.

From Chen, Mao, and Yin, spread the light of the stars below. Seize and capture the spirits that bring calamity; they must not escape or conceal their forms.

(Hasten and carry out the Northern Emperor’s command.)

(West: the Northern Emperor commands the Metal Star, You hand-sign, and exhaled Qi.)

The seven lunar mansions under its division: Kui, Lou, Wei, Mao, Bi, Zui, and Shen. From Xu, You, and Shen, spread the light of the stars below. Seize and capture the spirits that bring calamity; they must not escape or conceal their forms. Hasten and carry out the Northern Emperor’s command.

(South: the Northern Emperor commands the seven lunar mansions under the Fire division: Jing, Gui, Liu, Xing, Zhang, Yi, and Zhen.)

Summon the Fire Star (Wu hand-sign / exhaled Qi). From Wei, Wu, and Si, spread the light of the stars below. Seize and capture the spirits that bring calamity; they must not escape or conceal their forms. Hasten and carry out the Northern Emperor’s command.

(North: the Northern Emperor commands the Water Star, Zi hand-sign, and exhaled Qi.)

The seven lunar mansions under its division: Dou, Niu, Nü, Xu, Wei, Shi, and Bi. From Chou, Zi, and Hai, spread the light of the stars below. Seize and capture the spirits that bring calamity; they must not escape or conceal their forms. Hasten and carry out the Northern Emperor’s command.

(The Northern Emperor commands the Four Saints to dispatch the great god of the Wind division, Kunbo, who swiftly sets forth from the Si palace to sweep away and destroy evil beings. Xun hand-sign.)

(The Northern Emperor commands the Four Saints to dispatch the great god of the Thunder division, Immortal Dou, whose thunderous power strikes down and destroys wicked essences. Zhen hand-sign.)

(The Northern Emperor commands the Four Saints to dispatch the great god of the Fire division, Song Yan. Its blazing flames stretch for ten thousand li, melting all in their path. Li hand-sign.)

(The Northern Emperor commands the Four Saints to dispatch the great god of the Water division, Wen Ze. The water spirits of the nine rivers surge without end. Kan hand-sign.)

When the talisman is complete, add the character “Command” at its center, then form the Sha hand-sign and direct Northern Qi.

Incantation for applying the talisman ink

By command of the Northern Emperor, the Four Saints dispatch the immortal sages of the four divisions—Wind, Thunder, Fire, and Water: the four great god-kings Bo Xian and Ze Yan assemble. The four great celestial officers of thunder, lightning, clouds, and sky raise winds, hurl fire, pour down rain, and crash with thunder. They personally lead the celestial troops and supervise the officials and generals of the ritual division. The elite troops of each division proceed to the site, reaching upward to the Infinite and downward into the Netherworld. They secretly spread a net of Heaven and Earth, keeping strict watch over the local City God, the village shrines, and the Life Ruler of the afflicted household.

This scripture is a Daoist exorcism incantation primarily invoking the Four Great Guardian Generals (Tianpeng, Tianyou, Heisha, and Zhenwu) to capture all malevolent entities both within and outside the human body.

First, it commands six guardian deities to thoroughly search the afflicted person for all pathogenic influences, including: demons and specters, aquatic and terrestrial spirits, karmic creditors from past lives, ghosts of untimely deaths, mountain goblins and wild monsters, practitioners of dark arts, venomous curses and pestilences, spirits of those who died in childbirth, lingering ghosts, plague-bearing entities, nightmare-inducing curses, and all other sources of affliction. The incantation demands complete eradication of these malign forces, ensuring a clear separation between the human and spirit realms so the patient may swiftly recover. Any local deities found shielding or concealing these entities will be deemed equally guilty.

Next, it summons the Four Great Generals: Marshal Tianpeng (leader of the Big Dipper’s seven stars), Vice-Marshal Tianyou, Great Sage Heisha, and Divine General Zhenwu. The text vividly depicts their awe-inspiring might: celestial phenomena shift violently, gales howl, the sun and moon dim, mountains and rivers tremble; the thunder deities (Leigong the Thunder God and Dianmu the Lightning Mother) unleash deafening peals and flashes; water deities churn towering waves; fire deities release sacred flames (celestial fire, earthly fire, and the five directional fires) to incinerate the malevolent forces. The incantation concludes by emphasizing that this is a direct mandate from the Great Emperor of Fengdu (the Daoist deity governing the underworld), and the Four Generals must immediately execute their mission to hunt down and eliminate all evil.

This incantation exemplifies the Daoist ritual framework of invoking high-ranking deities and harnessing elemental forces to purge pathogenic influences. Each of the Four Generals governs distinct natural powers—wind, thunder, water, and fire—working in unison to annihilate the diverse spectral threats endangering humanity.

Pearls Left Behind in the Ocean of the Dao: A Plain-Language Interpretation

Dispatching Incantation (in the class of edicts from the Purple Tenuity Emperor)

By command of the Great Emperor of Purple Tenuity, I issue orders to the host of spirits: the flying Dipper crosses the Xun portal, and thunder erupts with a roar. Rain falls from the Kan Palace, the seat of the northern Water virtue; the Li fire surges forth. Clouds rise into the heights of the sky, accompanied by thunder and lightning. The Four Generals Who Subdue Demons command the Thunder Lords, Dragon and Tiger mounted officers, and their forces, leaving baleful spirits without a trace. They pierce rocks and demolish temples, behead monsters and seize dragons, subdue demons and restrain evildoers, cure illness, and avert calamity. The three and five officer-soldiers—the ranks of heavenly troops and divine generals in Daoist usage—display their full might. At my command, carried by this talisman, swiftly accomplish divine feats. Hasten to obey the edict of the Northern Emperor; the Four Sages command it.

Instructions for Gathering at the Altar and Performing the Rite

If you wish to call upon the Four Sage Lords themselves to set out on a campaign, do not act on your own unless the target is a great demon capable of flying through the heavens and burrowing into the earth, and one that has repeatedly taken human lives. In other cases, you must perform a Zhaijiao (purification ritual) and submit a petition to the Supreme Emperor. The rite may be performed only after the Emperor issues an edict. If you act rashly and without authorization, you may incur a hidden punishment, with grave retribution in this life or the underworld. Keep this firmly in mind.

Dispatching the Four Sages (recitations and hand gestures during the rite)

(1) Marshal Tianpeng

By command of the Northern Emperor, I dispatch Marshal Tianpeng to personally command the Five Stars, the Five Dippers, the forces of wind and thunder, water and fire, lightning and clouds in the heavens, and all divisions of thunder spirits among the heavenly officers and generals. He is to search out and seize wicked beings who cause trouble, including heavenly demons, earthly goblins, dragon spirits, and tiger monsters, as well as lawless ghosts and spirits that bring untimely death to people, malevolent forces that foment calamity, and spirits that take on visible forms. In accordance with the Northern Emperor’s edict, carry this out with utmost haste. (During the rite, form the Shen hand sign and draw Qi from the southwest.)

(2) Deputy Marshal Tianyou

By command of the Northern Emperor, I dispatch Deputy Marshal Tianyou to personally command the Five Stars, the Five Dippers, the forces of wind and thunder, water and fire, lightning and clouds, and all divisions of officers, generals, and troops in the heavenly host. He is to search out and seize wicked beings who cause trouble, including heavenly demons, earthly goblins, dragon spirits, and tiger monsters, as well as lawless ghosts and spirits that bring untimely death to people, malevolent forces that foment calamity, and spirits that take on visible forms. In accordance with the Northern Emperor’s edict, carry this out with utmost haste. (Form the Si hand sign and draw Qi from the southeast.)

(3) Great Spirit Yisheng

By command of the Northern Emperor, I dispatch the Great Spirit Yisheng to personally command the Five Stars, the Five Dippers, the forces of wind and thunder, water and fire, lightning and clouds, and all divisions of officers, generals, and troops in the heavenly host. He is to search out and seize wicked beings who cause trouble, including heavenly demons, earthly goblins, dragon spirits, and tiger monsters, as well as lawless ghosts and spirits that bring untimely death to people, malevolent forces that foment calamity, and spirits that take on visible forms. In accordance with the Northern Emperor’s edict, carry this out with utmost haste. (Form the Hai hand sign and draw Qi from the northwest.)

(4) Great Spirit Zhenwu

By command of the Northern Emperor, I dispatch the Great Spirit Zhenwu to personally command the Five Stars, the Five Dippers, the forces of wind and thunder, water and fire, lightning and clouds, and all divisions of officers, generals, and troops in the heavenly host. He is to search out and seize wicked beings who cause trouble, including heavenly demons, earthly goblins, dragon spirits, and tiger monsters, as well as lawless ghosts and spirits that bring untimely death to people, malevolent forces that foment calamity, and spirits that take on visible forms. In accordance with the Northern Emperor’s edict, carry this out with utmost haste. (The original places the hand sign and direction alongside those of the other three sages. The specific earthly branch and direction must be checked against the complete text and the transmitted teachings. All Four Sages serve under the Northern Emperor—the Daoist system of northern protectors commanded by the Great Emperor Zhenwu—and lead the thunder, fire, and heavenly troops in their charge of seeking out demons and capturing monsters.)

Note: In Daoist Thunder Rites and the Northern Emperor tradition, the “Four Generals Who Subdue Demons” and “Four Sage Lords” commonly refer to the four marshals Tianpeng, Tianyou, Yisheng, and Zhenwu. Forming the hand sign for a particular earthly branch and gathering Qi from a particular direction are visualizations and gestures used together with the incantation at the altar. They must follow the ritual manual and transmitted tradition; the text alone is not sufficient for attempting them.

This scripture comes from a Daoist exorcistic and calamity-averting liturgy in the Northern Emperor (Beidi), or Zhenwu, tradition. In broad terms, it invokes the Northern Emperor and the Four Sacred Beasts—the Azure Dragon, White Tiger, Vermilion Bird, and Black Tortoise—to order the heavenly troops to search out and seize evil spirits above and below. The plain-language explanation below describes its structure and meaning. “So-and-so” is a blank in the liturgical text for the officiant’s or client’s name.

(When violent death or unlawful gods and ghosts bring calamity, and evil forces appear in the form of spirits: in accordance with the Northern Emperor’s command, carry this out with utmost haste. Make the “Yin” hand seal and draw in Qi from the northeast.)

By command of the Northern Emperor:

The Four Sacred Beasts, heed this order—the Azure Dragon of the left, with Cui Lei, the Heavenly Marshal, commanding the heavenly troops, shall attend the True Lord Marshal So-and-so: ascend to the boundless heights above and descend into the netherworld below; search out and seize the evildoers who bring calamity, including heavenly demons, earthly fiends, dragon spirits, tiger monsters, and other such beings. All spirits that bring misfortune upon one’s family, cause premature and violent death, or take the form of spirits when unlawful gods and ghosts bring calamity are, by command of the Northern Emperor, to be carried out with utmost haste.

(Carry this out with utmost haste: make the “Mao” hand seal and draw in Qi from the east.)

By command of the Northern Emperor:

The Four Sacred Beasts, heed this order—the White Tiger of the right, with Lu Dian, the Heavenly Marshal, commanding the heavenly troops, shall attend the True Lord Marshal So-and-so: reach the boundless heights above and descend into the netherworld below; search out and seize the evildoers who bring calamity, including heavenly demons, earthly fiends, dragon spirits, and tiger monsters. All who bring misfortune upon one’s family, cause premature and violent death, or appear in the form of true spirits when unlawful gods and ghosts bring calamity are, by command of the Northern Emperor, to be carried out with utmost haste.

(Carry this out with utmost haste: make the “You” hand seal and draw in Qi from the west.)

By command of the Northern Emperor:

The Four Sacred Beasts, heed this order—the Vermilion Bird in front, with Deng Xiao, the Heavenly Marshal, commanding the heavenly troops, shall attend the True Lord Marshal So-and-so: reach the boundless heights above and descend into the netherworld below; search out and seize the evildoers who bring calamity, including heavenly demons, earthly fiends, dragon spirits, and tiger monsters. All spirits that bring misfortune upon one’s family, cause premature and violent death, or appear when evil forces take form are, by command of the Northern Emperor, to be carried out with utmost haste.

(Carry this out with utmost haste: make the “Wu” hand seal and draw in Qi from the south.)

By command of the Northern Emperor:

The Four Sacred Beasts, heed this order—the Black Tortoise behind, with Dou Yun, the Heavenly Marshal, commanding the heavenly troops, shall attend the True Lord Marshal So-and-so: reach the boundless heights above and descend into the netherworld below; search out and seize the evildoers who bring calamity, including heavenly demons, earthly fiends, dragon spirits, and tiger monsters. All who bring misfortune upon one’s family, cause premature and violent death, or appear in the form of true spirits when unlawful gods and ghosts bring calamity are, by command of the Northern Emperor, to be carried out with utmost haste.

(Carry this out with utmost haste: make the “Zi” hand seal and draw in Qi from the north.)

By command of the Northern Emperor:

We call upon Jupiter and the Eastern Dipper. Make the “Mao” hand seal and exhale the Xu breath. Command the seven mansions of the east—Horn, Neck, Root, Room, Heart, Tail, and Winnowing Basket (corresponding to the Earthly Branches Chen, Mao, and Yin)—together with Red Apricot Emperor of Eastern Peak (the deity of Mount Tai), to lead the Jia and Yi heavenly troops and array the light of the stars. Quickly assist Marshal So-and-so in apprehending the ghosts and spirits that bring calamity; let none escape. Hasten to obey the Northern Emperor’s command.

By command of the Northern Emperor:

We call upon Venus and the Western Dipper. Make the “You” hand seal and exhale the Xi breath. Command the seven mansions of the west: Legs, Bond, … (in the Western Dipper system, the list should continue with Stomach, Hairy Head, Net, Turtle Beak, and Three Stars; the original text here appears to be incomplete).

Points to bear in mind when reading this scripture:

1. “Make the hand seal for a certain sign and draw in Qi from a certain direction”: During the rite, the practitioner uses hand seals corresponding to the directions of the twelve Earthly Branches—Yin for the northeast, Mao for the east, You for the west, Wu for the south, Zi for the north, and so on—and draws in Qi from the corresponding direction.

2. “The Four Sacred Beasts” usually refers to the four protective emblems: the Azure Dragon, White Tiger, Vermilion Bird, and Black Tortoise. Each is paired with a Heavenly Marshal who leads troops.

3. “Reach the boundless heights above and descend into the netherworld below” symbolizes ritual power reaching throughout the heavens and the underworld, leaving no place unsearched.

4. “True Lord Marshal So-and-so” is a title to be filled in on the liturgical text with the presiding marshal of the altar or the name of the person for whom the rite is performed. It indicates that this entire order, issued “by command of the Northern Emperor,” is carried out on that person’s behalf.

5. The text is written as an incantation. It repeats the same meaning for each of the four directions, emphasizing authority and urgency. It is used together with talismans and registers, ritual pacing, and visualization, rather than as narrative prose.

Treasures Left Behind in the Sea of the Dao: A Plain-Language Interpretation

Star Lords of the seven lunar mansions Mao, Bi, Zui, Shen, Wei, Xu, and Bi (associated with the directions Xu, You, Shen, and others), together with the True Emperor worshipped at the Western Peak, command the heavenly troops belonging to Geng and Xin (Metal). They spread the starlight and swiftly aid a certain Marshal in capturing the ghosts and spirits causing harm, leaving them nowhere to hide. By urgent command of the Northern Emperor (the Great Emperor of the Purple Tenuity of the North Pole).

By command of the Northern Emperor: I call upon the Water Star and the divine generals of the Zi position of the Northern Dipper to blow Qi, and command the star lords of the seven lunar mansions Niu, Nü, Xu … Shi, and Bi (the Hai and Zi positions). The Black Emperor of the Northern Peak commands the heavenly troops belonging to Ren and Gui (Water). May they spread the starlight and swiftly aid a certain Marshal in capturing the harmful ghosts and spirits, leaving them nowhere to hide. By urgent command of the Northern Emperor.

By command of the Northern Emperor: I call upon the Fire Star and the divine generals of the Wu position of the Southern Dipper to exhale Qi, and command the star lords of the seven lunar mansions Jing, Gui, Liu, Xing, Zhang, Yi … and Zhen (the Wei, Wu, and Si positions). The Red Emperor of the Southern Peak commands the heavenly troops belonging to Bing and Ding (Fire). May they spread the starlight and swiftly aid a certain Marshal in capturing the harmful ghosts and spirits, leaving them nowhere to hide. By urgent command of the Northern Emperor.

By command of the Northern Emperor: I call upon the spirits and numinous powers of the myriad gods of the Central Dipper to call forth Qi, and command the star lords of the seven lunar mansions Kui, Lou, Wei, Mao, Bi, Zui, and Shen (the Zi, Wu, Chou, and other positions). The Numinous Treasure Emperor of the Central Peak commands the heavenly troops belonging to Wu and Ji (Earth). May they spread the starlight and swiftly aid a certain Marshal in capturing the harmful ghosts and spirits, leaving them nowhere to hide. By urgent command of the Northern Emperor.

By command of the Northern Emperor: The Four Sages (such as Tianpeng, Tianrui, Tianchong, and Tianfu, or the holy generals of the Four Symbols) transmit this order. I call upon Kunbo, leader of the wind spirits, to bring his immortal retinue and follow a certain Marshal True Lord, raising fierce winds to scatter the ghost camps. In accordance with the command of the Northern Emperor and the order of the Four Sages, carry out this document of the Xun (Wind) position with utmost urgency.

By command of the Northern Emperor: The Four Sages transmit this order. I call upon the Douxian division of the thunder spirits to bring its immortal retinue and follow a certain Marshal True Lord, unleashing mighty thunderclaps to shake and destroy evil essences. In accordance with the command of the Northern Emperor and the order of the Four Sages, carry out this document of the Zhen (Thunder) position with utmost urgency.

By command of the Northern Emperor: The Four Sages transmit this order. I call upon the Wenze division of the water spirits to bring its immortal retinue and follow a certain Marshal True Lord, raising floodwaters to sweep away evil spirits. In accordance with the command of the Northern Emperor and the order of the Four Sages, carry out this document of the Kan (Water) position with utmost urgency.

By command of the Northern Emperor: The Four Sages transmit this order. I call upon the Songyan division of the fire spirits to bring its immortal retinue and follow a certain Marshal True Lord, swiftly unleashing blazing fire to burn away ghostly forms. Carry out this command with utmost urgency.

Note: The original is a liturgical invocation used in a ritual, summoning the Twenty-Eight Lunar Mansions, the Emperors of the Five Peaks, the Northern Emperor, and the divine generals of wind, thunder, water, and fire. “A certain Marshal” is a formulaic expression referring to the marshal presiding over the ritual. The notes in parentheses mostly identify directions, earthly branches, or trigrams—Xun for wind, Zhen for thunder, and Kan for water. Some characters are unclear because of copying or scanning errors; readings such as “Mozhen Emperor” and “Wala Emperor” should be checked against reliable editions.

Plain-Language Interpretation

(Ritual performance / wording)

By command of the Northern Emperor: Let the Four Sages issue their orders at once. Command the officials and generals of this temple and the elite troops of every division to attend the True Lord, such-and-such Marshal, and work together in support. They shall hear and carry out the command, fully obeying the Northern Emperor’s decree. (For the seal / text)

After the talisman is completed, add the character for “command.” State the purpose as the occasion requires, allowing for necessary adjustments.

Apply color to the talisman, add the written instructions, and recite the incantation.

By command of the Northern Emperor, dispatch the chief marshal, the True Lord, Great Marshal Tianpeng (the northern pole’s chief general for driving out evil), to assemble the Five Stars, the Five Dippers, the Twenty-Eight Lunar Mansions, and the gods of the Twelve Palaces. He shall personally command the Four Divisions of wind and thunder, water and fire, together with their immortals and sages; the Immortal Elders; the Four Great Spirit Kings of Zeyan; the spirits of thunder and lightning, clouds and sky; the heavenly soldiers, generals, and officers; the deities of mountains and waterways; the Dragon Lords of the Four Seas; the water spirits of the Nine Rivers; the Iron-Faced One of Chan River, Jiangdi, the Flying Dragon and Flying Tiger mounted officers; countless heavenly troops; the underworld officials of Fengdu (the place in Daoist belief where the dead are judged and punished); and the generals, officers, and limitless troops of the ritual department under such-and-such Marshal.

With roaring thunder and flashing lightning, howling winds and lashing rain, hurling fire and melting metal, shaking Heaven and earth, they shall descend together upon the designated place. They shall reach without limit above and enter the underworld below. Heavenly troops shall densely surround it in every direction, spreading a net across the sky and laying a trap over the earth.

They shall keep under watch and detain the local City God and village-shrine deities, the life-lord spirits of the afflicted household, its Six Spirits, the spirits of taboos, and those connected with its ancestors. They shall pry up bricks and tiles, scatter earth and dust, pierce cliffs and split stones, search temples and burn halls, and investigate the cause to its furthest source. They shall capture the stubborn, treacherous beings now clinging to the afflicted person’s body, refusing to leave and defying the command.

All who defy Heaven and break the law, and all evil spirits that bring calamity upon families: every provoking heavenly demon and earthly goblin; water monster; essence of earth, wood, metal, and stone; demon and specter; mountain goblin; and leader among the evil spirits known as the Five Powers; the spirits of those punished for crimes, killed in battle, dead in prison, or lost to premature, violent, or childhood death; lingering souls and disembodied spirits; lonely ghosts with no descendants to make offerings; revenants, transmitting spirits, those who died unjustly, women who died in childbirth, wandering ghosts, and travelers who died in foreign lands; spirits of abandoned altars and ruined temples; nightmares, curses, and poison magic; knife-bearing mediums and sorcerers; heterodox practitioners of the Golden Cicada path; pestilential and baleful Earth Qi; flying baleful forces; wandering spirits and ghostly immortals; ancient Buddhas, heterodox paths, and evil methods; those who depart and return, adversaries bound by enmity, and all beings with or without ties of attachment—every ghostly thief and baleful force that causes harm shall be captured, without distinction between orthodox and evil, or between distant and close kin.

They shall be executed by the blade and burned by fire: thousands upon thousands beheaded, tens of thousands mutilated, all their followers annihilated, their bones ground and bodies shattered. They shall search carefully and seize them, allowing none to escape. The City God, village-shrine deities, and other duly worshipped spirits are also included in the command and shall assist in carrying it out.

Pearls Left Behind in the Ocean of the Law: A Plain-Language Reading

If you are even slightly careless in attending to ancestral spirits, the Six Spirits, the spirit of your birth destiny, or the spirits associated with taboos and fateful years, you may harm your own body and vital energy. If you can send down true Qi to protect yourself, illness may be cured, the spirit restored, and peace gradually regained. Should any lapse occur, a memorial must be presented to the Shangqing realm. Now, by imperial command, the efficacy is to be made manifest: within the appointed time, the response will be clear and immediate. Carry this out with urgency.

Edict and Command of the Great Emperor Ziwei of the Northern Pole

(The following is a spell for dispatching divine forces.)

The Great Emperor Ziwei issues this command: order the demon spirits to seize the malign and wicked, overturn Heaven and shake the Earth, and make the empty firmament tremble.

Marshal Kui (inscription for the Shen position)—Tianpeng, whose awe-inspiring spirit blazes with Qi, ancestor of the myriad spirits; Deputy Marshal Mingyuan (inscription for the Si position)—Tianyou and Tianxiong, who proclaim their own brilliance and together with the heavens assist the sage.

The Great Spirit Tianling Taichong, whose inner name is Zhaoyao (inscription for the Hai position), is charged specifically with slaying demons and erasing their traces.

The Great Sage Zhenwu, Tianwu and the Celestial Youth, whose inner name is Xuanwu (inscription for the Yin position), sternly commands Beifeng, the northern underworld. The Four Sages of the Northern Pole display their awe-inspiring might.

They descend into the dusty world below and ascend to Yulong above. They stand within the Southern Dipper and amid the Northern Dipper. Iron wheels fly west; fiery chariots drive east. They command thunder and seize lightning; clouds race and winds rush. Heaven and Earth grow dark, and the sun and moon lose their light. The heavenly troops stand in strict formation, while celestial horses crowd the ranks. Black banners blaze; heavenly drums thunder.

The Azure Dragon, associated with Jia and Yi (inscription for the Mao position)—the old man with four eyes spits meteoric fire, and the imperial bell resounds with a mighty crash.

The Vermilion Bird, associated with Bing and Ding (inscription for the Wu position)—from the Fire Palace of Zhuling, it hurls flames ten thousand li and sends its ringing bells in all eight directions.

The White Tiger, associated with Geng and Xin (inscription for the You position)—Haoling takes up arms, sending crows ahead and releasing venomous bees behind.

The Black Tortoise, associated with Ren and Gui (inscription for the Zi position)—water and fire attack together; the Gate of Heaven and the axis of Earth bristle with poisonous blades.

Gouchen and Tengshe (inscription for the position of baleful forces)—the Wu and Ji Earth seals them in. The Heavenly Emperor sits enthroned in the rounded vault of Heaven, while the Jade Pivot transforms into form.

The Thunder Duke of All Heaven commands all thunder generals and the forces of thunder, water, fire, and wind. Golden essence, fierce beasts, the white rhinoceros-like beast, and the blue-gray horse take up their posts. He holds Heaven’s command, punishes the stars, and cuts down the rainbow; the myriad forms of the cosmos are arrayed beneath the lofty vault of Heaven.

The commands of wind and fire bring transformations without end: black vapor rises, black poison spreads; purple hooks and purple dissolving forces appear. Blackness covers all beneath Heaven; the ritual realm turns red. Red light flickers, while black Qi shrouds the scene in gloom. Yin Qi is icy; Yang Qi blazes with heat.

The thunder immortal Long, spirit of the thunderclap; the wind immortal; the water ▲ (a character is missing from the original, possibly the name of a rain deity); and the rain immortal Fangying; the lightning immortal Lurong. Thunderclaps darken the sky; flying spears and halberds sweep through, shifting mountains and overturning seas.

(The spell concludes. In accordance with its original intent, carry it out with urgency under the command of the Great Emperor Ziwei of the Northern Pole.)

Note (for ease of reading; not part of the scripture):

This text belongs to the Edict Spell tradition of Daoist Thunder Rites and the Ziwei Northern Emperor lineage. It pairs directions and positions (Shen, Si, Hai, Yin, Mao, Wu, You, Zi, and others) with divine generals, the Four Symbols, and the Five Phases, commanding heavenly troops and thunder generals to drive away evil, cure illness, and make responses manifest. “Shangqing” refers to the divine palaces of the Shangqing realm; “true Qi” refers to the primordial energy used in cultivation and protection; “Feng” often refers to the northern underworld administration. Fangying and Lurong are names in the lineages of thunder deities. The original has a missing character at “water ▲,” so it should not be conjecturally supplied.

A Plain-Language Interpretation of Fahai Yizhu

(Scriptures and ritual procedures for invoking the Fire Division’s divine generals and using talismans to drive away evil)

Cloud and mist gather thickly among the trees as sand flies and stones tumble. Command the Fire Dragon, and summon the great gods of the Fire Division with all haste.

Upright and loyal, with red hair, enormous wings, and eyes shining like rosy clouds, they wield thunder drills, thunder hammers, thunder axes, and thunder chisels. They can shatter mountains and make them collapse, or overturn the sea and set its waters surging. By command of the Four Sages of the North Pole, they descend in person. Ancient spirits and evil monsters are annihilated without a trace. A vast net of heavenly fire stretches across ten thousand miles; all that it melts becomes flying ash, borne by the wind toward the southeast.

The god of the sun’s fire is Zhurong; the god of metal and fire in the west is Chu Li; the god of thunder and fire in the northeast is Song Gong; and the god of raging fire in the northwest is Ma Song. In Heaven and on Earth, the Fire Immortals, Fire Boys, Fire Dragons, Fire Horses, Fire Rhinoceroses, Fire Zong, Eight Trigrams Fire Tigers, Five-Direction Fire Dragons, and others all fly and hurl fire, capturing and subduing gatherings of demons and evil spirits. Once the talismanic command has been issued, the Fire Division hastens to carry it out. Who would dare defy the imperial decree?

I wield the mystic jade ritual tablet. With utmost urgency, I obey the decree of the

Great Emperor Ziwei of the North Pole.

Talisman Procedure

Use one sheet of yellow paper for memorials, taking only a square, even piece and trimming away the corners. Fold it neatly. First, use a black brush to write the name of the supervising office at both ends. When all preparations are complete, blow upon the paper to summon the commander and generals, then stamp one seal in its center as a guide.

Next, write the talisman above it and stamp another seal. Stamp one seal beneath the office name and another beneath the written instruction, arranging the seals in the form of the character pin. Then smoke and roast the paper until dry. Burn it as an offering together with paper money and a paper horse. This flying talisman is used specifically to determine good or ill fortune.

When dealing with great demons that fly through the sky or roam the earth, divine hauntings, baleful gods and ghosts, monsters, spirits, mountain demons, or similar beings that harm the people and deserve to be destroyed, first establish a Zhaijiao purification ritual and report the matter to the supreme deity. Give a lavish banquet to the generals. When the rites are complete, take twelve feet of yellow silk, cut it into a square, and write the talisman on it. Also take an iron brick measuring seven inches long, one foot wide, and half an inch thick. On one face of the brick, write “By imperial command, carry this out,” along with the offenses committed by the evil spirits, the ritual master’s official title and name, signature, and the year, month, day, and hour. State the purpose of the rite. On the reverse, write the Jade Emperor’s title; on both sides, write the names of the Four Attendants and Four Spirits under the Four Sages. Place the Three Terraces and the Yin-Yang Dipper over the talisman, then sink the brick at the place where the evil was committed. If the site is on land, the iron brick may be omitted: the writing can be placed on the yellow silk talisman alone, or burned with paper money and a paper horse.

For moderately stubborn and rebellious spirits, use only a proclamation to carry out the gathering-altar talisman. After the words “I, your subject, receive the decree and carry it out,” list the position of the Northern Emperor, as in the rainmaking rite.

(This is a summary of the instructions and ritual procedures in Fahai Yizhu for the North Pole Fire Division, the decree of Ziwei, and the suppression of evil spirits by talisman.)

《Pearls Left Behind by the Dharma Ocean》: An Explanatory Reading in Modern Language

General method: For the usual practice, write the talisman on an iron tablet and cast it into a pool. For regular practice, use the fixed rite below.

Ritual Procedure

Before beginning the practice, complete the talisman rite according to the prescribed method, then turn around and recite the following spell.

Spell:

By command from the northern region, summon Luo Hou and the Earth Lodges (positions Chou and Wei, as indicated by the text); let baleful Qi (vital energy) fly through the air (position Mao). Let Heaven and Earth sink into darkness (position Chen), and let the sun and moon lose their light (the Jade position). Let evil spirits shatter when they encounter this (position Zi); leave them no path of escape, and envelop them in utter confusion (position Zi). Quickly lock down the mountains, rivers, seas, and winds (position Yin; Li). Swiftly obey the command of the Northern Emperor and the order of the Four Sages.

After reciting the spell: Form the “Great Sha” hand seal with both hands and draw in Qi from the north. Then form and overlap the Dipper seals with both hands—the left hand making the Yang Dipper and the right the Yin Dipper. Cast them forward while reciting the spell below.

Spell for Forming Hand Seals

Spell:

By command of the Northern Emperor, summon the East, Zhen (Mao); the West, Dui (You); the South, Li (Wu); and the North, Kan (Zi). Open Heaven’s Gate (Hai), close Earth’s Door (Xun), leave the Human Gate open (Kun), and block the Ghost Road (Gen). Let no wind pass above (Mao), and let no water flow below (Sha position). Let great demons and evil spirits be beheaded by wind-knives. When people come, let them leave no trace; when ghosts come, let them lose their way.

I respectfully summon: one hundred thousand Celestial Soldiers of the Jia and Yi Wood of the East to lock the earth’s axis (hook the little finger); one hundred thousand Celestial Soldiers of the Bing and Ding Fire of the South to descend together and answer the summons (hook the fourth finger); one hundred thousand Celestial Soldiers of the Geng and Xin Metal of the West to descend in full (hook the third finger); one hundred thousand Celestial Soldiers of the Ren and Gui Water of the North to devour evil ghosts (hook the second finger); and one hundred thousand Celestial Soldiers of the Wu and Ji Earth of the Center to gather and protect (hook the thumb). Swiftly obey the command of the Northern Emperor and the order of the Four Sages.

(The notes in parentheses give the correspondences for the ritual practice: directions, trigrams, or finger gestures, as marked in the original text.)

Spell for Blocking the Ghost Cavern

The Nine Palaces of Great Numinous Power; the Great One guards the chamber. A host of deities stands watch in serried ranks; souls and spirits are in harmony. Long life and enduring vision; block and extinguish evil and calamity. Be of the same origin as Heaven, with transformations without end. Swiftly obey the command of the Northern Emperor and the order of the Four Sages.

Invocation of the Generals

This temple is authorized to conduct the rite: summon by command of the Northern Emperor the Marshal Who Subdues Demons and the True Lords of the Four Sages (enter the position of a named general), and obey their commands.

Explanation: This text belongs to the ritual practices of the Northern Emperor (Zhenwu) tradition of Daoism. Through talisman activation, turning to recite spells, forming Dipper seals, and using the hand gestures for the Celestial Soldiers of the Five Directions, it coordinates the Twelve Earthly Branches with the directional positions of the Eight Trigrams, with the aim of locking down baleful forces, blocking the Ghost Road, and summoning the Four Sages for protection. “The Four Sages” generally refers to the demon-subduing generals under Zhenwu. “Activating a talisman,” “ritual practice,” and “forming hand seals” mean carrying out the talisman rite, reciting spells, and forming hand seals in sequence as part of the liturgy.

A Plain-Language Interpretation of Pearls Left in the Sea of the Law

The following is performed under the command of the Northern Emperor, the Dark Heaven Supreme Emperor of the North Pole, and the Four Saints, including the divine generals Tianpeng, Tianrui, Tianchong, and Tianfu.

Command to the Gods and Generals

By command: Spread the Heavenly Net above and lay the Earthly Mesh below. Densely station the celestial troops in all directions to guard the ritual altar, enforce prohibitions, clear and purify the site, and protect the ground around the altar. Investigate and pursue the evil spirit currently causing trouble and breaking the law in a certain person’s home. Capture all its accomplices, bind them, and bring them before the altar. Make them possess the medium, a ritual child or spirit-medium, and compel them to speak. Deal with them according to the regulations and carry out the prescribed punishments. Protect the afflicted person, bring them a swift recovery and peace, and spread the Daoist teachings. Haste, by the command of the Northern Emperor and the order of the Four Saints.

Next, Form the Hand Seal

With both hands, hook the little, ring, and middle fingers, and extend the two thumbs—or the index fingers and thumbs. Recite silently:

The Heavenly Net is spread at all times, densely laid in every direction. Ghosts and demons have nowhere to hide; swiftly, the net descends upon them. Haste, by the command of the Northern Emperor and the order of the Four Saints.

When the incantation is finished, pinch the Chen seal, corresponding to the earthly branch Chen, and cast the seal downward. Then sharply perform the Yin-Yang Dipper gesture, using visualization to imagine black mist blocking Heaven and Earth on all four sides and covering the afflicted household inside and out. Next recite the sword command:

I issue one command: blades and swords stand like a forest. The eight directions are sealed, and troops arrayed above and below. Any who escape the net will face punishment under the Dark Law. Haste, by the command of the Northern Emperor and the order of the Four Saints.

Incantation to Urge the Capture

The Northern Emperor’s divine might is fierce and fearsome. Establish the altar and pursue the offenders. Bind evil as swiftly as lightning; capture demons at the sound of a command. Whoever dares disobey will be pierced through the belly by a divine spear. The divine beings will descend at once and swiftly bind the evil spirits. Haste, by the command of the Northern Emperor and the order of the Four Saints.

When the incantation is finished, recite silently:

Celestial troops, earthly troops, and the divine troops of Hekui: I swallow the Great Yin and consume the Great Essence. Four dragons rise through the mist; nine emperors fly among the clouds. Great Generals of Heavenly Thunder, Gods of Hail, Master of Wind, Master of Rain, and divine beings of the North: capture every evil ghost and swiftly descend to possess the medium. Haste, by the command of the Northern Emperor and the order of the Four Saints.

Obscuring Incantation

To daze evil spirits and drive them from the body

The altar’s light grows dim; the hidden spirit is clouded and confused. Spirit, hear my command: leave the person’s body at once. You may not flee far. Hear the summons and return to your form. Haste, by the command of the Northern Emperor and the order of the Four Saints.

Black Wind Talisman

Write the names of the gods and their directions on the talisman: Tanlang, Jumen, Lucun, Wenqu; Lianzhen, Wuqu, and Pojun; on the left, the Azure Dragon, Cui, with the Thunder-Mao seal; on the right, the White Tiger, Lu, with the Lightning-You seal; in front, the Vermilion Bird, Deng, with the Firmament-Wu seal; and behind, the Black Tortoise, Dou, with the Cloud-Zi seal.

Grind red cinnabar ink and black ink on a purified ritual object, perhaps described as a “true sock” or “true sock wax.” Pinch the seals of the Five Directions: Tanlang, Jumen, Lucun, Wenqu, Lianzhen, Wuqu, Pojun, and the names of the Fengdu ghost gods Kui, Gui, Yi, Xing, Bi, Sha, and Piao. Dispatch the designated general with fire: swiftly drive away the evil and make the possessing spirit attach to the medium for questioning.

Note: This passage belongs to the section on spreading the net, deploying troops, urging capture, obscuring and confining spirits, and issuing talismans in Daoist exorcistic altar liturgy. It is often used together with the Northern Pole Four Saints, the Heavenly Net and Earthly Mesh, troops of the Five Directions, and the possession of a ritual child who is made to reveal the truth. Several characters in the text are variant forms found in manuscript copies. The names of the gods are generally written according to the Big Dipper, the Nine Stars, and the directions associated with the Four Symbols. The precise hand seals should be checked against the complete illustrated text and the transmission of the ritual lineage.

Pearls Left in the Sea of the Dao (Fahai Yizhu): A Plain-Language Reading

1. Command and General Incantation (Main Text of the Talisman and Spell)

(The secret characters for “enlarging the body to manifest retribution,” “writing characters in overlapping layers,” and the like are omitted.)

The four heavens are sealed and blocked; turbid Qi gathers and congeals. I ever hold the axe and halberd, and take the Celestial Soldiers in my hand. My might shakes the south; with one breath, courage is shattered.

My heart turns toward the numinous lord. I search and inspect, listening closely for every sound. The earth gods and divine generals of the Nine Provinces are summoned one by one by name to destroy and root out the wicked. Those who have sinned will not be spared: the wicked die, the kind and good live. Heads are severed, feet cut off, and bodies crushed to pieces. Ghosts and demons are swept away, and the human world is at peace. Heal illness and drive out evil; when the talisman arrives, obey its command. Hasten, hasten, in obedience to the Northern Emperor’s laws and command.

2. Talisman Method: Black Wind Water Spell

This talisman: Write it in ink on yellow paper, and pinch-write the Sha characters (secret characters used to suppress harmful forces). Take in the Northern Qi (the vital energy of the north). Visualize heaven and earth darkened; amid flashes of lightning, hear one thunderclap and draw the Qi into the talisman. Then burn the talisman, put its ashes into a water bowl, and visualize them transforming within it.

Black Wind Water Spell (secret directional characters such as Qian, Gen, Xun, Kun, Zhen, and Dui are omitted).

When the spell is complete, take in Northern Qi and flick the Sha characters into the water bowl. Visualize black mist, thunderfire, and lightning surging up; inhale and spray the breath onto the ground, visualizing the earth splitting open as black mist spreads everywhere.

Settle the ritual attendant, conceal the water, spray the attendant (stabilize the ritual attendant who assists in the rite, then carry out the water-spraying steps in the prescribed order).

3. Cold-Water Spell

By command of the Northern Emperor: Heaven is Yang and Earth is Yin; the Nine Qi are clear and cold as ice. Lords of the Four Seas, toads, bees, and vipers; the iron-faced general, the river foe, and the water spirits of the Nine Rivers.

(The spell incorporates the Earthly Branches—Zi, Chou, Mao, Chen, and others—as well as Sha characters; omitted.)

Clouds and mist billow; lightning flashes and thunder cracks; evil spirits are cut down and destroyed. The Wind Master, the Rain Master, the Great Deity of Hail, and the divine generals of the north—seize and bind them upon your person. Hasten, hasten, in obedience to the Northern Emperor’s command and the Four Sages’ decree.

Ritual procedure: When the spell is complete, use the Zi character together with Northern Qi in visualization. The river general rides a dark dragon down from the north; the land in every direction is covered in frost, a place of bitter cold. Thousands of pieces of ice fill the dragon’s scales, inspiring awe and fear. Draw the ice-cold breath in through the teeth and blow it into the water; feel the cold press upon you. Strike with the sword mudra to shatter it, then spray it onto the ritual attendant’s body. Command the officers and generals to seize and bind the target, and recite:

By the Northern Emperor’s command: the flying dragon rides flying fire; the cloud-flying tiger rides flying water; the cloud dragon…

(The following text continues with the Four Sages, binding rites, and the complete liturgy.)

Notes for Readers

The passages above belong to Daoist talismanic rites for averting misfortune, expelling evil, and healing illness. They involve ritual stepping and visualization. The source text is often fragmentary, with overlapping characters and interwoven Sha characters and Earthly Branches. This plain-language reading follows the sequence of the original without adding doctrinal interpretation; brief explanations of technical terms are provided at first mention.

Tiger mounts roar and charge forward, their chilling breath striking the face. Do not delay in seizing evil spirits; swiftly carry out the Northern Emperor’s Edict and the Four Saints’ Command—the orders issued by the Great Emperor Zhenwu of the Northern Pole and the four holy guardian deities.

The Golden Cord Hanging Ghost Talisman (a talisman for hanging and binding ghosts): Form the Great Sha hand seal, the designated finger position used in ritual practice, and blow Northern Qi (the true Qi of the north) three times.

This talisman should be written in the void, without actually applying ink, and placed behind the child’s head. Then recite the incantation and form the hand seal to “hang” the talisman and put it to use. If the evil spirit must be interrogated, the Fengdu interrogation method may be applied—the method for torturing and questioning evil spirits in the underworld of Fengdu.

Talisman for Imprisonment and Interrogation: Form the hand seals in sequence: “Heaven is round” at the Hai position; “Earth is square” at the Si position; “thunder and fire arise” at the Li position; and “fly” at the Heaven position. Then pray that the envoy, General Yuan, arrive swiftly.

Next, form the Sha hand seal again, draw in Northern Qi, and recite the secret incantations of the generals. Following the prescribed method, visualize and perform the rite, sending the captured spirit into prison for interrogation.

The incantation says: “Heaven is round, Earth is square; thunder and fire shine forth. Seize the ghostly bandit and bind him to the prison bed. Swiftly carry out the Northern Emperor’s Edict and the Four Saints’ Command.”

Method for Locking the Prison

Above the prison gate, visualize the Great Flying Sage of the Seven Kings and the Holy Envoy of the Nine Heavens; below, visualize the prison wardens and mounted officers. Recite: “Swiftly and securely lock the prison gate.”

Then form the Sha hand seal and step the Ding pace toward the Gate of Heaven; draw in Northern Qi and blow it forth.

The locking incantation says: “Copper head, iron feet, fiery eyes and golden pupils; envoys of the Three Offices, generals in iron armor. The Most High has issued an edict: lock down the evil essence.”

Then cover the word “prison” with the Yin-Yang Dipper, a dipper shape formed by a ritual implement or hand seal.

Fire Cannon Beans

For the rite, take red beans and iron filings in any quantity. Form the Sha hand seal with the left hand and hold the beans in the right as you recite:

“Five Qi of the Mysterious Heaven, axis of Heaven’s gate and Earth’s pivot; Water and Fire in harmony, Yin and Yang in reversal. Thunder, lightning, clouds, and sky—hurl fire swiftly. Marshal Black Sha, Xuanwu of the Northern Pole. Remember General Wan, who soars through Heaven and overturns Earth. Call the saints and summon the troops; transform into countless true beings. Pursue and capture the demons; let the Three Realms be swept clear. Should any dare rebel, behead them and bring back their heads. Swiftly carry out the Northern Emperor’s Edict and the Four Saints’ Command.”

When the incantation is complete, draw Fire Qi from the Gate of Heaven and place it upon the beans. Visualize them as fire cannons, then hurl them.

Fire Wheel Sand Method

For the rite, take seven packets of iron sand (the filings must come from seven households), forty-nine red beans, forty-nine inches of grass, and a little cinnabar; mix them together. Form the Wu hand seal with the left hand and draw in Southern Qi. Over a low flame, fry the mixture in an iron pan while silently reciting the incantation—the same incantation as in the preceding method of hurling beans charged with Fire Qi, beginning “Five Qi of the Mysterious Heaven” and ending “the Four Saints’ Command.”

A Plain-Language Explanation of Fahai Yizhu (Pearls Left Behind by the Dharma Ocean)

(1) Incantation for the Northern Emperor and the Four Saints to Subdue Baleful Forces

After reciting the preceding incantation, recite: “By the Northern Emperor’s command and the Four Saints’ order: may true fire descend from above, and true water rise from below. Let blazing true fire enter the baleful ghosts and melt them into liquid. Carry this out with all haste.”

Then recite in turn, calling down the true essence of the deities of the four directions and the center, restoring the numinous vitality to the cinnabar, and driving away baleful and sinister spirits:

• Eastern Forest-Horn Deity: bring down the Jia-Yi Qi (Mao position / eastern Qi)
• Western White Xie Deity: bring down the Geng-Xin Qi (You position / western Qi)
• Southern Numinous Radiance Deity: bring down the Bing-Ding Qi (Wu position / southern Qi)
• Northern Yin Emperor Deity: bring down the Ren-Gui Qi (Zi position / northern Qi)
• Central Yellow Origin Deity: bring down the Wu-Ji Qi (central palace / position of the baleful inscriptions)

After each incantation, visualize the thunder fire and the ashes of the Four Saints’ talismans merging as one. Form the Northern Emperor hand seal with the left hand, scatter the ashes with the right, and recite the Tianpeng Incantation and the Great Awe-Inspiring Virtue Incantation, then add a command. This can destroy stubborn spirits in ancient trees and evil temples, and is often said to be effective.

(2) The Green Vine Binding Method

A wrap and a shock of thunderous power can startle a person. Form the sword seal with the right hand and the Dipper seal with the left. Recite the Golden Light Incantation and draw a talisman in the air with the hand seal. When a powerful evil spirit appears, draw the talisman and shout; the spirit will fall. Then bind it with the ritual method.

(3) The River-Barrier Method

“Black waters of the Northern Sea… descend swiftly and bind the evil spirit below.” Form the Zi seal with the left hand and the Great Baleful seal with the right. Splash black water in front of you, stepping backward as you sweep your hand to create a river. If the evil spirit tries to cross, bind it at once.

(4) The Evil-Slaying Seal and the Steps-and-Incantation of the Dipper

Ascend to Yangming, summon the thunder deities, command thunder and lightning, array wind and clouds, crash with thunderbolts, and slay the demons. The Five Thunder Generals behead the demon spirits; the two sacred ones Kui and Chi, and the stars Bi and Piao, appear in visible form. Carry this out with all haste, by the Northern Emperor’s command and the Four Saints’ order.

(5) The Three Terraces Incantation

“Upper Terrace, Xu Jing; Middle Terrace, Liu Chun; Lower Terrace, Qu Sheng. Wherever the Terrace stars arrive, may they illuminate my form. Since my body is radiant, may I swiftly summon the myriad numinous beings.” Carry this out with all haste, according to the statutes.

(6) The Sword-Command Incantation

“The dark sword emerges to act; the celestial troops guard and follow. The baleful deities of the Heavenly Dipper, the Five Dippers lend their might.” Point the sword as the command directs.

Notes for Reading the Original

• Northern Emperor: A Daoist deity who guards the north, governs water, and subdues baleful forces. He is often associated with the systems of Zhenwu and Tianpeng.
• Four Saints’ order: Usually refers to the commands of the protective holy beings Tianpeng, Tianyou, Yisheng, and Zhenwu.
• Seals and ritual gestures: Hand forms, steps of the Dipper, and visualization used together in ritual practice; they are not ordinary gestures.
• Baleful ghosts, sinister spirits, and stubborn hauntings: Ghosts, spirits, and troublesome numinous beings associated with temples and trees.
• Visualization: A ritual practice of closing the eyes and inwardly seeing the thunder fire, talisman ashes, and descending deities as present and real.
• Steps of the Dipper: Steps taken according to the positions of the stars, aligning with the thunder deities and the Qi of the five directions.

“White Xie,” “Kui Chi,” and “Bi Piao” are mostly proper names for divine generals or classes of ghosts. A few characters, such as “Xu ▲,” may be copying errors; this does not affect the general meaning: use black water, a river boundary, thunder fire, and the commands of the Northern Emperor and the Four Saints to bind and slay evil spirits.

Beads Left Behind by the Sea of the Dao: A Plain-Language Interpretation

Below is a straightforward explanation of the various incantations—spoken formulas recited in Daoist rituals—and practice instructions, which describe the steps to carry out.

Incantations for Dispelling Ghosts and Beheading

The general meaning of the Ghost-Destroying Incantation:

The sky darkens and the earth grows dim; the ground splits and mountains collapse. Wherever the command is directed, ghosts and monsters are destroyed. Divine troops brandish their swords, and all ten thousand ghosts are wiped out. “Swiftly, in accordance with the statutes and commands!”—that is, carry it out at once, as ordered.

Procedure: After reciting the incantation, form the Sha gesture, a talismanic shape or hand seal used to suppress baleful forces. Draw in Sha Qi, the force that overcomes evil, and blow it onto the sword.

The general meaning of the Beheading Incantation:

The Black Banner of the Celestial Emperor; the Dark Emperor’s authorization. Then shout: “Officials and soldiers of Fengdu, carry this out according to the law!”

Soul-Awakening Incantation

Within clear water, the radiance of the sun and moon appears. Within it are the Northern Dipper, whose stars govern longevity and the averting of calamity, and the Three Terraces deities, who govern rank, honor, and good fortune.

Sprinkle the water, and the ghost retreats and the soul returns. “Swiftly, in accordance with the statutes and commands!”

Incantation for Transforming the Ruyi Shrine

Om, chen, hong, zha, mo, li, chi, she. These are syllables in a mantra style; the number of repetitions is not fixed.

Instructions for use:

If a family member has fallen among an evil group—that is, evil spirits or malevolent wandering souls—submit a petition to the Most High, Taishang Laojun, asking that all the deceased person’s sins be forgiven, that they be granted immortal clothing and fine food, and that they be allowed to rest while awaiting deliverance. During the rite, recite this incantation to transform a Ruyi Shrine, a temporary dwelling for the deceased soul. Provide it with every kind of clothing and food, cover it with golden light, and send the soul inside. Then seal it firmly with golden light and assign divine generals to guard it.

Incantation for Urgently Summoning the Soul

Write the Black Sha Direction talisman in black ink, or layer the writing, and recite: “I know your humble servant has come again to hurry you.” The rite is accompanied by the Sha gesture and Northern Qi, the energy of the north or a specific talismanic energy.

Procedure: Move the brush and recite the incantation seven times to complete the talisman. Twist the paper into a wick and burn it; let the person inhale the smoke to awaken the soul.

Entryway Incantation

Recite this when arriving at the sick person’s home:

Heavenly Sha, earthly Sha, Sha of the year, month, day, and hour; Door Guardian and Household Guardian; local Earth God; and all evil spirits—quickly, Sha, restrain them. The rite is accompanied by the Sha gesture and Northern Qi.

Door-Locking Incantation

Heavenly lock and earthly lock: lock up all evil spirits with me, and do not let them escape. “Swiftly, in accordance with the statutes and commands!” The rite is accompanied by the Si gesture and Northern Qi.

Mount Tai Door-Sealing Formula

Mount Tai seals the door; evil ghosts are destroyed. All wronged souls are gathered and restrained.

Procedure: Silently summon the generals, and use Mount Tai to block the doorway, symbolically sealing it against evil.

Formula for the Consequences of a Flying Talisman

When the talisman reaches the east, the person will be safe;

When it flies wildly to the west, their fate is uncertain.

It is especially inauspicious if it suddenly flies south;

If it passes calmly, illness will linger.

If the talisman trails into the northern region of death,

The person will surely enter the Yellow Springs.

In the northeast, evil falls to the ground and dies;

In the southeast, spirits bring trouble in their wake.

If it passes calmly to the southwest, Heaven will press for the vow to be fulfilled;

If the talisman falls in the northwest, illness will linger.

This is a formula for judging good or ill fortune from the direction in which a flying talisman lands. Each direction has its own omen, and the practitioner must assess the result according to its direction.

Note: The original contains many damaged or missing characters. Here, the wording has been rendered according to commonly used Daoist canon texts and the sense of the passage. The precise talisman forms, hand seals, and Qi steps require the complete text and instruction from a teacher; this translation is intended only to clarify the meaning.

Plain-language interpretation of Precious Pearls of the Dharma Sea

The passage below describes burning talismans and observing how they move in the ash and which direction they fly, in order to judge fortune and misfortune, the course of an illness, and whether there is a “malignant influence.” Here, “vow” usually means a wish, solemn vow, or matter presented in prayer. “Malignant influence” refers to an evil spirit or an impure force.

General formula: interpreting the talisman’s signs

• The talisman splits cleanly into two pieces: This indicates great misfortune, even death.
• “Passing through a beam” or “crossing a pillar”: These are usually associated with pressing a vow forward or with mutual torment and things going awry. The sign called “burial” must be interpreted separately, as described below.
• Two objects lying opposite one another in the “overarching Metal” or “Metal paper” (incense-burner ash): The situation can still be preserved. If the sign of “offering Metal” also appears, it must be judged separately.
• Calamity and obstruction: Misfortune drags on, and affairs run into blockages.
• The talisman shoots up and then plunges down just as quickly: The person’s life force is unlikely to endure; danger is imminent.
• The talisman scurries like a mouse, indicating a malignant influence: Suspect an evil spirit and address it according to the direction. If the talisman shoots upward into the sky, there is still a chance the illness will be cured.
• A sudden rise accompanied by many malignant influences: Find a way to gather them in and subdue them. If the attached money talisman moves first, this is usually ominous.
• The talisman sinks down: This invariably indicates hardship, delay, and things going badly.
• The talisman spins like a wheel and sounds like thunder: This is an urgent spirit pressing the vow forward. It may not be a true response from a spirit, so judge with care.
• The celestial signs suddenly change, appearing like scattered stars: The person is often beyond saving.
• The pieces occasionally join back together: Misfortune can be avoided.
• This is a true and wondrous secret of the immortals: Anyone who has not met a true master or received instruction from an immortal must not pass it on carelessly.

Judgments by the eight directions

Names and meanings of specific talisman signs

• Heaven-Charging Talisman: It shoots straight up into the sky and then tilts downward. This is harmless, but it must still be considered together with the judgment for the direction below.
• Splitting-Form Talisman: Wind lifts it and blows it into two pieces. This is called “splitting form,” and is ominous, indicating death.
• Buried-Metal Talisman: It does not rise, but sinks into the paper ash. This is called “buried Metal.” It is harmless, and the person can still be saved.
• Overarching-Metal Talisman: It does not rise, but instead inserts itself from the ground beneath the ash. This is called “overarching Metal” and is harmless.
• Offering-Metal Talisman: It does not rise, but floats on top of the paper ash. This indicates delay and difficulty attaining what is sought; it is unfavorable.
• Beam-Passing Talisman: As it rises, it passes through a beam. This indicates that a vow is being pressed forward.
• Beam-Clinging Talisman: As it rises, it clings to the ridge of a beam or roof. This indicates that a vow is being pressed forward.
• Money-Flying Talisman: The talisman itself has not risen, but the ash from the money offering rises first. This is ominous for the person and indicates financial loss.

Note: The original is a set of Daoist ritual expressions and divinatory formulas based on signs and number correspondences. This translation follows the wording closely. How the ritual is performed, which talismans are used, and how they correspond to the directions must be understood from the surrounding chapters and the master’s oral instruction; these lines should not be taken out of context and applied on their own.

The Beaded Pearls Left Behind in the Sea of the Dao, Volume 32 (A Plain-Language Interpretation)

Making Thunder Talismans, Making Ash, and Burning Ash in a Paper Burner: When a Thunder Talisman is burned to ash, or when the ash is placed in a paper burner (an implement used for burning talismans) and burned again, it may suddenly make a sound like thunder. This is a sign that a spirit is urging the fulfillment of a wish.

A Sign of Misfortune: It foretells ill fortune and danger.

The Wheel Talisman: It stands on the ground and spins like a wheel. This means the mountain deity is urging the fulfillment of a wish.

The Scattered-Star Talisman: After catching fire, it breaks into three or four pieces, none of them whole. This foretells death.

The Rejoined-Form Talisman: At first it breaks into two or three pieces, but soon they join together again. This means the sick person will not die and will suffer no great harm.

The Rising-and-Falling Talisman: As it burns, it sometimes drifts upward and sometimes falls downward. This means there is no hindrance to advancing or retreating; either course is safe.

The Mouse-Darting Talisman: The talisman fails to rise, whether by not catching fire or by not standing upright, yet it stands on the ground as if a mouse were darting about. This indicates the presence of a malevolent influence. Determine which direction it faces, then treat it according to that direction.

The Level-Rising-and-Level-Falling Talisman: It rises and falls evenly. There is a buried corpse or corpse-spirit beneath the house; using a talisman to subdue it is sufficient.

The Returning-Form Talisman: The talisman does not rise. If it suddenly rises only after passing through the paper burner, this is a returning form, and poses no problem.

The Sudden-Drop Talisman: It suddenly flies up, then drops sharply. It cannot be saved. If it falls slowly, treat it gradually; there is no problem.

The Sudden-Transformation Talisman: As soon as it catches fire, it flies away with a sound like continuous thunder. This is ominous. If a spirit is urgently seeking to take it, it is best to capture and subdue it at once.

The “Five-Peck Dipper and Kui-Gang Seal” Hand Form for Ascending the Altar

Instructions:

Form the Dipper Seal with the left hand. Extend the right hand’s fourth and fifth fingers, bend the second and third fingers, and press the thumb onto the “Sha Pattern.” Then align the Sha Pattern of the left-hand seal with that of the right hand. Cross three fingers, brush them across the forehead, and then perform the rite.

Both Hands: Cross and hold the two index fingers in place, then cross and hold the two little fingers. Bend the third and fourth fingers, and press both thumbs onto the Sha Pattern.

Determining the Direction of the Hidden Month

Begin at the exact point of the correct time. First make one circuit, then move backward through the twenty-eight lunar mansions until reaching the mansion corresponding to that day. That is the direction of the Hidden Month.

Determining the Celestial Dipper

Place the month general at the exact point of the correct time; the position where it encounters Chen is the Celestial Dipper.

In the first lunar month, begin at Hai and move backward to the position of that month’s earthly branch. Then add Xu and proceed forward. The position where it encounters Chen is the location of the Celestial Dipper; use the direction it points toward.

Note: This passage gives divinatory procedures for Daoist talismans and instructions for performing rites on the altar. The talismans’ forms as they burn—their rising, falling, breaking, and rejoining—are read as signs of good or ill fortune. The “Five-Peck Dipper and Kui-Gang Seal,” “Hidden Month,” and “Celestial Dipper” are methods for choosing times and determining directions, associated with the Dipper mansions, the month general, and the directional spirits of the Celestial Dipper.