《法海遺珠》Vol. 36

Fahai Yizhu, Scroll 36, Section 3

Talismanic Methods of Marshal Zhao, the Golden-Wheel Law Enforcer and Commander of the Divine Empyrean: The Roster of Generals (Images of the Divine Generals and the Invocation Rite)

The Roster of Generals (Description of the Divine General)

Zhao Gongming, Grand Commander of the Jade Palace of the Divine Empyrean, Deputy Marshal of Thunder, Imperial Censor in Attendance at the North Pole, Marquis of Manifested Origin and Illustrious Valor, and Golden-Wheel Law Enforcer. Among the people, he is commonly called “Zhao Gongming, the God of Wealth” and “Marshal of the Dark Altar.”

His face is purplish-black, with a thick beard and round eyes. He wears an iron futou (a cloth headpiece made of iron), with gold-yellow pigment on his forehead. He is dressed in golden armor and a black robe, with green boots. In his left hand he holds an iron chain; in his right, an iron whip. He rides a black tiger.

Under his command are the Great Black Tiger God of the Four Palaces and the officials and soldiers of the Three Caverns and Five Thunders—the divine officials and troops of the Thunder Department in the Thunder Method system.

Invocation Incantation (Chant for summoning the Marshal’s descent)

Subtle and wondrous, true emptiness (Zi position); mysterious connection of the Divine Empyrean (Wu position); drive thunder and command lightning (Yin position); send forth fire and set wind in motion (Si position). What deity will not submit? (Central Palace) What ghost would dare oppose? (Hai position) The divine tiger gives a single roar (Central Palace); ten thousand ghosts vanish without trace (Gen position). Hearing my call and summons (Gen position), manifest your divine powers in full (Thunder Chart/Chart position). By the command of the True King of the Divine Empyrean, I urgently summon Zhao Gongming, Commander of the Dark Altar of Zhengyi and Golden-Wheel Marshal. Come at once! With all haste, in accordance with the statutes and commands!

After completing the incantation: Form the Jade-Pattern Seal with the left hand and the Thunder-Chart Seal with the right. Stand with hands at the waist and let the eyes flash with jade radiance nine times. Visualize thunderous light and lightning Qi in the southeast; draw it in and unite it with the Thunder Deity in the Central Palace Dantian. It transforms into the Five Qi—wind, clouds, thunder, rain, and lightning. Raise it up and transform it into golden light; send it out from the Xun direction (the doorway), unite with the Marshal, and descend. He leads the assembled generals to stand before the altar. Then recite the invocation again:

Om, gather and subdue with jewel thunder and fire (three times).

Om, qiuqiu liye houli (oral pronunciation), subdue (seven times).

Om, nie nie (repeat rapidly many times), subdue.

Make the “subduing” hand gesture, draw in Qi from the southeast, and recite:

By command, Zhao Gongming is charged with the rite; by command, he is summoned to come (the “hanging” gesture). May ghosts and spirits come at once, in accordance with the statutes of the True King of the Divine Empyrean.

Talisman of the Principal General

Write Zhao Gongming on the talisman, with the accompanying inscription: “By command, summon Zhao Gongming; let him appear in form without delay. Om, thunder/fire crashes forth. With all haste, in accordance with the statutes of the True King of the Divine Empyrean.”

At the top of the talisman, one may write Solar Sovereign of the Sun Palace and Great Emperor, True King of the Divine Empyrean. In accordance with the prescribed method, visualize the golden light of the Jade Emperor’s command binding ghosts at the top of the talisman.

Note: This section belongs to the lineage of the Divine Empyrean Thunder Method. It combines visualization of Zhao Gongming’s image, recitation of the invocation, formation of hand seals, drawing in Qi, and talisman writing to summon the Marshal at the altar, where he leads the Thunder Department’s officials and soldiers in performing the rite. Zi, Wu, Yin, Si, Hai, and Gen designate positions used to arrange ritual gestures according to the hours and directions. The Thunder Chart, Jade Pattern, and “hanging” gesture are names for hand seals and ritual steps used by Daoist priests.

《Pearls Left Behind in the Ocean of Daoist Methods》: Related Talismans and Ritual Procedures (Plain-Language Explanation)

Timing for Incorporating and Using Talismans

When incorporating a talisman into a ritual: to capture a malevolent spirit (seize an evil spirit causing harm), it is fitting to use the Xu hour or a corresponding Xu day. To attack a malevolent spirit (subdue and bring it to heel), use the method of “attacking”—that is, attack the spirit by means of the attack method. The Fire of the Three Marshals (in Daoist Thunder Methods and the Shenxiao tradition, often the fire commanded by the marshals of the Thunder Department) may be used to burn demons. The revered deity summoned is Lord Zhao, namely the God of Wealth and Thunder Department Marshal Zhao Gongming.

Samadhi True Fire and Binding Demons

Illuminate with Samadhi True Fire (the “true fire” spoken of in internal cultivation and Thunder Methods; here, a flame capable of refining away evil), and use a cord to bind the demon swiftly. State your intention clearly, visualize the revered deity, and direct your thought into the talisman, then issue the command: “Act under the edict of the True King Emperor of Shenxiao” (acting by the command of the True King Emperor of Shenxiao, revered in the Shenxiao tradition).

The Twenty-Eight Lunar Mansions and the Northern Dipper’s Command

Summon in turn the eastern mansions Jiao, Kang, Di, Fang, Xin, Wei, and Ji; the northern mansions Dou, Niu, Nü, Xu, Wei, Shi, and Bi; the western mansions Kui, Lou, Wei, Mao, Bi, Zui, and Shen; and the southern mansions Jing, Gui, Liu, Xing, Zhang, Yi, and Zhen—together, the Twenty-Eight Lunar Mansions. Act swiftly, in accordance with the commands of the True Lords of the Seven Origins of the Northern Dipper (the seven True Lords transformed from the seven stars of the Northern Dipper).

Dispersing and Bringing Matters to Completion

For dispersing a matter, open outward; for bringing it to completion, draw inward. The talisman has another form.

Another Talisman Form: Summoning Zhao Gongming

By command, summon Zhao Gongming to appear swiftly in his true form. I act under the command of the Celestial Master, Patriarch of Zhengyi (the command transmitted in the Zhengyi tradition, whose founding patriarch is Celestial Master Zhang Daoling). I also invoke the Solar Palace and the Solar Emperor (the principal deity of the Solar Palace), along with the Fire Department marshals Liu Yan, Liu Zhi, Zheng Tianyou, and Xiao Tianyou, and others. Appear swiftly in your true forms and descend at once.

With Zhao Gongming’s Samadhi Fire and a cord, act swiftly, in accordance with the command; again, act by the edict of the Celestial Master, Patriarch of Zhengyi.

Incorporating the Later Characters and Trigrams; Chanting the Dipper

In the south, Bing and Ding: hot as fire, exhale. In the north, Ren and Gui: cold as ice, blow. (The directions and Heavenly Stems are matched with the energies of fire and water.) The temporal positions also include Yin, Wu, Si, Wei, Wu, Shen, and Xu (used to select a time or determine positions for pacing the Dipper).

Invocation for Commanding Spirits

Om, Wu-su, Ti-su, Di-lai, Su-jia-lai, Ti-tou-yecha-lai; come with wheeling knives and dancing swords; come roaring wildly and howling; come with hair loose and disheveled; come with thunder and lightning—act swiftly, in accordance with the command.

The maidservant and child attendants confuse and beguile people, appear and transform into human form, and pass through prefectures and counties; (they are used for) warding off calamity and promoting good fortune, dispersing official disputes and lawsuits, and pursuing souls into dreams. A million Chang troops (numerous wandering ghosts, or Chang-type guardian spirits or ghost soldiers) come individually from all directions—act swiftly, in accordance with the command.

Other examples include the Chang troops of the Middle Cavern, the armored temple troops, the hair-bun of the maidservants of the Lower Cavern, and Brahmin immortals with raised legs and whistles (all describing kinds of spirits summoned and their ritual postures).

Incantation for Applying the Talisman

Flying Heavenly Divine King; Si, the essence of might; Wu, whose divine powers reach Heaven and Earth; Zi, whose Qi covers the Three Pure Ones; Mao, I command and summon with one call; Yin, hu-lu-ji-chi; Wu, dan-lu-li-chi; Wu, he-ruo-li-mi-chi; Xu, swiftly call Pan-di; Zi, command, destroy, and restrain; Hai—(the Twelve Earthly Branches are paired with deity names and syllables of command).

Perform the Thunder Bureau hand sign three times (make the Thunder Bureau hand gesture or perform the Thunder Method’s ritual steps three times).

Open and empower the talisman (perform the consecration that gives the talisman its efficacy).

Plain-Language Interpretation

I. Drawing Talismans and Focusing the Spirit

When drawing a talisman, first use the hand signs to mark the directions and strokes for Yin, Wu, Xu, and the other signs on the talisman—that is, trace the corresponding characters with the fingers. Then make the stroke for Wu stand out and write it at the top of the talisman.

Inwardly visualize the five directions—east, south, west, north, and center—and the Qi of the five colors—blue-green, red, yellow, white, and black—blending into one and transforming into your own “true body.” Only then can you focus the Shen and carry out the practice.

(The text here includes a command formula. Its general meaning is: by command of the Solar Emperor, the True King of the Divine Empyrean, the Great Emperor of Ziwei, and others, the True King of the Divine Empyrean summons Zhao Gongming—the Daoist deity in charge of wealth, also commonly regarded as Marshal Zhao, a divine general of the Thunder Department—to establish an altar and answer the summons.)

Next, recite incantations concerning “heavenly fire, earthly fire, and thunder,” along with phrases such as “the fierce fire of the Samadhi True Fire.” Use formulaic words such as “command the baleful forces” and “draw in” to subdue those forces and draw the power of fire into the talisman.

When making the Yin hand sign, visualize the five Qi within your body circling and emerging through the seven apertures. The black Qi of the north transforms into “Mystery”; the black Qi at the altar becomes a tiger, which you drive toward yourself. After passing the Wu position, it enters the “sun,” and an omen follows: from the hour of Zi to the hour of Wu, draw in the sun’s Qi and distribute it through the talisman. Then visualize the five-colored Qi filling the talisman paper. When you feel that its Qi has merged with your own, draw the talisman into your Dantian (energy center). To consecrate it, breathe onto the talisman and send the light into it.

II. How to Use the Talisman Once It Is Complete

After drawing the talisman:

1. First sprinkle clean water on the paper, and also sprinkle it on the child used for planchette writing or mediumship. Have the child stand nearby.

2. Use the incantations and “application” methods recorded in the talisman to summon the generals to their appointed places and state your intention.

3. Pass the paper through incense smoke, then burn the talisman in the incense. Stick the ashes or the talisman paper to a wall.

4. Form the sword sign with the right hand and trace the paper in the air. Visualize the talisman’s “application” as the generals already being above. Then write the secret characters and recite “Om, Hong, numinous, swift, light,” and similar phrases, drawing them into the talisman.

5. The general meaning of the secret incantation is: “Heaven and earth, sun and moon, bring forth light; swiftly reveal your form; hasten, hasten, as the Old Ancestor connects the light and draws it in.”

6. Then use the final incantation to urge the general to appear. It includes sounds such as “Gui Mo,” which are often oral secret characters and may be replaced by symbols in written texts.

After reciting the incantation, if the child becomes possessed, draw out the original general’s Qi with the hand signs and blow it into the child’s crown and Fenghu point—the crown of the head and the point at the back of the neck where wind Qi enters and leaves.

III. The Great Method of the Three Heavens’ Wind, Fire, and Sole Thunder

Lineage and Principal General

• Principal master: The patriarch is the bestowed Purple Yang Tongmiao Perfected One, Hong Tianxiang of Guangdong, a Daoist of the Southern Song associated with the Divine Empyrean and Thunder Rites traditions.
• Principal general: Zhao Gongming, the Five Directions’ Swift-Capturing Wind-and-Fire Marshal. He is depicted with a purplish-black face, a beard, large round eyes, an iron headpiece, a red forehead band, a red robe, golden armor, and green boots. He holds a golden cord in his left hand and an iron whip in his right, with a black tiger at his side.

Incantation of the Black Wind (a general-summoning incantation that uses the hand sign for baleful forces and draws wind Qi from the Xun direction), in general meaning:

“Om—roar, roar! The black wind shakes the earth; thunder crashes and booms; the earthly gate splits open…”

Notes

This text belongs to the Divine Empyrean Thunder Rites tradition. It describes procedures for drawing talismans, summoning generals, and using a planchette medium. The hand signs, five-colored Qi, solar Qi, burning talismans in incense smoke, and the child’s crown are all practical instructions for combining “wind, fire, and thunder” with the divine general Zhao Gongming. The triangles, missing characters, and terms such as “command” and “draw in” often represent secret characters passed down orally and not to be altered casually. Their function can be inferred from context, but the original incantation cannot now be reconstructed word for word.

A Modern Interpretation of an Excerpt from Fahai Yizhu

Summoning and Opening the Earth Gate

Descending from the upper realm, the Earth Gate resounds with a thunderous roar. At my command, the divine might is shaken; the Emperor’s edict comes down. Let the flying Qi swiftly seize and bind. Hasten, in accordance with the statute!

With my right hand, I form the sword mudra and trace the Xun trigram (one of the Eight Trigrams, associated with wind and the southeast) in the air over the ground to the southeast. Then I cleave the Xun trigram with the sword mudra, symbolically splitting open the Earth Gate (the entrance to the underworld or hidden realm). A clap of thunder sounds; wind and fire surge, and lightning flashes. I see Marshal Zhao (Zhao Gongming, a marshal of the Daoist Thunder Department) manifesting thunder and fire at Heaven’s Gate. The Kui and Gang Star Spirit (a stellar deity associated with the Dipper’s Kui constellation and Gang energy) rides beside him on a dark cloud, descending to the Xun direction to receive commands.

Repeated-character incantation (used generally for summoning generals: form the Thunder Hand Formation, gather Qi from the southeast, and use the Sha pattern as before)

Om… (sounds such as “shake,” “Emperor,” “edict,” “Sha,” “seize,” and “might”)… Great Spirit of Wuyang, Imperial Command of Kui and Gang, Marshal of Thunder and Lightning: swiftly turn and have the divine general bind him with a cord. Hasten, in accordance with the statute!

Shenxiao and Zhao Gongming

By command of the High Supreme True King of Shenxiao (the principal deity of the Shenxiao school’s Thunder Rites).

Personal talisman (a talisman corresponding to the ritual master or the summoned divine general)

Note: (By the urgent command of Zhao Gongming, Solar Lord of the Sun Palace) (First, shake; second, seize; third, bind; fourth, take hold; fifth, capture.)

(Quickly) command and seize—by the Emperor’s edict, seize mountain demons and the spirits of the Five Powers. (Open Heaven’s Gate, close the Earth Gate; leave the human gate open and block the ghost road.) Pierce the ghosts’ hearts and rupture their bellies. (Thunder and lightning issue from the right foot; wind and fire rise from the left.) (Axe of jade; divine and holy Kui and Gang.)

Summoning and Capturing Marshal Zhao

Capture with the Zi-Wu Dipper: thunder crashes and roars. By command of Sha, capture with the Yin-Wu Dipper. Visualize Marshal Zhao riding up on a dark cloud, with a radiant Northern Dipper Gang Star above his head. (Note below: depict Marshal Zhao riding the luminous Qi into the talisman.)

(Spirit of the Fire Emperor, Spirit of the Water Pool, Spirit of Heavenly Fire, Spirit of Earth’s Shaking)

General Zhao Gongming, hasten to obey the command of the True King of Shenxiao.

Incantation for Empowering the Talisman

Om, howl and roar, howl and roar! The dark wind shakes the heavens; thunder crashes and booms; the Earth Gate splits open. Descending from above, the Earth Gate roars to the sky. At my command, one summons shakes the divine might. The Emperor’s edict comes down; flying Qi swiftly captures. Hasten, in accordance with the statute!

Om, shake, shake, Emperor, Emperor… edict, edict, Sha, Sha, seize, seize, might, might… rub, rub, Great Spirit of Wuyang, Imperial Command of Kui and Gang, Marshal of Thunder and Lightning: have the divine general bind him with a cord. Hasten, in accordance with the statute!

Background for reading the ritual text

This passage belongs to the category of Thunder Rite rituals for summoning divine generals. It uses the sword mudra, the directions of the Eight Trigrams (Xun is the southeast), Heaven’s Gate and the Earth Gate, repeated-character incantations, and talismanic spells to summon Zhao Gongming, Kui and Gang, and the commands of Shenxiao, so they can bind and capture mountain demons and spirits with thunder, lightning, wind, and fire. “First shake, second seize, third bind,” and the following phrases describe the sequence of ritual actions. “Zi-Wu Dipper” and “Yin-Wu Dipper” relate to the hours, directions, and methods for arranging the Dipper and Gang patterns; their precise meaning requires comparison with the full text’s appendix on “binding and capturing” and its instructions for using Thunder Hand Formations. Much of the original consists of phonetic spell characters and abbreviated talisman annotations. A modern interpretation can convey their general function, but cannot replace the ritual formulae or the details transmitted by a teacher.

This scripture describes a demon-subduing ritual from Daoist Thunder Magic (Leifa), which consists of several key components:

The first section explains the "Demon-Subduing Hand Seal" technique: The practitioner faces northwest to absorb celestial and terrestrial Qi (vital energy), visualizing golden chains held in their hands. As the ritual brush strokes form the talisman, these chains materialize. The spell has five transformative stages: the first turn captures mountain spirits (Shanxiao), the second subdues the Five Manifestation Deities (Wutong Shen, malevolent folk deities), the third traps the Six Demonic Spirits (Liu Shen), the fourth binds ancestral ghosts (Jiaqin) causing disturbances, and the fifth captures all manner of demons and monsters.

Next comes the exorcism incantation summoning Thunder Department deities: Thunder Command Great Spirit (Leiling Dashen), Thunder Messenger Perfected Being (Leishi Zhenren), City God (Chenghuang, local protector), Earth God (Sheling), Lord Baiyuan, and deities like Zhou You and He Shen. The chant emphasizes these beings descend with solar and lunar radiance, scattering lesser ghosts in terror. Any resistance is met with thunderfire punishment - the blazing Fire Wheels and Fire Chariots (thunder instruments), while the Venomous Dragons and Iron Tigers (thunder beasts) patrol relentlessly. The command concludes with "By the decree of the Most High Divine Empyrean True King," invoking the supreme thunder deity's authority.

The second part introduces Thunder General Wen Qiong, commander of the Earthly Thunder Division: His blue face sports a blue beard, crowned with a golden headband and long green scarf. He wears a gold-ringed green robe with iron armor and rain hat, wielding a white silk staff, hemp shoes, and either an iron whip or a ritual mace (Guduo). He manifests amid thunderbolts, accompanied by drum-beating Yellow Turban Warriors half-veiled in clouds, holding yellow banners inscribed "Thunder and Lightning Earth Division."

His summoning mantra is the esoteric chant "Om Humo Huni Hong Lida Luo Feifu Sushe," combined with invocations to Eastern deities, Mountain Gods, and the Jade Emperor to urgently manifest Wen Qiong's presence.

Finally, the scripture details how to draw Wen Qiong's true form talisman: His right eye embodies the Zhen trigram (thunder) like the moon, his left eye the Li trigram (fire) like the sun. Jade teeth (symbolizing lightning) extend from his mouth as golden armor radiates light. His right hand wields a bronze hammer generating thunderclaps while his left suppresses all evil. His right foot tramples lightning, his left crushes Mount Tai (symbolizing stability), with flashing bolts leaving no hiding place for demons.

Note: "Demon-Subduing Hand Seal" (Tiao Mao Wen) refers to specific finger mudras, and "Interlocking Dipper Steps" (Jiaojia Dou) denotes a particular pattern in the ritual Star-Stepping (Bugang) dance. These practices require proper Daoist lineage transmission for authentic cultivation.

[Talismans, Incantations, and Summoning Generals]

Carry out the command and recite the spell for consecrating the talisman, praying to the holy emperors of the Five Sacred Peaks—the five mountain deities of Mount Tai in the east, Mount Heng in the south, Mount Song in the center, Mount Hua in the west, and Mount Heng in the north—for protection.

The Northern Emperor, the Great Emperor Zhenwu of the north, holds power. His divine might is fierce. A black horse gallops forth, shaking Heaven and Earth. The Thunder Lord’s thunderclaps crack; lightning flashes bright and clear. Attendants and soldiers stand to either side, their swords and staffs like clouds, capturing ghosts and spirits. Whoever obstructs me will perish! Hasten and obey the commands of the Supreme Emperor!

[Refining Generals and Summoning Commanders]

When refining a general—a Daoist rite for summoning deities—burn incense in a fierce flame. With a sword mudra, a gesture made with the fingers to trace talismans, write the two characters “thunder” and “lightning” in the incense smoke, imagining them held within it. Thunder roars and lightning flashes; a streak of golden light appears, and Marshal Wen—Wen Qiong, one of the marshals of the Daoist Thunder Bureau—rises from the lightning and stands above the incense smoke. Fix your gaze with both eyes and recite the spell “The Northern Emperor holds power” once. Command your visualization of a great clap of thunder in the sky, and imagine Marshal Wen descending from the incense smoke to the ritual altar, standing ten feet tall amid lush blue clouds to either side. State your intention and write the talisman; direct the spirit and issue your command. Form the Thunder mudra with both hands at the kidneys, the area of the lower back, and send thunder out through the ears. Spray out a mouthful of water, then imagine the thunder driving the marshal away through the sky.

[Binding Spell]

Wu zhuo, wu zhuo, wu dong: by command, slay; bind and restrain by command. Wen Qiong, bind swiftly and carry out the command. Hasten and obey the law!

[Earth-Axis Pace]

The spell for the Earth-Axis Pace:

“Wind-and-Fire Great Spirit, swiftly turn your hand and crush the stone.” Pinch the Sha-kill hand-seal and draw in the northern Qi.

“By command, may the might of Kui Gang, the first star of the Northern Dipper, swiftly seize and capture.” Recite once, or twice.

“Dark and dim, dark and dim; the hidden child who vanishes into shadow, seize and capture.” At the zi and wu hours, form the Dipper mudra.

“Lost and bewildered, lost and bewildered; the hidden spirit who vanishes into shadow, seize and capture.” At the yin and wu hours, form the Dipper mudra.

First shake the Original Spirit; second, seize the Eagle Spirit; third, seize the Hidden Essence; fourth, seize the Bright Spirit; fifth, shake the Five Sacred Peaks. Hasten and obey the law!

[Seated Practice]

Not a cloud drifts across ten thousand miles; one autumn moon hangs in the sky, its reflection sinking into the cold blue pool. Above and below, all is clear and pure. A spring wells up in the Jade Dragon Palace; flames blaze in the Cinnabar Phoenix Cave. The Five Qi—the original energies of Wood, Metal, Water, Fire, and Earth—blend in their natural state. From this, a single pearl forms, its auspicious light shining clearly to the depths. A golden rainbow cuts across the center, driving forward the Thunder God’s chariot. Thunder rumbles faintly, carrying me up to Kunlun. The light in the middle of the sky is clear and bright. Those who can know through the imprint of the heart need not rely on flying talismans or incantations.

[Formula for Internal Refinement]

In practicing internal refinement, first enter deep meditative stillness and imagine that not a speck of dust has stained you, inside or out. Next, contemplate your two eyes: the right is the moon, the left the sun, both shining clear and bright.

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

Cultivation through visualization

Keep the body and mind clear and still. In the mind, visualize the paired radiance of the sun and moon shining toward one another. In the upper realm, first see a vast expanse of dark water slowly rising; within the heart, a blazing fire slowly descends. When water and fire meet, the Qi of the five internal organs transforms into Qi of five colors. It joins at the Primordial Cavity (that is, the navel), blending into a luminous, amber-like pearl. Then concentrate on it in the lower Dantian (energy center).

Formula for summoning and attachment (a ritual for receiving omens through a child medium)

To perform this method, begin with the Thunder Hand Sign. Massage the “Hall of Worthies,” and use the intent of thunder’s shock to stir the Qi, causing it to rise from both sides of the navel as though thunder were rumbling. The pearl inside the Dantian rises above the navel and moves like a golden thread, passing through the Postnatal Cavity, an aperture within the kidneys. The pearl becomes a “three-threes” object, leaping within as if about to fly out. Then perform “Jiachun” to guide it upward; it travels straight to the Fengfu Point and bursts from the eyes as golden light. Incense-like smoke curls above the crown, taking the shape of butterflies in flight.

Once the omen appears, shift the gaze from left to right and look closely. Next, hold a copper coin, fan, or paper money in the hand, and draw the Qi of the north over it. Pass it to the child, so that the same “three-threes” object appears in the child’s hands and enters through the child’s ears, eyes, mouth, or nose. Then recite the earlier incantations again. Use the Thunder Hand Sign to flick at the child’s face, blow a breath of northern Qi onto the child, and ask whether both hands feel numb. If they do, take the object in your hand and pass it once more across the child’s palms.

Then recite the Black Wind Incantation and visualize it entering the water. Form the Sha pattern with the left hand and the Sword Sign with the right; trace the nine characters in the air, turning them rapidly counterclockwise. Quickly recite the Roaring Incantation, a repeated-character spell, and blow the Qi of the north into the water all at once, guiding it downward with the stroke of the hand. Visualize black water churning and black Qi surging upward.

Next, pull the child upright and open the garment at the chest to observe the omen. Blow northern Qi beneath the child’s feet, and visualize dense black Qi rising as far as the waist. With the Sword Sign, part the child’s face, spray a mouthful of water, and command the child to drink and summon the generals and officers, binding them into black mist. Visualize a small infant appearing in the Dantian and at the crown, where the two images join. Visualize the child transforming into a ghostly form while still resembling a child, and attaching itself to the child. Command the generals and officers to question it under torture, then undo the crossed bindings. The commands must be shouted distinctly; once they are, questions may be asked at will.

Plain-language Interpretation

The Soul-Awakening Method (to awaken a person’s soul)

First recite formulas related to the soul, such as “Ni Dou,” and sink the mind inward. Circle around yourself or the sick person seven times. Then hold clean water in your mouth and spray it outward as ritual water. At the same time, visualize yourself (or the sick person) taking on the appearance of a “ghost.” This is a visualization within the ritual, not a claim that the person is actually a ghost; the prescribed image is used to summon the hun and po souls.

Next, visualize the figure changing into the sign of a “child” and use the child’s form in the ritual. Form the Thunder Seal with the left hand, place it over the child’s Dantian (the energy center in the lower abdomen), and circle it seven times. Form the Sword Mudra with the right hand and move it upward from the child’s Dantian in a tearing, lifting motion, visualizing the movement as you do so.

Then visualize a peal of thunder sounding in the child’s heart, forcing out a golden ball. Once the sign appears, draw the golden ball into the Dantian.

Finally, issue a command at the child’s crown gate—the area around the crown of the head, traditionally regarded as a place where the soul and spirit enter and leave—ordering the child to awaken at once.

Note: This passage comes from a Daoist ritual for emergency aid or summoning the soul. Its language refers to visualization, hand seals, ritual steps, spraying water, and formulas. It is intended for use under a teacher’s instruction and as part of a complete liturgy; this plain-language version is only to clarify the wording and should not be used as instructions to perform the ritual.