《法海遺珠》Vol. 9

Pearls Left by the Sea of Dao (Fahai Yizhu), Scroll Nine, Section Nine: The Secret Method of Taiji Thunder

The Sword-Tip Talisman and Commanding Incantation

Sword-Tip Talisman: A talisman used on the tip of a sword.

Commanding Incantation (an incantation issued in the voice of the Celestial Emperor):

Gods of thunder in the five directions, manifest your divine power. Blaze with fiery radiance and fierce resolve; Shaoyang, penetrate the Cavern of Truth. Huangli Changshen, follow me into the Cavern of Truth. Act swiftly and make your power manifest; swiftly connect with the spirits; swiftly destroy, swiftly destroy; swiftly search and capture. I command Ebo, the god who governs the wind, and his attendants to raise fiery clouds together and lead an army of thirty-six million six hundred thousand. Let wind and thunder arrive with speed; let the ranks ascend together, seize those who resist and rebel, and let Fengdu, the capital of the underworld, capture their souls. Swiftly, swiftly, by the command of the Great Thunder Patriarch.

Inscription on the back of the Sword-Tip Talisman (written in cinnabar ink):

By Heaven’s command: Heavenly Radiance, bright and resplendent; the Central Emperor governs, and the myriad spirits act with swift dispatch. I respectfully summon the Barbarian Thunder to obey at once the command of the Sword-Tip Talisman—whether to drive dragons and bring rain, or to seize ghosts and reveal their forms. Act swiftly.

Method: Burn the talisman on the tip of the sword. Choose the right moment and draw Qi from the Thunder Direction. Then draw Qi from the Direction of Flowing Gold’s Great Fiery Sha, and burn and dispatch the talisman in that same direction. Clouds and thunder will arrive at once.

Wind-Raising Talisman

(Once the preceding talisman has been burned, if clouds rise and wind begins to blow, there is no need to use this talisman as well.)

After completing the talisman, fold it and write the characters in overlapping layers. In the ink circle at the bottom, gather these eight characters: Om, Yu, Divine, Sacred, Luo, Le, Yi, She (following the arrangement of the original talisman).

Commanding Incantation:

Lord of the Six Heavens, summon the wind with a liquid breath. The Great Void resounds and surges; power alone transforms the midst. Crush mountains and topple peaks; send stones flying and soaring through the sky. The Thunder King issues his command: emerge swiftly from the Xun Palace, the direction of wind. Swiftly, swiftly, in accordance with the decree of the Azure Emperor.

Write this talisman from the start of the Zi hour through the Chen hour. Command the messenger Yi Guo Junliang to act swiftly, swiftly.

Cloud-Raising Talisman

(Burn it at the You position.)

After completing the talisman, fold it and write the characters in overlapping layers. In the circle at the bottom, gather these ten characters: Om, Purple, Void, Nurture, Image, Empty, From, Can, Bright.

Commanding Incantation:

In primordial chaos, dark and yellow, a radiant chariot bears a cloud-dragon. The sea god joins his hands in salute, and the myriad spirits dare not disobey. The Rain Master and Wind Earl come and go within it; should they defy the Emperor’s command, their bodies will be shattered and melted by fire. Swiftly, swiftly, by the command of the Yellow Elder Emperor.

Lightning-Raising Talisman

(Burn it at the Wu position.)

After completing the talisman, fold it and write the characters in overlapping layers. In the circle at the bottom, gather these nine characters: Chaos, Heaven, Sea, Mountain, Streaming Light, Spirit, Mechanism (following the arrangement within the original talisman’s circle).

Commanding Incantation:

The Fire Emperor’s thunder command; Ebo, swift as a falling star. Fire and lightning rush and fly, illuminating and vanquishing demonic forms. Divine light rises on every side; Jade soothes and turns back the light. The spirit’s mechanism gives aid, and Heaven and Earth shine clear. Swiftly, swiftly, in accordance with the decree of the Fire Chariot.

This passage belongs to the esoteric Daoist Thunder Rites. It combines talismans, incantations, and directions—the Thunder Direction, Xun Palace, and the Wu and You positions—with burning talismans on a sword tip to summon wind, clouds, lightning, thunder, and the retinues of the Thunder Department. These rites are used to bring rain, capture ghosts, and seize souls. The names of deities and commands in the text, including the Azure Emperor, the Yellow Elder Emperor, and the Fire Chariot, belong to the pantheon of the Thunder Department and the gods of the directions. In practice, the direction must be determined and Qi drawn according to the lineage’s transmission; it should not be changed at will.

A Plain-Language Explanation of Passages from Pearls Left Behind in the Sea of the Dao

Thunder-Raising Talisman

Use: Burn the talisman during Mao (the Mao hour, from five to seven in the morning; or, according to the ritual, the eastern Mao direction).

Making the talisman: Once the talisman is complete, fold it and write on it. In the circle at the bottom, write these eleven characters: “Qian, Hong, Yun, Du, Yin, Yang, Wu, Lun, Sheng, Yun, She.”

Commanding incantation:

“The laws of thunder issue their command. The majestic thunder of the Celestial Pole spreads throughout the Supreme Ultimate and flows through the four directions. It overturns mountains and topples peaks; the seas boil and the mountains collapse. The six dragons beat their drums and thunder. Let the command be carried out swiftly. In haste, obey the laws of the Great Emperor, Ancestor of Thunder.”

In essence, this command invokes the power of thunder. Heavenly thunder reaches throughout the Supreme Ultimate and the four directions, overturning mountains and peaks, boiling seas and collapsing mountains. The six dragons beat their drums, and the command is to be carried out swiftly, in accordance with the laws of the Great Emperor, Ancestor of Thunder.

Incantation for Commanding Thunder, Wind, and Fire

(For issuing a command or putting it into practice.)

Recite the names of the wind-and-fire mountains and their divine powers: “Great Mystery, Bright Demon, Guardian of the Orthodox Way; Righteous and Fierce Great Mystery, Who Topples Mountains and Sweeps the Ground; Seizer of Poisons and Burner of the Rainbow. Great Wind in the Mountains; Great Fire upon the Mountains. The mountain’s brightness is called Heaven; the mountain guards the sun. The mountain ghosts close their gates; the mountain is never just one. The mountains are all wind and fire. The mountain relies on what is truly orthodox; its cavernous Qi holds the primordial essence. It is called Ghost Mountain; its gate and path join with the Heavenly Pass. What calamity will not retreat? What ghost would dare stand against me? The Supreme Emperor grants me command and protection; the High Perfected guard my body. The Central Mountain Lord of Fire connects and conceals Heaven and Earth. Fire fills the spirit and charges the fire command with brilliant force. May those who aid the primordial receive good fortune, success, benefit, and constancy. The Central Mountain Dark Lord commands hundreds and thousands of fire mules, with fierce beasts of enormous eyes arrayed before him. The Great Mystery announces the command to the guards. The six poisons of Feng City serve as boats; ten thousand ghosts are slain. In haste, obey the command.”

In essence, the practitioner recites the names of the wind-and-fire mountains and their protective deities, asking them to unleash mountain-toppling winds and fire, seize poisons and burn the rainbow. The Supreme Emperor and the High Perfected are asked to protect the practitioner, while the Central Mountain Lord of Fire and the Dark Lord subdue ghosts and demons. The command is to be carried out swiftly.

Cloud-Gathering and Rain-Bringing Talisman

Paper: Write in vermilion on black paper.

Use: When summoning thunder with the Bugang (ritual pacing), burn a black-paper offering.

Common phrases written on the talisman (examples):

“Water Emperor of the Kan Palace / True Household of the Rain Earl; Raise Clouds and Bring Rain / Turn the Water Wheel; Sighing Dragon Spreads Its Power / Rain Falls in Rushing Streams; Bestow Abundant Torrential Rain / Fill All Things with Prosperity; The Xiang River Pours Backward / The River of Heaven Turns in Waves; Thunder; Dragon Lord Who Rolls Up the Waters / Great Spirit of Mulang.”

“Steam rises from the mountains and mist forms; rain is summoned and clouds arise. Dark clouds gather thickly; black mist obscures the sky. Abundant sweet rain is bestowed, spreading relief throughout Heaven and Earth.”

The names of the Five Generals may be added to the talisman: Junliang, Zizhen Si, as well as the celestial script “Quan Tian Gong Yuan Huang Jin Guang Qi Ru Hai.”

Commanding incantation:

“The Xiang River and Tai Lake are the gathering place of many waters. Their streams connect to the Northern Sea and reach the Five Lakes. The Flying Frost Maiden Qingnü and Fengyi dwell there together. The great turtle roars and overturns the waves; the dragon rises into the Great Void. Steam rises from the mountains and rushes toward the mist; wind and rain fall like pearls. Clouds rise and gather thickly, while thunder and lightning work together. City Gods and local earth spirits, quickly arise in the eight directions. Come swiftly to relieve the drought and revive all living things. Whoever disobeys will be punished by the thunder command.”

In essence, the incantation describes the waterways of the Xiang River and Tai Lake as connected, and invokes Qingnü, Fengyi, and other deities associated with frost, rain, and water to raise clouds and bring rain. The dragon rises into the Great Void, and the spirits are asked to end the drought and revive all things. Those who disobey are subject to the thunder command.

Note: The source lists talismanic incantations and procedures from Daoist rituals for invoking thunder and gathering rain. Terms such as Bugang, the Kan Palace, commanding incantation, and command are part of Daoist liturgical language. The rites themselves should be performed according to the complete scriptures and a teacher’s transmission; this explanation clarifies the wording only.

Plain Language Interpretation

Seize and Send to Fengdu, Swiftly and in Accordance with the Statutes

Talisman for Sealing the Mountain and Summoning the Dragon

(By the talismanic command bestowed by the Celestial Worthy of Primordial Beginning in the Sacred Realm of Jade Clarity, the Celestial Worthy of Numinous Treasure in the Sacred Realm of Highest Clarity, the Celestial Worthy of the Dao and its Virtue in the Immortal Realm of Great Clarity, the Great Emperor of the Southern Pole, the Great Emperor of the Northern Pole, the Three Pure Ones (Sanqing) and the deities of the two poles: may the Generals of the Upper Origin, the General Ge of the Middle Origin in the army, and General Zhou of the Lower Origin descend at once to receive this command.)

Specially issued by the Celestial Official of Bestowed Blessings, First Rank of the Upper Origin; the Earth Official of Pardoned Sins, Second Rank of the Middle Origin; and the Water Official of Relieved Calamities, Third Rank of the Lower Origin; as well as the True Lords of the Marshal Tianpeng, Deputy Marshal Tianyou, Yisheng Baode, and You Sheng Zhenwu: the Dragon Kings are specially commanded to bring rain.

Urgent command: by this special urgent command of pardon, the Dragon Kings of the Four Seas shall each obey the talismanic order. The dragons are urgently commanded to be seized and brought down. At the Dragon Kings’ command, rain shall descend at once; there shall be no delay. This is carried out under the Fire Command of the Law.

Dragon Kings, Dragon Kings, your might and radiance are great. At this command from above, grant the power of communication swiftly. At the summons issued under this command, mount your cloud chariots at once and come to the place under your jurisdiction, bringing rain down from Heaven.

By the command of the Most High, the Dragon King is ordered to descend swiftly and spread the blessings of rain. Seize and summon him without delay. On Yin days and Yang days, all shall be balanced. The revered spirits of the Five Phases—Wood, Fire, Earth, Metal, and Water—and the five directions’ Qi shall enter.

Incantation

The honored Three Pure Ones and the two imperial lords and their sovereign ladies specially issue this command: the Dragon Kings are urgently ordered to bring rain, save the people from famine, and restore peace. Summon the dragons to arrive at once; swiftly spread the cloud chariots. In accordance with the Fire Command of the Law, there shall be no delay. Swiftly, swiftly, let the command be carried out as the statutes prescribe.

The Talisman’s Form and Use

This talisman is made on an iron tablet nine inches high, three inches and six fen wide, and one fen thick. The talisman is written in red on the front, and the formal proclamation is written on the back; the tablet is wrapped in blue paper. A person holds incense and the talisman, then casts them into a dragon pool.

Formal Proclamation

By the command of the Great Emperors of the Three Pure Ones and the Lords of the Two Poles: the Dragon King of [a specified place] is summoned to mount his cloud chariot and bring rain at once.

In accordance with this command, carry it out swiftly as ordered. Any delay may incur Heaven’s censure; a response is expected at once.

Note: This is a Daoist ritual for praying for rain by summoning dragons. Its central method is to invoke the names of the Three Pure Ones, the two imperial lords, the Three Officials, Tianpeng, Zhenwu, and others, then cast an iron talisman and formal proclamation into a dragon pool to command the local Dragon King to “mount his cloud chariot” and bring rain. Phrases such as “swiftly, swiftly, in accordance with the statutes,” “under the Fire Command of the Law,” and “there shall be no delay” are common ritual endings that convey urgency and forbid delay.

Classic: Fahai Yizhu (Pearls Scattered in the Sea of Dharma)

Scripture:

I, [surname], who hold an office in the ritual service, act under an imperial mandate.

Celestial Emperor’s Throne Talisman (may be written in blue-black or vermilion ink)

(Visualization: The right eye is the Moon, the left eye the Sun. Heaven is round and Earth square; thunder dwells in the Hall of Thunder. The barbarian thunder spirits of the five directions—swiftly, rise up, messengers!)

(From the eight directions—Qian, Kan, Gen, Zhen, Xun, Li, Kun, and Dui—the Thunder Lords’ thunderbolts roar and shake the earth. The Great Gods of Whirling Fire and the Silver-Fanged Fierce Officers of the eight directions ride fire dragons, their might shaking Heaven and Earth. At the crash of a thunderbolt, rain falls across ten thousand miles. Whoever disobeys this command will sink forever among the underworld’s ghosts.)

(Celestial Emperor Jiaye, thunderbolt, subdue!)

Commanding Incantation

Celestial Emperor, Great Emperor; Supreme Perfect One of the South Pole; Ancestor of Blazing Fire; essence of Gouchen. With disheveled hair and a dark face, human head and serpent’s body, you breathe black Qi from your mouth and coil around Kunlun. You hold all transformations in your grasp and command thunder. Wherever you go, the Nine Heavens are reached. You command the thirty-six divisions above, governing the Sun, Moon, and stars of the Nine Heavens; in the middle, you direct the numinous powers of the Five Sacred Peaks and the City Gods. The gods of Heaven and spirits of Earth may not conceal themselves. The twelve gates of the springs of the Yangtze, Yellow, Huai, and Ji Rivers; the Northern Dipper’s water ramparts; the realms of water and land, the worlds of light and darkness: any spirit that resists your command shall be destroyed, any ghost that resists shall fall. Wherever your command reaches, none dare disobey. Wherever the talisman’s command arrives, your honored throne descends. If any fail to comply, a thunderbolt will sound. Hasten, hasten, in accordance with the statutes of the Most High.

The Visualization for the Talisman Above (a method of visualization): Envision yourself transformed into the Great Envoy of the Five Thunders, a halo rising above your head. Visualize the talisman as the Celestial Emperor, with disheveled hair and a serpent’s body, coiling above the altar and breathing black clouds. Hold your breath, then summon the generals and perform the rite. Use three copies of the talisman: burn one and wear one on your head; write one on a flag; affix one to the altar.

Stirring the Pool

To stir a pool in a rain-seeking rite, use an iron talisman five inches long and three inches wide. Write “efficacious talisman” in vermilion at the top and the rain-invoking incantation below. Place it in a yellow silk pouch, together with a written dispatch notifying the local Dragon King to send rain on a specified day, then have someone cast it into the pool.

Talisman Form

Cutting Off a Rainbow

To cut off a rainbow, first make the left-hand Thunder sign and hold a sword in the right hand; face the rainbow and slash once. Alternatively, sweep it away with a sleeve and it will be cut off.

Talisman form: “The axe cleaves the Kui-gang and Celestial Sha; command, command: Sha of Heaven, Tian-gang, Kui, cleaving axe” (left-right / Zi-Wu).

Then recite:

“The spirit coils around the dragon’s head; the Heavenly Demon itself establishes the ritual position. In the Great Luo, all laugh and sing together. Hasten, hasten, in accordance with the statutes of the Most High.”

Pearls Left Behind in the Sea of Methods: A Plain-Language Reading

Mao Technique (a method for breaking objects or making them sink beneath water)

Take another stalk of thatch grass. Face upward toward the sky, draw in the energy of the Celestial Ladle, and blow it onto the grass while reciting the Tianpeng Incantation three times. Snap the grass, recite the incantation another three times, then strike it once with the Big Dipper hand seal. The grass will sink into the water or disappear.

Great Black Thunderclap Talisman (also called the Nine Fires Talisman or Nine Waters Talisman)

The talisman is often accompanied by the names of the Thunder Department and formulaic phrases. Their general meaning includes: “By command of the Liyi Emperor, Dongtongzha captures and controls”; “The Thunderbolt Marshal of the Zhen trigram calls forth thunder, lightning, and clouds”; “Thunder splits stone; springs flow through the Three Realms; all demons are destroyed”; “Great Black Northern Water flies across the four seas; all demons and spirits lose their forms”; “Thunder Lord left, Chong; right, Linglong”; “Green silk in the four directions, a diagram of thunder and fire”; “Nine, three, five Qi; the commander lashes the wind”; “Flying fire and flashing lightning wipe out the traces of demons”; “Seven and nine fly and transform into a vast ocean, with patrols sent in all four directions to inspect the ghost camps,” and so on.

On a Yang day, the general meaning of using this talisman is: “Great Black flying fire darkens the sun and stars and covers Heaven and Earth. First search out the evil ghosts, then cut off the source of disaster.” This is accompanied by steps through black mist to aid the Dragon in bringing rain, shooting stars and flowing lightning, and a command to the thunder of Heaven: “From the four empty spaces, seize and command; draw down the thunder of Heaven. Let the thunder of Heaven issue swiftly, with a rapid sound.” The messengers of the Five Directions manifest as blue light and lightning, then enter my heart. “Hasten, hasten, in accordance with the statutes and commands.”

At noon, write the character of the Zhen trigram and its Qi into the talisman, then recite the command incantation.

Incantation to the Great Thunder Lord of the Celestial Capital (general meaning)

“Great Thunder Lord of the Celestial Capital, your thunderclap shakes the empty sky. Three hundred thousand warriors armed with blades gather solemnly within this talisman. If anyone disobeys, your strict command allows no leniency. Seize them and escort them beneath Kui and Gang; transform them into a pure, tranquil wind. Hasten, hasten, in accordance with the statutes and commands of the Thunder Directorate.”

Then recite another command incantation (general meaning)

“Thunder’s lair and wind’s awl form Heaven’s awe-inspiring power. The left advances along the Red Path; the right commands the Dark Tortoise. The wise life-command encompasses Heaven’s martial minister; the tally of trust, the iron city; the purple cavern’s baleful gold; the sharp points of Kan and Li lie densely concealed. The true command is held together with the constellations Mao, Liu, and Kui; south, north, east, and west; the Dragon Terrace of Yang Valley and the Fire Bureau; all are governed by Kui, the Jade Register. This sharp command is urged forward at once. Hasten, hasten, in accordance with the command of the Six-Wave Celestial Emperor.”

Five-Thunder Pivot Talisman for Summoning Thunder and Making Rain

When writing this talisman, determine the positions of “Birth,” “Capping,” and the other stages according to the Heavenly Stem and Earthly Branch of that day. Use the corresponding directional hand seals, and enter the ink in the order of flourishing and generation among the Five Phases: Wood is born at Hai, Water at Shen, Metal at Si, and Fire at Yin. Then follow the twelve stages in sequence—Birth, Bathing, Capping, Official Appointment, Imperial Prosperity, Decline, Illness, Death, Tomb, Extinction, Conception, and Nourishment—and match each stage with the corresponding brushstroke.

Example: On a Jiazi day, Jiazi and Yichou belong to Metal in the Sea. Apply the rule “Metal’s Birth is at Si,” then use the twelve stages and directional hand seals described above to write the talisman.

Note: The source consists largely of liturgical secret incantations and talisman names, with highly abbreviated phrasing. A plain-language account can convey only the sequence of actions and general purpose. The specific hand seals, talisman core designs, and complete incantations require consultation of the original diagrams and oral instruction from a teacher; the practice should not be learned from text alone.

Pearls Left in the Ocean of the Dao (Fahai Yizhu): A Modern Reading

1. Pacing the Dipper and the Thunder Generals’ Directions

General meaning of the original:

Remove the Si position; the Si hand-seal corresponds to Thunder General One, whose official rank is at the Wei position. Remove Wei to obtain Thunder General Two. The remaining Thunder Generals are determined in the same way.

2. Incantation for Summoning Thunder and Praying for Rain

Incantation:

Great Sage, Lord of Thunder, set the workings of Heaven in motion; sacred power of Heaven and Earth, the two celestial forms of sun and moon. Today I summon you through the pass: swiftly bring down clouds and rainbow-hued vapors. Answer my summons and heed my prayer. Let divine thunder resound and wind and rain come swiftly. Zhu, zhu, zhu, zhu; pan, pan, pan, pan; houng, houng, houng, houng; wu, wu, wu, wu; e, e, e, e. Any spirit that turns against me shall be reduced to fine dust. I act in obedience to the command of the Six-Waves Heavenly Emperor.

General meaning: The practitioner asks the Great Sage, Lord of Thunder, to set Heaven’s workings in motion by the power of Heaven, Earth, the sun, and the moon. The practitioner summons him today to bring down clouds and rainbow-hued vapors swiftly, obey the command, and answer the prayer. Divine thunder is to resound, and wind and rain are to come at once. The syllables zhu, pan, houng, wu, and e are hand-seal formulas for recalling thunder and stopping the wind. Any spirit that disobeys the practitioner’s command will be reduced to fine dust. The rite is performed under the authority of the Six-Waves Heavenly Emperor.

Ritual procedure: After reciting the incantation, take in baleful Qi and blow it out. Then add ji (the Yin hand-seal) and hong (the Wu hand-seal).

3. The Five-Thunder Vertical-and-Horizontal Summoning Talisman

Description of the talisman:

• Four vertical lines and five horizontal lines complete the canopy.
• Xuanyuan governs the world; Chiyou wards off weapons.
• Whoever disobeys my command will have their head shattered and brains scattered.
• Swiftly, swiftly, in accordance with the statutes.

Ritual procedure:

1. Zi-Wu Dipper step: Take in the baleful Qi of Flowing Metal and turn it counterclockwise into the talisman.

2. Yin-Wu Dipper step: Take in the Qi from the direction of great baleful force and place it into the talisman.

3. Thunder One, Xuanyuan: Begin by forming the hand-seal at the Longevity palace, recite the incantation, then take in the Qi of the day’s general and place it into the talisman.

4. The true Qi of the five directions joins and gathers in the Great Void. Thunder is on the left, mountains on the right; Heaven and Earth present their memorial, and the thunder troops lie concealed.

Further incantation:

I recite the great Dong scripture of troops and armor; in frenzied haste they rush to my altar. Star of the Dipper, Celestial Dipper, swiftly and urgently, by the command and summoning of the Six-Waves Heavenly Emperor.

Next, apply the talisman while reciting the incantation, then recite the entire “Great Sage, Lord of Thunder…” incantation again.

4. Brief Explanations of Terms

Note: This is a fragment of a liturgical rite for summoning rain through Thunder Method and activating talismans. It is meant to be performed together with pacing the Dipper, forming hand-seals, reciting incantations, and applying talismans; merely reading the incantation aloud is not sufficient.

A Plain-Language Reading of Fahai Yizhu

Act in accordance with the decree of the Heavenly Emperor Liubo.

After completing the talisman, face the direction of the solitary Fire Sha, gather Qi from that direction, and blow it onto the talisman. Write the taboo names of the Five Emperors, then write:

Xuan (East), Zhonghuang (South), Jinhu (West), Longwei (North), Xuanling (Center)—responding through the Qi of golden light.

Then add the missing character in the talisman and use fire to heat it into place, while reciting:

“Om, bu lin bu lin, chi lin chi lin, by command, capture the Sha.”

Thunder-Raising Incantation (for applying and commanding):

“Thunder-fire crashes; seize with lightning. The true light of thunder appears in form; seize it. Wuliehei, Jiahuo—seize it swiftly.”

Another Commanding Incantation:

“Thunder gods, thunder gods, your office is in Heaven. You are the progenitors of wind and fire, the source of rain and dew. Let the Nine Chou gather; let Liubo ride in his carriage. Overturn rivers and seas, and summon the Dipper Immortals together to descend and rescue the scorched and withered. The gods shall carry out the Emperor’s proclamation: let thunder shake and crash, appearing at once before the altar. The secret decree of Yuqing, swiftly conveyed by the Three Pure Ones—hasten, hasten, as the statutes command.”

When the incantation is finished, visualize the Thunder Ancestor dressed in black robes and a ceremonial crown, meeting your gaze. Summon Yin to call forth Yang, and draw Qi into the written character “Command.” Make the Jade Finger gesture and recite:

“Om, hong hong, zha li. Let the assembled gods obey; let the hundred ghosts be punished. Whoever dares resist or rebel shall be reduced to fine dust. I act in accordance with the decree of the August Jade Emperor of Hao Tian.” (Golden light and Qi enter the talisman.)

The Xuanyuan Oath Thunder Heavenly Seal, Thunderclap Talisman

(Om, ju, hong, tan/xiu, he, yaksha) (The thunder chariot resounds; command it to race forth) (ju zha/mo ye)

(Jade Emperor/command it to proceed) (Flame spirit transforms; Heaven and Earth surge together) (mo luo/jiu li) (e xi/a)

(Form the Purple Tenuity seal with the left hand and the sword gesture with the right. Send true fire from the Si position out from the heart, circle the talisman three times, then direct the Qi of southern Fire into it.) (Make the Jade Finger gesture. The Golden Heavenly Emperor descends and issues the decree to the Man Thunder; golden light and Qi enter the talisman. Recite: “Appear in form; thunder flies and lightning flashes.”)

“Wind strikes, fire campaigns; let flying thunder descend swiftly. Stir up the numinous power of Heaven; hasten, hasten. Hail flies in all six directions; lightning illuminates the four quarters; open the chart of the Primordial Han.”

(Cloud dragon/extend in all four directions) (Liubo has issued a decree; swiftly dispatch the thunder gods. The golden writing and jade edict cannot arrive at Thunder City in time.) (The Primordial Lord of the Purple Void descends and issues the command.)

The fire-commanding vanguard, the Five Thunder Generals, arrive urgently at the altar to command the Man Thunder of the five directions: Ma Yuxiu, Guo Yuanjing, Fang Zhonggao, Deng Gongchen, Tian Yuan…

Note: This section describes a Daoist Thunder Rites ritual for praying for rain and relieving drought. It includes making talismans, visualizing the Thunder Ancestor, the directions of the Five Emperors, Jade Finger gestures, and the names of the Man Thunder of the five directions. The original contains many Sanskrit-like syllables, esoteric terms, and missing characters. The ritual must be performed in full by a ritual master according to an established lineage; this passage is provided only to clarify the text and should not be performed independently.

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

I. Edicts for Summoning Thunder and Driving Away Fire (talismanic incantations)

By the command of the Venerable True One and the authorized decree, summon and command the Eight Directional Raging Fires to retreat; let flying clouds arrive swiftly. Call upon the spirit Xu, and summon the awe-inspiring presences of Lord Guo Liang, Deng Yuanhuang, Cheng Zizhen, and the others.

(Recite urgently: Heavenly Lord, why consider this fully? Come at once, come swiftly; the fire is urgent—summon and command by authorized decree, without delay.)

(When applying the talisman to summon thunder, or presenting a petition to Heaven and Earth, recite: The thunder troops lie concealed.)

I recite the texts of the Great Cavern (a category of cultivation scriptures, such as the Jade Scripture of the Great Cavern); amid the clamor and disorder of weapons, they rush to my altar.

Star of the Dipper’s Ladle and Celestial Dipper (names of stellar deities who preside over the Dipper’s handle and Heaven’s Gate), come swiftly, as summoned and commanded by the Heavenly Emperor of the Six Waves.

Once the talisman is complete, add this further invocation of seventeen characters:

Essence of Peach Guest, Yang Light, and Willow Star; messengers of the Six Supernatural Powers, answer swiftly at the sound of the call.

II. True Talisman of the Jade Taboo Names of the Five Emperors (names such as Xuan and Zhonghuang)

The True Talisman of the Jade Taboo Names of the Five Emperors (a talisman formed from the secret taboo names of the Five Emperors):

• Xuan (Lord of Blue Qi, the Nine Elders of Primordial Azure; swiftly command and dispatch the Barbarian Thunder Deity)
• Zhonghuang (the Three Elders of the Primordial Emperor’s Elixir Spirit: urgently summon and dispatch the Barbarian Thunder Deity)
• Golden Tiger (Lord of the Seven Qi of Pure Truth and Bright Spirit; urgently summon and dispatch the Battle Thunder Deity)
• Dragon Enclosure (the Northern Mystery’s Heavenly One Deity and the Five Elders of Mysterious Spirit: urgently command the Thunder Deity)
• Mysterious Spirit (the twelve Qi of Central Yellow: urgently dispatch the Thunder Deity)

III. Edict Incantation (invoking the Thunder Department to raise clouds and bring rain)

Thunder Deities, Thunder Deities, your office is in Heaven; you are the source of wind and fire, the origin of rain and dew.

The Nine Ugly Ones gather; the Six Waves ride in their chariots. They overturn rivers and seas, summon the Dipper Immortals together, and descend to save the parched and withered.

The deity receives the Emperor’s proclamation: thunder crashes and lightning strikes, appearing at once before the altar.

Secret edict of the Jade Purity; swiftly transmitted by the Three Pure Ones (Sanqing). I respectfully summon Great Deity Deng, Lord of the Celestial Thunder and Sudden Fire, Bearer of the Statutes and Commands (one of the principal deities of the Thunder Department). He commands the Thunder Duke, Lightning Mother, Earl of Wind, Master of Rain, and the Dragon Kings who bring rain in this season. In utmost haste, come to the altar, raise clouds and bring rain, flash lightning and roar with thunder, save and aid living beings, and greatly manifest the Mysterious Transformation. Swiftly, swiftly, in accordance with the statutes and commands.

IV. Blue Casket Incantation (also called the Oath of Xuanyuan to Summon Thunder)

The Thunder Deities of the Five Directions stir their spirits into action, their fiery radiance blazing fiercely.

Lesser Yang of the Cavern of Truth, Huang Lichang Shen: follow me through the Cavern of Truth, act swiftly and put your power to work; quickly communicate with the spirits. Quell them at once, quell them at once; hunt them down swiftly.

Shen and Yebo (names of fire deities), together with their attendants, raise clouds of fire. Let the thirty-six million troops, winds, and thunder arrive swiftly; let the ranks and their followers rise together, seize and capture those who resist, and have Fengdu gather their souls. Swiftly, swiftly, by the command of the Great Emperor, Ancestor of Thunder.

V. Talisman for Generating Water with Yin Thunder

(This entry is only a heading in the original. The talisman’s form, method of use, and incantation are not given in this passage.)

Note: These passages largely consist of talismanic taboo names, stellar deities, generals of the Thunder Department, and incantations ending in “swiftly, in accordance with the statutes and commands,” used in Daoist thunder rites, rainmaking, and altar rituals for dispelling evil. Their terse phrasing emphasizes “summoning and commanding, coming to the altar, raising rain, and seizing and capturing,” rather than ordinary narrative.

Plain-Language Explanation of the Relevant Passage from Fahai Yizhu

This passage describes the written forms, procedures, and incantations used in Daoist methods for ending drought and summoning water, as well as for using Yang Thunder to produce fire. Its wording is arranged largely around celestial signs, the Five Phases, the sexagenary cycle of stems and branches, and the names of deities.

“Round Heaven, square Earth”; “the measuring rod upright, Heaven across” — Following the principle that Heaven is round and Earth square, use rules such as a vertical and a horizontal measuring rod to align with celestial signs and directions.

“Thunder rises and revives”; “the sharp sword of Taiqing” — Set the force of thunder in motion to restore life, while visualizing the power of a sharp sword in the Taiqing realm.

Slaying and cutting down drought: The target is drought. The text lists several kinds of “water” in sequence. These are mostly terms used in talismans and need not refer to water in the modern geographical sense:

• Yin Water, Jia-Yi Water
• Earth Water, Bing-Ding Water
• Great Yin, Wu-Si Water
• Spirit Water, Nine Rivers Water
• Ren-Gui Water, Transforming Water
• Ren Water, Ascending Water
• Six Jia, Celestial Water

The general idea is that all these names of water, stems and branches, and images such as “ascending water” are placed in the practitioner’s hands — that is, the practitioner visualizes control over the water’s power.

“The Water Emperor commands the transformation of the Dragon Palace; Heaven generates water as One; issue the command to the Barbarian Thunder” — Invite the Water Emperor to govern the movement and transformation of the Dragon Palace’s waters. Invoke the principle that “Heaven generates water as One” to command the Barbarian Thunder, a force of the Thunder Department in thunder rites.

“The Spirit Water turns five times; thunderbolts surge forth again, and the waters rush, swiftly as commanded by the Northern Water Emperor” — The Spirit Water revolves five times, thunder rises again, and the waters surge forth with the urgency of an order from the Northern Water Emperor.

Method: Write in ink on the back of a roof tile — Inscribe the talisman in ink on the underside of a tile. Its function is the same as that of a fire talisman — its purpose is related to that of fire talismans, or, in this context, it is used together with the following water and fire methods.

Yang Thunder Fire-Producing Talisman

“Six Jia and Nine Chapters”; “set up a pillar of fire”; “lay a beam of metal across”; “ride the wheel of fire” — Follow the numerological structure of the Six Jia and Nine Chapters, set up a “pillar of fire,” lay a “beam of metal” across it, and visualize riding and directing the wheel of fire.

“Gather the fire of the sun” — Draw in the fiery force of the sun.

A series of Heavenly Fire Emperors is then named according to the sexagenary cycle: the Heavenly Fire Emperor of Jiazi, of Yichou, of Bingyin, of Dingmao, of Wuchen, of Jisi, and of Gengwu. The text also mentions the Lord of the Flame Emperor and Heavenly Thunder.

“Earth Thunder, Water Thunder, Taiyi Barbarian Thunder; gather them by divine command” — Invoke names such as Earth Thunder, Water Thunder, and Taiyi Barbarian Thunder, and use the divine command to gather thunder and fire.

Method: Write in cinnabar on the back of a roof tile — Inscribe it on the underside of a tile using cinnabar.

“Fumigate the tile with maple incense, then recite the command” — Burn maple incense to fumigate the tile, then recite the command that follows.

“The incantation says (this incantation may be used for commands and dispatches)” — The following incantation may be used in ritual procedures for issuing commands and dispatching spirits and ghosts.

General Meaning of the Incantation

The mountain bears the names of wind and fire; the Great Mystery’s bright demon guards the righteous and stands in fierce uprightness. The Great Mystery shatters mountains and sweeps the earth, gathers poisons, and burns the rainbow.

Great fire in the mountain, great fire on the mountain. The mountain’s brightness is the Mountain of Heaven, which guards the sun. The mountain ghosts close the gate; the mountain does not remain open forever. The whole mountain is fire.

The Mountain of Wind upholds true righteousness; its cavernous Qi contains the primal source. It is called the Mountain of Ghosts, and its gateway joins the Celestial Pass. What calamity will not retreat? What ghost would dare stand against it?

The Supreme Emperor grants me the authority to preside and guard; the High Perfected protect my person.

The Fire Lord of Central Mountain reaches through the hidden storehouses of Heaven and Earth. Fire is divine; it fills, stirs, and shines. The fire command brings primal blessing. Those who assist embody the primal virtues of prosperity, success, benefit, and steadfastness.

The Dark Lord of Central Mountain commands hundreds and thousands of fire mules, with giant-eyed fierce beasts arrayed before him.

The Great Mystery orders the guardians: the Six Poisons and Feng City serve as a boat, slaying ten thousand ghosts.

“Swiftly, swiftly, in accordance with the statutes and commands” — Carry it out with the urgency of a lawful command.

Note: The original uses many repeated characters, split characters, stems and branches, and deity names placed side by side, as is common in talismanic writing. Its force depends on combining the ritual procedure with visualization, inscription, and incense. A plain-language rendering can convey only its purpose — ending drought and performing water, fire, and thunder rites, inscribing talismans on the backs of tiles, and reciting incantations. The precise arrangement of the characters must follow the talisman diagrams in the source text.

A Plain-Language Interpretation of the Rain-Prayer Method in Pearls Left Behind in the Sea of Daoist Teachings

First Section: Steps for Performing the Rite

After reciting the incantation, first visualize the black Qi in your kidneys and blow five times. Then visualize the red Qi in your heart and blow three times. After joining them, blow onto a roof tile. Next, draw one talisman each on red and black paper, and burn them together. Write the characters “Yi” and “Zhen”—the names of two of the Twenty-Eight Lunar Mansions—on your left and right palms, then rub your hands together eighty-one times. In your mind, envision wind, clouds, thunder, and rain filling heaven and earth. Recite the “Wind, Fire, and Mountain Incantation” once more, spread your hands apart, spray out a mouthful of water, and glare fiercely. Use the talisman on the roof tile to strike toward the direction from which the wind is coming. Thunder and rain will then arrive.

If the thunder comes slowly, write a talisman on blue paper to hasten it.

A Quick Method for Praying for Rain

When praying for rain, if all you seek is rainfall, you may submit a petition to the Emperor on High through the Silent Invocation of Manlei. At midnight, facing due east, prepare an incense altar with five portions of seasonal fruit, forty-eight portions of wine, twelve portions of jujube soup, and a basin of black water containing seven black turtles. On a three-inch piece of blue paper, write the rain-summoning talisman in vermilion ink. Burn it in a fierce fire of fengxiang incense while reciting the Wood Lord’s Rain-Prayer Incantation eighty-one times. The rain will then come.

Rain-Summoning Talisman (written in vermilion on yellow paper)

Incantation:

Divine thunder of the Five Spirits and Supreme Ultimate, turning and revolving: rise in the east from the Valley of Dawn; travel in the west to the Dragon Terrace; wheel in the south through the Fire Court; turn in the north at the River Chief. Crush Mount Kongtong as the wheel turns; revolve heaven and earth. Swiftly, in accordance with the command of the Black Emperor of the North.

Again: Hold the talisman and sword, and recite:

I obey the decree of the Emperor on High. Summon at once the two envoys Wei and Guo of the North to supervise urgently the City God and Earth Spirit officials of this place, and the Dragon King of [name of place]. Enforce the timely sweet rain without delay. Make it fall abundantly and thoroughly, to save the crops; let there be no disobedience. Recite the Rain-Summoning Incantation urgently three times:

Flying through heaven, turning fire, divine thunder turning and revolving: rise in the east to bestow grain; travel in the west to the Dragon Terrace; wheel in the south through the Fire Court; turn in the north at the River Chief. Crush Mount Kongtong as the wheel turns; revolve heaven and earth. Overturn the sky with thunderbolts; make rivers and seas surge and crash. Drive the dragons and bring the rain. When the talisman arrives, hasten to obey. Swiftly, in accordance with the decree of the Black Emperor of the North.

Next, proclaim the petition. After completing the libation offerings, recite:

Rain-Hastening Incantation

Dark and mysterious Taiyin, the Five Qi responding in essence: raise clouds and bring rain; display your mighty spiritual power. Pour forth water to save living things and drive away baleful influences. The celestial star takes its appointed position; the Six Jia divide their forces. Harmonious Qi rises and descends, responding between above and below. Dragons and serpents rise at once; thunder and lightning surge forth again and again. Hong, hong! Swiftly, in accordance with the command.

Notes: The “Wood Lord’s Incantation” and the “Wind, Fire, and Mountain Incantation” are names of incantations commonly used in Daoist rain-prayer rites. “Submit a petition to the Emperor on High through the Silent Invocation of Manlei” means using a written petition to report to the heavenly emperor through the thunder-department deities. “City God and Earth Spirit officials” refers to divine officials who govern a particular city and its surrounding land. “River Chief” is a name for the pivot of the Big Dipper, often associated with the northern direction, the Water phase, and rainfall.

After reciting the incantation, burn this talisman in a water bowl. Recite the Mulang Incantation as you sprinkle water in the four directions. At the same time, form the hand mudra, moving from noon to midnight, and recite formulas such as “Dispel and spread the northern Qi.” Next, burn the Dragon-Leaping Talisman and recite the Incantation of the Jade Emperor, Great Lord Mulang, the Primordial Venerable.

The Mulang Incantation (general meaning):

The crystalline light of Heaven Qian, the jade radiance of the Jade Pool, the Jade Pool of the East. The sacred bearer of the Alliance Might commands the Green Youth to hurl fire ten thousand li. The rain-riders of the Kan and Zhen palaces rush swiftly forth. Great Meng (the Mulang spirit), Mulang, Taiyi, and the heroes of the Three Mountains: thunderbolts split the rocks and open the springs. Kun, Zhen, Xun, and Earth; the Bright Spirit Old Man and his fierce horses spread in all four directions, while sudden fire surges with flowing essence. Yu Guang races toward Zhurong; the giant spirit Taihua ascends into the clouds. Black banners and dark standards unfurl through the empty sky, blotting out the sun, steaming up rain, and gathering dense clouds. Yebo shakes the peaks of Kunlun; hidden spirits churn the sea, joined with the dark depths. Fengyi beats the waves and calls up the wind; the weak waters of Penglai rise in great force. The Dragon-Eagle darts swiftly ahead to ward off calamity. With red hair, great wings, and eyes like vermilion, it spews poison like lightning and drives the Five Dragons. Over the four seas, misty clouds spread and gather in shadow; at one cry, all four seas grow dim and shrouded. Wherever the rain formations reach, rivers surge in flood. Golden light and flowing essence cut down the drought rainbow. The hidden spirits of Dongyang summon Long (the Thunder Master); the Jade Thunder Bright Master transforms the hills and caves. The Great Void Sovereign of Taihua sweeps away demonic creatures. The many Liang, the Dark Emperor, is hailed as vanguard; the spring shrine unleashes the power of the dragon-serpent spirits. By command of the Celestial Lord, sudden fire and orders overturn the dome of Heaven, lashing and striking demons, driving away snakes and insects. Gou Lou, Jili, and Yanhe leave their traces; Deng Seng and Zexi, all heed the command. The Weaver Girl and the Fourth Brother, loyal at heart, assist me in accomplishing the great work of relieving drought. Red chickens and purple geese fly without end, seizing the cruel spirits, binding the malevolent beings, and sending them to the Northern Fengdu. By command, let the Primordial Sovereign of the Purple Void descend and subdue them. Let the command be carried out at once, by the authority of the Great Marshal of the Fire Bell!

Nine Heavens Swift Thunder-Driving, Dragon-Hastening, Rain-Bringing Talisman (common inscriptions on the talisman):

The Upper Terrace, yellow, drives away inauspicious forces. The Middle Terrace, white, protects the body and guards the home. The Lower Terrace, green, treats illness and dispels harmful essences. Wherever the stars of the Three Terraces appear, they bestow great numinous power.

I carry out the command of the Taiyi Heavenly Emperor. By command of the Nine Heavens Taiyi Jade Dawn, the Great Emperor of Clear Illumination and Deep Caverns of the Purple Void and Highest Clarity. By command of the Ziwei Jade Emperor, Lord of the Nine Qi and the Wood Virtue Star. By the command of the Thunder Drum of the Flying Fire Order and the Water Thunder Flying Thunderbolt, servant of the earth altars. The four Thunder-Hastening Gods, the Jie Di, cut down Yin essences and seize them. The three Qi of the summoned Thunder Gods unite; the summoned Thunder Gods bring rain pouring down.

Pearls Left Behind in the Sea of Dao

I. Summoning and Commanding the Earth Deity

(The following are transcriptions of the spell sounds: “Om … zha … mo chi she”; “Om … yin lu … zhi zha chi she”; “Om … ju xuan lu … lin zha chi she.”)

General meaning: These three formulas unite the Earth Deity, an official spirit who governs a particular area of land and can command the thunder gods, with the Three Qi—the relevant energies of Heaven, Earth, and humanity, or of the Five Directions—so that they act as one. The Earth Deity is summoned to receive orders, with no delay or disobedience.

(The following are transcriptions of the spell sounds: “Om … hou li … tai zha chi she”; “Om … hou tan zha … guan zha chi she”; “Om … hou … duo zha”; “ji zha … chi she.”)

(The Nine Dragons bring rain; the Nine Heavens join with me. The Wood Virtue brings rain, and the Azure Dragon leaps forth. “Jiang zha … chi she.”)

(The Earth Spirit receives and escorts them. The Nine Dragons proceed according to command. The Four Heavens subdue the demons: “Jie di jie bo luo.”)

(Seng jie di pu ti sa mo he pi li, Great Spirit of Thunder and the Nine Qi; Primordial Lady, Divine Lord of the Nine Dragons, proceed according to command, Lord of Wood Virtue in the eastern Zhen direction, carry out this order.) Haste!

General meaning: The Nine Dragons are asked to bring rain, with the Nine Heavens responding in accord. Alternatively, the power of Wood Virtue—the life-giving energy of spring in the eastern Zhen direction—is invoked to make the Azure Dragon leap forth. The Earth Spirit receives them, and the Nine Dragons proceed as commanded. The spell also combines names associated with the Four Heavens and demons with titles from the Thunder Department. It includes Sanskrit sounds and Buddhist terms, a common practice in Daoist ritual that borrows sounds and names. The matter is urgent; carry out the command at once.

II. Carrying Out the Rainmaking Order of the Celestial Emperor

I carry out the Celestial Emperor’s command: I summon and order the Earth Deity, mobilize the Thunder troops, drive thunder and bring rain, so that all may receive its beneficence. I proclaim this command: Om, obey and carry it out. Haste, haste, in accordance with the statutes and ordinances.

In plain language: By order of the Celestial Emperor, I command the Earth Deity and mobilize the generals and troops of the Thunder Department to bring thunder and rain, so that sweet rain may fall everywhere and its blessings reach all. I then proclaim this order again: carry it out at once, with the speed required by the statutes.

(The names Ma Yuxiu, Guo Yuanjing, Fang Zhonggao, Deng Gongchen, Tian Yuanzong, Bi Yinyang, and others are written inside the talisman. They are the names of officers or protective deities recorded there. After making the dipper shape, write words such as “The Dragon Leaps Forth and Brings Rain; May All Receive Its Beneficence.”)

Explanation: Once the talisman is complete, write the names and dipper shapes on it according to ritual procedure, along with phrases such as “The Dragon Leaps Forth and Brings Rain” and “May All Receive Its Beneficence,” to complete its intended purpose.

III. Distributing Qi After Completing the Talisman and Reciting the Spell to Charge It

After completing the talisman, arrange it in accordance with the Five Qi of the North. On a yin day, use yin thunder to charge the talisman, reciting:

Om, by imperial command, let the Great Yin transform and generate yin Qi; let it unite with divine yang Qi and descend. The two Qi rise as clouds; water and fire ascend and descend; thunder crashes forth. Shaoyang General of the Three and Five Thunder Departments, and all others: bind the heads of every evil force and destroy the forms of myriad monsters. Haste, haste, in accordance with the statutes and ordinances.

In plain language: After drawing the talisman, arrange it according to the Five Qi of the North. If it is a yin day, use the method of yin thunder to infuse it with Qi while reciting the spell above: command the Great Yin to generate yin energy and unite it with yang energy as it descends; let the two energies rise and form clouds, water and fire interact, and thunder crash. Then command Shaoyang General and the other members of the Thunder Department to bind all evil forces and destroy the monsters, carrying out the order swiftly.

Alternatively: Arrange the Three Qi of the South. This may be done on either a yin day or a yang day. Use the divine method of yang thunder to charge the talisman, reciting:

By command, let the fire blaze brightly and shine into the deep and hidden reaches; let the bright light of the Kui constellation shimmer like gold; let the fierce winds fill the ninefold void; let the vital force of the Xun direction gather in splendor; let Zhaotan and Qishe be illuminated and brought under control.

In plain language: The South belongs to fire and thunder. Use yang thunder to charge the talisman, reciting this line to summon fire and thunder, the fierce winds, and the Qi of the Xun direction, gathering and directing their powers.

These spells for summoning and commanding are most secret. Do not recite them casually.

In plain language: These spells are highly secret methods for summoning and commanding. Keep your attention focused; do not let your mind wander or treat them lightly as a game.

IV. General Commanding Spell

The Five Directions have their commands; the Nine Qi and Nine Perfected Ones move together. Thunder crashes and brings rain; lightning flashes and raises clouds. The talisman’s command is proclaimed and sent down to the Earth Deity, Dragon Spirits, and the numinous pool at [a designated place]. Let them receive this command and respond clearly, raising thunder and rain on a grand scale, with immediate resonance. Having received and approved the talisman’s command, carry it out with utmost urgency. Haste, haste, in accordance with the statutes and ordinances.

In plain language: Each of the Five Directions has its own command. The Nine Qi and Nine Perfected Ones are set in motion; thunder roars, rain falls, lightning flashes, and clouds gather. The command inscribed on the talisman is sent to the Earth Deity, Dragon Spirits, and the numinous pool at a specified place. They must receive it, respond clearly, and raise thunder and rain at once, without delay.

V. Materials and Format

The talisman above: Write it with realgar and cinnabar on blue paper or brocade paper, or attach it to the front of a sacrificial proclamation. It is used to summon the fierce thunder gods, the Earth Deity, and other spirits, so they may bring thunder and rain.

In plain language: Write this talisman with realgar and cinnabar on blue paper or brocade paper. It may also be attached to the front of a document addressed to the Celestial Emperor. Its purpose is to summon the Thunder Department, the Earth Deity, and other spirits to bring thunder and rain.

Brief Background

This text belongs to the Daoist methods for praying for rain and commanding thunder. It issues orders in the name of the Celestial Emperor, working through the Earth Deity, the Thunder Department, and figures such as the Nine Dragons, in combination with the Qi of the Five Directions—yin in the North and yang in the South—as well as talismans, spells, realgar, and cinnabar. The many sequences of “om … zha … she” are spell sounds; they need not be translated word for word into modern language. Their purpose lies in reciting them according to the pronunciation transmitted by one’s teacher. Sanskrit sounds and Buddhist titles appear throughout. Such blending of the Three Teachings is common in Daoist scriptures from the Song and Yuan periods onward. It does not require practitioners to adopt Buddhism; rather, the borrowed sounds and meanings are used to strengthen the spell’s numinous power.

This talisman is reserved for the Celestial Lord of the Nine Qi of the East. It is associated with the Wood Palace and the Zhen direction, as well as the Ji and Bi mansions. Those who practice this method must understand that the talisman is a shortcut that can bring a swift response.

Wang Shichen, a Northern Song Daoist skilled in thunder rites, used this talisman to compose summons for calling thunder, announcing his intention before carrying it out. He also used it to command the Mountain Deity Offices and the City Gods who protect towns. Its essential secret lies in heart-to-heart transmission: oral instruction and insight through the mind, not merely words on paper. Those who receive the method should keep it secret and not disclose it.

Note: “Celestial Lord of the Nine Qi,” “Wood Palace and Zhen direction,” and “Ji and Bi mansions” refer to Daoist associations of stars and directions. A “summons for calling thunder” is a written document used to invoke thunder. “Heart-to-heart transmission” emphasizes lineage and inner realization; the talisman should not be treated as a shape to copy.