《道法會元》Vol. 139

This scripture records the "Supreme Unity Celestial Chapter Solar Thunderbolt Great Method" from Daoist thunder magic, a ritual technique for summoning lightning power.

The text first describes the method for drawing the "Thunderous Emperor's Winged Star Capital Talisman" (Fulu): Before inscribing the talisman, one must burn incense, form the "Thunderous Seal" with specific hand gestures, face the Celestial Gate (Tianmen) to absorb the vital energy (Qi) of heaven and earth, and then recite incantations while activating the talisman. The chant, called the "Yin-Yang Supreme Thunder Moving the Dipper Incantation," invokes the names of the Seven Stars of the Northern Dipper (the Great Bear)—Greedy Wolf (Tanlang), Giant Gate (Jumen), Literary Star (Wenqu), etc.—along with specific directions (east, northwest, etc.) and hand positions (four fingers, inverted five fingers, etc.) to mobilize thunderous power.

Next is the "Thunderbolt General Incantation," summoning a divine general known as Thunderbolt General, who commands 300,000 spirit soldiers to form nine encircling formations. The phrase "urgently, urgently, as decreed by the Thunderous Heaven’s Law" is a common Daoist command formula, signifying immediate execution.

When drawing the talisman, one must inscribe five thunder symbols while absorbing thunder energy (Qi) from the five directions. The text describes the potency of the Five Thunders: the first shakes heaven and earth, the second startles ghosts and deities, the third awakens all spirits, the fourth brings wind and rain, and the fifth can split trees. The ritual must align with the movement of the sun and moon, with the practitioner’s feet symbolically treading the four seas and five lakes while wielding an axe as a sign of the power to shatter the Five Sacred Mountains.

For practical use, the completed talisman is inscribed on both red and black paper (each five inches long) and affixed to the front of the "Thunder God’s Slaying and Conquering Mighty Spirit Document" (a written petition to summon thunder deities). The text also briefly mentions an incantation for invoking the Six Jia Generals (Daoist guardian deities), though the details are not expanded upon.

This scripture reflects Daoist thunder magic’s cultivation methods, which employ talismans, hand seals, and visualization to harness natural forces. Key concepts include the Northern Dipper (Beidou) and thunder energy from the five directions, all fundamental to Daoist practice.

This scripture primarily elucidates the incantations and talismanic practices (Fulu) within Daoist Thunder Rituals, detailing the invocation methods for divine generals like the Six Jia and Six Ding, as well as celestial deities such as the Tian Gang and Northern Dipper Star Lords.

The Six Jia and Six Ding are pivotal guardian deities in Daoism. The incantation invokes their names to summon the thunder gods' might to shake heaven and earth. References to the "Thirty-Six Thunder Deities" and "Seventy-Two Transformations" underscore the formidable power of Thunder Magic (Leifa) in exorcising malevolent forces. Practitioners must form the "Nine Heavens Celestial Seal" hand mudra while visualizing these divine forces to subdue malignant spirits.

Subsequently, the text presents an incantation to summon the seven Star Lords (Tian Gang) from the Southern Dipper Palace, including the Dipper's seven stars—Greedy Wolf, Giant Gate, Literary Curves, Pure and Upright, Martial Arts, Army Breaker—along with the twenty-eight lunar mansions. The phrase "striding like deities, pacing the Dipper" refers to the Daoist ritual gait known as "Treading the Gang and Stepping the Dipper," used to commune with stellar energies.

Two crucial talismans are then introduced: the "Water Calamity Talisman" and "Fire Calamity Talisman." These primarily neutralize misfortunes caused by celestial and terrestrial baleful influences. They must be burned at specific directional points (such as water-aligned altar sites), embodying the Daoist principle of "water and fire mutually stimulating"—a manifestation of Yin-Yang harmony.

The concluding section details the "Three Baleful Influences Dissolving Talisman," designed to counteract the three calamities (Yearly, Tribulation, and Disaster Baleful Influences). Drawing this talisman requires forming the "Five Thunder Seal" hand mudra while reciting specific incantations. The chant references the "Three Platforms" (Santai Star Lords) and "Five Sacred Peaks" (deities of the five directional mountains), both key protective deities in Daoism.

All incantations conclude with the imperative phrase "Swiftly, swiftly, in accordance with the statutes!"—a standard Daoist command indicating immediate enforcement. Collectively, this scripture demonstrates the concrete operational methods of Daoist Thunder Rituals, where incantations, hand seals, and visualization techniques synergize to mobilize divine power for exorcism and baleful influence suppression.

This scripture describes several specific methods of Daoist ritual practice, primarily focusing on exorcism, rain summoning, and treating infant convulsions.

Regarding exorcism and ghost capture: The ritual master must recite the incantation "Heaven dark, earth dark, five peaks dark, Yellow River dark" to plunge the surroundings into complete darkness. They then perform specific star-stepping footwork (bugang) while avoiding their natal star (benmingxing) and visualizing the radiance of the Northern Dipper. Malevolent spirits can either be confined in a spiritual prison or dispersed using the Dipper's light to destroy unholy shrines. These actions require precise hand mudras (qiejue) and accompanying talismanic spells.

The rain summoning method is more complex: The practitioner draws forth two streams of black Qi from the kidneys, expelling them through both ears toward the ritual altar or a water pool. Forming specific mudras (douyin), they scatter these toward the ground while summoning the stellar deities Rahu and Ketu, burning thunder talismans (leifu) and rain talismans (yufu). Simultaneously chanting the "Heaven-shaking thunderbolt" incantation allows free command over storms. However, this method must not be used when seeking clear weather.

The section on treating infant convulsions explains: Children aged six months to two years experiencing sudden seizures may be suffering from five types of thunder fright (heaven thunder acute fright, earth thunder slow fright, spirit thunder hand fright, water thunder foot fright, demon thunder crow fright). These conditions originate from the mother experiencing thunder shocks during pregnancy, causing the fetus to absorb demonic thunder Qi. Conventional medicine often fails to treat these cases as the convulsions may stem from karmic connections from past lives.

The text mentions "bugang" (star-stepping) as a Daoist footwork pattern mimicking the Big Dipper's constellation; "benmingxing" refers to one's astrologically assigned birth star; "Rahu and Ketu" represent two hidden stars in Daoist cosmology. All these ritual methods require coordinated use of specific talismans, mudras, and visualization techniques (cunxiang).

To practice this method, one must employ the Dark Sky Thunderbolt Talisman (Fulu) and a medicinal decoction prepared with frankincense and cinnabar. If both mother and child require treatment, a substitute doll must be prepared to absorb the demonic thunder energy (Wu Lei Yao Qi). When performing the ritual, begin by drafting a brief ceremonial petition (Fa Yin), analogous to an official request.

The format for the Dark Sky Thunderbolt Talisman's petition is as follows: First, address it to the "Thunder Bureau" (Lei Si, the celestial thunder administration). Then state the matter: A family's child suffers from fright-induced illness, traced to the mother encountering thunder during pregnancy or being tainted by malignant thunder energy. Following thunder ritual protocols (Lei Fa), this talisman is issued to request the local deities (Jiu Zhou She Ling) to investigate which thunder deity (Lei Shen) caused the disturbance and, upholding Lao Jun's (the Supreme Lord Lao) compassionate will, to recall the malignant energy. Conclude with the incantation phrase "Urgently, as decreed by the Nine Heavens' statutes," add the date, and sign as the ritual master.

Prepare five identical copies of this petition addressed to: 1) the Thunder Generals (Lei Jiang) of this temple's thunder division, 2) the Benevolent Sage Emperor of Mount Tai (Dong Yue Tian Qi Ren Sheng Di), 3) karmic creditors from past and present lives, and 4) the family ancestors. When burning the petitions, the mother must hold the child under the Big Dipper (Bei Dou) while declaring their names. Daily, administer the frankincense decoction inscribed with talismanic patterns to mother and child. For infants with unclosed fontanelles, apply arisaema rhizome dipped in rice vinegar. If critical symptoms like convulsions or diarrhea appear, summon the Thunderblast Great Emperor (Lei Hong Da Di) to consecrate the altar and protect the household.

While drawing the talisman, chant incantations invoking the Twenty-Eight Lunar Mansions (Er Shi Ba Xiu) and celestial movements of sun and moon, emphasizing their demon-dispelling power. When positioning the divine generals (whether physically at the altar or through visualization), recite the General-Positioning Chant (An Jiang Zhou), petitioning the Heavenly Emperor's decree to purify the cosmos by mobilizing stellar forces.

This passage discusses Daoist talismans (fulu) and ritual techniques for exorcising evil spirits and healing diseases. The text contains several key components:

First, it describes the method for setting up an altar: using cinnabar to inscribe two specific talismans (the Heavenly Covenant Talisman and Heavenly Authority Talisman) on bricks, which are then buried beneath the altar. This prevents demonic forces from trespassing, as the altar appears to the spirits of the Three Realms as an abode of thunder and fire. During epidemics or illnesses caused by pathogenic qi (邪气), if expelled ghosts keep returning, placing these talismans in the main hall on designated "subduing and severing days" (伏断日) can permanently resolve the issue.

Several healing talismans are then introduced:

1. The "White Jade Sovereign's Talisman for All Ailments" requires accompanying incantations, invoking the Azure Flower Emperor (青华帝君) and Lord Han (韩君) to bestow spiritual power. Created using the Jade Purity Hand Seal (玉清诀) while gathering qi from the southeast direction, it's written with cinnabar on yellow paper. Three talismans are burned over a lamp, and the ashes are taken with jujube tea.

2. The "Great Unity (太一) Epidemic-Curing Talisman" specifically treats plagues.

3. The "Left Immortal Dragon King Ghost-Burning Talisman" and "Great Unity Azure Dragon Life-Seizing Talisman" deal with malicious ghosts stealing souls. The latter can even revive the deceased when inscribed with the patient's birth details.

4. The "Great Unity Five Phantom-Severing Talisman" is written on peach wood and buried in the chen direction (southeast) for one month to take effect.

The text also records thunder-summoning techniques for emergencies like floods or fires. The "Great Fire Command Talisman" and "Flying Sword Talisman" require chanting to invoke martial deities like General Huang (黄神将军) and the Black Fiery Celestial Troops (黑煞天兵). Legend claims these spiritual swords can fly thousands of miles to slay ghosts.

Finally, the "Great Unity Secret Celestial Star-Striking Method" (太一禁秘通天撞星大法) is an advanced ritual summoning the Ten Thunderous Star Marshals of the Capital Heaven (都天霹雳十大星帅), reserved for grave emergencies. Practitioners must first perform specific rites on the Great Unity Thunder Command (太一雷令) while reciting star-striking incantations. The scripture warns that casual use brings immediate calamity—stars dim upon hearing the chant, and demons submit instantly. Mastery requires at least 3,000 days of dedicated cultivation (修炼) before attempting this powerful method.

This scripture documents the secret art of "Stellar Flight and Evasion" (zhuangxing feidun) within Daoist Thunder Magic, primarily containing incantations and talismanic methods for summoning the Ten Great Stellar Lords (Daoist deities governing celestial bodies). These magical techniques are employed to exorcise evil spirits and harness natural forces.

The opening "Divine Incantation of Stellar Flight" employs special symbolic combinations forming esoteric language, belonging to the Daoist secret tradition of "Celestial Cloud Script" (yunzhuan tianshu), where each symbol corresponds to specific stellar powers. This is followed by the commanding incantation governing all stars, emphasizing strict discipline: the Yellow Thearch (Huangdi, the central sovereign) summons all stellar generals to execute missions, with the Eleven Luminaries (sun, moon and nine planets) strictly obeying orders—violators face punishment by thunder.

The text then details the thunderous incantation for summoning the Supreme Unity Stellar Commander (leader of the Big Dipper), describing this deity's boundless might: capable of shaking heaven and earth, commanding wind and rain, moving mountains and rivers, even making sacred Mount Taihua tremble with roaring thunderclaps. All Five Phases (Wood, Fire, Earth, Metal, Water) forces submit to his command.

The scripture lists the hand seals (juehao) and corresponding time-positions for summoning the Ten Stellar Commanders. For instance, "Xuān Róng" represents the Solar Lord, requiring hand seals formed at mao hour (5-7 AM) pointing westward; "Xīng Yān" signifies the Jupiter Lord, needing seals at chen hour (7-9 AM) directed northwest. The text specially warns that these stellar commanders possess such tremendous power that careless summoning could overturn heaven and earth, extinguish sunlight, and instantly annihilate demonic entities.

Finally, it records special talismans and activation methods for three stellar lords: the Solar Lord, Jupiter, and Mars. The Solar Talisman requires chanting the four-syllable mantra "Om Va Ra She" while drawing the talisman with corresponding hand seals. The Jupiter Talisman emphasizes its governance over the Zhen palace (thunder trigram position in the Bagua), capable of activating thunderous power. The Mars Talisman highlights its stern authority as "Flickering Enforcer," making all spirits of the Three Realms tremble.

These talismanic arts belong to the Shangqing Thunder Magic system, requiring strict lineage transmission and cultivation for proper use. They emphasize "decrees issuing from the profound mystery"—absolute compliance with the Dao's natural order.

This scripture describes the application of celestial powers in Daoist talismanic rituals (fulu), explaining how to harness the energies of different stars through incantations for specific effects.

When invoking the Venus (Jinxing) talisman, chanting the mantra "Om Hu Zun She" causes the paper to ignite and fly swiftly. Venus possesses penetrating power, but its use requires attention to sequence—for example, when splitting a tree, one must first mobilize Wood-phase energy before activating Venus's force. The incantation references the Great White Venus (Taibai Jinxing), which traverses the Heavenly River and roams the Four Seas, radiating light that shields practitioners from weapon harm. Once activated, the talisman weakens malevolent spirits and demons.

For the Mercury (Shuixing) talisman, one must first summon Wood-phase energy, then Fire-phase, akin to the Thunder God striking a temple. The Virtuous Star Lord of Water (Shuide Xingjun), governing deities of rivers and lakes, unleashes towering waves upon activation.

The Saturn (Tuxing) talisman varies in sequence depending on context—on an altar, Earth-phase energy precedes Metal-phase. The Central Earth Lodestar Lord commands the primordial qi of the land, and the talisman can shake the earth and topple mountains.

The Rahu (Luohou) talisman, an inauspicious star, requires Earth-phase energy combined with the power of Ketu (Jidu). Revered among the Five Heavenly Emperors, Rahu's wrathful gaze crumbles peaks, and the talisman rapidly stirs terrestrial qi.

For the Ketu (Jidu) talisman, sequences adjust to intent—clear weather demands Solar energy before Fire-phase, while snowfall requires Water-phase before Ketu. Ketu's dark aura obscures the sun and moon, daunting even deities. Upon activation, thunderstorms follow.

The Tianyi (Purple Qi Star) talisman for rain rituals first gathers Yin energy to condense Water-phase. Tianyi's purple qi, the most exalted force in Daoist practice, dissolves calamities and redirects misfortune. Once activated, the great rite unfolds.

The Moon's Comet (Yuebo) talisman, chanted with "Om Hui Shi She," resembles a tailed comet. Its thunderous roar shakes the heavens, and activation shatters boulders.

Lastly, a harmonizing talisman resolves conflicts among the Ten Great Stars. It petitions the Compassionate Sovereign of Azure Yang (Qingyang Dijun) to mediate celestial decrees, reconciling the Ten Star Deities.

This passage discusses a Daoist ritual practice known as the "Great One's Ten Star Marshals Talismanic Method." The content can be divided into several key aspects:

First, it details the operational procedures for using the talismanic charms. Once the charm is activated, the wrathful stellar deities (celestial beings governing stars in Daoist cosmology) must immediately cease their anger and cannot disobey the command. If the "Star-Striking Talisman" (a specific charm for subduing stellar forces) has already been employed, this particular charm should not be used again, as doing so may produce adverse effects. The mentioned "Wrathful Star Marshals" refer to divine generals presiding over malignant stellar influences.

Next, it describes the application method for the "Talisman of Pacifying the Ten Star Marshals' Rampant Killings," which requires accompanying incantations. The spell invokes the Supreme Emperor of the Nine Heavens (one of Daoism's highest deities) to issue commands, empowering the talisman to subdue retrograde and colliding stars while quelling chaotic killing energies. The formula concludes with "urgently and lawfully commanded"—a standard Daoist talismanic phrase meaning "execute immediately as statutory decree."

The text then recounts the method's legendary origins. Since the dawn of creation, only the Yellow Emperor (Huangdi) supposedly possessed this technique. During Yu the Great's flood control efforts, he encountered the "Ten True Lords of the Great One" (ten high-ranking deities) and received this method to regulate waterways, expel water demons, and ultimately restore earthly harmony.

Additionally, it mentions how Patriarch Great One's Perfected Lord Xujing (a renowned Daoist immortal), while cultivating at Mount Qingcheng in Sichuan, received divine inspiration. The "Ten Earthly Numinous Officials" (chthonic deities) presented him with a casket containing white lotuses, within which were found vermilion-inscribed talismanic scripts—revealing this method's sacred provenance. From then onward, this potent technique has been transmitted with formidable spiritual efficacy.

The passage concludes with a stern warning: reckless disclosure of this method or treating it disrespectfully will result in prolonged servitude to underworld officials (yin-functionaries). This serves as an admonition for later practitioners to handle the method with utmost reverence.