《上清靈寶大法(一)》Vol. 23

Incantation for Charging the Vermilion and Ink While Writing Talismans (recited while writing talismans with cinnabar and ink; form the Shangqing jue (Shangqing Seal Formula) and visualize the cinnabar and the qi of the ink)

The austere, killing qi of the Supreme Mystery transforms into vermilion cinnabar. Its radiance pours into the talisman, and all evils flee. Swiftly, swiftly, as the mandates and statutes of the Numinous Treasure talisman command.

Incantation for Consecrating the Brush

The divine brush communicates with the spirits and joins with the Jade Clarity (Yuqing). When talismans are written with it, they can slay ghosts, heal illness, and bring peace and safety. Calamities and myriad disasters are broken wherever the talisman reaches. Once the talisman mandate arrives, all the gods carry it out.

Incantation for Releasing the Talisman (recited when issuing the talisman mandate; form the Yuqing jue (Yuqing Seal Formula) and visualize the qi of the Celestial Gate)

The Great Numinous Treasure Method and the True Writ of the Primordial Beginning, the Great Dao of the Void, condense and transform into the qi of the Three Pure Ones (Sanqing), descending into the talisman. Wherever the talisman mandate reaches, people are given peace, demons and evil spirits are destroyed, and people are preserved for a long life. Swiftly, swiftly, as the statutes command.

Incantation for Opening the Seal (recited when activating a seal; form the Yuqing jue and gaze upon the seal as you take it up)

The true mandate of the Supreme Jade Emperor and the most numinous power of Hekui and Yuqing: the Supreme Clarity's precious decree and the Grand Clarity's executors. Every kind of evil withdraws. Swiftly, swiftly, as the statutes command.

Incantation for Applying the Seal

The Jade Clarity divine seal, with its cinnabar-red script of dawn clouds, opens and reveals its light. By this seal, the true spirits of the ten directions are summoned, and their efficacy descends. Wherever the seal reaches, the myriad spirits respectfully obey. Swiftly, swiftly, as the statutes command.

The above rite is performed by knocking the teeth three times and visualizing the green, yellow, and white qi descending from the Celestial Gate to cover the seal. The seal is lifted and used with the right hand.

Incantation for Withdrawing the Seal (recited when putting the seal away)

The Nine Numinous, Nine True, Nine Immortal, Nine Sage, Nine Heavens, and Nine Qi cover the divine seal. Jade maidens and jade youths attend at its side, and the numinous officials and mighty warriors protect it, so that the myriad perfected beings are kept always at peace. Swiftly, swiftly, as the statutes command.

Mind-Seal Incantation for Aiding the Living (for the mind-seal used to relieve the living)

The Jade Clarity has issued its command, gathering the qi of the Void. Clouds and dragons interweave into seal script, which is at once recorded in the cinnabar register. Swiftly obey the decree of the Primordial Beginning Supreme Emperor.

Mind-Seal Incantation for Delivering the Dead (for the mind-seal used to deliver the deceased)

The ancestral qi of the August Sovereign circulates within the Great Brahma, and numinous light pours into the brush. It daubs away suffering, so that sinful souls in the darkness are freed from their distress. It universally oversees and guides them toward rebirth. Swiftly obey the decree of the Primordial Beginning Supreme Emperor.

Incantation for Burning Incense

Invoke the great spirit kings of all heavens, the ten directions, and the utmost perfected of the boundless.

This rite begins by summoning the spirits from the east, like the Five Elders leading the way and the host of immortals guarding the carriage, and then invites the spirits of the ten directions to descend. Afterward, one recites within the heart the petitions one wishes to state.

Next, light incense and settle the mind and spirit.

Incantation for Settling the Mind

Let the hun and po souls and the spirit become clear and upright, so that the various vital energies (qi) endure. Free from afflictions, the body shines with light. The guardians of the Three Realms protect you, the Five Emperors welcome you, and the myriad spirits come to pay homage. Your name is registered in the heavenly realm, and when your merit is complete, you ascend to Shangqing (the Highest Clarity).

This incantation has ten lines. Swallow the qi of your birth-direction (benming), then act according to the circulation of the qi, and whatever you pray for will reach the heavens.

Incantation for Curing All Ailments

The vast Fanqi (pristine primordial qi) pervades the ten directions. Within it dwell the Divine Lord Who Delivers Mortals from Death, the Lord of Eternal Life of the Southern Pole, the Great Divinity Sima Who Delivers the World, the Elder Lord Han Who Loves Life, as well as the Southern Ascendant Siming, the Recorders, the Deities Who Extend Life and Increase Years, and the Venerable Gods Who Deliver from Calamity. They can restore corpses to life and bring the dead back to existence, widely delivering all beings.

This incantation has nine lines. Whenever the qi and blood are stagnant and the body has a minor illness, sit upright, join the hands in the Yuqing jue (Jade Clarity mudra), and recite the incantation once. Then draw in the qi of the southeast, take it into the mouth, and hold the breath. Visualize this qi as a yellow mist that moves from the five viscera into the joints, skin, and hair, until the whole body is filled with yellow qi. After a while the body grows slightly warm, and the illness will heal. Use this method for all healing and for circulating qi.

Incantation for Generating True Qi

The Hundong Chiwen (Crimson Script of the Primordial Cavern), the original true script (zhenwen) of Daoist teaching, is the supreme true primal energy. It issues from the first kalpa of origin, transforms and generates the heavens, and reveals the sun, moon, and stars; it is the root of heaven. Above it there is no earlier ancestral source, only the Dao as itself. When the five true scripts unfold, they universally nourish the spirits. Without the true scripts, nothing can shine, become manifest, be established, be accomplished, be delivered, or be born.

This incantation has fifteen lines. Each morning at dawn, join the hands in the Yuqing jue, face southeast, and recite it five times. Visualize five-colored clouds descending from heaven, then inhale them through the nose and swallow them. Visualize the qi returning to the three Dantian (upper, middle, and lower). Practiced in this way, the five viscera become full and the three Dantian become replete, all transforming into true qi, so that evil qi cannot intrude.

Incantation for Holding the Body by the Five Peaks

Chaos first divides and light opens, inaugurating the primordial kalpa. The Three Terraces, the Four Sages, the Nine Heavens of the north and south, the Great Divinities of the Eight Trigrams (Bagua), the Five Stars, the Three Sovereigns, the Three Heavenly Masters and the perfected, the spirits of the Five Sacred Peaks, the Three Paths, the Six Ding and Six Jia deities, the divine tigers, and the Four Upright Emperors all send down their qi. Through inner cultivation, the qi transforms and takes form. The Dark Woman (Xuannü) attains the true Dao, clouds and thunder stir, and the myriad things are naturally generated and transformed. Swiftly memorialize the heavenly court, so that your lifespan equals that of heaven.

When performing this practice, form the Ziwu jue (Midnight–Noon mudra), then wrap the whole body in the qi of the five directions.

Incantation for Calming the Spirit and Steadying the Will

Qingdi (the Azure Emperor) guards the hun (ethereal soul), Baidi (the White Emperor) protects the po (corporeal soul), Chidi (the Red Emperor) nourishes the qi (the primordial vital breath cultivated in practice), Heidi (the Black Emperor) clears the channels of the blood, and Huangdi (the Yellow Emperor) sits at the center and governs the myriad spirits, so that no spirit may overstep its bounds.

The Five Heavenly Demon Kings each bear a name: the Azure Heaven Demon King Ba Yuan Chou Bo, the Red Heaven Demon King Fu Tian Dan Shi, the White Heaven Demon King Fan Shan Liu Mu, the Black Heaven Demon King Jian Chou Lang Fu, and the Yellow Heaven Demon King Heng Tian Dan Li. The Great Demon of the Five Emperors is the sovereign of the myriad spirits. When he travels, drums and music accompany him. He commands ghost soldiers, bears banners, beats drums, roams through outer space, and calls himself "Heyi" (brilliant and resplendent), equal in merit to all the heavens. Under the decree of the Supreme Heaven to deliver humanity, they strictly govern Beifeng (the Northern Dark Capital, the city of ghosts, spirits, and the netherworld in Daoist belief) and are charged with sweeping away all ill omens. The Eight Majestic Spirits exhale poisonous vapors, fierce steeds form ranks in the four directions, and the Tianding shenjiang (Heavenly Guardian Spirit-Generals) lead the way. The Great Masters hold fa fan (ritual banners) and hurl fire, and their bells ring for ten thousand li. If any evil thing dares to offend or obstruct the Perfected of the Upper Realm, the golden axe strikes first at the giant heavenly demon, then executes the ghosts and spirit-essences. Wind and fire do not cease, and tens of thousands of evil spirits are beheaded and their forms destroyed. Thus demons cannot invade and ghosts cannot work harm. The Three Officials (Heaven, Earth, and Water) together with Beifeng keep watch and inspect, and the ghost encampments may not hide evil ghosts. The Jinma yi (Golden Horse relay) carries this matter to all quarters, asking the myriad spirits, the Three Realms, and the Five Emperors to hear it together, and reports it to Shangqing (the Highest Clarity, one of the highest heavens of Daoism).

The above incantation is to be recited once every morning, whether one is going out, staying at home, active, or at rest. In this way the mind-spirit is settled, qi and blood flow freely, and circulation is unobstructed.

Incantation for Treating Pain: The text of this incantation is the same as the first six lines above. When chanting, follow the five directions of Zhen (Thunder), Li (Fire), Dui (Lake), Kan (Water), and the center. Draw in the qi of the east, south, west, north, and center respectively, each matched to its corresponding trigram. Chant the incantation once in combination, then blow breath onto the patient's painful area and have the patient cough once. After no more than three repetitions, the pain should cease.

Five Dippers Life-Preserving Incantation: The East Dipper governs the calculation of lifespan, the West Dipper records names, the North Dipper erases names from the registers of death, the South Dipper presents the registers of life, and the Central Dipper oversees and supervises all the spirits. These six lines are to be recited once toward each of the five directions on clear, starry nights. Draw in the qi of the five directions and blow it toward oneself while wearing the Five Dipper talisman (wudou fu). Then the myriad evils will not intrude, and a thousand calamities will be dispelled.

Method for Curing Illness and Expelling Evil: In all exorcism, submit only a heart-memorial (xinzhang, a document expressing one's sincere intent to the spirits), and draw a clear boundary against evil influences so that people and ghosts do not mingle at will. Before interrogating the conditions and offenses of ghosts and spirits, first use the Five Dipper Five Demon talisman (wudou wumo fu) to settle the patient, stabilize the five viscera, protect life, generate fluids and nourish the body, while also driving out the evil qi. After half a month, perform the ritual of audience and memorial to the heavens.

Guarding the Yellow Court (Protecting the Central Body)

Methods for Treating Mania and Demonic Possession

For any illness of frenzy, madness, or demonic affliction, first visualize the Three Officials (Sanguan), the deities who reside in the upper, middle, and lower parts of the body, rising to the Mud Pellet Palace (Niwan Gong) at the center of the head. Have the deities seated upon a jade dais, then summon the upright vital energies of the five viscera to ascend to the center of the heavens, among the Five Stars. The vital energies of the five viscera and the five stars each transform into a sovereign lord, wearing robes of the color corresponding to their direction and holding jade tablets.

Next, transform the five viscera and five stars into the Five Dipper Spirits (Wudou Shen). Each star spirit appears in the form of a Daoist priest, wears the robe of its corresponding direction, stands in its assigned position, and holds a green bamboo tablet. Then transform the five viscera and five stars into the Five Heavenly Demon Kings, whose forms resemble human warriors. They wear robes matching their directions, hold halberds, carry bows and swords, and stand in their assigned positions.

Then visualize your spirit-generals rising and advancing with the Five Sovereigns, the Five Dippers, and the Five Demon Kings. They seize the ghostly bandits, bring them before the deities to await judgment, and then escort them to the Capital Office of the Three Officials, the heavenly bureau responsible for adjudication, for trial. At this point, recite the following incantation:

"The Spirit Lord acts under command, sweeping away all inauspiciousness everywhere. The awesome spirits of the eight directions exhale poisonous breath, and fierce horses spread out on all four sides. Heavenly soldiers clear the way in front, the great marshal waves his banners and hurls flames; the moving bells ring out for ten thousand li, and within the eight directions, who dares offend or obstruct the Highest Perfected? Golden axes strike down the great evils in front, and punishments carve and butcher from behind. Ghosts cannot linger in the wind and fire. A thousand heads are severed, ten thousand forms are cut apart. Demons may not invade, ghosts may not work their harm, and fiends may not stir up wind and disorder. Let the Three Officials and the Northern Fengdu examine the ghost camps clearly, allowing no concealment; let the golden horses carry the dispatches."

Recite the above incantation nine times, then give the patient the talismans of the Five Sovereigns, the Five Dippers, and the Five Demons to take, continuing for one month.

If you wish to seek a further response to the illness, then, when the patient has gone to sleep at night, take one talisman of each kind: have the patient swallow one, place one in the hair knot, and attach one to the bed curtain cord. Burn another talisman in the stove together with a memorial, informing the Six Spirits and the Generals of the Three and Five, and instructing them to pursue the evil forces and verify the efficacy. Whenever talismans are used, one must first worship the Heavenly Worthy of Original Beginning (Yuanshi Tianzun) and request his command before carrying out the rite. Once the response is confirmed, burn the earlier talismans in a clean place.

Methods of Exorcism and Suppression

Whenever a grave inauspicious matter arises, take five iron plates, each three cun wide and nine cun long. On the front, inscribe the Five Demon talismans. On the back, record the cause, the year, month, day, and hour, and the name and rank of the officiant. First, write a memorial with utmost sincerity and secretly report it to the Supreme Mystery (the high deities of the heavens). Only after requesting the descent of a talismanic command may the rite be carried out.

Incantation for Wearing Talismans

"The Jade Youths and Jade Maidens who serve the scriptures and methods of the Five Sovereigns, twenty-four of each, encircle and guard the divine writs, protecting the body of the one who receives the scripture."

Those born under the Wood element draw on the qi (vital energy) of the East; those under Fire draw on the qi of the South; those under Metal draw on the qi of the West; those under Water draw on the qi of the North; and those under Earth draw on the qi of the zenith above. Blow the qi onto the talisman while simultaneously forming the Shangqing hand seal (shouqing jue, a Daoist hand gesture).

Spell for Liberating All Deceased Souls (Du Yiqie Wanghun Zhou)

Universally announce to the Three Realms (the domains of Heaven, Earth, and humanity, together with the spirits who dwell in them): the Wuji Divine Realm, the Palace of the Springs and Bends, the Northern Capital of Luofeng (the Daoist netherworld), and the spirits of the Three Officials, the Nine Bureaus, and the Twelve Sources of Rivers. Please relieve the sins that our ancestors, parents, and generations of kin have accumulated over countless kalpas (aeons). Erase the registers of their guilt, eradicate the roots of evil, do not continue to detain them, and do not force them into the ranks of ghosts.

By the mandate of the Primordial Beginning (Yuanshi Tianzun, the revered deity of Daoism), may the departed souls ascend in due time. May the Northern Capital guard their bodies and their hun and po souls, subdue the obstructing demons, and recommend the departed so that they may be delivered and ascend to the Southern Palace. May the souls of the dead undergo refinement and transform into immortals, and may the living receive deliverance in the present world and endure through the kalpas. May they turn with the cycles of fate, share the lifespan of Heaven, and forever be freed from the Three Paths, the Five Sufferings, and the Eight Calamities. May they transcend the Three Realms and roam at ease in Shangqing (the pure celestial realm of Daoism).

The above incantation is to be recited together with the Yuqing hand seal, drawing on the qi of the East.

Spell for Pacifying the Dwelling and Propitiating the Earth (An Zhai Zhu Tu Zhou)

For seven days and seven nights, the sun, moon, and stars of all the heavens, together with the Armillary Sphere and the Jade Balance (ancient instruments for observing the heavens, also referring to the motion of the stars), all cease their turning at once. The winds subside, the clouds grow still, and the mountains and seas conceal their mists. No floating clouds obscure the sky, and the qi of the four seasons is clear and bright.

The lands, mountains, and forests of the realm all become level and uniform, with no distinction between high and low. The earth turns wholly to green jade, with no other color. The assembled Perfected sit in attendance at the side.

The above totals fifteen lines. Whenever earth is to be disturbed, one should tread the Gang and pace the Dipper (a ritual walk following prescribed steps) for seven paces and face the prosperous direction to take one handful of earth. Facing north, form the Yuqing hand seal and recite the incantation seven times, then draw the qi of the Northwest and blow it onto the earth. Place the earth at the construction site, and once the offering is complete, mix it with water and sprinkle it across the center of the courtyard. In this way, all malevolent forces and strange apparitions will be kept away. If disturbing the earth has offended the earth deity and left the household unsettled, one may recite this incantation in the same manner, mix the earth with water, and sprinkle it throughout the entire house.

Yuandong Spell for Consecrating Water (Yuandong Zhou Shui)

In the ages of Yuandong Yuli, Longhan, and Yankang, all is profound and remote, and myriad omens merge within primordial chaos. Above there is no color, and below there is no abyss. Wind and marsh are empty, and the adamantine qi rides upon the heavens. Between heaven and earth there is no gloom, no obscurity, no form, no shadow, no boundary, and no end. Chaos is vast, the primordial qi is boundless, and no light shines. The qi of Chiming opens the charts and registers, turns the cycles of kalpas, and all things come into being naturally.

The above spell totals sixteen lines. Take flowing water from the East and place it in a vessel, then visualize the spirits. The Perfected of Lingbao dwells within the Three Dantian (the upper, middle, and lower fields of the human body), with the sun on the left and the moon on the right. The Five Stars are dispersed among the Five Directions, and the Five Sovereign Lords stand in attendance. The sun and moon send down their radiance into the water. The Numinous Spirits of the Five Directions guard this water, with Jade Youths and Jade Maidens standing at left and right. Then command the Dipper (the directions symbolized by the arrangement of the seven stars of the Big Dipper) to point toward the water.

Knock your teeth thirty-two times, recite the incantation thirty-two times, and then draw the qi of the five directions into water. Even in midsummer, this water will not breed insects or turn foul when stored for a long time. When treating illness, it may be used to swallow fulu (talismans and registers), or to cook porridge and decoct medicine. If a pestilence is spreading, one may recite the incantation over this water to empower it, then dip a willow or bamboo twig in the water and sprinkle it across the ground. It is said that the poison of the pestilence will then dissipate and the patients will recover quickly.

Incantation of the Life-Demon Qi for Expelling Evil

The Demon King of the Azure Heaven, Ba Yuanchou Bo; the Demon King of the Crimson Heaven, Fu Tian Dan Shi; the Demon King of the White Heaven, Fan Shan Liu Mu; the Demon King of the Black Heaven, Jian Chou Lang Fu; the Demon King of the Yellow Heaven, Heng Tian Dan Li. The Five Great Demon Emperors are the ancestors of all spirits, and the Flying Drummers lead the ghost soldiers. Banners, standards, drums, and tallies roam through the void, proclaiming their own brilliant splendor. The heavens together accomplish their merit, and above, they deliver mankind. They strictly govern the Northern Feng (the netherworld that administers ghosts and spirits), and the divine lords, acting on command, sweep away all misfortune. The Eight Majesties exhale poisonous vapors, fierce horses are arrayed in the four directions, and heavenly troops clear the way ahead. The Great Marshal grips a banner and hurls flames, and the sound of bells carries ten thousand li, striking the eight directions. Whoever dares to offend or obstruct the Perfected of the Highest Clarity shall first be slain by the golden axe, and then punished by the giant heavenly one, cutting away demons and ghosts as wind and fire ceaselessly rage. A thousand are beheaded, and ten thousand are cut down. Demons cannot encroach, and ghosts cannot work harm. The Three Officials and the Northern Feng inspect the camps of the ghosts, and no evil spirit may hide. The golden horse relays the command to every boundless realm, and the myriad spirits all listen together, while the Five Emperors of the three realms jointly memorialize the Highest Clarity.

The above method originates from the Jade Clarity teachings. Whenever talismans are applied to treat a person, all the various evil qi in the body are to be driven out using the qi of the north.

Incantation for Spreading the Qi

Within the True Realm dwell the spirits: the Great Lord of Long Life, the Youth Wuying, the Venerable Spirit of White Origin, the Director of Destiny of the Great One, Tao Kang, and He Yan. They govern the talismans and protect the root of life. Above, they travel through the Highest Clarity; they come and go through the chambers of flowers and the realms of the eight dark netherworlds, moving through subtle and profound depths. Below, they settle within the human body at Nirvana Palace (Niwan, the chamber of the head) and the Crimson Palace (the chamber of the heart), harmonizing the five qi within the body and bringing the hundred spirits into accord. The numinous qi turns again and again, the ten thousand qi gather, and the person enters the realm of immortals.

The above eighteen lines are the Jade Clarity method. Knock your teeth three times, recite the incantation three times, and blow the qi of the north toward the patient. Then inhale, and massage the painful area, and the pain will ease.

Incantation for Harmonizing All Affairs

A thousand harmonies, ten thousand responses, and naturally one attains perfection.

The above method: whenever one wishes to bring about a harmonious outcome, hold a wooden implement, face north, and recite the incantation seven times. Then face south, blow qi onto water, and silently state the desired matter seven times in the heart. Finally, sprinkle the water toward the corresponding direction, and the harmony will be brought about.

Incantation for Eye Ailments

The original text does not record this incantation.

All the heavens, the sun, the moon, and the stars (the Xuanji Yuheng, or Jade Armillary Sphere and Gauge, which refers to the order of celestial motion) pause in their revolutions for a time, and the divine winds subside. The clouds over the mountains and seas grow still, the sky is free of drifting clouds, and the qi of the four seasons is clear and bright.

The seven lines above are used to treat eye disease. Take a piece of clean earth, face southeast, and recite the incantation nine times, then blow breath onto the earth. Mix the earth into the incantation water and wash the eyes with it, and red, inflamed eyes will heal quickly. For any eye ailment, talismanic water (fushu) may be used.

Incantation for Treating Pestilence

Bind and banish demons and spirits, and slay the six kinds of ghosts. The divine blade sweeps through, and the qi of all the heavens surges forth, and the Dao grows ever more prosperous.

The four lines above are recited, and the water is empowered and the qi dispersed (the breath is circulated and scattered during the rite), when entering the home of a plague patient to treat the illness.

Millet Incantation

Then the Celestial Worthy of Original Beginning (Yuanshi Tianzun) suspended in the empty void a precious pearl, the size of a grain of millet, five zhang above the ground. The Celestial Worthy led innumerable divine beings, including the True Great Spirits of the Heavens, the Exalted Sages, the Marvelous Perfected, and the Utmost True Great Spirits of the Ten Directions and Boundless Realms, all entering the pearl together. Those on high looked up and saw the gods passing one after another through the mouth of the pearl. Once they had entered, no one knew where they had gone.

The land at once widened and leveled, and the earth, no longer tilted or sunken, was restored to evenness. The Celestial Worthy finished expounding the scripture within the pearl. The assembled True Spirits oversaw the scripture and transmitted it to me. The joy and celebration of that time were beyond words. When the rite was largely complete, the multitude of heavenly spirits each returned to their posts, and in an instant all was silent.

At that time, the people of the heavens were fortunate to encounter the scripture and its methods, and all were delivered and saved, preserving their heavenly lifespans and remaining unharmed. Throughout the realm, people turned toward the good path, and each person held goodwill in their heart: they did not kill, harm, envy, be jealous, commit lewdness, steal, be greedy, indulge their desires, hate, or speak falsehood. They spoke no empty ornate words and uttered no harsh sounds. The people united in compassion, so that even those of different surnames were like one family. The state was secure, the people prosperous, and they joyfully enjoyed great peace.

When the scripture's teachings first began to spread, the people of the whole land walked according to the Dao. Everyone who had long aspired to it, who sincerely upheld it, and who reverently bowed to it was able to attain deliverance.

For the above method: in the left hand hold red millet, in any quantity; in the right hand form the Yuqing seal (a Daoist hand seal). Begin in the east and proceed in order to the lower direction. At each direction, recite the incantation ten times while visualizing the True Great Spirits, the Flying Heavenly Kings, and their thousand chariots and ten thousand riders flying together into the millet. The incantations total one hundred recitations across the ten directions. When finished, draw in the qi of the northwest and use it to treat all manner of illnesses.

Incantation for the Lingbao Water

The jin fluids of the True Ones, precious spiritual fluid, pure in shen and qi. One incantation slays demons, and forever drives away malevolent spirits. The True Qi of the Heavenly Gang (Tiangang) slays the evil pestilential qi; with this pure yang water, may the myriad evil spirits be sent far, ten thousand li away.

Hold the Shangqing seal (Shangqing jue) in the left hand to support the vessel of water, and form the Yuqing seal (Yuqing jue) in the right hand, pointing toward the water's surface. Recite the first incantation seven times and the second three times, drawing in the qi of the southeast and blowing it into the water while tracing finger-seal marks across its surface. Visualize the Numinous Officers (Lingguan, guardian generals) moving through the water alongside you.

Numinous Treasure Needle (Lingbao zhen)

Cut a needle about five cun long from a branch of the divine peach tree. Form the Yuqing seal, draw in the qi of the five directions and blow it onto the needle, then pierce the afflicted area with it. Have the patient inhale three times and cough three times, and then withdraw the needle.

Recitation of the Numinous Scripture (Song ling shu)

In general, when conducting a major ritual, visualize yourself transformed into the Celestial Worthy of Primordial Beginning (Yuanshi Tianzun), seated on a five-colored lion. Then visualize the golden countenance and jade features of the Celestial Worthy appearing above your head. Next, form the Yuqing seal with the left hand and the Shangqing seal with the right, and silently recite the incantation for as many repetitions as needed. Draw in the qi of the southeast, blow it into the talisman water, and use the water as required.

Apart from their own specific incantations, all the various talismans may use this blessing-incantation. The scripture's main text lists only a few incantations in abbreviated form. When applying the registers and talismans, one should use the appropriate incantation and hand seals for the particular matter at hand. Some talismans also have dedicated incense-dedication incantations, which should be recited as well. Once these steps are complete, recite the middle section and form the Yuqing seal. First draw in the qi of the southeast and blow it in, then recite the Great Yuqing Incantation, and draw in the qi of the northwest and blow it out. The text of the incantation is as follows:

The Thirty-Two Heavens and the Thirty-Two Emperors; the hidden taboo names and titles of all the heavens; the numinous charts and hidden sounds and rhythms of the celestial realms of empty, spontaneous spirit; the honored deities, spirits, and great demons of the heavens; the marvelous powers within the heavens, which unite, transform, and return to the boundless and profound realm of Highest Clarity, whose mysteries cannot be fully explained. The divine perfected descend everywhere to deliver heaven's people and all living beings. Today we joyfully celebrate those who receive salvation, enabling them to travel through all the heavens, praying that the Three Evils be extinguished, that the roots of earthly bondage be severed, that they may soar beyond the Five Gates, and that their names be registered and carried up to Taixuan. May the Demon King be responsible for oversight and guidance, so that they are not blocked by the gates of heaven.

The Eastern Dipper governs lifespan, and the Western Dipper records names. The Northern Dipper controls death, and the Southern Dipper controls life. The Central Dipper, the Great Chief, oversees and supervises all the numinous beings. The Azure Emperor protects the hun (ethereal soul), the White Emperor protects the po (corporeal soul), the Red Emperor nourishes qi, the Black Emperor circulates the blood, and the Yellow Emperor dwells at the center and governs the myriad spirits.

The Demon King of the Azure Heaven is named Ba Yuan Chou Bo; the Demon King of the Red Heaven is named Fu Tian Dan Shi; the Demon King of the White Heaven is named Fan Shan Liu Mu; the Demon King of the Black Heaven is named Jian Chou Lang Fu; and the Demon King of the Yellow Heaven is named Heng Tian Dan Li. These Great Demons of the Five Emperors are the ancestors of the myriad spirits. In flight they are guided by the beat of drums, command the ghost soldiers, direct chariots, horses, and drum rhythms, and tour outer space, calling themselves "Brilliant and Resplendent." Together all the heavens accomplish merit; the Highest Heaven delivers humanity, and the Northern Fengdu (the divine authority governing the netherworld) is strictly regulated, as the divine officials carry out their orders.

All-out clearing of inauspicious influences. Eight fierce spirit-generals breathe out awe-inspiring currents of power, four divine steeds stand in formation at the four directions, and celestial troops and generals march ahead to clear the way. The Master grips the banner-streamers and hurls forth flames; the summoning bells ring out for ten thousand li, surging straight ahead. Whoever dares to offend or obstruct will be executed by the Supreme True (the venerated deity of the Upper Clarity, Shangqing) with the golden axe (an ancient weapon): slaughtering the great evils in front and punishing and butchering the demons behind. Wind and fire sweep on without cease, cutting down demons' heads by the thousands and tens of thousands, and severing their bodies by the myriads. Demonic kinds may not encroach, and ghosts cannot work their mischief.

The Three Officials (the deities who govern Heaven, Earth, and Water) together with the Northern Fengdu (the netherworld in the north that governs spirits and ghosts) clearly inspect the encampments of the ghosts and spirits, and none may be concealed. Golden horses carry the dispatches, proclaiming them universally until they reach the boundless reaches; the myriad spirits all obey, and the Three Realms and the Five Emperors together present their memorials.

Shangqing Lingbao Dafa, Scroll Twenty-Three.