《北斗九皇隱諱經》

The Scripture of the Hidden Names of the Nine Imperial Stars of the Northern Dipper explains the esoteric titles and functions of the seven stars of the Big Dipper plus two auxiliary stars (making nine in total). Each star has two names—one common astronomical name and one secret Daoist appellation—and corresponds to distinct deities and responsibilities:

1. The first star, Celestial Pivot (Tianshu), also called Yang Brilliance Star (Yangmingxing), governs a person's ethereal soul (Hun, the spiritual consciousness).

2. The second star, Celestial Rotating Jade (Tianxuan), named Yin Essence Star (Yinjingsing), also oversees the Hun.

3. The third star, Celestial Mechanism (Tianji), known as True Person Star (Zhenrenxing), controls the corporeal soul (Po, the more physical life energy).

4. The fourth star, Celestial Balance (Tianquan), called Mysterious Darkness Star (Xuanmingxing), likewise governs the Po.

5. The fifth star, Jade Sighting-Tube (Yuheng), titled Cinnabar Origin Star (Danyuanxing), oversees the spiritual aspect of the Po.

6. The sixth star, Opening Yang (Kaiyang), named North Pole Star (Beijixing), also manages the Po's spiritual dimension.

7. The seventh star, Twinkling Radiance (Yaoguang), titled Celestial Pivot Star (Tianguanxing), presides over the great illumination of the Hun.

8. The eighth star, Cave Brilliance (Dongming), is the Auxiliary Star (Fuxing), called the Auxiliary Star's Yang-Illuminated Soul Essence (Fuxing zhi Hun Jing Yangming).

9. The ninth star, Hidden Origin (Yinyuan), is the Assistant Star (Bixing), named the Assistant Star's Empty-Spirit Soul Illumination (Bixing zhi Hun Ming Kongling).

Each star holds specific divine offices:

• Yang Brilliance Star functions as the celestial Grand Marshal (Taiwei), overseeing the ascension of immortals, the Five Sacred Mountains' transcendents, and cultivation practitioners. It records the merits and faults of all celestial and earthly spirits.
• Yin Essence Star acts as the heavenly Chancellor, administering official ranks and blessings for both astral deities and earthly beings. The fortunes and positions of Daoist adepts fall under its jurisdiction.
• True Person Star serves as the celestial Minister of Works (Sikong), specializing in immortal affairs and supervising high-ranking transcendents alongside the Five Sacred Mountains' divine spirits.
• Mysterious Darkness Star is the heavenly Mobile General (Youji Jiangjun), responsible for punishing rebellion and governing ghostly officials.
• Cinnabar Origin Star holds the office of celestial Dipper Lord (Doujun), maintaining the Registers of Life and Death that document the lifespans of all beings.
• North Pole Star operates as the celestial Minister of Rites (Taichang), managing the merits and promotions of cultivation practitioners.
• Celestial Pivot Star embodies the Heavenly Emperor's authority, controlling cosmic movement, seasonal transitions, and kalpic cycles.
• The Auxiliary Star represents the Jade Emperor (Yuhuang Dadi), commanding all celestial and earthly deities.
• The Assistant Star, called the True Star of Supreme Constancy (Taichang Zhenxing), governs unpredictable transformations and profound mysteries.

(Note: The seven stars of the Northern Dipper plus the two auxiliary stars are collectively called the "Nine Imperial Stars" (Jiuhuang) in Daoist belief. They function both as stellar deities and as cultivation methods, frequently employed in Keyi (liturgical rites) for longevity and disaster aversion.)

The Scripture of the Hidden Names of the Nine Sovereigns of the Northern Dipper describes the nine stellar deities of the Big Dipper constellation (which actually includes nine stars, counting the two hidden auxiliary stars). Here's a modern interpretation:

The First Yang Brilliance Star (Celestial Pivot Star) is governed by the "Sovereign of Nine Dawns." His surname is "Supreme Numinous" and his taboo name is "Shaker of Heaven's Hammer." He wears a jade crown of nine dawns and a cyan feathered robe, holding the Mysterious Chart of the Northern Dipper. His primary responsibilities include recording the merits and faults of celestial and earthly spirits, overseeing practitioners within a 920-li radius. His residence is the Jade Tower of Green Citadel.

The Second Yin Essence Star (Celestial Rotating Jade Star) is ruled by the "Northern Sovereign of Dawns," with the surname "Nurturer of Infants" and taboo name "Stirrer of Luminous Light." Adorned with a dark-essence jade crown and black feathered robe, he wields a five-colored feathered scepter. He governs official positions and emoluments, commands celestial constellations and immortal cultivators, overseeing a 555-li domain.

The Third True Man Star (Celestial Shining Pearl Star) is presided over by the "Divine Sovereign of Immortal Splendor," surnamed "Returner to Origins" with the taboo name "Crosser of Multitudes' Steps." Wearing the Flying Dawns jeweled crown and cyan feathered robe, he holds the Azure Register of the Dipper. His duties involve managing divine immortals and Dao practitioners within a 770-li jurisdiction.

The Fourth Mysterious Darkness Star (Celestial Balance Star) is governed by the "Sovereign of Dawns' Mysterious Flying Canopy," surnamed "Dark Pivot" with taboo name "Shaker of Heaven's Pillar." He specializes in punishing rebels and commanding underworld spirits across an 800-li territory.

The Fifth Cinnabar Origin Star (Jade Sight-Tube Star) is ruled by the "Golden Chief of Seven Dawns," surnamed "Opener of Heights" with taboo name "Transformer of Five Paths." He oversees the life-registers of all beings, maintaining the cosmic records of destiny within a 720-li domain.

The Sixth North Pole Star (Opening Yang Star) is administered by the "Northern Dawns' Flight", responsible for practitioners' spiritual advancement across 770 li.

(Note: In Daoism, each of the nine Dipper stars governs specific domains. Practitioners often visualize and venerate these stellar deities to receive corresponding blessings. The "jade towers" mentioned are the stellar palaces where these sovereigns reside, while the "radius of xxx li" indicates each deity's jurisdictional scope.)

This scripture describes the esoteric names and functions of the Nine Emperor Stars of the Northern Dipper (the seven stars of Ursa Major plus two assistant stars in Daoist cosmology), along with methods for seeking their divine protection. Here is an accessible interpretation:

[Stellar Deities and Their Functions]

1. The Seventh Star, Tian Guan (Hua Chen Jun): Named Ming Ling with the courtesy name Chang Shangyuan. He wears a Flying Essence Blossom Crown and purple brocade robes, wielding a Nine Dipper Jade Tablet. Governing celestial movements and seasonal transitions, his domain spans nine hundred li, residing in a nine-tiered jade tower. Also known as "Sovereign of the Nine Primordials, Northern Canopy Morning Lord."

2. The Eighth Assistant Star (Celestial Sovereign Jade Emperor Star): Named Xuan Shu with the courtesy name Kai Tian Tu. Adorned with a Nine Primordials Treasure Crown and nine-colored brocade robes, he holds the Radiance Divine Seal. Presiding over ascension to immortality, he commands the Nine Heavens and Nine Earths, administering divine officials of the Five Sacred Mountains and Four Great Rivers. Dwelling in a violet jade tower, he traverses freely through the Three Realms (heaven, earth, and water).

3. The Ninth Assistant Star (Great Emperor True Person Star): Named Jing Chang with the courtesy name Kong Shang Kai. Wearing a Flying Essence Jade Crown and nine-colored phoenix robes, he carries a Fire Bell. Master of transformative arts, he resides in jade towers and purple abodes, moving between the Three Yang (sun, moon, and stars). Also titled "Imperial True Primordial Morning Lord."

[Guidance for Petitions]

When petitioning these stellar deities, align requests with their respective domains:

• For official positions and prosperity: Address the First Jade Emperor Lord (Celestial Grand Commandant)
• For spiritual cultivation and divine communion: Petition the Second Jade Emperor Lord (Celestial Prime Minister)
• For subduing malevolent spirits: Appeal to the Third Jade Emperor Lord (Celestial Minister of Works)
• For accumulating virtue and longevity: Entreat the Fourth Jade Emperor Lord (Celestial Mobile Commander)
• For dispelling disasters and healing: Declare to the Fifth Jade Emperor Lord (Celestial Dipper Lord)
• For harmonizing celestial-terrestrial Qi: Pray to the Sixth Jade Emperor Lord (Celestial Grand Guardian)
• For averting all calamities: Beseech the Seventh Jade Emperor Lord (Celestial Supreme Sovereign)
• For attaining transformative powers: Request from the Eighth Jade Emperor Lord (Celestial Revered Jade Emperor)

The scripture emphasizes self-reflection without blaming others when making petitions—examining one's own faults while restraining wicked impulses and nurturing goodness. Only through understanding fundamental principles can one receive stellar protection to eliminate karmic obstacles and extend blessings.

This scripture expounds the esoteric cultivation methods concerning the Nine Emperor Stars of the Northern Dipper (the seven visible stars of the Big Dipper plus two auxiliary stars, making nine celestial lords) in Daoist practice.

The main teaching reveals that if practitioners can devoutly pray to the highest celestial deity—the Ninth Jade Emperor (one of Daoism's supreme deities)—along with the nine stellar lords to the right, while knowing their secret true names (esoteric celestial appellations), they may extend their lifespan by a thousand years. The specific practice involves: at dusk each day, visualizing the majestic forms and radiant auras of these nine stellar lords, memorizing their sacred names and silently maintaining them in one's heart. It particularly emphasizes that if one can visualize the forms of the eighth and ninth hidden stars (the two auxiliary stars), they may attain immeasurable longevity.

(Background note: In Daoist stellar worship, each of the Nine Emperor Stars possesses secret divine names, and reciting these true names is believed to invoke celestial power. This "mind-visualization" practice belongs to Daoist internal observation techniques, establishing communion between heaven and humanity through contemplation of divine forms.)