Often known as the: 三皇文 (sān huáng wén); 三皇經 (sān huáng jīng); 三皇内文 (sān huáng nèi wén); Model transmitted to Ge Hong: 小有三皇文 (xiao you sān huáng wén)
Is the Seal of the 9 Immortal Realms 九老仙部印圖 from the Secret Guide of the Three Sovereigns 三皇內文遺秘, which is now canonized within the Daozang, or Taoist Canons, a part of the misplaced, legendary grimoire, the Guide of the Three Sovereigns 三皇文?
In line with lore, throughout the Three Kingdoms Period (220 – 280 AD), the Taoist mystic and later an ascended grasp Bó Hé 帛和 finds this textual content buried inside a stone wall atop Mount Xīchéng 西城山. From Bó Hé’s teachings arose of the earliest traditions of Taoist magic: the College of Bó Taoism 帛家道 (bó jiā dào), or The Means of Bó. In style among the many higher class throughout the Jin (266 – 420 AD) and Wei (386 – 534 AD) dynasties within the northern central plains of China, the custom targeted on examine of the Guide of Three Emperors and formulated their very own strategy to talismanic magic, invocation of gods, and alchemy.
Then, round 300 AD, atop Mount Songshan 嵩山, the Taoist occultist Bao Liang 鲍靓 receives this textual content painted on silk, as transmitted to Bó Hé. Bao Liang was a famend grasp of varied occult practices, from astrology and alchemy to necromancy. He married his daughter Bao Gu to the alchemist Ge Hong.
Bao Gu 鲍姑 (309 – 363 AD) was one of many first lady physicians within the historical past of Chinese language medication. Although she didn’t go away behind any of her personal writings, it will not be inconceivable that Ge Hong borrowed closely from his spouse’s analysis and work.
In a special telling of the textual content’s origins, it was Zheng Yin 鄭隱, believed to be a founding head of the Golden Elixir lineage 金丹派 of Taoist mysticism, who transmitted the Guide of Three Sovereigns to Ge Hong.
There can be a revival of the Golden Elixir lineage later throughout the Track dynasty (960 – 1279 AD), claiming powers straight channeled from Cao Guo Jiu 曹國舅, one of many Eight Immortals and who’s oft related to a modality of Taoist occult observe referred to as Thunder Rites.
Copies of the Guide of Three Sovereigns have been carefully guarded secrets and techniques and uncommon to return by. About 300 years later throughout the Tang dynasty, it resurfaces, a replica is confiscated by the imperial court docket, and subsequently banned as heresy. Nonetheless, in line with lore, not less than one copy of the unique textual content was stored secure by a sure Madame Wei 魏夫人, with one fragment of it in some way revealed to the general public, which was subsequently canonized within the Daozang because the Secret Guide of the Three Sovereigns.
The Texts in Chinese language
The texts referenced within the video lecture might be discovered right here:
Crafting Directions for the Seal of the 9 Immortal Realms
Chances are you’ll discover it useful to learn an edited transcript of the video lecture (with reference tables appended as attachments):
Obtain PDF of Video Transcript
Secret Book of Three Sovereigns & Seal of the Nine Immortal Realms
Obtain ATTACHMENT 1: Ba Zi 60 stem-branch cycle
PDF file | DOCX file
Obtain ATTACHMENT 2: Ba Zi Ascendant Hours
PDF file | DOCX file
After I completed recording the primary draft of the video, I felt it was too lengthy and went in with the proverbial hack noticed to chop out entire chunks. Nonetheless, I left these chunks within the above downloadable script.
If you’re severe about making an attempt out the Seal, then I strongly suggest that you just learn by the above-hyperlinked full transcript (and watch the video, in fact; thanks for serving to to spice up the algorithm, or no matter).
It is a single web page abstract of the Seal casting directions:
Obtain PDF of Seal Directions
Seal Instructions at a Glance
And right here’s a digitized tracing of the Seal of the 9 Immortal Realms:
Obtain JPG IMAGE OF SEAL
Seal of the Nine Immortal Realms 九老仙部印圖
In regards to the 9 Primordial Immortals
The precise wording is “老仙,” straight translating to “outdated immortal” or “elder immortal.” [Which begs the question… at what age would you consider an immortal to be “old”?] Although “老” (lao) also can imply unique, primordial, or to easily be aware that these immortals are grasp immortals, extraordinarily highly effective and extremely revered, even by the opposite gods and spirits of Heaven.
“部” (bù) means realms, departments, components or divisions, sections. These are the 9 Immortal Ministers, every main a specified Ministry.
Per lore from the Caverns and Temple of the 9 Elder Immortals 九老仙府 at Mount Emei 峨眉山, their names are:
- 天英、天任、天柱、天心、天禽、天辅、天冲、天芮、天蓬
- Tianying, Tianren, Tianzhu, Tianxin, Tianqin, Tianfu, Tianchong, Tianrui, Tianpeng
- In different phrases, the 9 Realms are: 英 (Ying), 任 (Ren), 柱 (Zhu), 心 (Xin), 禽 (Qin), 辅 (Fu), 冲 (Chong), 芮 (Rui), and 蓬 (Peng)
They characterize the Ministry of Taiyi. This explicit talisman, the Seal of the 9 Immortal Realms, is empowered by these 9 ancients, these 9 primordial immortals and Taiyi — the imperial court docket of Heaven.
If you’re linked to the Girl of the 9 Heavens () and also you utter these 1,700 12 months outdated phrases, she’s going to hear your Will name out to her and are available to assist facilitate the divine connection. In a approach, it’s implied within the Guide itself — references to the spirits and celestials of Heaven 天神, which might be construed within the plural type, and would come with the Girl of the 9 Heavens, along with being an honorific title within the singular type for Taiyi.
Taiyi
The Tao 道, comprised of the binary of yin and yang, creates the Supreme One, Taiyi, after which it’s Taiyi who creates our universe by ladling out life power in a spiral movement with the Huge Dipper, tending to this cosmic soup that turns into the bodily world. In different phrases, Taiyi might be likened to a Demiurge.
Taiyi will get syncretized with the deified Yellow Emperor, and thus the Yellow Celestial 黄神 (Huangshen) refers to each Taiyi and the deified Yellow Emperor Huangdi. Taiyi is each consultant of the Tao 道 and likewise born out of the Tao.
The gender expression of Taiyi is fluid. Some conceptualize Taiyi as a heavenly father, however Taiyi can be recognized by the identify Doumu 斗母, The Nice Dipper Mom, and one in every of her titles is Taiyi Yuanjun 太一元君. The 9 Immortals, that are additionally seven plus two much less seen stars of the Huge Dipper, are her 9 sons, recognized collectively because the 9 Sovereign Celestials 九皇神.
The ten Days of Preparation
師不用功行及十日，
天神不附。
“If the grasp 師 (that’s you, fyi) doesn’t make the most of diligent efforts to carry out the mandatory preparatory work for 10 days prior, then the God of Heaven won’t honor the petition.”
Even within the unique language it’s imprecise. It’s nearly just like the Guide presumes you already know what the mandatory preparatory work is, and is simply reminding you to do it to diligently.
So. Within the absence of specificity, I might say curate your individual strategy to diligent preparatory work. However be trustworthy with your self. Don’t reduce corners. Don’t make it straightforward on your self. Put in that good religion effort to show to Taiyi, the God of Heaven that you’re honest.
The time period “行廚” (xíng chú) has a particular that means in Taoist occultism, nevertheless. It refers to non secular and alchemical practices for cultivating immortality, or non secular transcendence. The passage is conveying the significance of internal alchemical practices, which should be accomplished “diligently.”
Me personally, I’ll observe a Buddhist vegetarian food regimen, strive additional onerous to be aware of my ideas, speech, and conduct, and for these 10 consecutive days, meditate and burn incense choices each day.
The Providing Desserts
“以煎餅” (yǐ jiān bing) reads the textual content, that means that “jiān bing” is the “major course” meals providing for the invoked god. Jiān bing might be both a candy or savory crêpe or pancake that usually accommodates a alternative choice of fillings. Or it might be much more generic than that, and easily consult with a dough that has been pan-fried in fat to supply a tasty cookie- or cake- like deal with.
Impressed by an historical Chinese language cookie recipe, I go for wheat flour, cane sugar, lard, cinnamon and cardamom, with a pinch of salt. Chill the dough till it’s agency sufficient to mould into ornate knotted and braided shapes. Brush egg yolk on prime and sprinkle with white sesame seeds.
By the way in which, who else is amused that Asians are sooo into meals and sharing meals that even in ceremonial magic, meals is an integral a part of the ritual course of.
How Carefully Should You Observe Grimoire Directions?
Do you must observe grimoire directions to the letter? If you need the precise meant outcome, sure. When you’re comfortable with settling for normal ballpark or a bit beneath the mark, then certain, substitutes are most likely okay.
Grimoire ritual magic actually is like cooking and following a celebrated chef’s recipe ebook. Nobody will cease you from swapping and substituting (…aside from the gods, within the case of ceremonial magic…), however during swapping and substituting, it’s now not grimoiric custom. You’re simply doing your individual factor.
There’s one other delicate variable and issue right here.
I can strategy my very own dad and mom and my very own grasp instructor with a sure extent of flippancy and informality as a result of there’s a longstanding historical past and relationship there already. But when I have been to make use of that very same flippancy in tone and informality with another person’s grasp instructor or assembly your dad and mom for the primary time, that will be extraordinarily disrespectful.
Likewise, native practitioners have a bit extra liberal leeway with the gods to do their very own factor. However I might argue the case that non-native practitioners will most likely wish to be on their greatest conduct, and present the utmost degree of respect. And on this planet of Taoist grimoire magic, meaning approaching the obtained directions with reverence and belief, and never with hubris. If you suppose you recognize higher than our elders, you’re approaching my cultural traditions with hubris.
All that being stated, I might say that the directions from the Guide of Three Sovereigns leaves numerous open room to your private touches. For instance, it doesn’t say what number of instances to recite the incantation as you employ it to invoke the god Taiyi and infuse the seal with divine energy. Do you recite it simply as soon as and ensure it counts? Or do you recite it a whole lot of instances meditatively to actually drum up the power discipline?
My opinion: If the grimoire provides specs, then in line with Taoist grimoiric custom, you kinda ought to most likely oughta observe them. But when no specs are given, then the go-to strategy would be the established protocol per your lineage or temple.
So, for example, when it says “now do ritual purification,” properly chances are high your lineage/temple has a really particular approach of doing that, in order that’s the way in which you’ll do it.
Most Taoist lineages of magical custom can have a set, proprietary approach of channeling the gods by themselves, their calligraphy brush, and into the Seal or sigil to be charged. That’s the channeling technique you’ll use whereas reciting the given incantation passages.
In case your custom defines a particular sort of incense providing for Taiyi, then that’s what you go together with. When you have a private custom of meals or wine choices for gods, go together with that. Go along with the carbohydrate major course choice that the majority displays your sense of reverence for the God of Heaven Supreme. What constitutes “jian bing” or “fry bread” varies throughout the areas, and even to the current day is amusingly a supply of heated competition between the areas.
Is This Harmful?
Is there any hazard or danger to making an attempt this Seal carving ritual out? Effectively. Watch out when utilizing {that electrical} wood-burner, I’ll inform you that. There’s additionally some danger concerned throughout the means of cooking the three meals choices. I can not inform you the variety of instances I’ve burned myself whereas making an attempt to pan-fry jian bing.
However when you’re referring to metaphysical backlash, I’m of the opinion that the worst case state of affairs is it doesn’t give you the results you want. As an illustration, when you didn’t succeed on the 10 days of prep, then the Supreme One won’t arrive throughout the ritual. However no hurt no foul from that. You simply find yourself with an ineffective block of wooden.
When you do succeed and reap nice features from the Seal, then do understand how strongly really helpful it’s that you just honor the situation of paying it ahead. Stay humble and modest, beneficiant, and attempt at all times to be your greatest self.
Put it this fashion. You requested the supreme sovereign of Heaven to grant you blessings, after which the supreme sovereign of Heaven accepts your invitation, descends into your private home, grants you the blessings you requested for, and your life is richer due to it. In what universe would you suppose it’s then okay to disrespect these blessings? Simply saying.
只依科所傳，勿令人輕慢。
zhǐ yī kē suǒ chuán,
wù lìng rén qīng màn.
It’s true, the Guide does warn that after you’ve attained the blessings, don’t grow to be conceited. The textual content doesn’t inform you what’s going to occur when you grow to be conceited and no particular penalties are named, however the tone is fairly ominous. Let’s simply say I’m not about to check it.
… 與道合同
Yǔ dào [Tao] hétóng
“Hétóng 合同” within the remaining line of the incantation expresses mutual assent of the current events (within the case of this ritual, Heaven and also you, the gods and also you), making reference to the traditional Chinese language contract system (which differs barely from our fashionable idea of contracts). It represents sacred mutual guarantees.
Right here, Heaven has accepted to give you divine blessings and empowerment, and also you in return have accepted to not take it with no consideration, to not disrespect those that have proven you respect, and to stay humble and pure of coronary heart.
In different phrases, don’t grow to be an asshole. That’s the one and solely stipulation Heaven asks for in return. But in addition, to now really embody the position of a prophet designated by Heaven — to aspire in good religion to be in alignment with Heaven and the Tao.
Core Abilities
I made a decision to supply this instructional video as a result of the traditional methodology imparts technical teachings which can be universally transferable. Every step conveys fundamentals of Craft. There’s a discernible science to the methodology that, when you perceive it, might be utilized to your particular Path, it doesn’t matter what that Path is. What are the equivalents and counterparts in your custom that may be utilized in methodologies you’ve discovered from Taoist mysticism?
Additionally, a walk-through of the grimoire directions for the Seal of the 9 Immortal Realms seems to be an edifying practicum on Taoist occultism 101. It’s one of the crucial efficient (and environment friendly) methods to be taught the fundamentals of Taoist occultism.
Hyperlinks
Trending Merchandise
