Divine Elixirs shendan

Third Elixir Divine Elixir (shendan). The ingredients of the Third Elixir are orpiment and realgar, two minerals respectively associated with Yin and Yang. They are first soaked in a Flowery Pond containing oyster shells, red clay, and magnetite, and then are placed in a crucible and covered with pow-... 

As is made clear in the Secret Instructions, 20.iia-i3b, the section on the Second Elixir consists of three parts that concern the Divine Tally, the Yellow Essence, and the Reverted Elixir of the Divine Tally, respectively. A fourth method, mentioned and very concisely described in the Secret Instructions, 20.i3b-i4a, does not correspond to any of those found in the texts on the Nine Elixirs. The current text of the Baopu zi, 4.75, states that this elixir is called Divine Elixir shendan) or Divine Tally. Three texts that quote Ge Hong s summary of the Nine Elixirs, however, have only Divine Tally see Jiudan jingjue, 2.2a, Shen-xian jinzhuo jing = Baopu zi shenxian jinzhuo jing CT 917), 3.1a, and Yunji qiqian (Seven Lots from the Bookcase of the Clouds CT 1032), 67.7b. 

The Third Divine Elixir is called Divine Elixir (shendan). First lute a double red earthenware crucible with the Mud of the Six-and-One, making it three-tenths of an inch thick both inside and outside. Then take oyster shells, red clay, and magnetite (cishi). 

Scripture of the Divine Elixir of the Golden Liquor of Great Clarity Taiqing jinye shendan jing)... 

Instructions on the Scripture of the Divine Elixirs of the Nine Tripods of the Yellow Emperor Huangdi jiuding shendan jingjue)... 

The text translated below is found in the first chapter of the Huangdi jiuding shendan jingjue (Instructions on the Scripture of the Divine Elixirs of the Nine Tripods of the Yellow Emperor). This and other works on the Nine Elixirs (see below, Appendix B) are referred to in my comments as follows ... 

---