Divine Tally

Second Elixir Divine Tally (shenfu). The section on the Second Elixir is divided into three parts that describe methods for making the Divine Tally and two other elixirs. All three methods are based on mercury, which according to the Secret Instructions initially should be refined nine times in order to expel its toxicity. In the first part of the method, the crucible is luted first with the Mud of the Six-and-One, then with a mud of oyster shells and red clay. Mercury is heated in nine cycles of one day each, and the crucible turned upside down at every cycle. The product of the sublimation is collected, added to carp s gall, and sublimated nine more times then it is added to Grease of Dragons to obtain the Divine Tally. This elixir can be heated in nine further cycles with the Mysterious and Yellow to obtain the Yellow of the Elixir Flower (danhua zhi huang), or can be added to mercury to obtain a Reverted Elixir huandan). ... 

The second part describes a method for making another lead-mercury compound, called Yellow Essence (huangjing), which can be added to an aqueous solution of magnetite and transmuted into gold. The third part describes a method based on mercury and the Mysterious and Yellow. After nine days of heating, the product of the sublimation is added to dog s or carp s gall, and then is kept on the fire for nine more days. With this method, one obtains the Reverted Elixir of the Divine Tally shenfu huandan). 

For these reasons, according to Ge Hong, one could live several hundred years by ingesting herbs and plants, but if one neglects the Divine Elixirs, one will never be able to become an immortal. Nevertheless, confirming a pattern that has now become familiar, the Nine Elixirs suggests that one compound the Divine Tally Elixir and smear it on the soles of your feet. When you walk on the water, you will not sink. ... 

The Second Elixir is called Divine Tally shenfu). 

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. 

Let the crucible cool, and open it. Collect the elixir by brushing it [with a feather], and add to it some carp gall liyu dan). [6a] Then smear and seal the crucible once more as before, and sublimate the elixir again, nine times above and nine times below. Let the crucible cool, and open it. Collect the elixir by brushing it [with a feather], and add to it some Grease of Dragons. This is the Divine Tally. 

Their appearance will be similar to gold. They will also resemble shooting stars, the purple and scarlet Liquid Pearl liuzhu), and the five-colored Mysterious and Yellow. Gather and collect the Essence and Flower with an iron spoon. You will obtain ten pounds, which you should transmute in nine cycles [with the Divine Tally]. 

The method for the transmutation in nine cycles is found in the Secret Instructions, 20.iib-i2b. The Mysterious and Yellow is divided into nine parts each of them is further divided into two parts, which are used as the lower and upper layer in a crucible containing the Divine Tally (the quicksilver nine times sublimated, jiufei shuiyiri). The sublimate is collected, placed in the crucible with two more layers of Mysterious and Yellow, and sublimated again. The process is repeated nine times alto-... 

The Secret Instructions, 20.12b, describes the method for this transmutation, which consists of heating one pound of mercury and pouring a small quantity of Divine Tally onto it. On the term practitioners see above, pp. 17-18. 

Seal the crucible with the Mud of the Six-and-One, and, as in the initial method, leave it in the sun for ten days so that it becomes completely dry. Then place the crucible over the fire if it is humid this is not possible, as it would break when you heat it. Heat it again for nine days and nine nights. Then you can extinguish the fire, let the crucible cool for one day, and open it. Brushing with a feather, collect the sublimated essence (feijing) that adheres to the upper crucible. If it is of an intense purple color, it is the Reverted Elixir of the Divine Tally (shenfu huandan). 

Shenbao jun shencang shendan WA shendanyunii shending WM she / (divine crucible) shenfu (Divine Talisman, Divine Tally)... 

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