Reverted Elixir of the Divine Tally

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). 

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. 

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). 

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