Daoist Big Dipper Qi Absorption Ritual for Immortality

The Big Dipper holds an extremely important position in Taoism. When Taoist priests perform rituals, the practice of "Bugang Tadou" (Stepping the Astral Path and Treading the Dipper) is carried out according to the positional arrangement of the Seven Stars of the Big Dipper.

As recorded in Dongzhen Taishang Basu Zhenjing Jingyao Sanjing Miaojue · Fu Beidou Jiuxing Fa (Essential Secrets of the Three Radiant Visions from the True Scripture of the Eight Elements by the Supreme Lord of the Grotto of Truth: Method for Ingesting the Nine Stars of the Big Dipper):

One should regularly practice this method three times a day on specific dates:

In the "Four Meng Months" (the first, fourth, seventh, and tenth lunar months), on the 9th day of the first ten-day period of each month, at dawn;
In the "Four Zhong Months" (the second, fifth, eighth, and eleventh lunar months), on the 19th day of the middle ten-day period of each month, at midday;
In the "Four Ji Months" (the third, sixth, ninth, and twelfth lunar months), on the 29th day of the last ten-day period of each month, at midnight.

Practicing three times a day (dawn, midday, midnight) on one designated day per month results in 36 practices a year, corresponding to the 360 degrees of the celestial circle. An additional five practices are added to account for the surplus days and residual vital energy.

On the designated day and time, enter a clean and solemn room, burn incense, focus intently, close your eyes, hold your breath, and tap your teeth nine times. Visualize the divine lords of the nine star palaces—they have dignified and upright appearances, with attendants standing in neat order.

The Yangming Divine Person emits green vital light;
The Yinjing Divine Person emits black vital light;
The Zhenren Divine Person emits yellow vital light;
The Xuanming Divine Person emits red vital light;
The Danyuan Divine Person emits white vital light;
The Beiji Divine Person emits green vital light;
The Tianguan Divine Person emits crimson vital light;
The Fuxing (Assistant Star) Divine Person emits azure vital light;
The Bixing (Supporter Star) Divine Person emits dark vital light.

Each of the nine vital energies flows down from its respective star into the practitioner’s mouth, emitted in sequence. Inhale the vital energy to its fullest extent, then gently and slowly exhale the stale air. Gradually inhale the nine-colored new vital energy, swallowing it completely. Tap your teeth nine times again, then sit or lie down to regulate your breathing, keeping your movements and stillness in a state that suits your body.

If you practice this method for nine years, the Nine Sovereign Divine Lords will descend to bestow teachings upon you, granting you eternal life without death. You will ascend to the Three Heavens, form friendships with all true immortals, and become unified with the Tao.

Terms such as "Four Meng Months" and "Four Zhong Months" in the text originate from the ancient Chinese way of dividing the year: the year is divided into four seasons, each with three months, and the three months of a season are respectively called "Meng" (first), "Zhong" (middle), and "Ji" (last). For example, the three months of spring are named "Mengchun" (the first month of spring, i.e., the first lunar month), "Zhongchun" (the middle month of spring, i.e., the second lunar month), and "Jichun" (the last month of spring, i.e., the third lunar month). Similarly, the fourth lunar month is "Mengxia" (the first month of summer), the fifth is "Zhongxia" (the middle month of summer), the sixth is "Jixia" (the last month of summer), and so on. Thus, the year has four Meng Months (Mengchun, Mengxia, Mengqiu, Mengdong), four Zhong Months (Zhongchun, Zhongxia, Zhongqiu, Zhongdong), and four Ji Months (Jichun, Jixia, Jiqiu, Jidong).

The method of ingesting the Big Dipper’s vital essence involves selecting one appropriate day each month to absorb the vital energy of the Big Dipper stars. The steps are: enter a quiet room, burn incense, close your eyes, hold your breath, tap your teeth, visualize the names and titles of each divine lord in the nine star palaces of the Big Dipper as well as the green, black, yellow, red, white, and other vital lights they emit. Ingest these energies into your mouth in sequence, exhale the stale air, inhale the new air, swallow the vital energy, tap your teeth, and so on.

Ingesting the vital energy of the Big Dipper stars is a practice of visualizing and swallowing the essence of the stars. This method is not significantly different from the "method of ingesting the radiance of the sun and moon" (Fushi Riyue Huanghua); the only differences lie in the timing of visualization and the object of visualization.

If needed, I can help you sort out the key Taoist terms (such as "Bugang Tadou" and "Three Heavens") in this translation into a Chinese-English glossary of Taoist ritual terms, which will make it easier for you to reference and understand similar texts later. Would you like to try it?