Scripture of the Primordial Manifestations and Transformations

With the strength of teeth and bones, an immortal army of seven hundred million beings—each dressed in white White is the color associated with the Metal element and the Lungs—encamp and defend the body. The energy of the Shaoyin: Lesser Yin wraps around the form. The Great Deity of White Primality stabilizes the lungs and calms the Po-souls: the seven "corporeal" souls associated with physical instincts and the lungs. At the Start of Autumn, they are arrayed by name. The Seven Energies of the White Heaven shine forth, elevating the virtuous. The "Great White" the planet Venus and the Immortals of Qin transform during the winter within the kidneys, becoming the Grotto-Yin of the North, the Dark Mystery of the Solitary Peak.

The Dark Elder Emperor of the Five Spirits, the Jade Maiden of the Great Mystery, and the Jade Youth of the Great Mystery—their true essence stands guard. Above, they emerge through the ears as the Youth of the Dark Mystery and the Perfected Man of Nocturnal Light, shining for five thousand days and giving birth to five thousand gods. The essence of the Black Tortoise: the celestial symbol of the North—along with the lunar mansions of the Ox, the Maiden, the Emptiness, the Rooftop, and the Wall constellations of the northern sky—flow their radiance into the body to moisten the vital fluids. An immortal army of five hundred million beings, each dressed in black clothing, encamp and defend the body. The energy of the Taiyin: Greater Yin wraps around the form. The Lord of Health and Vitality harmonizes the kidneys and condenses the essence. At the Start of Winter and the Winter Solstice, they are arrayed by name. The Five Energies of the Dark Heaven and the Northern Peak elevate the virtuous, while the "Hour Star" the planet Mercury reports the immortals’ deeds.

Through the four seasons, [these energies] transform within the spleen to become the Central Jade Treasure, the Primal Spirit. The Elder Emperor, the Jade Maiden of the Yellow Court, and the Jade Youth of the Yellow Chamber—their will and intent stand guard. Above, they correspond to the mouth as the Youth of Constant Yellow and the Perfected Man of Preaching the Law. They shine for twelve thousand days and give birth to twelve thousand gods. The essence of the Curved Array: the Gouchen constellation and the Flying Serpent penetrate the marrow, flowing their radiance into the body to grow the flesh and skin. An immortal army of one billion and two hundred million beings, each dressed in yellow clothing, encamp and defend the body. The energy of Central Harmony wraps around the form. The Director of Destinies accepts life, stabilizes the will, and calms the spleen. Throughout the four seasons and the fifth month, they are arrayed by name. The One Energy of the Yellow Heaven and the Central Peak elevate the virtuous, while the "Town Star" the planet Saturn reports the immortals’ deeds.

Humanity dwells within the universe and contains the very form of Heaven and Earth. Internal and external spirits clarify each other; Heaven and humanity correspond. The heart communicates with the divine; every movement and action is known by Heaven. When the heart is focused within, the spirits respond from without. Therefore, when one's many actions align with the natural order, the spirits lift the body into the formless realm.

Thus, the five hundred million worlds of the various heavens—the three thousand suns, moons, and stars; the mountains, rivers, plants, and trees; the lands, cities, counties, and villages—are all fully arrayed within the human body, divided into immeasurable kingdoms. Each single breath transforms, giving birth to gods wherever it goes. These various gods each depend upon the Dao: twelve hundred "Laozis," one hundred and eight Lords of the Dao, twelve thousand radiant essences, thirty-six thousand spirits—even reaching to one thousand five hundred Heavenly Worthies, one thousand one hundred and sixty Heavenly Worthies, the twenty-eight lunar mansions, and the thirty-two heavens. They encircle the body, distributing their spiritual influence and manifesting transformations. In every thought, they never cease their shifting and changing...