Man, Nature and the Infinite: The Scope of Taoist Thunder Magic Rituals

Florian C. Reiter’s new book offers a selection of representative source materials concerning Taoist Thunder Magic rituals, starting out with considerations about the pantheon of divine forces in such rituals. The translation of three chapters from A Corpus of Taoist Rituals (90-92) in the Taoist Canon (Cheng-t'ung tao-tsang) offers information about the character, the intent and practical structure of Taoist Thunder rituals, which are assessed to show the perceived connection between man, nature and the infinite, and finally the Taoist understanding of the unity of Thunder rituals. The unity of Thunder rituals was studied in depth by the Taoist Chang Shan-yuan whose Comprehensive Discussion of All Rituals is contained in the Canon and presented in translation in this book. Tabular surveys on the divine names in chapters 90-92, on amulets, spells and practical applications serve to illustrate the scope and workings of Thunder rituals in Heavenly Master Taoism that were documented in the 14th/15th centuries. Thus this volume continues and extends the scope of Reiter’s studies in Basic Conditions of Taoist Thunder Magic (AKM 61).