Ge Xuan’s Use of Magic: Magical Feats and Transformations

Explore the extraordinary magical abilities of Ge Xuan, a Chinese mystic, as he performs astonishing feats and transformations.

Ge Xuan, also known as Xiaoxian, studied the “Nine Elixirs Immortal Scripture” under the guidance of Zuo Yuanfang. During a meal with a guest, they discussed the topic of magical transformations. The guest said, “After the meal, can you perform a magic trick for us, sir?” Ge Xuan replied, “Do you want to see something right away?” He then sprayed the food from his mouth, which transformed into hundreds of large bees that flew onto the guest without stinging. After some time, Ge Xuan opened his mouth, and the bees flew back into it, turning back into grains of rice. He also directed toads, various reptiles, and sparrows to dance rhythmically, just like humans. In the winter, he prepared fresh dates for his guests, and in the summer, he could provide ice and snow. He had someone scatter dozens of copper coins into a well, and Ge Xuan used a container to call them out from the well one by one. He arranged feasts for his guests, and no one needed to pass the wine cups; the cups would automatically appear in front of the guests. If the wine in the cups wasn’t finished, the cups would not leave. Once, he and King Wu sat in a tall tower and saw people making clay figurines to pray for rain. King Wu asked, “Can we obtain rain that way to fulfill the wishes of the common people?” Ge Xuan replied, “Rain can be easily obtained.” He then drew a talisman and placed it in the shrine. In an instant, the sky darkened, and heavy rain poured down, flooding the surroundings. King Wu asked, “Are there fish in the water?” Ge Xuan drew another talisman and threw it into the water, and within moments, hundreds of large fish appeared. He sent people to catch the fish.

《葛玄使法术》

葛玄字孝先，从左元放受《九丹液仙经》。与客对食，言及变化之事。客曰：“事毕，先生作一事特戏者。”玄曰：“君得无即欲有所见乎？”乃嗽口中饭，尽变大蜂数百，皆集客身，亦不螫人。久之，玄乃张口，蜂皆飞入，玄嚼食之，是故饭也。又指虾蟆及诸行虫燕雀之属，使舞，应节如人。冬为客设生瓜枣，夏致冰雪。又以数十钱使人散投井中，玄以一器于井上呼之，钱一一飞从井出。为客设酒，无人传杯，杯自至前；如或不尽，杯不去也。尝与吴主坐楼上，见作请雨土人。帝曰：“百姓思雨，宁可得乎？”玄曰：“雨易得耳！”乃书符着社中，顷刻间，天地晦冥，大雨流淹。帝曰：“水中有鱼乎？”玄复书符掷水中，须臾，有大鱼数百头。使人治之。