EVER wonder why some people advise others to delay a particular business deal or wedding plans, hold off a break-up or make important life and financial decisions at least until after the month of August?
That is because aside from November, there is another month that strikes fear in most people – Ghost Month. It is the time of the year when people get extra careful about things that can be associated with bad luck.
What is Ghost month?
Ghost month is a tradition that holds great cultural significance in many Asian countries including China, Taiwan and Singapore.
Originating from Chinese, Taoist and Buddhist influences, Ghost Month has long been observed during the seventh month of the lunar calendar, which usually falls in August. The duration of the Ghost Month varies every year depending on the changes in the lunar calendar. But for this year, it will run from August 16 until September 14.
Tales have it that on the first day of the seventh lunar month, spirits break free from the gates of hell to roam free in the living world and bring potential misfortune to people.
Feng Shui expert Joy Ang explained the basis for this belief.
“Ang Ghost Month kasi, kung in religion way, ang sabi kasi pagdating ng July, ino-open nila ‘yung hell gate para ‘yung mga ibang ghosts na mababait or what pwedeng lumabas para bisitahin ‘yung mga family nila, mga friends nila. Then at the same time, ‘yung mga iba pwedeng humingi ng food,” Ang told republicasia.
Apparently, these restless spirits, who are believed to have mostly died violently, come out hungry and are in search of food. Hence, it has been a tradition in China to prepare grand banquets for these spirits during ghost month, he said.
“Yung food na ‘yun, meron talagang specific na day na talagang mag-aalay sila. Katulad ng seventh month ng lunar calendar ng 15th day, magaalay sila ng mga food. Parang fiesta, as in sa mga Taoism, magaalay sila ng mga food,” he said.
When it comes to the food, it has been practiced in Chinese tradition to serve comforting, feast-quality meals. And because ghosts eat not by ingestion but by smelling, food served to them must be aromatic, he said.
“Mostly kasi pag inaalay sa mga ghosts ‘yung mga food, inaamoy lang kasi ng mga ghosts ‘yung mga food. So mostly dapat ang inaalay is ‘yung mga luto, ‘yung mga naamoy. ‘Pag kasi mga chichirya, junk food, hindi nila naamoy,” he added.
However, in cases where the living would serve junk food, Ang said they usually put incense to give it a masking aroma.
Friday the 13th
Another myth that has greatly influenced people all over the world is the story about Friday the 13th.
In the United States, one of the biggest superstitions is that when a Friday falls on the 13th of the month, it is an unlucky day.
Happening mostly twice or thrice in a year depending on the calendar, people tend to be more careful, if not fearful, about unlucky circumstances happening during Friday the 13th, which most of the time actually disrupts their normal lives.
Up to today, there has been no factual evidence about how Friday the 13th started. However, there are many stories that have tried to explain where it came from.
From the Christian religion, there is the belief that Judas, who betrayed Jesus, was the 13th guest in the Last Supper. Also, many unfortunate events happened on Fridays, prompting people to put Friday and 13 together.
When it comes to Feng Shui, Ang said the concept of Friday the 13th is not really part of it. But in Chinese numerology, 13 is not a good number, he said.
“Mostly kasi sa Feng Shui naniniwala na malas ‘yung number four and 13. Siguro ‘yung 13, one plus four, doon po. Kasi sa Chinese ang four po ang ibig sabihin ay death,” he said.
Overall, he said the concepts of luck and misfortune are mostly dependent on a person’s state of mind and beliefs.
“Meron iba naniniwala na Friday the 13th malas, meron iba hindi. Depende sa tao ‘yun eh, kung feeling nila Friday the 13th malas talaga, nagmamanifest sa utak nila na ‘ay nako itong Friday the 13th mamalasin na naman ako,’ so mostly may chance mamalasin talaga sila,” he said.
“May iba naman di nila naiisip na mamalasin sila so walang nangyayari,” he finished.
