Do’s and don’ts this Ghost Month to avoid getting haunted by misfortune

For those who are unfamiliar with the culture, astrologer and feng shui consultant Jean Yu Chua explained that Hungry Ghost Month is a time dedicated to remembering the deceased who have become wandering spirits in the living space while the gates of hell are open.

As it’s believed that they can wreak havoc here on earth and bring misfortune to the living, paying respects to them is a must.

"Ang responsibility natin is to give or appease them. In general, ang Ghost Month, hindi siya ‘yung sobrang nakakatakot, as long as you practice it in the right way," Chua told PhilSTAR L!fe.

"Ito ‘yung month na we need to do offerings kasi ‘hungry’ sila, so that's why they're wandering around to get food or to get offerings to appease them and to make them happy," she added.

Here are some of the do’s and don’ts that you should keep in mind during this time:

Things to avoid

Staying out late and doing risky activities

Chua warned against staying out late and traveling at night as our energies are much weaker during this time.

"Iniiwasan nating mag-stay nang sobrang late to prevent or to avoid accidents, and at the same time, avoid risky activities or swimming alone. As a human being, mahina ang energy natin during nighttime or in water activity," she said.

Kids, the elderly, and pregnant people should especially follow this rule as they are a more powerful magnet for negativity from spirits.

"They can easily get sick or they can also get into accidents, so mas pineprevent natin silang ilabas sa gabi," Chua stressed.

Starting a business

If you're planning to launch your business this August, you may have to cancel it as it can displease the spirits.

"I-avoid din natin to open a business or launching any products kasi nagwawander 'yung mga ghosts so the tendency is they might get jealous or angry because ito 'yung month na we need to do something for them tapos hindi natin sila binibigyan ng time. Nagiging busy tayo sa life natin," Chua said.

However, if you really can't delay your business, you can choose auspicious dates to open it to prevent any negative effects.

At the same time, it's also bad luck to make investments or buy property as these are also distractions from paying respects to the spirits. 

Weddings and loud celebrations

Be sure to tie the knot with your significant other at another time as the ghosts are said to have terrible and unstable mood swings that can worsen during weddings or loud celebrations.

"Some of the souls, they died unhappy, kaya nagkakaroon din sila ng jealous emotions," Chua noted.

Making jokes about the offerings

Since anybody can celebrate Ghost Month, it's important to respect other people who practice the culture and avoid making fun of them as the spirits might get enraged at your actions.

Negative thinking

It's best to stay positive during this time and avoid entertaining any quarrels.

"Kapag may mga ganyang emotions tayo, mas lalong nagti-trigger. Mas nagkakaroon ng level-up 'yung energy natin," Chua said, adding that it's important to make ourselves very calm and peaceful.

You should also avoid getting upset and angry as these will attract even more negative energy.

Construction and renovations

Your home sweet home may have to wait as this can also anger the spirits.

"Medyo risky din siya kaya kailangan din nating maging more safe, and at the same time, kapag nag-start tayo ng mga ganyang activity during Ghost Month, mafe-feel mo na very unsmooth 'yung energy tapos mas maraming problems na mae-encounter," Chua said.

"It might be na manggugulo 'yung mga ghosts sa project natin," she added.

Moving into a new house is also frowned upon during this time.

Picking objects on roads or streets

You may want to keep your hands to yourself no matter how tempting it is to grab that coin on the road as Chua explained that even these objects are regarded by the spirits to be offerings.

"May mga ibang tao na shinashower nila 'yung mga coins sa street, and kapag hindi tayo aware at pinulot natin siya, it might be that we can get their negative energy," she said.

Joking about ghosts for fun

As much as ghost stories are super fun to talk about at night, it's best to keep your lips shut for now as ghosts might take your jokes seriously and do bad things against you.

Chua also warned against summoning spirits for fun, even if it's for spirit energy meditation, noting that ghosts can easily attach to us and may affect mental ability or character.

Traveling

Sorry travel lovers, but it looks like you have to confine yourself to your house in the meantime as you may get into accidents and issues during your trip.

If you can't resist wanderlust, Chua advised to take some protection charms with you to lessen the impact of negativity.

Whistling

While whistling may be a harmless activity in itself, the spirits may take this the wrong way and regard it as you calling out to them.

Things to do

Prayer and meditation

Immersing yourself in prayer and meditation is a good practice to bring positive energy to you this Ghost Month

According to Chua, it depends on your culture or your practice on what kind of prayer you are going to offer them.

Lighting incense

It's also good to light incense and do some sage cleansing in your home as the smoke can cleanse your environment from any unwanted energy.

You should also install more protective charms in your home, your office, or anywhere you're in to keep yourself safe.

Keeping your space clean

If you're planning to tidy up your home, now's the perfect time to do it as it's recommended to declutter and keep your space clean this Ghost Month.

"Kailangan nating maging maayos 'yung bahay natin to prevent distractions or negative chi doon sa bahay," Chua said.

She also advised maintaining a good airflow of chi and a well-lighted home and avoiding moving your beds or things in your house.

Wearing bright-colored clothes

You may want to update your wardrobe with brightly-colored clothes as darker colors such as gray and black can attract spirits to get in touch with you.

Offering food

One of the more important things to do during Ghost Month is to offer food to help the spirit feel happy and full.

On what kinds of food items to offer, Chua said, "Wala naman siyang masyadong restrictions as long as there are five kinds of food. You can offer rice, chicken, fish, or noodles, so any kind of ulam that you want to offer to them."

"Kung ano 'yung favorite food ng mga ancestor nila or mga family and friends nila," she added.

For the drinks, you can offer something as simple as water, or juice and wine.

Apart from food, you can also offer joss paper, which is a type of paper that is burned as an offering during Chinese ancestral worship.