The Hungry Ghost Month this year starts from the 4^th August till 2^nd September 2024 so the Chinese believe many hungry ghosts will wander around the human realm bringing accidents, illness and misfortunes. This is a time when the Gates of Hell are wide open and spirits and ghosts from the Hell realms will roam freely on Earth to “seek food and entertainment” – all at the expense of humans. During the full moon of this month, night of the 17^th and 18^th of August 2024,  it is also customary to make offering to the wandering spirits and ancestors by burning joss paper, various paper merchandise, incense as well as various food offerings on the area just outside of their homes as an attempt to appease wandering spirits nearby and discourage them from bringing problems to the family. If you are walking around the neighbourhood, you should make sure that you do not accidentally kick or knock over any of the offerings made during the night of the full moon as doing so may bring the wrath of a wandering spirit on you.

There are a number of taboos practiced by different ethnic Chinese groups during this month long period, and we list here the main taboos to stay safe during this dark period.

• You must not hang your clothes outside after sunset during this month. It is believed that the shape of your clothes attract visiting spirits, who will gladly come over to ‘borrow’ your garments for the night. By doing so they will leave behind their misfortune-inducing aura on your clothes.
  
• You should not lean against a cool-looking wall mural or having it as a clean background when taking Instagram photos. It is believed that walls, especially corners and alleyways are hotspots for ghostly gatherings. To be safe, it is better not to take any photographs after sunset throughout this month.
• You should not stay out late at night (especially pregnant women and young children)
• You should not to go swimming in the sea, rivers or lakes.
• Avoid visiting someone in the hospital
• You should not to wait alone under a tree or bus stop after sun down.
• You must not to pick up any money or coins that you come across on the road.
• At night, if you hear someone call your name, do not turn your head around, but instead wait for the call to repeat, and on the 3rd time, stop and turn your whole body to see who is calling out to you, just in case it is a wandering spirit calling out to you.
  
• It is also forbidden to tap someone on their head or shoulders during this month as by doing so may weaken the spiritual lights that everyone has which can then make them vulnerable to being affected by wandering spirits.
• Last but not least, try not to take the last bus or train home after work during this month as it is believe that it is usually filled with many invisible visitors.

A little known fact from a Paht Chee perspective is the Star of Yin Gate. Print out your Paht Chee Chart and look for the animal in your Day pillar, then from the table, identify the animal that represents the Star of Yin Gate, then look at your Hour pillar, and if you have that corresponding animal, you possess this star.

If your chart indicates that you have this star then it is forbidden for you to attend funerals save that of close relatives. It is also not recommended that you visit anyone that is seriously ill in the hospital. This is because the Star of Yin Gate makes it very easy for you to offend the spirits of the recently deceased. The Chinese believe that there are two torches of fire on top of each your shoulders and these torches are meant to ward off spirits and spiritual influences. So when you have the Star of Yin Gate, it means that your fires are very dim to the point of almost going out, thus rendering you very vulnerable to spiritual attack. So if you have this star in your chart, you should wear or carry protective amulets such as Prayer Wheel Pendants, or the 28 Hums or Nightspot keychain.

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In 2024 the Hungry Ghost period starts from 4^th August and ends 2^nd September. In the Chinese Lunar Calendar this is the 7^th month. The most important day falls on 18^th August 2024 which is when prayers and offering are performed. In the month of the hungry ghost, it is said that Yin energies overpowers Yang chi. The Yin forces are thus very strong during this period. When Yin chi dominates a house, it starts to attract ghosts and wandering spirits who thrive in such places. Therefore homes that are not occupied for some time tends to attract them. A house with too much Yin energy starts to become dark and overshadows whatever sunlight that enters. Houses built over previous gravesites or near to cemeteries or hospitals are also attractive places for ghosts to convene.

During the month of the hungry ghost, the Chinese believe it is important to be extra vigilant and careful, particularly during night time. This is the time of year when the doors of hell are open and releases hungry ghosts and wandering spirits to roam freely, making it a very dangerous month. The gates of the ghost realms are thrown open and souls of the dead will return to visit their living relatives, while the wandering spirits will roam about the streets.

To appease them, joss sticks and meals are left outside for the hungry ghosts and dead relatives to enjoy. Prayers and ritual prosperity items are offered to the deceased through the medium of fire, i.e. paper money, paper houses, paper transportation, paper accessories joss paper and joss sticks. This brings great relief to the spirits and affords them some material comforts when they return to hell at the end of the month. The Chinese believe that great merit and good fortune is attained by offering these poor hungry spirits some food and shelter during this time. Prayers and offerings begin at night on the 14th day (17th Aug 2024), with joss sticks and joss papers burning continuously for the entire 15th day (18th August 2024).

It is believed that Hungry ghosts can bring harm to those whose chi energy is depleted or low, bringing them bad luck or illness. To counter this one should wear amulets and ensure that there is an excess of yang energy. Wear bright colours and play music! This why Chinese Temples will put on feasts and opera shows to distract the wandering spirits and perform prayers for them.

WHAT TO AVOID:

1. Avoid going swimming during this 7^th month. It is believed that evil spirits that were previously drowned will look for souls to claim in exchange for a passage ticket to rebirth.
2. Children and young adults are also advised to stay indoors after dark and avoid wandering alone at night. Children are particularly susceptible to spirit possession so it’s advisable for them to wear seed syllable amulets of protection like the seed syllable HUM or HRIH. Alternatively they can also carry the Dorje Drolo Amulet with them.
3. It is not allowed to move houses, start renovation, or to start new businesses this month. It is considered an inauspicious month for such activities.
4. Avoid getting married this month. Weddings are vulnerable to attacks from jealous female spirits who may retaliate by casting curses and bad spells on the couple. AVOID at all costs!
5. Do not go jungle trekking, hiking or camping as these are places where spirits love to go! Chances of injuries, illness, spirit possession and death are high.
6. Drive carefully to avoid accidents. Wandering spirits who died of accidents are on the prowl for new victims they can exchange for reincarnation. Stick the White Umbrella Goddess window amulet on the windows of your car to help ward off accidents.
7. Protect the entrance to your home or office with Chung Kwei, White Umbrella Goddess window amulet or the White Umbrella Goddess. These are the best protectors against ghosts and evil spirits.
8. When burning joss paper and paper “hell money”, spirits will gather around you to receive the “money”. It is advisable not to jump or run around while doing this as you risk offending them. Aggravated spirits can become dangerous.
9. Avoid placing your hands on anyone’s shoulder. Everyone is said to have three flames on the body; one on the forehead, two on the shoulders. Placing a hand on one’s shoulders is said to “put out” the flame, weakening their internal energies and increasing the chances of spirits possession.
10. Keep your forehead clean and free of head cover. If you cover your forehead, this puts out the flame thus weakening your life force, increasing the possibilities of being haunted. Thus, this is not a good month to wear caps or hats at sundown.

APPEASING WITH INCENSE

The best method to stay protected is to wear the right amulets and appease these spirits with regular incense offering. Incense appeases the local spirits and hungry ghosts tremendously. Burn some sandalwood or agarwood incense outside of your house to help appease the spirits nearby.

SURROUNDING YOURSELF WITH PROTECTIVE ENERGIES 

When billions of wandering spirits roam the earth, the likelihood of accidents, mishaps and robberies increases exponentially. Thus the only way to prevent this from causing you problems is to rely on spiritual protection to avert negative vibes that shroud the earth this month.

This is easily achieved by displaying appropriate house amulets and images of powerful cosmic guardians near entrance areas. If possible, always wear some kind of cosmic protection on your body – i.e. especially amulets that are embellished with specific protective sigils or carry special mantras. Make sure that these the amulets touch your body, as this is what ensures your body does not get hurt.

1) DISPLAY THE WHITE UMBRELLA GODDESS in your HOME

The White Umbrella Goddess is also known as Ushnisha Sitatapatra – the powerful goddess to completely annihilates spirit harm and black magic. She has a thousand arms that each carry a white parasol, to protect you against a thousand dangers caused by many classes of harmful spirit beings. You can invite her image that has been beautifully glorified on a plaque, or engraved on a mirror.

2) Carry the PEACOCK FEATHERS MIRROR FAN

Peacock Feathers have the power to absorb all the poisons that cause life to be unpleasant. The Peacock Feathers Mirror Fan has the power to dissolve all poisons that cause you misery and suffering. The fan is also imprinted with a special talisman to protect against all forms of killing energy. It causes all harmful and unpleasant energies to evaporate and is strongly recommended for those who might be exposed to spiritual attack or black magic, or those with low levels of Life Force and Spirit Essence in your Element Luck Profile. Carry this protective fan if you suffer from the Yin Gate affliction. Thus for this month, place the Peacock Feathers Mirror Fan in your handbag, or inside your car to guard against this type of spirit harm.

3) Wear the DIAMOND CUTTER SUTRA Prayer Wheel

This sparkling amulet prayer wheel contains eight complete sets of the powerful Diamond Cutter Sutra! It provides excellent protection against physical and spiritual harm. Twirl clockwise daily to benefit from the power of the Diamond Cutter Sutra. Wear it daily as a incredibly powerful amulet for protection against natural disasters, epidemics, physical dangers, spirit harm and untimely death.

4) PROTECTIVE SCARVES

An easy way to stay protected against mischievous spirits or bad feng shui is to out on sacred scarves that have been empowered with powerful protective mantras. The Sacred Protection Scarf has a special amulet that protects you from accidents and dangers caused by spirit harm and is particularly powerful for those who stay out late. If you are travelling, wear the White Umbrella Scarf or the Travel Scarf to ensure that you are protected while you are not within the confines of your own home.

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My grandson asked me when Hungry Ghost month would be over… he felt the affliction brought to the world at this time of the year quite acutely simply by carrying his gosh-so-heavy school bag, which he had nonchalantly swung over his shoulder. He is putting cold compress on his shoulder because we told him this would prevent inflammation and that would make it even more painful. His mum, Jennifer also got hit by the same affliction – in her case she was carrying the page proofs of the 12 astrology books in one large bag while going to work. Ouch! Now both feel the “pain and heaviness” I have been feeling these past two years!

I am not convinced the shoulder pain is caused by the Hungry Ghost month, and told Jack so. It is probably something to do with the SOUTHEAST sector, which is a sector that afflicts the shoulders. This year you will note that the #8 dominates this sector, bringing auspicious happenings and events into the lives of those born in the years of the Snake and Dragon, or those sitting or facing Southeast. In September also, the monthly star is the heavenly #6, so on this month and year, it is auspicious. Good things DO come your way as they did for both Jack and Jennifer!

But when you examine the September Flying Star updates, you will ALSO see that the Southeast is flanked by the #5 star on its left (in the East) and the #2 star on its right (in the South). Thus while everything moves along smoothly and auspicious recognition does come your way, there is also the danger of getting “hit” by painful injury or illness coming at you from the left and right – injury or sickness that is painful but are not long-term, annoying but not serious.

As for me, both my shoulders are still painful, so my daily life is about pain management. I feel the #2 and #5 afflictions as they are strong in my personal chart, but they will soon be over as the WATER years (that of the Boar and the RAT) are coming. I can feel myself recovering at last!

Thus I am comfortable writing about the nuances of Flying Star numbers as they move from sector to sector of the compass each month and each year. As a result of my almost 20 year career sharing the movement of flying stars with you, through my bestselling books, through the FSW magazine and NOW through this WOFS.COM website, I know how beneficial it is that everyone has access to all the feng shui updates needed to live, work and operate with good feng shui all the time.

We are now living in a highly digitalized world that is exploding the connectivity of the world at an astonishing speed. We need to make sure feng shui updates are made available to you at any time via your smartphone, iPad or computer.

For each of you, keeping yourself up to date with your Feng Shui Updates should be part of your daily digital experience.

We hope you like our enhanced, expanded and innovative website. We know that feng shui is always relevant, and it needs to metamorphose alongside the changes currently transforming our living and operating environment. It is still the same Practice of Placement, but now, the way we bring this precious knowledge to YOU is in line with the changing operating environment of the world.

And those of you who have been following feng shui all their lives know that the easiest and most effective way of ensuring they enjoy GOOD FENG SHUI at all times is by ensuring they practice the Art of Symbolic Placements – activating the good luck corners and having the correct symbolic Protectors and Guardians in the right sectors of your living and work space at all times. Feng shui is a dynamic practice – the energies of space and time change regularly – and this is the best way to stay protected against negative chi at all times.

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