The Tai Sui or God of the Year is one of the most important indications Feng Shui practitioners take note of each year because he is believed to have a major influence on the luck of ALL homes and animal signs. When you have Tai Sui on your side, you enjoy great mentor, benefactor and support luck, but when you incur the Tai Sui’s wrath, you could suffer all kinds of obstacles and difficulties, which is why it is extremely important that everyone pays homage to him every year.

In 2025, the Tai Sui takes up residence in the Snake’s compass location of Southeast 3 (SE3).

To gain his support, place the Tai Sui Plaque in this area. Keep this part of the home as quiet as possible. Do not play loud music or have a television here. If you are planning renovations, this area should not be touched.

Also, DO NOT FACE SOUTHEAST in 2025, as facing this direction is considered confronting the Tai Sui. Ensure all seating arrangements in the home and office face elsewhere, EVEN if SE is your lucky direction based on your KUA number.

Additionally, it is believed that Tai Sui supports the animal sign in the compass location where the Tai Sui moves to for the year. In 2025, this is the Snake. This brings good tidings for the Snake, but it is not given freely. The Boar meanwhile confronts the Tai Sui, causing severe obstacles to success if the Tai Sui is not appeased. The Tiger and Monkey are in “Side-Conflict” with the Tai Sui, suggesting that minor aggravations and obstacles are likely to occur. All four of these astrology signs MUST carry the 2025 Tai Sui Amulet to win his support and to manifest their full potential.

In addition to displaying the year’s Tai Sui Plaque with his image in his designated location and carrying his image and talisman as an amulet, it is a common practice for those in any kind of conflict with Tai Sui to pay homage to him at a temple where his image is displayed. This ritual is typically performed at the beginning of each new year to seek his protection and favour.

THE INFLUENCE OF THE TAI SUI IN 2025

There are 60 different Tai Suis, each one presiding over one year in a 60-year cycle. Each Tai Sui is represented by a distinguished general from Ancient China, with the qualities of that general influencing the type of luck we can expect for the year. In the Year of the Wood Snake, we have General Wu Sui taking the mantle, shaping the fortunes and challenges of 2025.

With General Wu Sui as the Tai Sui for 2025, the year may bring challenges related to resource scarcity, potentially driven by natural disasters or conflict. The hostile #3 Star residing in the Patriarch’s sector (NW) further highlights the possibility of turmoil. We may see large populations displaced, seeking better living conditions, yet there is also hope for the rise of a compassionate leader who can guide people through these hardships. This makes 2025 a year where the protection and guidance of the Tai Sui is invaluable. Harmony amulets will be especially beneficial in maintaining peace and stability during these uncertain times.

Click here for 2025’s Tai Sui Plaque & Amulets.

The post The Tai Sui of 2025 – General Wu Sui appeared first on WOFS.com.

In the Paht Chee chart of each year, the five key areas of life are represented by the five elements of Earth, Metal, Water, Wood and Fire. These elements should ideally be in balance, but in 2025, there is an EXCESS of WOOD and WATER. METAL is completely MISSING from the chart, and EARTH and FIRE are also in short supply. To be able to attract good fortune, this imbalance must be corrected and the easiest way to do so is by wearing the right colours. Each element is represented by a group of colours that can be used to either strengthen that particular element, or tame the excessiveness of another.

Add the lucky colours of 2025 to your wardrobe to boost your good fortune.

WHITES & METALLICS bring RESOURCES & SUPPORT

The colours white, gold and silver represent the element of Metal, which in 2025 stands for resources and support. Since the element of Metal is completely missing from the year’s Paht Chee chart, you should wear these colours as much as possible to ensure that these two indications are never in short supply. Donning gold and silver jewellery or accessories works too, better still if the jewellery comes in the form of auspicious symbols or sacred syllables.

REDS, PURPLES, MAROONS & ORANGES enhance MONEY LUCK

All shades of red and orange represent the element of Fire, which also needs enhancing in 2025. These colours attract wealth and income luck, and speed up asset accumulation and business success. Fire is also the element most strongly associated with Period 9, bringing fame, power, influence and transformation. Wear these colours often.

YELLOWS stimulate PROMOTION & RECOGNITION

The Earth element, represented by shades of yellow, is critical this year for those wishing to climb the career ladder, but like the element of Fire, it needs to be consistently enhanced. Wear this sunny colour to boost your prospects at work. You can also adorn yourself with crystal bracelets and necklaces.

BLUES & BLACKS influence NETWORKING LUCK

Blues and blacks represent Water, which in 2025 indicate the availability of good friends and allies. The danger of going overboard with Water though is that you may end up simultaneously drawing in competitors and enemies. Since there is already a lot of Water in this year’s Paht Chee chart, it is best to avoid wearing blues and blacks if you can. Otherwise, do include some Metal jewellery to cancel them out.

BROWNS & GREENS affect THINKING & CREATIVITY

Brown and green shades generate Wood chi, which affects one’s thinking in 2025. Balanced amounts boost intelligence and creativity, but too much can lead to overthinking and over worrying. Since there is an excess of Wood chi in the chart, it is best not to wear browns and greens for now.

It is recommended that you combine the elements that you wish to enhance with the Metal element. For example, if you wish to enhance wealth, then you should wear reds or maroons, combined with white or purple.If getting a promotion or a higher paying job is what you seek, you should combine Earth tones with white, and pair your outfit with Metal accessories.

The post Lucky Colours to Wear in 2025: The Year of the Wood Snake appeared first on WOFS.com.

The post Flying Stars in October 2024: Heavenly Star Paves the Way for Smoother Progress appeared first on WOFS.com.

The kitchen represents the manifestation of the family’s well-being and wealth.

It is useful for pressing down bad luck caused by bad flying star number or personalized directions of bad fortune. According to the Eight Mansions and Flying Star formulas, certain sectors of the house are deemed to be unlucky. If your kitchen is located in an unlucky sector this is a good thing.

Two Important Elements feature in the kitchen:

Guidelines on the kitchen and stove

The post Arrangement and Layout of the Kitchen appeared first on WOFS.com.

All cultures have their fair share of superstitious beliefs. Some are grounded in ancient wisdoms while others are based on primitive interpretations of natural phenomenon. Irrespective of their origins, they are nevertheless interesting and the beliefs passed on to us by our grandmothers can sometimes work wonders. We collected 18 interesting WEALTH superstitions and rituals that are sure to get readers wondering. If you want to try them out what’s the harm?

1Wearing a jade ring on the little finger is said to bring you wealth. For males, wear on the left hand, and for females, wear on the right hand. The best is to look for rings that are made completely of jade. This can be expensive as it requires a very large piece of jade to carve out a ring, but you do not need to wear the best quality jade – something with a nice translucent green colour will do.

2Cut a length of green string 30cm long. Use a cotton knit string. Tie it 5 times round your little finger in a clockwise direction. For males, do this on your left finger and for females, do this on your right finger. Then make a knot. As you go about your daily activities note that when the knot gets wet, you should again repeat the exercise on the same finger with a new string. The Chinese, especially those of Cantonese origin, believe that by doing this, you are activating plenty of wealth luck.

3Every morning before you step out from the house, use a red pen and write the word for money on your right palm. (Chinese character – 财 Cai). If this is too difficult, try writing the dollar sign. Do this every morning for fifteen days starting with the day of the new moon and it is believed you will receive a “windfall” within three days of the full moon. It is even more effective if you can use red cinnabar to do this. Or better yet, use a stamp which already has auspicious words on it.

4Here is a truly superstitious belief to generate wealth luck. You will need a red coloured wish fulfilling jewel and a money bank. Draw a hexagon star on a piece of paper, place the red jewel on the center of the hexagon, wrap it carefully, then place it under your pillow. Go to sleep. The next morning, place the red jewel in front of the money bank and put a coin inside the money bank. Then close your eyes and repeat your wish as many times as you can. Repeat this ritual for 15 days starting with the new moon.

All through the fifteen days of the waxing moon, by having the red jewel under your pillow and adding a coin each day, by the 15th night you will have completed the ritual to actualize your wish. When your wish has been accomplished, keep the red jewel and coins safely in a container, which should be kept hidden. When you run out of money, you can repeat this wealth-generating ritual. Remember, you must do this during the 15 day phase of the waxing moon!

5If you are winning some big money during a gambling session, the belief is that you should make sure you do NOT get up to wash your hands. And you should definitely not go to the toilet – better to hold on for as long as possible! In Cantonese, the word pee means “to let go of water”. To the Chinese, water always means money, so if you leave the gambling table to go to the toilet, it is like pouring your money down the drain.

6Gamblers also believe that it is a big NO NO to gamble against a pregnant woman. This is because the Chinese believe that expectant women are “carrying their good fortune inside their belly” and they also have an extra pairs of “eyes” to observe the whole scene. So pregnant women are said to bring good luck to gamblers.

If someone pregnant stands behind you while you are betting, it is believed that you will win. Never touch someone’s shoulders when he/she is busy gambling. Even a light tap on the shoulder is disastrous to a gambler, as they earnestly believe this will cause whatever good luck they have to evaporate. It is vital to observe this sensitivity if you keep the company of people who like to gamble.

7When you are gambling make sure there isn’t someone reading a book behind you or in front of you, because “book” sounds like  “to lose” in Chinese.

8The Chinese believe that the SE is the wealth sector in any room you occupy, so it is important to identify this corner. Then make very sure NOT to put or paint the colour red anywhere within this wealth sector. If you do so, it will make it very difficult to obtain wealth luck.

9It is believed that having a few grams of sea salt inside your wallet attracts wealth luck. The best is to place the salt inside a plastic bag, then put it in a secret compartment inside your wallet. You have to change the salt each month, otherwise it loses its potency. There are some who say the use of sea salt can also be extended to the house. Make your house attract wealth luck by having sea salt (placed inside a small plastic container) in all the corners of your house i.e. wherever two walls meet. Change the salt every ten days. You can also hang a bag of sea salt on the center of the main door, changing it once a month. This is said to attract wealth luck. (Maybe because salt attracts water?)

10Chinese gamblers are very superstitious. If they are on a winning streak, they will resent anything out of the ordinary suddenly happening, as they believe this will spoil their luck. So for instance, if they suddenly see a nun or monk approaching, they will stop gambling immediately. This superstitious belief is based on the assumption that the bald heads of monks and nuns symbolize “nothingness” and is a sign that any further gambling will lead to loss of money.

11The Chinese believe that if you place a red fan in the center, South and Southwest of any room you use frequently, this can enhance the wealth luck of the whole house. These corners are of course earth and fire sectors that benefit from fire element energy – hence the benefits of using a red fan. Perhaps feng shui was the origin of this superstition.

12The Chinese are very superstitious when it comes to wearing a ring on the correct finger. To have authority, wear a ring on your index finger. For everlasting love, wear a ring on your ring finger. But remember  never wear a ring on the thumb as this strongly signifies loss of wealth and an evaporation of success. Movie stars in Hong Kong are very mindful of the “no ring on the thumb” rule, as it is said this will lead to overnight failure, and of course movie stars are a very superstitious lot!

13Those in business should make sure that a fly swatter should never be left on their cashier counter. This is believed to chase all your customers away. The same with a broom. Never place it near where you collect money. Keep it hidden from view if possible.

14The Chinese believe that walking on “money” is a surefire way of quickly climbing up the financial success ladder. So it is recommended to bury auspicious coins and even real money under floors before they are “finished”. You can also sew a few emperor or dragon coins under carpets. Place these carpets near the main entrance (for attracting wealth) and near the back entrance or at the back balcony (for safety and protection).

15Here’s a popular wealth-making ritual you might like to try. Get yourself a ceramic container (not too big). Write your name and birthday as well as those of your family members on the container. Place 12 coins inside the container. Also place a compass and a small Chi Lin, an ingot and some real money from nine countries. Bury the container in your front garden at the ideal time of 1pm. If you do not have a garden, you can bury the container in a large flowerpot. The idea is to cover the container with earth so wealth comes to you from the earth. You will start to experience money-making luck within nine days. (No harm trying!)

16Another great way to create wealth luck they say is to place your bank checkbook inside a large red packet. Place 7 joss sticks, some joss paper and dried fruits inside, then meditate for wealth to come to you. Keep your eyes half closed and place the red packet on a table nearby. Meditate for 10 minutes each time. It is said that when you meditate, the more realistic the picture you create in your mind of you receiving wealth, the faster wealth will come to you.

17Sea salt is often used by the Chinese to change a spate of bad luck. Amongst the Chinese in Taiwan, it is believed that if a dark blue or black ceramic mug is filled to the brim with sea salt, and you place it in the dry area of the kitchen, it will not only change your luck, it will also improve relationship between husband and wife. The salt should be changed every 10 days for it to continue to have potency.

18Here’s something you can do if you are going through a hard time in your life. Get yourself a round shaped sweet potato. Carve your name on it then plant it in water. Put it outdoors in the daytime; place it indoors at night. Once the potato starts to grow, eat the tiny leaves and the sweet potato as well, and you are sure to experience a big change in your life.

The post Lucky Superstitions: 18 Fun Ways to Win Some Money appeared first on WOFS.com.

Mid-Autumn Festival which falls on the night of September 17^th in 2024 is a combination of traditional rituals and cultural festivity. As the full moon shines bright, it illuminates the path towards good luck, prosperity and happiness.

This guide will walk you through how to celebrate the Mid-Autumn Festival, including ways to attract good luck and enhance prosperity.

Mid-Autumn Festival, known as 中秋節 in Chinese, holds a rich history and is deeply ingrained in Chinese culture and tradition. This festival which represents family togetherness and happiness falls on the 15th day of the eighth month of the lunar calendar, which is when the moon is at its fullest and brightest.

It is said to have originated from the Shang Dynasty as a harvest festival. It became an officially recognized celebration during the Tang Dynasty, and its significance has grown since.

Preparing Your House for Celebrating Mid-Autumn

• Start by cleaning and decluttering your home, getting rid of items that are damaged, no longer needed or unused. Creating an open and tidy space invites positive Yang energy to flow freely into your home. As you clean, open your windows and doors to allow fresh air and light to circulate. You can also perform a simple incense space-clearing ritual to loosen and remove any stagnant or negative chi. This revitalizes your environment and attracts new opportunities into your life.
• Decorate the outside of your home with red lanterns with auspicious syllables or use vibrant multicolored lanterns. On the night of the full moon, light these lanterns with candles to draw in good fortune and ward off negative energies.
  
• Prepare desserts and snacks for your family, friends and neighbors. It is tradition to make some “tong sui” otherwise known as “tim tong” (糖水; lit. ’sugar water’) – a kind of sweet dessert soup. Popular tong sui includes – black sesame soup, chilled hasma (made from dried frog organs), red bean soup, mung bean soup, peanut paste, sweet potato soup and others.
• The festival is not complete without moon cakes.When choosing moon cakes, select those with auspicious wordings and of a circular shape, as this represents unity and completeness. While there are many types of moon cakes available today, the most auspicious are those filled with lotus seed paste and salted egg yolks. Lotus seeds represent regrowth and new opportunities, while egg yolks represent fertility, abundance and new beginnings.

Rituals and Traditions

• Celebrations start on the eve and continues past midnight when prayers are made to Lord Yue Lao as well as to the Chinese Goddess of the moon Chang’e and the Jade Rabbit. As this day also coincides with the birthday of “Lord Yue Lao”, the Chinese God of Love and Marriage, it an auspicious day for single bachelors and bachelorettes to offer him incense and prayers. It is believed that praying to “Lord Yue Lao”will help you tie the red knot of affinity between you and a suitable life partner. Prayers can also be offered to Chang’e, known as the Moon Goddess of Immortality for good health, long life, and to stay young and beautiful.
• It is traditional for children to accompany their parents and family members on a walk round the neighborhood with lighted lanterns. This practice is believed to create unity and to strengthen and widen friendships with neighbors and the community.
  
• Invite neighbors and friends over to your home for a meal or simply to enjoy desserts and drinks together. This tradition of having guests over not only fosters stronger relationships but is believed to attract prosperity and Nobleman Luck. Additionally, sharing mooncakes with them symbolizes wishing them good fortune and long life.

Feng Shui Tips for Mid-Autumn Festival

Celebrating the Moon Festival and embracing its rituals and traditions is a wonderful way to harness the festival’s energy, enhancing prosperity, happiness and good fortune.

• Activate the Moon Corners of your Home: In Feng Shui, the moon symbolizes Yin energy, which is calming, healing and nurturing. During the Mid-Autumn Festival, focus on energizing the Southwest sector of your home, as it is linked to the Moon and Yin energy. Keep this area well-lit and place the 9 Dragons Plaque here. The SW this year is also home to the powerful number 9 star, which makes energizing this part of the home exponentially auspicious.
• Balance of Five Elements: Try to incorporate the 5 elements of Wood, Fire, Earth, Metal, and Water into your festival decoration. For instance, mooncakes (Earth) on a metal tray (Metal), next to a bowl of water (Water) with floating candles (Fire) and a plant (Wood) ensures a well-rounded presence of all 5 elements.
• Use of suitable colors: In feng shui, colors play a significant role in attracting positive energies. During the Mid-Autumn Festival, use colors that align with the energy of autumn and the Metal element associated with this season. White, gold and silver are excellent choices for decorations, tableware or clothing.
• Harmony in the Dining Area: Ensure the dining area is clean and lit with candles to stimulate the flow of positive energy. Additionally, placing bowls of oranges or apples are symbolic of the full moon and brings peace and harmony.
• Outdoor Spaces: If you have an outdoor space, do try to make use of it during the Mid-Autumn Festival. Watching the moon outdoors while having a meal or snacks not only connects you with nature but taps the power of the moon, and invites fresh, positive chi into your life.
• Tap the Power of the Moon: Place a bowl of water under the moonlight to absorb its energy. This moon-charged water can be used for washing your face to bring you improved beauty and attraction.

The post Celebrate Mid-Autumn Festival for Good Luck appeared first on WOFS.com.

The post Flying Stars in September 2024: Things Falling Into Place…But Beware Betrayal appeared first on WOFS.com.

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.

The post Hungry Ghost Month and the Star of Yin Gate appeared first on WOFS.com.

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.

The post Staying Safe Throughout Hungry Ghost Month appeared first on WOFS.com.

Drinking tea can be quite an art form. The ritual of preparing tea can have a hidden impact on your good fortune, as tea releases propitious energy into your home. It was in Chengdu that I discovered that the tea brewing ritual evolved from an ancient belief that pouring freshly-brewed tea onto specially-made clay images of auspicious items such as the rolling ball (which signifies continuous good fortune) and to auspicious creatures such as the farmer’s cow or the pi yao – plus a whole lot of other lucky symbols – was in actual fact an excellent way of unlocking their inner auspiciousness.

Indeed, we were all so charmed by the simple truths being explained to us by the charming young ladies in the tea supply shop we stayed for hours! And after that, between us, we practically bought up her shop’s supply of lucky objects, we were so happy! We were mesmerized by the clay ox that had been “grown” by them over several months, using tea to create a special shine to the ox; this was done by pouring freshly brewed tea over the ox. The tea left a thin veneer of red, which over time got ingrained into the ox, hence its beautiful detail and shine.

This was how they could ensure the clay ox could unlock its inner energies of abundance. They then pointed to other auspicious objects in the tea tray, before the tea lady started to show us how the tea was brewed. The water should be boiled to about 1000C. It was first necessary to pour hot water over all the cups, jug and pots, and this was basically to wake up the tea set before filling the clay tea pot with fresh tea leaves.

Always use the same teapot unless you are a collector of teapots and have special ones for special occasions or for different purposes. Place the tea into the teapot, and then pour the freshly boiled hot water into the pot. Leave for about twenty seconds or so, then pour away this first dousing of boiling water. Pour it over the auspicious objects already placed on the large tea tray… and think… “with this first pouring of tea, I shall awaken the good fortune hidden within my inner essence”.

You can see from the picture of the tea tray above that there can be as many different auspicious objects as you like. Here on this lady’s tray can be seen a pig (she was born in the year of the pig and hence its presence here is to awaken her personal luck). There is also an object showing two dragons offering the red rolling ball – this is said to be very lucky indeed, as the rolling ball indicates continuous good fortune; then you can see the groundnuts which bring growth luck, the ingot which brings prosperity, the lions to offer protection and the Pi Yao with a coin in its mouth. We had such a fun time investigating ALL their auspicious objects!

The tea is left to brew for several minutes. It is then poured onto a clay or glass jug from where the tea will then be poured onto the small clay cups and offered to the guests. When the teapot has been emptied of the first infusion, hot water is again poured onto the leaves to make a second infusion.

We were advised that when pouring in the hot water, we must always pour enough for the water to overflow, as this is a very auspicious sign. Water overflowing from the teapot indicates an abundance of wealth luck. Altogether, the tea leaves should be of a quality that can offer as much as seven infusions of tea. And after the tea colour has thinned out, it is time to wind up, or if you want more, to discard the old tea leaves and place fresh tea leaves into the pot.

Note that the pot and cups should never be washed with soap. They are always washed with boiling water and left in the tea tray. When the tea drinking is over, the tray collecting water from all the washing and drenching is then discarded. Tea stains are always left on the cups, the pot and the auspicious objects. This is what gives a continuity of good fortune!

WHY DRINK TEA?

Well brewed hot Chinese tea helps the body settle after a good meal; it is an excellent way to still the mind, enabling you to rid your body of tension. Offering tea to elders is also a sign of respect. It is the nicest way possible to apologize or to convey gratitude to one’s parents. Drinking good well-brewed tea after a good dinner adds good chi to any celebration. Over the years then, the art of tea drinking has become synonymous with joyous occasions.

In the present day, the most important occasion when serving and drinking tea is taken most seriously is during the tea ceremony at weddings. That is when the bride and groom use the tea offering to signify their respect for their parents and their elders.

To the older generation, sitting down to share a pot of tea with a friend is very meaningful as this transcends the superficial. It signifies more than two friends being sociable; to those who understand the deeper meanings associated with the ritual, the seemingly relaxed way of preparing the tea signifies that good feng shui is maintained in the relationship.

Sitting down to share several pots of tea evokes the philosophical concepts of Confucianism, Taoism and Buddhism – the three Pillars of classical Chinese culture, so in itself, drinking tea is already a great way to socialize. Add the extra dimension of good feng shui and it becomes something beautiful to do together.

When you sit down to enjoy several cups of ceremonially brewed tea with me, we will be surrounded by many auspicious objects. You will participate with me in a ritual which takes on an empowering dimension. This is a potent Taoist secret long practised by ancient masters. I could not wait to start practising once I learnt it. The ritual is full of promise and I have incorporated it into my typical day. I have watched with fascination as my auspicious Laughing Buddhas and rolling balls come alive.

Now I know that preparing and enjoying good Chinese tea that has been brewed in a special pot, with water boiled to the correct temperature, using excellent tea leaves to create the mood required and served with specially-fired clay cups can be transformed into a powerful way of “growing the abundance of your home” simply by incorporating artfully-crafted auspicious celestial creatures and carefully selected auspicious objects that awaken good fortune for the household. The operative word here is “awaken”; making the luck represented by these auspicious come alive. Grow them to maturity and watch your luck grow alongside!

USEFUL TIPS IN TEA DRINKING

The post Tea Drinking Can Unlock and Grow the Abundance of Your Home appeared first on WOFS.com.