Surviving the Ghost Month

Resist the urge to make that leaning-against-a-wall hipster pose this Ghost Month.

Many of us cannot deny the fact that the month of August makes us nervous somehow.  It is, after all, Ghost Month.

While it’s a Chinese folk legend, we cannot help but be wary as well, given the huge influence of Chinese culture on us. So, for the safety of human beings—and ghosts, too—here is a simple guide believed to help dodge evil spirits and bad luck when Ghost Month officially starts on Aug. 11 and ends on Sept. 9.

Now is the perfect time to light those incense sticks you have accumulated over the years. Burn incense to clear away negative energy from your home. Incense is also thought to have the ability to appease spirits and ghosts because of their fragrance.

With your incense burner, go from room to room inside your home so that the fragrance from the incense can move through each area of your house.

Wandering spirits are believed to like occupying abandoned houses. Do not enter any abandoned house because you might attract a wandering spirit that will follow you when you go home.

Avoid leaning on walls during Ghost Month because, apparently, spirits like to cling on the walls because of the cool surface.

One tradition that our elders have handed down to us is how salt is a good antidote to resist bad energy.

We are always instructed that a jar of salt should be one of the very first things we need to bring when moving in to a new home. During Ghost Month, place a glass of salt water on your bedside table to ward off unfriendly spirits that may be lurking in the room.

Hotel rooms are considered a “yin place” which can attract spirits.

Before stepping inside your hotel room, knock respectfully on the door and whisper quietly that you are only staying in the room temporarily. Apparently, spirits appreciate it when you are respectful and these actions let them know that they only need to vacate the room while you are in it.

Burning incense clears away negative energy.

Turn on the lights, draw the curtains and, if possible, open the windows for positive energy to enter the room.

If there is an extra bed inside your hotel room, don’t leave it empty or unoccupied.  Put some of your things on top of it to make it look unavailable and therefore uninviting just in case you have unseen and unwanted roommates.

If you’re moving houses or renovating your living space, put it off until the end of the Ghost Month.

Take note that these tips are just based on the widely known customs and traditions, and it’s really up to you if you will take heed and follow these.