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  • Ghost Month is finally hereat least in Chinese traditions, which is around 2 months earlier from the usual Western halloween.

  • And in this video, we're going to talk about 9 do's and don'ts on a Ghost Month.

  • But before that, what is Ghost Month?

  • Almost similar to Western Halloween, during Ghost Month, it is believed that the gate of hell opens.

  • Particularly on the first day of the seventh lunar month for private homes, and on the second day of Ghost Month for public places like shrines and government offices.

  • Since we're referring to (the) Chinese calendar here with Chinese New Year often occurring on mid-February, that means the seventh lunar month is around August to September.

  • For 2019, it's from August 1 to August 29, with Ghost Festival or Zhongyuan Festival happening on August 15, 2019.

  • According to Chinese traditions, it is believed that anyone who has done a lot of misdeeds here on Earth go to hell while those who have died accidentally become ghosts that wander around here instead of transgressing to the next life.

  • Therefore, holding a sacrifice for these sinful and wandering spirits, like offering a good meal or preparing some fruits and desserts while praying for them.

  • And burning joss paper or ghost money at the side of the road would help them escape from hell early and also prevent them from disturbing the living.

  • Aside from holding sacrifices and having a festival for these spirits, here's a quick rundown of some do's and don'ts during a Ghost Month.

  • Number one: avoid going out at night, especially if you're alone.

  • This rule mostly applies to children, senior citizens, pregnant women and highly sensitive people because they might get targeted easily by evil spirits and risk being possessed.

  • Ghosts in general are at their strongest during night time because of the "yin" energy from the Moon.

  • Since the gates of hell are open during Ghost Month, your chances of bumping into these spirits are the highest during this time of the year.

  • Number two: don't stand waiting alone under a tree or a bus stop late at night.

  • This is connected to number one earlier, and since these spirits are highly active at night time, you might risk getting followed by them on your way home.

  • Number three: stay quiet at night.

  • It's not only disrespectful for the living who wants to sleep.

  • Whistling at night or making any high frequency sounds like playing the lyre late at night during this month draws the spirits' attention to you and may come to you.

  • Number four: avoid any body of water during this month.

  • Best to plan your travels that involve taking a ship or plane in another month.

  • Also avoid any water-related activities to avoid mishaps caused by water ghosts.

  • Just like the night and other dark places, spirits like water because of its "yin" environment.

  • You might risk encountering mischievous water spirits that may drag the living into the water to replace them.

  • So they can leave their current limbo state and reincarnate into a new life.

  • Number five: turn your whole body and not just your head if someone calls you at night.

  • Same thing if someone taps on your shoulder at night.

  • I mean, randomly hearing your name being called or being tapped at during the dark at night is surely spooky.

  • You can do yourself a favor and just ignore them.

  • If you must, instead of turning your head which creates an imbalance in your body's yin and yang energy making you more vulnerable.

  • Turn your whole body when someone calls you from the back.

  • Number six: be aware of what you wear.

  • Don't wear bright red or black clothes.

  • These clothes attract spirits.

  • Also avoid wearing clothes with your name on it like school jerseys and such to avoid risking number five earlier.

  • Also stick to flats for now and avoid high-heeled shoes because being constantly elevated from the ground makes your feet vulnerable and open for ghosts to possess you.

  • Number seven: avoid playing supernatural games.

  • This is self-explanatory.

  • Spirits, like the living, crave interaction and will grab any opportunity presented to them.

  • Don't invite them to come and talk to you unless you 100% want that to happen.

  • Number eight: don't pick up random interesting things on the road.

  • These items are usually considered "road toll" for the nice ghosts or good brothers.

  • Same thing goes for joss paper and red envelopes.

  • If you pick them up, the ghosts may get angry at you for stealing what's supposed to be theirs.

  • Number nine: feel free to use personal items as protection.

  • Whether it's a special crystal bracelet, salt or salt water, amulet, glutinous rice or prayer beads, use them if they help you feel at ease.

  • If you don't believe in them, that's also fine, as long as we all stay respectful of other people's beliefs and traditions.

  • So these are just some of the usual do's and don'ts during Ghost Month.

  • There are still others but let's talk about them some other time.

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  • Thanks for watching, and see you again soon!

Ghost Month is finally hereat least in Chinese traditions, which is around 2 months earlier from the usual Western halloween.

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