Feng shui expert shares 5 pampa-suwerte tips for ghost month

August is known as ghost month to the Chinese.

As explained by feng shui expert Jean Chua on GMA-7’s morning show “Unang Hirit,” it is believed that ghosts are free to roam the earth during this time, which is why families have to honor their ancestors and relatives who’ve passed away.

And since people might want to avoid bad luck amid the current COVID-19 situation, Chua was also asked to share a few “pampa-suwerte” tips for ghost month

1. Offerings

Traditionally, offerings for the dead must include seven different kinds of food, bread, and drinks.

“Kapag naging happy sila and contented sa mga offerings natin, they will bring us good karma and good energy and magdadala din siya ng good health and harmony sa mga bahay natin,” Chua explained.

And, given the current health crisis, the expert said families do not necessarily need to prepare a grand offering. “Ang pinaka-importante doon is the sincerity and ’yung intention natin na maalala natin sila,” she said.

2. Incense

Incense is also believed to have the ability to appease spirits during ghost month.

“For example, meron tayong mga offerings, merong tayong mga simple offerings lang sa bahay, like prayers or candles or incense, or even konting pagkain lang, matutuwa na sila,” Chua said.

“[Incense] gives way or light for them (para) alam nila kung san sila pupunta. Kasi, ’yung ibang ghost or spirit, they don’t have the direction. Maybe sometimes nako-confuse sila or sometimes they can go to other houses,” she explained.

3. Prepare offerings on Sept. 2 at 1 p.m.

“Mas maigi kung September po tayo mag-offering kasi that’s the time na they are free, they can go around talaga, na magigigng mas malakas ’yung energy nila,” Chua explained.

If you are unable to prepare the offering at this given time, Chua again stressed that it’s all about the sincerity.

“Kung para sa ibang tao naman na hindi naman exactly makakagawa ng offerings on Sept. 2, you can do it any day basta within the ghost month period,” she said.

4. Avoid visiting clinics, hospitals

It’s best to avoid unnecessary trips to hospitals or clinics during ghost month unless necessary.

Apart from the ongoing pandemic, Chua said going to these types of places or visiting a sick loved one might attract some negative energy.

“Since pasok din (ghost month) sa COVID pandemic situation natin, iwasan po natin pumunta sa mga clinic or hospital [if] hindi naman ganoon ka-important or treatment. Huwag muna tayong pumunta para hindi maka-attract ng negative energy,” said Chua.

5. Avoid travelling at night, unnecessary trips, and gatherings

“Kailangan lang natin mas maging maingat especially sa panahon ngayon na meron tayong pandemic,” Chua explained.

“So kailangan mas maging todo take care tayo sa health natin and huwag tayo bastang lumalabas. Or kung meron tayong mga special na activity, medyo iwasan natin para iwas tayo sa mga disgrasya [para] iwas tayo sa mga negative energy na ma-attach sa atin,” she added.

Chua said this step might not be so hard to follow with the lockdown measures against COVID-19 in place.

“Actually, ’yan din ’yung isang avoid natin pag ghost month, na iwasan ’yung mga celebration, iwasan ding pumunta sa mga parties or events or wedding activity, which is okay din na controlled tayo. Makakatulong siya sa atin within ghost month,” she said.

Several areas including Metro Manila remain under general community quarantine as COVID-19 cases continue to rise.

As of Wednesday, Aug. 19, the Department of Health has reported over 4,000 new infections, bringing the total number of cases to 173,774 with 2,795 deaths and 113,481 recoveries. – Margaret Claire Layug/RC, GMA News