The Power of Three: A Ritual for Mid-Year Abundance —

11 September, 2024

The seventh month of the lunar calendar is known as the “Hungry Ghost Month.” During this month, the gates of the underworld are believed to open, allowing spirits to roam the earthly realm. From the first day of the month, families prepare offerings to pray for peace and ward off bad luck.

Depending on their beliefs and circumstances, families may adjust their offerings for the first day of the seventh lunar month. However, according to folk beliefs, here are three items that are considered auspicious to offer on the first day of the Hungry Ghost Month:

Fresh Flowers

Fresh flowers are an essential offering during monthly ceremonies, especially on the first day of the seventh lunar month. Offering fresh flowers symbolizes presenting the beauty and goodness of life to the deities and ancestors. It is a way to show reverence and gratitude for their protection and guidance, praying for peace, good health, and success in one’s endeavors.

Families can choose flowers that are locally available and suit their preferences. Common choices for ceremonies include yellow chrysanthemums, roses, and gladioli.

When arranging flowers for offerings, it is best to avoid mixing too many types of flowers in one vase. Doing so can create a chaotic appearance and dilute the symbolic meaning of each flower type.

It is important to never use artificial flowers or wilted flowers as offerings, as this is considered disrespectful in the context of worship.

The flower arrangement should be proportional to the size of the altar, neither too large nor too small.

Fruits

In addition to flowers, fresh fruits are also an important part of the offerings on the first day of the lunar month. The specific fruits offered may vary depending on the region and the season.

Fruits symbolize reverence and piety towards the deities and ancestors. They also convey the hope for a prosperous, blessed, and lucky life.

When selecting fruits, families often choose those associated with good fortune, such as apples, pomelos, pomegranates, peaches, and watermelons.

Regardless of the type of fruit chosen, it is essential to ensure that they are fresh and of good quality. Overripe or damaged fruits are not suitable for offerings. Strong-smelling or thorny fruits are also best avoided.

Sticky Rice

During the ceremonies on the first day of the seventh lunar month, families often prepare dishes like sticky rice and rice cakes. It is believed that offering vegetarian dishes on ceremonial days and the first day of the month avoids killing animals and brings more blessings to the family. This practice is also thought to guide the wandering spirits towards a peaceful afterlife.

On the first day of the Hungry Ghost Month, families may offer various types of sticky rice, such as mung bean sticky rice, gac sticky rice, and rice cakes.

This information is for reference only and is based on traditional beliefs.

Frequently asked questions

The Power of Three is a ritual performed during the middle of the year to attract abundance and prosperity. It involves setting intentions, creating a vision board, and taking action to bring your desires to life.

This ritual is meant to be performed during the middle of the year, preferably around the summer solstice, to take advantage of the powerful energy that this time of year brings.

You will need a few items for this ritual, including a pen and paper for writing your intentions and creating your vision board, as well as any items that represent your desires, such as crystals, candles, or other tokens that hold meaning for you.

First, take some time to get clear on your intentions and what you want to manifest. Write these down on your paper. Then, create a vision board that represents your desires and the life you want to create. You can use magazines, photos, and other items to create a collage that inspires you and brings your intentions to life. Finally, take action towards your intentions and vision. This might involve making a phone call, starting a new project, or taking a leap of faith towards your dreams.

That’s okay! The Power of Three ritual can also be used to simply attract more abundance and prosperity into your life. Focus on setting intentions around bringing more of what you want into your life, whether that’s love, money, opportunities, or something else.

Absolutely! Performing rituals with others can be a powerful way to connect and amplify your intentions. You can perform this ritual with friends, family, or any other community you feel aligned with.