“The Perfect Time to Perform Rituals for Wandering Souls: A Guide to Invoking Blessings and Ridding Bad Luck”

The seventh lunar month is the time for offering rituals to wandering spirits and lost souls. However, not everyone is aware of the proper rituals and traditions.

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Why Do People Worship Wandering Ghosts and Hungry Spirits in July?

Folklore suggests that the seventh month is when the King of Hell opens the gates of the underworld, allowing all hungry spirits and wandering ghosts to roam the mortal realm. As a result, people perform rituals to offer food and show their compassion. It is believed that these offerings will prevent the spirits from causing any harm or disturbances to the living.

According to tradition, the gates of the underworld close after 12 noon on the 15th of July, hence the importance of performing these rituals before this time. There is also a belief that the duration of the gates’ opening varies from year to year, sometimes starting before the 1st of July and ending after the 15th. However, generally speaking, the number of wandering ghosts decreases significantly post the 15th, which is why many people choose to postpone certain activities until after this date.

July is the month when families perform rituals for the wandering ghosts

Is the 14th of July an Auspicious Day for Performing these Rituals?

July coincides with the Ghost Festival or Vu Lan, so many families combine their rituals for the festival with those for the wandering ghosts, setting up two altars: one inside for the ancestors and one outside for the spirits. The timing of these rituals is ultimately up to each family’s convenience.

However, according to spiritual feng shui, it is best to perform these rituals on the 14th and the morning of the 15th. This is because the ghosts are believed to be on their way back to the underworld during this time and will, therefore, come to accept the offerings and leave without lingering. Superstition also holds that ghosts are afraid of light, so the ideal time to perform the rituals is between 5 and 7 pm.

Avoid burning too much joss paper and ghost money during the rituals

Things to Keep in Mind During the Rituals

It is recommended to offer vegetarian food during these rituals, which may include porridge, popcorn, milk, corn, potatoes, and fruits. Porridge is particularly important as it is believed to be easier for the spirits to consume than, for example, chicken and rice. Modern adaptations may also include milk.

Avoid burning excessive amounts of joss paper and ghost money. Offer vegetarian food to prevent arousing negative emotions like greed and attachment. After the rituals, remember to sprinkle salt, rice, and porridge outside the house, especially near walls and fences, as these are places where ghosts are believed to reside. Do not bring the offerings back into the house to avoid inviting the ghosts in.

Finally, it is customary to burn fires after the rituals and to step over them, symbolizing the removal of bad luck. It is also advisable to change clothes and take a bath to further dispel any lingering negative energy.

The Ritual Offerings

The specific offerings may vary slightly depending on regional customs and traditions, but generally, they include the following:

– Salt and rice (1 plate each)

– 12 bowls of thin porridge or 3 balls of rice

– 12 bars of brown sugar

– Paper clothes and ghost money (small denominations of real money can also be used)

– Sugarcane, left unpeeled and cut into small sections

– Sweets, cakes, and real money of various denominations

– Popped corn, boiled potatoes, corn, and cassava

– Five types of fruits of five different colors

– Three small glasses of water, three sticks of incense, and two small candles

The Chant for the Rituals

Nam mo A Di Da Phat! (Recited three times)

We pay our respects to the Bodhisattva Ksitigarbha and the Arhat Maudgalyayana

We also pay our respects to the City God, the Local Deity, the God of the Stove, and all the deities who preside over this place.

Today is the 15th day of the seventh month in the year of the Yin Fire Tiger.

We sincerely ask that, on this day of pardoning the dead, the gates of the underworld be opened to allow the homeless and forgotten spirits, those without graves or descendants, those who wander in the wilderness, under trees, in the grass, or on the streets, those who lack even a thin piece of clothing, to come and enjoy the offerings of food, drinks, fruits, flowers, candles, incense, money, and clothes prepared by the devotees. May the devotees and their families be blessed with good health, prosperity, harmony, and all good things, while all evils are taken away.

Nam mo A Di Da Phat! (Recited three times)

For reference only

Frequently asked questions

The ideal time is during the seventh lunar month, also known as the Ghost Month or Hungry Ghost Festival. This month is believed to be when the gates of hell are opened and the spirits of the deceased are free to roam the earth.

People often perform rituals to honor their ancestors and offer blessings. This includes preparing food offerings, burning incense and joss paper, and praying for the well-being of the wandering souls. Some also believe in the power of performing charitable acts during this month, such as donating to the less fortunate or performing good deeds to accumulate blessings and rid themselves of bad luck.

It is believed that the wandering souls can bring either fortune or misfortune to the living. By honoring them and invoking blessings, one can seek their favor and protection, bringing good luck and warding off any negative energy or bad luck that may be plaguing them.

Yes, one popular practice is to perform a ritual bath. This involves bathing in a mixture of holy water, flowers, and other sacred items to purify oneself and wash away any negative energy or bad luck that may be attached. Other practices include burning sage or incense to cleanse the space, performing meditation or prayers for protection, and wearing amulets or charms believed to ward off evil and invite good fortune.

While the seventh lunar month is the most significant time for these rituals, they can also be performed throughout the year, especially during important festivals or occasions. Each culture may have specific dates that are considered auspicious or powerful for invoking blessings and ridding bad luck.