The first day of the lunar month is considered the beginning of a new month and is known as “ngay soc” in Vietnamese tradition. “Soc” in Han Viet means the beginning, signifying the start of a new time cycle. This day is regarded as sacred, deeply rooted in spiritual and cultural beliefs.
For generations, Vietnamese families have observed this day as an opportunity to honor their ancestors and pay respects to the deceased. It is a day of gratitude and is considered “cat tuong,” meaning auspicious and the best day of the month according to East Asian beliefs. Busy families may choose to perform the ceremony on the evening of the 30th of the previous month.
The offerings for the altar need not be elaborate, but sincerity is essential. Families can prepare simple offerings such as incense, fresh flowers, betel, and a cup of water. If possible, a more elaborate offering of sticky rice, chicken, and wine can be presented. However, whether simple or extravagant, the most important aspect is sincerity and reverence.
Before performing the ceremony, one should bathe and purify themselves, rinsing their mouth with fragrant tea and washing their hands with aromatic leaves. Burning incense and wearing respectful clothing are also important, avoiding inappropriate attire such as sleeveless shirts, shorts, miniskirts, or torn clothing to demonstrate reverence for the ancestors.
The first day of the sixth lunar month in the At Ty year falls on a Wednesday (June 25th in the Gregorian calendar). According to Feng Shui expert Phung Phuong, the timing of incense offering on the first day of the month depends on each family’s traditions. However, there is one golden hour considered auspicious for incense offering on this day:
– Ty Hour (9-11 a.m.)
This time is believed to be filled with positive energy, making it ideal for conveying wishes for a smooth, lucky, and prosperous new month. If circumstances do not allow for incense offering during this hour, families should not worry. The core value in Vietnamese spiritual culture is sincerity. As long as one’s heart is sincere, their wishes will be heard and granted by their ancestors, bringing peace and ease.
Three things to do on the first day of the month for good fortune and blessings
1. Start your journey in a favorable direction and at an auspicious time
On the first day of the sixth lunar month, if you have important tasks to undertake, it is advisable to move towards the direction of the Joy God (Hỷ Thần), which is the northwest direction. This direction is believed to bring joy and a peaceful state of mind, making your endeavors more likely to succeed.
Moving towards the direction of the Wealth God (Tài Thần), which is the southeast direction, is thought to attract financial opportunities and promote career success.
There are three time frames considered auspicious for starting your journey or undertaking important tasks:
– Speedy Joy Hour: 5 a.m. to 7 a.m. and 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Undertaking tasks during this hour is believed to bring success, especially for urgent matters.
– Great Peace Hour: 1 a.m. to 3 a.m. and 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. This hour is believed to bring peace and good luck, especially for those traveling long distances.
– Small Luck Hour: 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. and 9 p.m. to 11 p.m. This hour is believed to attract wealth and good fortune, especially for those in business.
2. Keep money in your wallet to attract luck and prosperity
In folk beliefs, the first day of the month sets the tone for the entire month. What happens on this day is thought to influence one’s luck, finances, and overall fortune. One popular practice is to keep money in your wallet on the first day, avoiding unnecessary spending and borrowing. This tradition reflects a cautious and thoughtful approach to financial management.
Keeping money in your wallet is not just a physical act but also carries a symbolic meaning of abundance and financial ease. It represents a way of “keeping luck,” indicating that wealth will stay with you, and it also demonstrates a proactive attitude towards financial management, setting the tone for a prosperous and financially rewarding month.
Conversely, borrowing money or having an empty wallet on the first day is believed to bring financial challenges for the rest of the month. To counter this, some people prepare lucky money, usually a new bill with a beautiful denomination, to carry in their wallet on the first day as a way of “inviting luck into their home.”
While this practice may not have a scientific basis, it reflects a positive value of thrift and prudence in spending, which is beneficial in modern life.
3. Visit a pagoda and do good deeds
Visiting a pagoda on the morning of the first day has become a beautiful tradition and a cherished spiritual practice passed down through generations. It is believed that praying to the Buddha on this day brings peace and blessings and helps one let go of worries and find tranquility after a busy month.
In addition to praying, doing good deeds on the first day is considered a way to accumulate virtue and blessings. This could be as simple as speaking kind words, helping others, or refraining from arguing and causing harm. Though these actions may seem small, they hold great significance, as the saying goes, “Good deeds bring good fortune, and you reap what you sow.” Starting the month with kindness and sharing is the best way to invite happiness and good fortune into your life.
The information in this article is for reference only and is subject to individual interpretation!
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