Big decisions on hold for Ghost Month

AS THE Ghost Month has begun, entrepreneurs are advised to be cautious in running their businesses.

In the Chinese Lunar Calendar, the seventh month is known as the Ghost Month, when it’s believed that the spirits and ghosts come out from the lower realms.

Ghost Month, according to Chinese culture, is not a good month for entrepreneurs to open or launch a new business.

In the Chinese calendar, this year’s Ghost Month began last Saturday and will end on Sept. 9.

Let Let Lomugdang, who is in charge of a feng shui store in a mall in Mandaue City, said that of all the months in the calendar, the ghost month is the worst month for business. She said it is the time when businesses will struggle.

“D’yan lalabas lahat ng bad luck lalo na pagdating sa business. Lahat ng uri ng business hindi ka pwede mag-start basta month ng Ghost Month (All the bad luck happens then, especially when it comes to business. Do not start any business during Ghost Month),” said Lomugdang.

Lomugdang said that there are charms that are available to protect the business from any bad luck during the Ghost Month.

The first protection against bad luck, according to Lomugdang, is the mantra. It may be a bracelet mantra or a mantra ring, which she said is the number one protection from bad spirits and bad luck.

Another protection she mentioned is the amulet, a keychain which drives away the bad omens.

“Hihina ang negosyo pagdating sa Ghost month kaya maganda na maglagay tayo ng protection (Business will slow down during Ghost Month, so it’s important to have protection),” added Lomugdang.

Carolyn Gobok, a half-Chinese businesswoman who owns a bicycle shop, also shared how she plans to drive away bad luck this Ghost Month.

Gobok said that buying incense and burning it is one good way to avoid getting bad luck.

“Actually, sa Chinese community gyud kay naa sia’y i-burn nga paper. Naa gani uban nga house og porma then mao nay i-burn (In the Chinese community, they burn paper.

Some of these come in the form of a house),” said Gobok.

She also shared that there are some Chinese who go to the temple, will write their wishes on a piece of paper, and put it in a certain part of their house or in their business establishments, depending on the advice of the feng shui expert.

“Naa man na’y Chinese paper, pa-blessingan na nila sa temple then itapot na nila sa certain place sa house or sa store (There is some Chinese paper that is blessed at the temple and placed in some areas of the house or store),” explained Gobok.

Gobok also shared that it has become a tradition of the Chinese to offer something like food and prayers to the gods and to deceased ancestors.

It is also during this period that the Chinese tend to avoid doing big celebrations, buying a house or car, or making risky decisions.

Both Gobok and Lomugdang said that it up to the person if he or she will believe traditions for the Ghost Month.

“Like if you believe it then tinuod pero naay uban wala kahibaw so okay ra kaayo na sila (Some don’t know about it, so it doesn’t bother them). It’s just like a superstition, in a way,” Gobok concluded.