There are moments for everything. In every religion and belief there is called the time for the spirit and the ghost. But through the evolution of time, different beliefs made the ghost period long; So the spirit to roam the earth longer than before.
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Actually, the origin of this belief is debatable. Some says it came from the Chinese but others say it is from India. But later it took on Chinese overtones because of their rich culture and imagination. But even the different religions like Buddhism and Taoism have contributed on what is our current belief.
Here in the Philippines, where Catholicism is the primary religion, the month of November is what we celebrate as the ghost month. And because of the congregation of different teachings and beliefs in our land, it now became our prevailing perception; then the by-product is that we have longer ghost months – from August to mid November.
None believers, as well as the fanatics, and those whose life decision is so much bothered and affected during this time of the year must listen closely. There is an over-reaction, to the point that they make ridiculous offerings and actions just to have a normal life during these ghost months.
THE BELIEF:
The belief is that the seventh lunar month in the traditional Chinese calendar is called the Ghost Month. It is believed that on the first day which falls last August 10 of this year, the Gates of Hell opened to allow ghosts and spirits access to the world of the living. Of course, spirits and ghosts will have three major activities during those months, visiting their families and love ones, feasting because those who are still alive make a feast for them, and lastly, the most negative reason of all, is that some spirits look for a victim.
In Catholic and Philippine tradition, it is celebrated on the 1st day of November as All Saints Day, since no saints are alive, it is a feast day of all those people who have died and later canonized to be a saint. It is then followed by the 2nd day of the month as the All Souls Day, where we give honour to ordinary people who died ahead of us. Just like in Chinese beliefs, ghosts and spirits can visit, feast and make trouble to the living.
THE DON’TS
1. Avoid evening strolls especially in dark places and alleys.
2. As much as possible, avoid night trips to faraway places and provinces.
3. Night swimming is not recommended during ghost months.
4. Starting or opening a business on August 10, 24 and November 1 and 2 is a bad idea.
5. Transferring to a new house must not be done on August 10, August 24, November 1, and 2.
The DO’s
1. Offering of food in temples, altars, and resting place of the dead.
2. Offering of incense and prayer for the dead love one.
3. Burning of paper money if you are Chinese.
4. Donating money to temples and churches to uplift the spirits and ghosts.
5. Preparing a sumptuous feast for everybody to honour the dead.
6. Lighting a candle and saying a prayer for the restless spirits.
WHAT DO WE EXPECT:
1. During this period, expect more spirit possessions on those who are spiritually weak.
2. Apparitions will be more evident in all places especially the favourite places of the dead when they were still alive.
3. Frequent dreams about your dead relatives but in fact, it is not a dream but an intuitive interpretation of their presence during this period.
4. Some spirits or ghosts will be left wandering the world of the living because of its attachment when the gate of hell closes. This is the worst scenario for it will be hard to process and a lot of ceremonies and rituals will be needed to remedy or correct the situation.
All of these are part of the rich culture of our ancestors and some of us still believe on this. Those who don’t believe also experienced the unexplained phenomenon. Whether this is just a product of a rich imagination of our forefathers, it doesn’t mean it has no origin to begin with. Who knows, the spirit that is beside you right now has the answer to some issues that was left unresolved.