With the start of the Hungry Ghost Festival on Thursday (Aug 13), some people have been making sure to keep cultural practices in mind while being out and about.
This can include beliefs such as not staying out past a certain time or staying away from specific places, in hopes to avoid contact with wandering spirits.
But are there certain zodiac signs which should be more careful than others?
Well, according to a video posted to Facebook on July 26 by a Taiwanese astrology and tarot expert, there are four signs which should be extra cautious during the seventh month.
Those born in the year of the rat, snake, monkey and pig may be more susceptible to “negative energy” at night, the expert, who goes by the name “Master Xiao Meng”, said.
They are also more likely to experience “spiritual disturbances” such as unwanted supernatural encounters or unexplained physical discomfort, he added.
According to the astrology expert, those born in the year of the snake and rat should be cautious as they are believed to carry stronger yin energy.
This is because both animals are nocturnal and traditionally associated with dark, damp environments.
Xiao Meng advises those born in the year of the rat and snake to avoid places traditionally associated with stronger yin energy, such as beaches, riversides and mountainous areas.
For people born in the year of the monkey, he recommends avoiding dense forests and areas with large, shady trees during this period.
Traditional feng shui beliefs state that dense forests and heavily shaded areas accumulate stronger yin energy and those born under the monkey zodiac may be more susceptible to this, potentially leading to physical discomfort or minor illnesses, Xiao Meng explained.
The astrology expert also suggests for people born in the year of the pig to avoid messy or chaotic environments during this period as cluttered spaces are believed to attract negative energy.
Those born under this zodiac should avoid places such as clubs, bars and nightclubs as well as keep their homes clean and clutter-free, he said.
While Xiao Meng upholds these customs and beliefs, some others believe this time of year should be treated like any other month.
Lee Chee Tong, a 27-year-old also known as the “Gen Z Taoist priest”, is one of these people.
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In a TikTok post on Wednesday (Aug 12), Chee Tong advises people to treat this period as any normal month.
He stated that according to his study of Taoism and Buddhism, there is no scriptural background regarding the claim that the gates of hell open on the first day of the Hungry Ghost Month.
Instead, the festival is strongly connected to the Earth Official — a Taoist deity associated with forgiving sins — with the 15th day being his sacred birthday.
According to Chee Tong, this connection to the deity is the reason rituals are conducted for both the living and deceased in his honour during the seventh month.
“As souls are often trapped in hell due to various sins, Taoist priests make use of this day to perform rituals that provide salvation to the spirits. Through this they may leave hell and go to paradise,” he wrote.
Chee Tong also shared that from a Buddhist perspective, the seventh month is associated with Mulian — a disciple of Buddha who had spiritual powers and saved his deceased mother from suffering after she was reborn.
He was said to have made offerings to the monastic community and dedicated the merit gained from that to his mother — which was what gave rise to similar practices being upheld during the seventh month, said the priest.
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