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Tips To Survive Ghost Month 2022

7.30.2022

The seventh month of the Chinese Lunar Calendar is known as Ghost Month, a time when the spirits of the dead are said to roam the earth. This year, Ghost Month starts on July 29 and ends on August 26, both of which fall on a Friday. 




Are you worried about the bad luck that may come during Ghost Month? 

Don't worry, we've got you covered. Learn more about Ghost Month and how to ward off the bad luck that may come during this time.

 



You don't want to risk any bad luck during Ghost Month, do you? 


That's why it's important to read up on all the information we have about this spooky time of year. Make sure you're prepared for anything that comes your way


Read this post and learn everything you need to know about Ghost Month! 


What is Ghost Month and what are the key facts to know about it?


Ghost Month is a traditional Chinese holiday that takes place in the seventh month of the lunar calendar. 


The holiday is also known as the Hungry Ghost Festival, and it is believed that the gates of Hell open during this month, allowing ghosts to roam the earth. 


Families often make offerings of food and drink to placate the spirits, and special ceremonies are held to send the ghosts back to the underworld. 


Ghost Month is a time of both celebration and superstition, and it is a popular time for ghost stories and movies. 


For many people, Ghost Month is a time to reflect on their ancestors and pay respects to those who have passed away. 


Why do people believe that Ghost Month is a time of bad luck?


While the origin of Ghost Month is a bit murky, the tradition is thought to date back to the Three Kingdoms period in Chinese history. 


At that time, it was believed that the spirits of the dead roamed the earth during the seventh month of the lunar calendar. 


To placate these restless ghosts, people would offer food and other gifts. 


In some cases, they would even release paper lanterns into rivers, hoping that the floating lights would guide the ghosts back to the spirit world. 


Today, Ghost Month is still observed by many people in Asia. 


While the specific customs may vary from place to place, the basic idea remains the same: to honor the dead and keep them from causing mischief in the world of the living. 


So if you find yourself avoiding black cats and walking under ladders this month, now you know why. 


How can you protect yourself from the bad luck during Ghost Month? 


Ghost Month is upon us, and that means it's time to start thinking about ways to protect ourselves from bad luck. 


Here are a few things you need to know about Ghost Month: 


First, it's important to understand that Ghost Month is a time when ghosts are said to be able to roam the earth. As such, it's important to be respectful of these spirits and avoid doing anything that might anger them. 


Second, there are a few specific activities that are said to be particularly risky during Ghost Month. These include swimming, going into the mountains, and staying up late at night. If you must do any of these things, be sure to take precautions against angering the ghosts. 


Third, there are a few things you can do to ward off bad luck during Ghost Month. One is to wear red, which is said to be a color that ghosts don't like. Another is to hang up Ghost Lanterns in your home - these are special lanterns that are said to help keep ghosts away. 


Fourth, it's also important to be aware of the things that are said to attract ghosts. These include food, water, and shelter. If you have any of these items in your home, be sure to keep them well-protected so that ghosts can't get to them. 


Fifth, if you do happen to encounter a ghost during Ghost Month, there are a few things you can do to get rid of it. One is to offer the ghost food or water - this is said to placate the spirit and send it on its way. Another is to give the ghost money - this is said to buy its silence and prevent it from causing mischief. 



Sixth, Ghost Month is also a time when it's important to be extra careful with fire. This is because ghosts are said to be attracted to fire, and they can sometimes cause accidents if they get too close. So be sure to keep an eye on any open flames and make sure they're extinguished before you go to bed. 


And finally, Ghost Month is a time when it's important to be extra kind to those around you. This is because ghosts are said to be attracted to negative energy, and they can sometimes cause problems for people who are feeling down. 


So be sure to spread some positivity this month and you'll help keep the ghosts at bay. 

What are some of the things you cannot do during Ghost Month? 

Ghost Month is upon us, and that means it's time to take extra care not to anger the spirits. Here are some things you should avoid doing during this spooky time of year: 

  1. Don't move into a new home: This is considered bad luck, as it's likely that there are already spirits residing there who will be disturbed by your presence. 
  2. Don't get married: Spirits are said to be jealous of couples, so it's best to wait until after Ghost Month to tie the knot. 
  3. Don't have a baby: It's believed that Ghosts will kidnap newborn babies, so it's best to wait until after the month is over to conceive. 
  4. Don't travel: Ghosts are said to roam the earth during this time, so it's best to stay put and avoid them altogether. 
  5. Don't make any major decisions: It's best to let the ghosts have their way during this month and avoid making any big decisions that could anger them. 

What are some of the things you can do to ward off bad luck during Ghost Month? 

Wear red: This is said to be a color that ghosts don't like, so it will help keep them away. 

Hang up Ghost Lanterns: These special lanterns are said to help keep ghosts away, so be sure to put them up in your home. 

Offer food or water to ghosts: If you happen to encounter a ghost, this is said to placate the spirit and send it on its way. 

Give money to ghosts: This is said to buy their silence and prevent them from causing mischief. 

Extinguish all flames: Ghosts are attracted to fire, so be sure to keep an eye on any open flames and make sure they're extinguished before you go to bed. 

Be extra kind: Ghosts are attracted to negative energy, so be sure to spread some positivity this month and you'll help keep them at bay. 

Offer prayers: Praying is said to be one of the best ways to ward off bad luck during Ghost Month.  

Burn candles, incense, and paper money: The candles and incense will lead them safely. Paper money especially prepared for Hungry Ghost Month will bring them riches in the afterlife. If you have the cash, you may also provide them with other amenities such as a paper automobile or other creature comforts. 




Make your home bright: Keeping your home well-lit is said to discourage ghosts from coming inside. Avoid dark and lonely places: Ghosts are said to lurk in dark and isolated areas, so it's best to avoid them altogether. 

Wear "yang" colors: Colors that represent the sun and fire, such as red, orange, and yellow, are said to be disliked by ghosts. Wearing these colors is said to help keep them away. 

Do not give alms to beggars: It's believed that doing so will only encourage more beggars to come to your door. 

Do not gamble: This is said to be a sure-fire way to anger the spirits and invite bad luck. 

Do not use sharp objects: It's believed that ghosts can be injured by sharp objects, so it's best to avoid them during this month. 

Be respectful: Remember that this is a time when ghosts are roaming the earth, so it's important to be respectful and avoid doing anything that could anger them. 

Use salt: Many civilizations around the world utilize salt for purification and protection. Salt is said to be a powerful tool for keeping ghosts away. Sprinkle it around your home, especially on your doors and windows. If you are out of your home, make sure to bring salt with you in a brightly-colored cloth bag to ward off any unwanted spirits. 




Don't tap anyone on their shoulder: When their backs are turned, don't ever attempt to tap anyone on their shoulder. You could be tapping a Hungry Ghost on accident for all you know. This is said to be a sure way to anger the ghosts, so it's best to avoid it.  

Don't try to shout out anyone's name: If you need to get someone's attention, don't shout out his name. A hungry ghost with the same name may be nearby! Be careful if someone calls out to you, too. Make sure you turn your body, not just your head. 

Be extra careful with knives: It's believed that ghosts can be injured by sharp objects, so it's important to be extra careful with knives during this month. 

Don't let your guard down: Just because Ghost Month is coming to an end doesn't mean you can let your guard down. There are still straggling ghosts that may be looking for a place to stay, so it's important to keep up your defenses until the very end. 

Don't leave clothes hanging out at night or in dark rooms: It's said that ghosts can enter your home through your clothes, so it's best to keep them stored away at night. 

Keep an eye on your children: Children are especially vulnerable to ghost attacks, so it's important to keep a close eye on them during this month. 

Don't swim alone: Ghosts are attracted to water, so it's best to avoid swimming alone during this month.

Use good luck charms: There are a variety of charms that are said to be effective against ghosts. Charms can be purchased from temples or online. 

Do not walk around barefoot: It's believed that ghosts can enter your body through your feet, so it's best to avoid walking around barefoot during this month. 

Wear red underwear: This is said to be a very effective way to ward off ghosts. 

Do not go out after dark: If you can help it, try to stay indoors after dark. This is when ghosts are most active and are more likely to come looking for you. 

Avoid dark places: Ghosts are attracted to darkness, so it's best to avoid dark places during this month. 

Make noise: It's said that ghosts are afraid of noise, so making plenty of noise is a good way to keep them away. 

Keep your doors and windows open: This is said to allow the good spirits in and keep the bad spirits out. 

Ghost Month is just roughly 30 days and will soon be over.

However, Ghost Month is ephemeral. It will be gone before we know it. 

It isn't something to be frightened of. Rather, it should serve as a reminder to respect our beloved dead, satisfy the repentant, and live our best lives on Earth here and now. 

Whether or not you believe in Ghost Month, all of these DOs and DON'Ts are merely intended to assist us in covering all of the bases. 

Because, at the end of the day, we are the ones who decide our fate. The power of a good attitude, a positive mentality, and a positive disposition will take us to our best possible life. 

Positive thinking, feelings, and actions are all essential components of living our finest existence; they offer hope when times are tough and push us forward when things look bleak.

21 Easy Hacks to Make Your Space more Balanced This New Year

12.26.2021

 


Feng Shui is an ancient Chinese art that aims to create balance and harmony in a location to improve flow of energy and help you live happily.

Unfortunately, many people think that feng shui is just about placing some lucky bamboo plants around your home or buying expensive crystals from Asian markets. This couldn't be further from the truth! In reality, there are loads of simple hacks you can use to create balance and harmony in your home.

That's why we've created this guide on 10 hacks for creating balance and harmony in the home using Chinese philosophy as a framework! We'll walk through each step together so you can create your ideal environment without wasting time or money on unnecessary purchases.

Here is your Guide on 21 Hacks For Creating Balance and Harmony in the Home:

Clean up clutter

The first step towards feng shui bliss is removing any physical clutter that might be cluttering up your life. By clearing away all those unwanted items, even if they're just boxed up in a spare room somewhere, you'll feel an instant sense of calm when entering any given room. It will also make cleaning easier , so what are you waiting for? Clear your clutter today!

Plant some green!

Adding some greenery to your living space can have a positive effect on both mental and physical health.  It's also an easy way to add balance to any room without spending much time or money, with Mother Nature doing the heavy lifting in terms of cleaning the air.

The number of plants you should have depends on how big your living space is, but as a rule of thumb aim for 1-2 office plants per person and one large plant per room.  To create balance and harmony in an area, look for houseplants with round leaves and pale colors such as aloe vera, snake plant, spider plant and peace lilies.

You can also decorate your home with small-leaved houseplants or ornamental grasses, as these are known to attract money luck in the new year!  To activate this kind of positive energy in your home, you should place pointed leaved plants at least one foot away from a main door or front entrance.

The color green is associated with wood in feng shui because it represents growth and health- two things you'll want plenty of in the New Year!  To tap into this energy source, you should decorate your home with fresh green plants and bright green tableware to expand good health luck.

Include symbols of wisdom and knowledge to attract intelligence luck

In feng shui, the color blue is associated with heaven and water, both elements that are linked to intelligence, which is why it's a great idea to use blue as an accent color in your home décor this New Year.  Blue can be used in the form of throw pillows, vases, cloth napkins and even utensils to attract luck in the areas of knowledge and wisdom.

Turn on a light!

The power of lighting cannot be underestimated when it comes to creating balance and harmony in your home.  What's even more fascinating is that the effect on mood and physical health is immediate!

To create the most positive energy, avoid fluorescent strip lights or low-energy bulbs as they can cause headaches and anxiety, both of which have a negative impact on a person's mood.  Instead, look for brighter lights with a yellow or orange tint to them.

In order to create balance in the living room, bedroom and main door area, aim for a warm light with an intensity of no more than 300 lux. In contrast, cold colors such as white activate your body, so you should aim for lights in this color to be no more than 150lx, while light blues should have an intensity of around 200lx.

Clear the path to your front door by removing clutter and obstacles

Your front door is where all of your positive energy enters your home, so it's important to make sure there are no obstructions blocking its path.  To activate the benevolence luck in the new year , remove any obstacles from outside the front door or make sure they are at least one foot away from this area.

Don't forget to clear away any clutter from the inside of your front door as well! Wipe the entire area with a clean cloth and hang up your chosen symbol of knowledge to attract good fortune and health luck.

If you have a decorated wish tree, please make sure it's kept in good condition so that all auspicious energy can flow through this space unhindered.

Cleanse your home regularly with salt water during the first half of the year

To remove negative energy from your living space, make sure you sprinkle salt water throughout your home regularly (ideally on a daily basis but weekly will suffice) during the first half of the year.  The best time to do this is at 5pm.  Just add water to salt until you get a paste consistency then use string or cotton wool to apply this on the front threshold, lower edge of your doorsills, on the inside of your front door, on all cabinet knobs and hinges, on all floorboards and under furniture.

Don't forget to pay attention to the corners of your living room and kitchen where three planes intersect, as this is also an important part of the New Year cleansing process.

Keep a bowl of water in front of your door for freshness and purity

Fresh, clean water has the power to draw in positive chi , which is why it's important to keep a bowl of water in front of your home for both you and visitors.  It also represents having a deep connection with another person, so make sure you always refill this offering and switch out the flower offerings every day!

Organize your bookshelf to attract wealth luck

Feng shui attaches great importance to the ability of balance and harmony in a setting.  Having well-organized bookshelves which reflect the correct sequence of titles can improve knowledge and wisdom, but also lead to increased income luck!  Books should be arranged in descending order according to size, with the largest at the bottom and smallest at the top.

If you have a lot of books in your home, why not consider rotating them so that you can access all of them easily?  Doing this on a monthly basis will ensure they are constantly being read and practiced by everyone in your family.

Don't forget to remove any books which are still on their way to the recycling centre!

Avoid placing mirrors directly across from each other as it may create an imbalance in energy flow .

Instead, place these objects at an angle so the energy can flow through properly.

In order to prevent bad chi from entering your bedroom, it's best not to hang mirrors on the inside of your front door as this will allow negative energy access into your living space.  Nor should you have a mirror facing towards the entrance of your bedroom.

Tips for the Bedroom

If you don't have a separate dressing room, try to paint the inside of your wardrobe doors using a purple color and place some coins in front of these before closing them to elevate your charisma luck .

Make sure you only attach one hook on each side of your wardrobe door for good stability . Avoid having too many ornaments in front of your door as it could block the flow of good fortune.

Keep your bathroom clean

The bathroom is an important area to pay attention to in order to receive plenty of water luck for the year ahead!  Please make sure you cleanse the space regularly with salt water and keep it well ventilated at all times.  Avoid having any sharp, metal objects in this area as they could lead to a loss of wealth luck.

Your bathroom mirror should never face your front door as it will invite the flow of bad energy into your home.

Use a red or pink rug at the entrance to you main door

Make sure there's always something soft and comfortable for you to take your shoes off with, so that everyone can do so without hassle.

You should also place a red or pink rug at the entrance of your front door where guests will most likely tread on first.  These colors represent luck, happiness and celebration .  Place this down before the new year begins!

Decorate using fire colors

To ensure an abundant flow of fire luck for the year, decorate your living space using the color red , orange and pink .  These hues are especially auspicious this year, as they symbolize warmth and passion .

Use water elements to drown out bad energy

At every lunar new year, it's important that you have fresh flowers in your home.  Having a vase of roses or peonies placed at the center of your dining table will encourage optimism and growth luck .

The best way to get rid of bad energy is by using water elements to drown it out.  Therefore, make sure you use plenty of bowls filled with fresh water during this time.

Include symbols of career luck for advancement


Using the color purple will help stimulate your success chi .  Try to incorporate symbols of career luck into your décor, such as an elephant statue if you're a business owner or a green leaf if you work in trade.

Avoid having any sharp corners on furniture or decorations around the house as they can disturb Chi flow and cause injury!

Place some coins under your table for wealth luck.

Having a table in the center of your home is vital for good fortune.  Make sure there are no sharp corners on its surface or legs.  You can also place some coins under the table to elevate wealth luck.

Do not walk over any water features when you enter your living space, nor should these interrupt the flow at the entrance to your home.

Hang wind chimes or crystals near windows or doors that face east or west to avoid creating a "dead zone" where qi cannot enter the home .

If you have too many sharp metal objects placed in the bedroom, it's best to place some crystals or wind chimes near the windows or sliding glass doors instead.  This will help prevent any bad luck from entering your house.

Use natural light whenever possible- it's free and provides balance in energy flow through the day .

You should also make sure that your windows allow lots of natural light into your home.  This energy can help balance the flow of Qi throughout the day, while minimizing bad vibes!

Never place shoes on the table or couch to prevent loss of wealth luck.

Please make sure that you never place your shoes on your table or couch.  This is also to ensure that you do not disturb any good fortune in the home!

Consider using feng shui colors when decorating -

Black is known for its grounding and balancing properties, while white brings in the sun to balance the earth .  You can also use peach and brown in moderation, as they represent the earth element.  Finally, using blue or green in your décor is another great way to incorporate balance and harmony into your home.

Hang a crystal globe near your front door to draw in positive energy and activate good luck and abundance for your space .

The best way to finish off the new year is with a happy and prosperous home. We hope these feng shui tips will help you create an inviting space for your loved ones, where abundance can be found in every corner of your living room or bedroom. And if you're not sure how to get started, just let us know! Which of these feng shui hacks have you applied?  Let us know what worked well below- we'd love to hear from our readers! Have any questions about this article at all - feel free to ask down below as well!

Top Reasons Why Nassau in the Bahamas is Special

7.31.2018

Top Reasons Why Nassau in the Bahamas is Special

Everything in the Bahamas actually ranges from special to downright magical. Be it the pristine white of the sands, the gorgeous shorelines along the Atlantic or the magnificently glamorous resorts and home stays on the beaches, the Bahamas has something from everyone. Technically a classic archipelago, The Bahamas is home to more than 700 islands and 300 cays, and yes, that is pretty extensive (and expensive!) to cover in one trip. However, the one place, you absolutely cannot miss is Nassau. Are you wondering why? Well, we are here to give you a proper answer to that but let’s wait till you figure out other important stuff while booking for the tickets.

First things first, The Bahamas are pretty easily accessible (the reason why a lot of movies are filmed over here, remember Pirates of the Caribbean anyone?) and the lodging part totally depends on your budget. Splurge on the A-List resorts where movie stars flock over to the casino or go for rentals, (rentals in Nassau which we would most DEFINITELY prefer), you will never be in want for a comfortable as well as a suitable place to stay in the Bahamas. As far as the Bahaman cuisine goes (which is mostly made up of Rum which everybody totally loves), it is surely made up of delectable delicacies. From absolutely lip-smacking seafood to heady cocktails, the grand Bahaman dinner would definitely get you grooving.

Now, that we have cleared up most of your primary concerns, let’s move forward to our central topic; that why can you not afford to skip Nassau when you are preparing an itinerary for your next trip to the Bahamas. Let’s find out!

An Overview of Nassau

For a long time, Nassau was the port city meant for all things prude and business. However, now, it has flourished enough and stands proud as the largest island as well as the capital of the Bahamas. It is a trending cultural centre which offers historic landmarks and museums, food tours, a rum distillery and microbrewery, and waterfront resorts for every budget. It is the most favourite tourist destination for travellers around the world and if you are not travelling by Cruise, we would suggest you to definitely put up a base in Nassau since it packs in most of the action and the fun the Bahamas is known for. The booming Nassau is also accompanied by its satellite, The Paradise Islands.

History of the Place

Are you inclined towards knowing each and every detail that goes behind the making of a place you are visiting? Congratulations, you have come to the right place. Well, about Nassau, let’s see. Nassau was founded by the British in the midst of the 17th century, but by the 18th century, it became pretty famous for the notorious pirates who took refuge in this island. Popularly known as the Republic of Pirates, Nassau has an intriguing and thrilling backstory. The pirates, at one point in time, claimed the islands for themselves and made almost each and every civilian-run off from there. Blackbeard, (history’s most famous pirate who’s real name was Edward Teach) was their leader. Though, there is nothing more of him or his accomplices left in here, signs of them have been preserved for tourists and travellers to see and explore.

Fun for Foodies

Are you a total foodie? Well, who isn’t? If food is good for your mood, you will really fall in love with this place because the food tour in Nassau is another one of its most loved specialities. One of the most rewarding experiences that you can have while visiting the place is participating in the Bites of Nassau Food Tours, which costs just about 70 dollars per person, where you indulge in local food while walking through the town.

The Bahaman cuisine is quite famous and not without reason (because, well, conch fritters anyone??) and you get to taste the best of the best delicacies through this walk. From typically sumptuous seafood to Bahaman specialities like Guava jams and Tortuga rum cakes, whatever gets your taste buds racing, you can find here. After the food tour, rest assured, you will be a fan of the authentic Bahaman cuisine for life.

Nassau – Something for Everybody

The great thing about the Bahamas, and especially Nassau, is there is so much to do here. You can have the exact kind of vacation you have always wanted, from lounging around on the beach to gambling in those extravagant and glitzy casinos, to shopping around, to indulging in scuba diving and many other water sports. Nassau has it all. There are many scenic and culturally important monuments and museums for you to visit. You can explore the beaches and the absolutely drop-dead gorgeous coral reefs around here, you can bask in the sun, amidst the sand in all your glory and you can completely satisfy the foodie in you by stuffing yourself up with all that Bahaman delicacy and the cocktails (because you should never miss the Bahama Mama, not for anything in the world). 

Nassau has everything you would want for your next vacation. While you must also visit other places in the Bahamas, do not miss out on Nassau because you will miss the authentic history of the place that is intertwined with the city. If you are an action or adventure lover, or the Pirates of the Caribbean is your favourite movie, you should definitely visit the place to get yourself a taste of the real thing.