00:00 It's that time of the year once again when Filipinos and the Filipino Chinese community observe Ghost Month.
00:05 And this year, Ghost Month begins tomorrow, August 16th and it ends September 14th.
00:11 Now to tell us more about what to do, what to avoid during the month,
00:15 joining us now live in the studio of course is our ever loyal Sukie, Fung Suey, Master Marites Allen.
00:22 Thank you so much for having me again. Thank you guys.
00:25 Great to have our friend.
00:26 Well of course, I mean we have to have you Marites. I mean for the benefit of our viewers,
00:32 can we go through it once again? What is Ghost Month?
00:35 Yeah, so Ghost Month, like what you said, begins on tomorrow, August 16th until September 14th, 2023.
00:42 So this month is actually, this is the time when the gates of hell open
00:48 and allowing the presence of the wandering spirits and ghosts to freely roam around the earth.
00:54 So some people, this is the reason why we have to appease them.
00:58 So by honoring the ancestors who passed on and by offering food,
01:03 some people, you know, you have to stay safe during really this dark period I would say.
01:08 So the most popular thing to do is actually the incense burning
01:13 and many other things that you can actually, you know, practice as well.
01:18 So this is a belief which is very particularly, you know, known throughout the Asian community around the world.
01:28 Okay, so you mentioned already incense. Those are the dos that we have to, what are the other dos?
01:34 Okay, so the other dos of course is that we have to also keep in mind that to avoid negativities, okay?
01:40 This is the time that because of the negative effects.
01:43 So particularly number one, we have to show respect.
01:46 So this is actually, some cultures they have significant practices to do.
01:51 So allow them to do that because this is practically the similar thing that we do during November 1, right?
01:59 November 1 and 2, we honor our dead ancestors, this is loved ones.
02:03 We have to offer the incense. The incense is actually the food of the spirits, the wanders around.
02:08 They are hungry. So by offering them the incense, they feel full.
02:13 Is there a particular incense? Can I just light up anything or it has to be a special one?
02:17 I'm scared now.
02:19 There could be different flavors.
02:21 Can I just light it up? Just smoke it?
02:24 Actually, an incense is the usual pink in color that you can light or another color is red or whatever incense you have at home.
02:34 Now there is a special mantra that you have to recite.
02:37 It goes like this, "Nama Sarva Tatagata Avolikiti Om Sabara Sabara Hum."
02:46 Okay, I don't understand.
02:48 I don't understand.
02:50 "Nama Sarva Tatagata Om Sabara Sabara Hum."
02:52 One more time, "Nama Sarva Tatagata Om Sabara Sabara Hum."
02:54 We will be watching it on screen.
02:56 So it's called, "Nama Sarva Tatagata Om Sabara Sabara Hum."
03:04 What does it mean?
03:06 It actually means in English.
03:08 You're going to have to text it to us.
03:10 It actually means like, "I bow. I request the enlightened beings to give us and invoke the transformative positive energies so we may be guided during this dark period."
03:25 And we can say it in English?
03:27 You can say it in English.
03:29 Whatever.
03:31 I want to be saved.
03:33 I'm the one who incenses.
03:35 Important is the thought and the intention.
03:37 Exactly.
03:39 Because a lot of people, like what I said, it's respect.
03:41 If this is the practice, if things are okay with you, then fine.
03:46 But there are many things that have happened that are not so nice during this period.
03:50 Okay.
03:52 Are there some zodiac signs that get more affected than others during Ghost Month?
03:56 Yes, that's a very good question.
03:58 Because there are actually animal signs that depend also, in fact, on your date and birth chart.
04:03 There is the so-called Yin Star, Y-I-N.
04:07 So if your particular animal sign, in your date and time of birth, you have this particular star that we see, some people are prone to malice, bad luck.
04:18 Some people are prone to getting sick all the time.
04:20 So that is why, in fact, later I think we're going to be showing it as well, the don'ts, like do not touch somebody else's shoulders or head because this is actually our aura that protects us.
04:32 So if somebody just came out from a hospital and I touch you or I miss you, come home, etc., then that would be transferred to you.
04:39 What are the signs? What are the signs that should be worn?
04:46 Well, basically, for the year, we have the so-called Misfortune Star and the Illness Star goes to the rabbit.
04:52 The Misfortune Star actually goes to the animal sign, the dog, in the moor.
04:56 Sorry.
04:57 The pig.
04:58 The dragon and the pig.
04:59 We've got some amulets here.
05:02 There are things you can do to improve.
05:05 Dog, rabbit, boar.
05:07 Dog, rabbit, boar, dragon, snake.
05:12 [laughter]
05:17 Sheep and monkey are quite okay.
05:20 But like what I said, if you just put all these things, remember negativity, so meaning be positive.
05:25 Okay.
05:26 So let's go through it.
05:27 No touching.
05:28 What else?
05:29 What are the don'ts?
05:30 Yeah, so there are many things that we are flashing, actually.
05:32 So the next one is like, you know, some people, like what I said, after incense, then some people, they set up an altar to honor their dead and the living.
05:43 And perhaps what you can show as well is practice filial piety.
05:48 Some people, like living in England, it's very difficult for us to visit the dead.
05:52 Yeah, yeah.
05:53 So what you can do is actually just set up an altar for them.
05:56 Donate to charity, you know, this is as a form of commemoration.
05:59 If you do not have the time, then donate.
06:02 I mean, if you do not have the money to donate, then donate your time, right?
06:06 Some people, if you feel like you're going through a very bad luck, then go and visit like home for the aged.
06:11 You know, they, you know, like the orphanage.
06:13 Just pay it forward, basically.
06:14 Okay.
06:15 Make your good luck.
06:16 How about charms?
06:17 Yes, of course, the protective charms, you know.
06:19 In fact, so many things that you can get from Frigga, of course.
06:21 And of course, I'm wearing my mantra scarf.
06:24 I love that.
06:25 And then they can also, again, absorb the booze that is locally practiced.
06:30 Okay, which are?
06:31 So whatever this is, like for example, do not go to like activities outdoors, swimming in the dark, you know, dating in the dark.
06:39 No, dating in the dark.
06:41 Lights on, lights off.
06:42 Exactly.
06:43 So if you're going to do that, make sure it's lights on, not lights off.
06:47 Okay, so last.
06:48 We don't have much time left.
06:49 Yes.
06:50 So participate.
06:51 If you have in your community, lantern, you know, festivals and everything.
06:56 And there's many form of things that you can really do, like especially like selfie, you know, what to avoid.
07:01 So avoid selfie.
07:03 Anything to do after 6 p.m.
07:05 So these are avoiding negative actions that you have to do, like whistling at night, leaving your laundry outside, especially if you're pregnant or leaving, you know, the kids outside, stop them playing outside.
07:17 After 6 p.m.
07:18 Yes, and then again, there's so many things that we can do and say.
07:22 You just check Maritas Allen on Google and Instagram.
07:25 And before I leave, I'd like to share to you my very popular and very beautiful Chinese astrology book, which is published by Quercus Publishing in the UK.
07:37 Sorry, it's going to be available in the Philippines in October 2023.
07:44 And it's now available in five languages.
07:46 I have here the French and German.
07:50 So this is like the Bible of the astrologist.
07:53 Look at that.
07:54 You thought of everything.
07:55 You thought of everything.
07:56 Maritas.
07:57 Maritas, it's always a pleasure having you here on the show.
08:01 Thank you so much.
08:02 Baliktad, baliktad.
08:04 Sukon namin Maritas Allen, Feng Shui expert.
08:08 Thank you so much again for being here with us.
08:10 That's it for us this Tuesday here on New Day, August 15th.
08:13 I'm Andre Felix.
08:14 We will see you again tomorrow.
08:16 I'm Ria Tanuak-Cotrillo.
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08:27 Banana.
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