Protected, feng shui style

The month of August is believed to be a dark period, according to Chinese belief. The dreaded seventh lunar month in the Chinese calendar is the Hungry Ghost Festival. “It is that period when the yin energies reach a momentary balance with the yang. The yin forces become very strong and dominating during this period, which is why it is important for us to prepare for this event,” warned feng shui expert Marites Allen.

The August festival, which starts on July 31 until Aug. 28, reaches its momentum by Aug. 13, the actual festival day.

“The Chinese believes that on this day, the gates of hell open up, releasing (bad) spirits to visit the living, to be fed. They scare people and feed on their energy and fears. Hungry ghosts are, basically, the spirits of deceased people that have not found everything they need to survive in the afterlife.”

A ghost outbreak of this magnitude could spell unfortunate disasters or bad omens for businesses, which is why feng shui suggests veering away from certain yin activities like funerals, visiting the sick, or even wearing simple black as it attracts more negative energies.

“Tragedies like the bloody bus hostage taking crisis last year involving Hong Kong tourists, 2009 Binibining Pilipinas International Melody Gersbach’s fatal road accident and former Sen. Benigno Aquino’s assassination all fell in the festival’s period,” Allen notes.

And this is one reason the Chinese take this spirit festival, which Allen said is similar to the West’s Halloween, very seriously!

“They forbid swimming, building or construction, avoid travel, buying or moving into a new house, marriage or even starting a business,” Allen relates.

Of course, there are tested cures to combat these “very disruptive omens” that feng shui suggests tends to affect people with low energy.

“Prayers work best against bad omen, mostly roaming spirits. It is the most powerful combatant there is,” advises Allen. “Another is wearing protective charms, which is useful to those suffering from bad luck in the year of the Rabbit, like the Kuan Kong, a symbol of the god of wealth placed at the front door to prevent the “killing breath” or harm; a ring talisman, a charm bearing four Dharmakaya mantras that protect against obstacles, danger; the nightspot amulet, which protects the bearer against people with bad intentions; the loshu nine talisman amulet, a round pocket amulet with a money tree to enhance, protect the wealth of luck of the 12 horoscope animals engraved on it; the tortoise key chain, a Tibetan disaster protection symbol; a mantra tag hum, a key chain amulet with a Buddhist mantra that protect against illness, particularly flu viruses; the four heavenly king amulet, which protects against lawsuits, scandals; the Chundi mirror with crystal, which is made with 18-hands of Buddha and convex mirror to protect against theft and cheats; the Namgyalama amulet disc, which carries the power of the three-faced goddess of longevity that protect against premature death; and the pagoda wind chime, which protects homes against bad spirits.”

Lost spirits are best treated with burning flower-shaped sandalwood kemyen herb incense, which is strong enough to appease the roaming spirits in poorly lit places or spaces without a window or openings. Holding the burning incense while walking inside the house brings joy to these restless entities.

“These charms, particularly in the month of the Hungry Ghosts, are meant to protect and bring good fortune. It is not for everyone but, as the old saying goes, ‘better an ounce of precaution than a ton of woes,’” Allen says. For specific charms to your specific animal horoscope symbols, check out the World of Feng Shui boutique at its SM Mall outlets or call 0920-9509390 or visit www.maritesallen.com.ph. –Edsel-Thadeus O. Lorete, Daily Tribune