The Hungry Ghost Month, which started on August 19 this year, will peak on September 2, the 15^th day of the 7^th lunar month. This is the day when the influence of dead spirits that could cause harm to the living is at its strongest. One of the best ways to counter any harm that may be caused by these wandering spirits is to make incense offerings to send them the message that you regard them as friends and not as bothersome beings.

Why incense?

Incense is a smoke-emitting substance made of natural materials that can be burned to produce pleasant smell. The earliest forms used oils, wood, sage, and resins. Incense is believed to be able to purify and clear your surroundings of negative energy. It is used as offerings in temples, and for their cleansing, calming, and health benefits at home.

In Buddhist and Taoist practices, burning incense during the Hungry Ghost Month is an effective way to appease spirits who are believed to “feed” on its fragrance.

How to perform an incense ritual

As often as you can, or at last two or three times a week during the Hungry Ghost Month, perform the ritual at home preferably around dusk, just after sunset. Light up sweet-smelling incense (like kemenyen or sandalwood) and walk clockwise around your rooms and outside your home while holding your incense burner. As you do this, make sure to chant this mantra: NAMAH SARVA TATHAGATHA AVALOKITE OM SAMBHARA SAMBHARA HUNG. Let the incense burn itself out. This way you dedicate all the incense, the scent of which is the only food that they can take, to all the wandering spirits around you, and request that they watch over rather than harm you.

The Hungry Ghost Month comes with a lot of Do’s and Don’ts (https://maritesallen.com/article/hungry-ghost-month-2020-why-we-shouldnt-let-our-guard-down/)

to protect ourselves from any form of misfortune during the period. By offering incense and other things that the dead person used to treasure, we are essentially imploring them to keep us safe because we are better alive than injured or dead. If we are alive, we can offer them incense, which is their food.

You may get your jasmine-scented incense sticks and other suggested cures for the Hungry Ghost Month from Frigga Charmed Life. Call or viber us at 09209509390 to place your order.