In popular belief, the seventh lunar month each year is known as the “month of wandering souls.” Therefore, to avoid bad luck, one should refrain from the following prohibitions.
Important Things to Know About the Month of Wandering Souls
Origin of the Month of Wandering Souls
In China, the origin of the Month of Wandering Souls stems from the belief that Yama opens the gates of Hell on the 2nd day of the seventh month annually, allowing hungry ghosts to return to the earthly realm, only to return to their realm on the full moon. Therefore, according to local customs, the living must offer rice, porridge, and salt to the hungry ghosts to prevent them from disturbing daily life. In some areas, people refer to these spirits as “good brothers” or “gods of the back door” to appease the hungry souls. Each year, the Chinese conduct offerings for wandering souls on the 14th day of the seventh lunar month.
Image of Yama ruling the Gates of Hell.
In Vietnam, the practice of offering to wandering souls is a traditional spiritual belief passed down through generations. Vietnamese people believe that humans consist of two parts: the soul and the body. When a person passes away, their soul still exists. Some may be reincarnated, while others may be condemned to hell and become wandering souls disturbing the living. Each year, Vietnamese people perform offerings for wandering souls for a month, depending on family and regional traditions, without a specific day assigned. The people also believe that the Month of Wandering Souls is a time of spirits that does not bring good fortune, so most activities such as weddings, starting construction, shopping, and traveling are avoided in this month.
During the seventh lunar month, besides the offerings to wandering souls, there is also the Vu Lan festival, also known as the Filial Piety Festival, which is one of the main holidays in Buddhism. The Vu Lan festival is linked to the story of Muc Kien Lien, a disciple of the Buddha, who was a revered monk with many supernatural powers. According to the Buddha’s teachings, Buddhists who wish to show gratitude to their parents perform the Vu Lan ceremony to pray for the well-being of their ancestors and to relieve the souls in hell.
The Month of Wandering Souls and the Vu Lan festival are not only common in Vietnam and China but also in many other countries, especially in East Asia. In Japan, this festival is celebrated on the 7th day of the seventh lunar month and on the full moon of the seventh month. In Taiwan, the festival lasts an entire month but typically focuses on the 15th day with three different parts: first inviting the souls, offering them food on the 15th, and sending them off on the 29th.
Ceremony on the day of ‘Appeasing Wandering Souls’
The Month of Wandering Souls or “Appeasing Wandering Souls” is an important folk belief related to ghosts and spirituality, which is highly regarded by the Vietnamese. In addition to ceremonial offerings, there are also traditional beliefs about what should and should not be done during this month to pray for peace and happiness.
Below are the prohibitions and recommended practices during the Month of Wandering Souls:
30 Prohibitions to Avoid During the Month of Wandering Souls
- Do not hang wind chimes at the head of the bed, as the sound will attract the attention of ghosts, making it easier for them to disturb you while you sleep.
- People with weak spirits should avoid going out at night during this month, as it may lead to misfortune.
- Do not pluck leg hair on this day, as it is believed that “One leg hair controls three ghosts,” and the more leg hair one has, the less likely ghosts will dare to approach.
- Do not randomly burn paper offerings, as this will attract ghosts.
- Do not secretly eat offerings, as these are meant for spirits; taking them without performing the rituals may bring disaster upon oneself.
- Do not hang clothes out to dry at night, as ghosts may “borrow” them and leave “ghostly energy” in those clothes.
- Those who go out at night should not call each other’s names, as this may cause ghosts to remember the names of those called, which is considered bad luck.
- Avoid swimming, as ghosts may play with you, and if you are not careful, you may injure yourself.
- Do not scare others, as it may make them so startled that their spirits leave their bodies, making them vulnerable to ghostly possession.
- The banyan tree in front of the house is a gathering place for negative energy, and ghosts are fond of such places, so it is forbidden to stand, sit, lie, or hide there.
- Do not stay up too late, as this will weaken your spirit and make you susceptible to “ghostly energy.”
- Dark corners of walls are places where ghosts often gather to rest; it is best to avoid such areas.
- Do not pick up fallen money on the street, as it may belong to someone who burnt it as an offering to the ghostly beings, and picking it up could invite misfortune.
- When passing through deserted places, do not look back, even if you feel like someone is following or calling your name, as it could be a ghost teasing you.
- When going to bed, do not point your slippers towards the bed, as ghosts may see this and think a living person is lying in bed, and they may join you.
- Do not stick chopsticks upright in a bowl of rice, as this is a form of offering, similar to burning incense, which easily attracts ghosts into your home.
- Do not take photos at night, as ghosts may be lurking around and become “invisible” in the photos with the living, which is considered unlucky.
- Do not burn paper money or offerings carelessly. The Month of Wandering Souls is also the month of hungry ghosts who lack everything and wander everywhere. If we burn offerings indiscriminately, it may cause more ghosts to gather around you, affecting your life and fortune.
- Do not sharpen knives or scissors.
- Avoid making significant decisions such as signing business contracts, weddings, or moving houses. If unavoidable, carefully choose the date.
- Do not swear or say anything inappropriate during this month, especially between 11 AM and 12:45 PM or from 6 PM until dawn.
- Avoid or refrain from buying vehicles during this month.
- For old trees, avoid cutting them down, as they may be the homes of spirits, especially “wandering spirits.”
- Do not sew white clothing during this month.
- Avoid releasing real money.
- Do not hide under trees at night.
- Avoid buying vehicles on inauspicious days or days when the heavenly stems and earthly branches are in conflict.
- Do not wear clothing with frightening or grotesque designs, as it may attract ghosts.
- Avoid keeping your home damp and moldy: During this seventh lunar month, always keep your home clean and tidy. A dirty home with mold is a sign of negative energy. Before entering the seventh month, you should clean your home thoroughly and resolve any issues to avoid misfortune throughout the Month of Wandering Souls.
- Avoid borrowing money: The first thing to note during the Month of Wandering Souls is that you should not borrow money from others. Borrowing money on this day could lead to significant debt, affecting your finances for the Month of Wandering Souls or even the remaining months of the year.
Do not secretly eat offerings, as they are meant for the spirits.
13 Things to Do During the Ghost Month
- Perform rituals for the wandering spirits on any day during the month, especially on the 2nd or 16th of the lunar month, to show your sincerity.
- Visit the graves of family members in cemeteries or temples where ashes are kept, as the Ghost Month is also known as the Festival of the Dead.
- Before setting out offerings for the wandering spirits, if you haven’t lit incense and someone tries to snatch the offerings from your hands, immediately release them. Retrieving the items could lead to negative consequences. If someone is waiting to grab the offerings, it indicates a good sign.
- You should limit the killing of animals.
- It is advised to offer prayers for your vehicle, regardless of whether you are in business or not.
- A vegetarian diet is recommended to avoid bad omens.
- Engage in charitable acts generously during this month.
- If you know how to chant scriptures, you should recite (the Great Compassion Mantra, the Mantra of Avalokiteshvara, the filial piety prayer, and the Ksitigarbha Sutra).
- Maintain polite and cheerful communication with family, friends, and business partners.
- Avoid conflicts at all costs.
- Help others in times of danger.
- Visit temples to light incense and pray for health and peace for the departed.
- After making offerings to the wandering spirits, you should use spiritual cleansing powder a day later or at the end of the seventh lunar month to prevent any lingering spirits from entering your home. Additionally, at the beginning of the eighth lunar month, you should use cleansing powder to thoroughly purify your home to balance the energy within.
Be sincere, visit temples, and do good deeds during the Ghost Month.
The recommendations on what to do or avoid during the Ghost Month are based on folk beliefs that no one, nor any scientific field, can validate as right or wrong. However, with the belief that “there is reverence in worship, and avoidance brings safety,” people still prioritize following these customs. Furthermore, Vietnamese people consider offering to wandering spirits as a humanitarian act, reflecting the respect and reverence of the living towards the deceased, emphasizing filial piety and charitable giving.
Ritual for the Ghosts on the Full Moon of July
Nam Mo A Di Da Phat!
Nam Mo A Di Da Phat!
I bow to the nine directions of heaven, to the Buddhas of the ten directions,
I bow to Buddha Amitabha.
I bow to Bodhisattva Avalokiteshvara.
I bow to the God of Wealth, the official deity of virtue.
As the seventh month approaches,
On the full moon, we seek forgiveness for the spirits.
The spirit realm opens the gates of the underworld,
To the souls without homes or families.
Great Saint Khao teaches Ananda.
Welcoming the souls without graves from all directions,
Under the trees or at the ends of the roads,
With no refuge, they wander day and night.
Year-round, they suffer from hunger and cold,
With no thin clothes to shield them from the wind.
Wandering spirits from the north, south, east, and west,
Old and young, men and women gather here.
Whether they died unjustly or in vain,
Died from addiction or greed for wealth,
Died from accidents, illness,
Or fell to violence over love or money.
Died by bombs and bullets,
Died from rabid dogs, drowned, or in childbirth.
Now I hear the believers inviting,
Come and enjoy all our offerings.
With rice, soup, and betel leaves,
Gold, silver, and clothes of all colors.
Rice, salt, fruits, and lanterns,
Bring a little for tomorrow’s use.
May the believers be blessed with wealth,
Peace, prosperity, and family harmony.
Remember the day of forgiving the spirits,
Again, dear believers, sincerely invite.
Now that the offerings are received,
Take the young and the old back to the realm of the dead.
The believers burn gold and silver,
Along with the clothes that have been shared.
We respectfully inform the deities,
To witness our merits.
For the believers,
Their name is:…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….
Spouse:…………………………………………………………………………………………………………..
Son:………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….
Daughter:…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..
Residing at:……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
The full moon of the seventh lunar month in 2024, according to the perpetual calendar, falls on Sunday, the Full Moon of the Seventh Lunar Month, which corresponds to August 18, 2024, in the solar calendar.
What is the Best Time to Light Incense on the Full Moon of July?
According to folk beliefs, the offering ceremony for the wandering spirits and the Full Moon of July can take place from the 2nd to just before noon on the 15th day of the seventh lunar month.
The best day to commemorate the wandering spirits and perform the Full Moon offering is considered to be the 15th of the seventh lunar month (August 18 in the solar calendar).
However, as per folk customs, people often perform rituals for wandering spirits from the 2nd to just before noon on the 15th of the seventh lunar month. It’s important to note that the seventh lunar month also includes the Vu Lan festival, so families must first perform offerings to Buddha, deities, and ancestors before conducting the ritual for wandering spirits.
Thus, besides the Full Moon of July, you can also choose other days within this period for offerings to the wandering spirits and other rituals in the seventh lunar month.
Here are some auspicious days in the seventh lunar month of 2024 for your reference:
13th of the seventh lunar month (August 16 in the solar calendar): A favorable day for travel, seeking wealth, and ensuring everything goes smoothly with assistance from benefactors.
14th of the seventh lunar month (August 17 in the solar calendar): A day of heavenly virtue, good for seeking wealth, blessings, good fortune, and reputation.
15th of the seventh lunar month (August 18 in the solar calendar): The Full Moon of July, a good day for worship and praying for the souls of the departed.
