7th Month

Yesterday was the start of the Lunar 7th month, the month when the chinese believe that the Gates of Hell opens up and its inhabitants are free to wander for 30 days. This is either a very lucky or unlucky month; most people believe that more deaths or unexplainable stuff occurs during this time so they try to go home before dark, avoid swimming for fear of 'water spirits' n generally hold off celebrations or renovations and delay travel plans for the month. Some people consider this the lucky month because some stuff costs less during this month, example, wedding banquets are cheaper as the demand is low, renovation packages are also cheaper. Entertainers who specialise in getai or chinese stage performance find their schedules packed as business owners, associations and clans engage them for ritual performances which in the past were meant for the wandering spirits but is now popular with the living. 

As on the 1st day of every 7th month, I perform a short ritual that is also repeated on the last day. After dark, I will gather joss-sticks, incense, sweet rice cookies, a pack of tea leaves, gold paper ingots, paper money & assorted paper charms & burn them outside my house. This is the 'gift' to the dead, an acknowledgement that the living is aware that the spirits are around and a sort of bribe to ask them to leave us alone during their time back in our midst .