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Is It Bad To Invest In Ghost Month?
As July and August come around, so does Ghost Month. While you may have heard of Halloween and the spooky season, unless you are of Chinese heritage, you may not be familiar with Ghost Month. You may not think much about it, but many investors take Hungry Ghost Month into consideration when making an informed decision about long term financial goals, among other factors.
A Quick Introduction to Ghost Month
What is Ghost Month? When does it happen?
Ghost Month is the term used for the seventh month of the lunar calendar. According to traditional Chinese folklore, this month marks a period when people believe that the gates of heaven and hell open, making it possible for ghosts and spirits to roam the land of the living. These spirits roam the earth looking for food and entertainment.
What happens during Ghost Month?
There are certain practices that are done to celebrate Ghost Month or the Festival of the Hungry Ghost. And although it is called a festival, it is considered a scary time by the Chinese community. This year, the seventh lunar month started on July 29 and will end on August 26. Peak celebrations for the Hungry Ghost Festival fall on the fifteenth day of this month, which was on August 12, 2022.
To celebrate, the Chinese community prepares food offerings and burns incense and joss paper to honor their ancestors. On the last day of the month, the spirits return to their realm, and the gates of hell close as they welcome back these spirits and hungry ghosts.
How does Ghost Month affect the living?
Many believe that Ghost Month can increase bad luck unless you take simple steps to combat that and appease the spirits. Most believers will say that there will be an increased risk of ill health and financial issues during this period. The spirits roaming during this month are said to affect the home as well.
Couples are also advised not to get married during this month as it is believed to lead to an unhappy marriage. A wedding party during this month may also attract uninvited guests of the non-living kind, which may not be the best way to celebrate a wedding.
Children, pregnant women, and the elderly are also susceptible to being preyed on b these ghosts, as these spirits seem to be attracted to these groups of people. Children and fetuses in the womb represent vitality and new life, which is an attractive concept to spirits who are tired of their state. Pregnant women, the elderly, and children are advised to be home before the sun sets so as not to attract or get the attention of a hungry ghost who is said to be more powerful at night.
Many also believe that making an investment during ghost month will bring bad luck. People are often advised not to buy or build a new home, start a new business, or purchase a new car. Of course, any investment is a complex endeavor, and one should always do research and identify any accompanying risks. But if you are superstitious and believe that Ghost Month might affect your prospects, then you can find ways to protect yourself and your investment.
How can you protect yourself and your family members?
There are certain things you can practice to avoid the attention of unwanted spirits. One is to avoid touching or consuming the food and joss paper offerings. These are for the spirits and hungry ghosts, not for the living.
Avoid swimming and other water-related activities as spirits sometimes use the water to find substitutes for them in death so they can be reincarnated. Going out at night is also discouraged because the increased yin energy from the moon makes wandering ghosts stronger. When watching live performances during the hungry ghost festival, leave the front row vacant, as these seats are reserved for the spirits.
How to Invest Safely During Ghost Month
Diversify Your Portfolio
While many believe that Ghost Month is a bad time for investments, you can instead keep a positive outlook and use it as an opportunity for growth. The vast majority of trading may be slow during this period and you can take advantage of lower prices to diversify your investment portfolio.
Take advantage of all the investment options available to you. Just make sure to do the research that leads you to the right financial decisions and invest in companies and products that have proven trustworthy.
Protect Your Real Estate Investment
While it is not usually advised to purchase a new home during ghost month, you can still invest in luxury real estate this month given that you take certain measures and perform rituals to protect yourself and your financial choices.
A Feng Shui expert said that if you are moving to a new home during Ghost Month, light incense outside your new home. This signifies that you are asking permission from the spirits before moving into your new house.
It is also best to prepare food offerings for the spirits and your deceased relatives: six beverages, six main dishes, and two cups of rice. Also, moving in should only start after leaving your incense and food offerings for at least 24 hours.
To further protect your new luxury home, remove wind chimes above a doorway, balcony, or window. Wind chimes sound like the soul ringing, so a hungry ghost might think you’re inviting them to your house if they hear it. It is also best to leave the main door of your home closed to avoid inviting unwanted guests.
Navigating Investment Objectives During and After Ghost Month
Investments are a great way to create wealth and build a lasting legacy for your family. You may have heard of creating multiple savings accounts, starting an emergency fund, a retirement fund, and consulting a financial professional to help you achieve your financial goals and come up with a financial plan.
Having many investments can pave the way for you to earn more money, but as always, the best investments stem from informed decisions and detailed information. Investing may seem complicated, but it is a sure way to build wealth if you have the patience and full faith in your future plans.
Before you start investing and working towards your financial goal, know what your risk tolerance is. There is always some risk involved in investments, so it is best to know in advance what your risk profile is. If you intend to purchase securities – such as stocks, corporate bonds, or mutual funds – it’s important that you understand before you invest that you could lose some or all of your money.
Be sure to check and update your portfolio at regular intervals. Your assets should reflect your income and financial situation. Make sure you are keeping your plan in accordance with your financial situation and make your money work for you.
Investing Should Start at Home
Purchasing a luxury home with Brittany is a great investment for your future. Luxury homes are some of the best investments and assets you can have. Browse the Brittany website and choose from our different luxury houses and properties.
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