As Ghost Month begins today, August 13, Feng Shui expert and author Marites Allen reminds Filipinos that the centuries-old Asian tradition should be approached not with fear, but with awareness, respect and practical preparation.
Ghost Month 2026 runs from Aug. 13 to Sept. 10, and corresponds to the seventh month of the Chinese lunar calendar. The Hungry Ghost Festival, traditionally observed on the 15th day of the lunar month, falls on August 27 this year.
Allen recently discussed the season during her guest appearance on Memo with Korina Sanchez-Roxas and Willard Cheng on the Bilyonaryo News Channel, where she shared the traditions surrounding Ghost Month, practical do's and don'ts, Feng Shui preparations and ways families can approach the season with greater awareness.
“Ghost Month is not about fear. It is about awareness, respect and wise choices,” Allen said.
What is Ghost Month?
In traditional Chinese belief, the seventh lunar month is a period when the boundary between the spiritual and physical worlds is believed to become more open.
Families traditionally use the period to honor ancestors, offer prayers, express gratitude, perform acts of kindness and remember dead family members.
The observance is deeply rooted in Chinese culture and is practiced in different forms across Asian communities, including those in Hong Kong, Taiwan, Singapore, Malaysia and the Philippines.
For Allen, the tradition also carries a message that remains relevant to modern life.
Rather than encouraging people to become afraid of the month, she advises using it as an opportunity to slow down, become more mindful of one's decisions and strengthen relationships with family.
What should you avoid during Ghost Month?
Among traditional Ghost Month practices is greater caution when making major decisions.
Allen advises people, where practical, to avoid rushing into major financial commitments, unnecessary confrontations or potentially risky activities.
Traditional practices may also discourage scheduling major events such as weddings, moving into a new home or launching a business during the seventh lunar month. However, Allen stresses that these are traditional Feng Shui and cultural beliefs rather than scientific rules.
Life, she says, does not have to stop because it is Ghost Month.
People who must proceed with an important event may instead consider careful planning and, for those who follow Feng Shui traditions, the selection of an auspicious date suited to the individuals involved.
Other traditional precautions include avoiding unnecessary late-night wandering, treating roadside offerings respectfully and refraining from disturbing rituals performed by other families.
The practical message is simple: avoid unnecessary risks and impulsive decisions.
What should you do?
Allen recommends turning Ghost Month into a period of constructive reflection.
Homes can be cleaned and decluttered, unfinished matters completed, finances reviewed and future plans organized.
She also encourages spending meaningful time with family, practicing gratitude, avoiding unnecessary arguments and performing acts of kindness or charity.
Among her practical reminders are keeping the home clean, bright and peaceful; opening windows where appropriate for fresh air; repairing broken items; and maintaining orderly living spaces.
For those who follow Feng Shui, Allen also recommends paying attention to the annual and monthly Flying Star energies affecting different areas of the home.
How to prepare a remembrance altar
Families who observe the tradition may prepare a simple remembrance altar for their ancestors.
Allen's suggested arrangement includes fresh flowers, five oranges or other appropriate fruit, three cups of water or tea, three incense sticks and two candles.
The altar should be kept clean and respectful. Water or tea should be refreshed regularly, fruit replaced before it spoils and flowers changed when they begin to wilt.
The emphasis, Allen says, should not be on how elaborate or expensive an altar is.
“Intention is everything. Remember with gratitude and sincerity.”
Practices naturally vary according to a family's religion and cultural background, and people should observe traditions in ways consistent with their own faith.
The dates can be documented, but there is no established scientific evidence that Ghost Month itself causes accidents, deaths or disasters. For Allen, looking back at history is instead a reminder that awareness, preparedness and responsible decision-making are valuable at any time of year.
Allen is also bringing nearly three decades of experience in Feng Shui and destiny guidance into the digital age through Destara, her personalized AI Lifestyle & Destiny Guide.
Introduced during her Memo interview, Destara is designed to provide personalized everyday guidance covering love, health, wealth, career and daily life decisions, drawing from Allen's curated Feng Shui and destiny principles combined with AI-supported technology.
The platform also introduces 12 AI Destiny Mentors, represented by the 12 Chinese zodiac animals, designed to make personalized guidance more accessible and engaging.
Users have three easy ways to begin:
1. Scan — Scan the Destara QR code included with this article and presentation.
2. Click — https://bit.ly/-MAllen
3. Search — Search Destara or on Google or Safari.
Users can then sign up using their mobile number or email address.
The platform represents an evolution of Allen's work, bringing traditional Feng Shui and destiny principles, previously accessed mainly through consultations, books and forecasts, into an on-demand digital environment.