Tradition holds that at 11:00pm on Tuesday night, the doors of the underworld opened, as they do once every year. This marks the beginning of the annual “ghost month”, a time during the late summer when spirits are temporarily released from the underworld to wander among the living.
If it sounds scary, that’s because it is. This is no Halloween, and traditional-minded people take the many taboos observed during Ghost Month quite seriously.
Don’t get pregnant, be careful what you say, and whatever you do, avoid bodies of water at all costs. These are just some of the traditional do’s and don’ts that are observed each year during “Ghost Month”. And, as you might be able to tell, they’re mostly don’ts.
“Ghost Month” is now upon us again, and there’s no end to the number of ways you can accidentally upset the spirits that wander the earth at this time of year and attract misfortune.
For instance, you might buy a new house, break ground on a new construction project, or sign a real estate contract. All actions definitely guaranteed to attract ghosts. As you might expect, the real estate market here grinds to a halt during “Ghost Month”.
But, for those who really must go ahead with some unlucky activity or other, there are some loopholes that can get you out of trouble. For instance, one real estate company executive suggests holding a groundbreaking or renovation ceremony before “Ghost Month” starts, so that technically, the date the contract is signed doesn’t matter. Well…if you’re not afraid of ghosts, it might be worth a try anyway.