What is Ghost Month? (external link provided)

Taiwanese Ghost Month (link)

What is Ghost Month? Are Asians so into the paranormal that we have to dedicate a month to the already past? Is it perhaps the reason why we are so good at telling horror stories?

Even though I am a Taiwanese, I never really bothered to find out what Ghost Month is about. I only know that it is a time for us to let the spirits out from the underworld, and probably let them be our best friends for a month. Just kidding. We don't actually get to pick a ghost best friend to hang out with. But we actually call them "good buddies" and offer them food.

Ever since I can remember, every year our apartment complex would hold a mass offering to the ghosts. Ugh. But how I dread the incents--their ashes and smoke. And the burning of white paper money--more smoke!

I always wondered why we had to go through so much pointless paper burning for our friends from six feet under. My mom did once tell me that the reason why we offer food to these souls is because these are wandering souls that will never reincarnate--because they have chosen to off themselves--and if we offer food and money to these ghosts, we might, in turn, receive some good luck.

I think it is a fantastic story to tell. But I don't think the luck part is true. But maybe I've just been taking this Ghost Month tradition too lightly.

What do you guys think? Would you join in on this eerie tradition after you're acquainted with it?

#introducing #ghostmonth #whatis #link #paranormal #sixfeetunder #underworld