Ghost month is a good month

August was always a tough month when I was still involved in the garments industry. The lousy weather, with typhoons and flooding, left people uninterested in shopping for new clothes. When the skies are gloomy, fashion isn’t exactly top of mind. My competitors would panic as sales plummeted and they’d quickly resort to “promos,” price cuts and all sorts of sales gimmicks in a desperate attempt to boost revenue—but it rarely worked.

During the “slow business season,” I would take the opportunity to travel abroad and research the latest fashion trends in cities like Tokyo, Paris, New York, London and Milan—the world’s fashion capitals. The inspiration I gained from these trips was always exhilarating. When the last quarter approached, and sales gradually picked up, I was already well-prepared with fresh insights and trend forecasts to set the stage for the coming year. This gave me a competitive advantage over others who likely made hasty, emotion-driven decisions in August and were now dealing with the consequences.

I did some research on “Ghost Month” to understand its etymology. In this case, research means consulting AI like ChatGPT 4.0, Gemini and Co-pilot. They provided the same findings, which might mean there are “fewer hallucinations.” Here is the information I got.

“Ghost Month,” also known as the Hungry Ghost Festival, is a significant cultural and religious event, especially in Chinese communities, observed in various countries, including the Philippines. During Ghost Month, which occurs in the seventh month of the lunar calendar (usually in August), it is believed that the underworld’s gates open, allowing spirits and hungry ghosts to roam freely in the living world. People believe that deceased ancestors, if not properly honored, could become restless spirits or “hungry ghosts.” These spirits are considered neglected souls who are either angry or lost and need offerings like food, money (often joss paper) and incense to find peace. People also avoid certain activities during this period, such as weddings, moving into a new house, starting a business, or traveling, to prevent attracting bad luck.

Recently, the belief in Ghost Month has gained traction in the Philippines, particularly within Filipino-Chinese communities. Due to its growing influence, even non-Chinese Filipinos have started observing some Ghost Month practices. Business owners, investors and the general public are often cautious about making significant decisions during this period, believing it is a time of heightened risk for financial and personal endeavors. 

The increased awareness can be attributed to the influence of the community, media coverage and the general rise in interest in feng shui and Eastern superstitions in the Philippines. But why is this such a big deal?

The observance is not just a religious or superstitious act; it affects behavior in various sectors, from real estate to stock trading. Many avoid significant investments or major changes, believing ignoring these practices can lead to bad luck or misfortune.

Now I see why August, often called “Ghost Month,” is such a busy and eventful time for me. Invitations for seminars and training sessions start pouring in, likely because of reduced activities, and companies prefer to focus on developing their teams during this lull. Additionally, companies may view August as an ideal period to prepare their workforce for the final quarter, ensuring they are motivated and ready to close the year strong with positive business results.

So, “Ghost Month” turns out to be productive for me.

Oh, I don’t know, maybe it’s just me. But I’ve organized successful public events even on Friday the 13th. I have walked under ladders, had black cats cross my path, opened umbrellas inside the house and defied practically every cultural or religious superstition. But when it comes to “Ghost Month,” I will never forget what a wise mentor said many decades ago. He said, “Francis, do not be afraid of ghosts; they can do you no harm if you have Christ in you. But be afraid and wary of untrustworthy people of questionable character. They can hurt you more than ghosts can ever do.”

This may be why I have been in the people development and training business all these years. But then again, that is just me speaking (not AI).

(Francis Kong’s “Inspiring Excellence” podcast is now available on Spotify, Apple, Google or other podcast streaming platforms).