Hungry Ghost Festival offerings [Photo Credit: Mezanurrahman CCA-SA 3.0]
HONG KONG – The Hungry Ghost Festival is a traditional folk, Buddhist, and Taoist festival that is observed in many East Asian countries, including China, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Singapore, and Malaysia. It takes place on the 15th day of the seventh month of the lunar calendar, which falls sometime between August and September in the Gregorian calendar. This year it falls on August 30th, in time for the blue moon.
The festival shares similar aspects with Samhain and Día de los Muertos.
The Hungry Ghost Festival commemorates the opening of the gates of the underworld, allowing spirits and ghosts to roam the earthly realm. The spirits of ancestors or other wandering souls who have not found peace. The festival is meant to provide them with offerings and attention to ensure their well-being and to prevent them from causing harm or mischief.
The night of the Hungry Ghost Festival is considered a time of heightened paranormal activity, so some people avoid outdoor activities at night, swimming, or moving to new homes during this period to avoid encounters with restless spirits. Some even avoid taking trains and the metro as they are overflowing with apparitions. Others avoid taking pictures because spirits may not have consented to having their image taken making them angry and even vengeful because of the disrespect.
During the Hungry Ghost Festival, people engage in various activities to honor and appease the spirits. Many prepare and set out elaborate feasts, incense, candles, and other offerings on altars or at designated places to provide sustenance for the wandering spirits. There are live performances of traditional Chinese opera, puppet shows, and other forms of entertainment. These are offered to both the living and the spirits.
Joss paper, also known as “ghost money,” is burned as an offering to the spirits. It is believed that the flames of the burning joss paper carry the offerings to the spirit realm. Floating lanterns and small boats are released on bodies of water to guide and appease the spirits, ensuring that they find their way back to the spirit realm.
Like Samhain, the Hungry Ghost Festival is a time to remember and honor the departed but also a time for reflection on the impermanence of life. It is also a moment to reflect on obligations to respect for one’s ancestors.
The July 2023 just-shy-of-full Super Moon over TWH headquarters in Miami
TWH — The only blue moon of 2023 will rise on August 30 this week. It will be the second supermoon in the same month. The moon will be in perigee, the point in the moon’s orbit when it’s closest to Earth, and will appear 7% bigger.
Nasa wrote, “The next full Moon will be Wednesday night, August 30, 2023, appearing opposite the Sun (in Earth-based longitude) at 9:36 PM EDT. The planet Saturn, just a few days from its closest and brightest for the year, will appear near the Moon. As evening twilight ends (at 8:42 PM) Saturn will be 5 degrees to the upper right of the Moon, and will appear to swing clockwise around the Moon as the evening progresses. The Moon will appear full for 3 days around the peak of the full Moon, from Tuesday night to Friday morning.”
Do you have news to share with our community? Elevations? Events? Let us know at pcn@wildhunt.org.
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Crossings of the Veil
Image via Facebook
TWH is saddened to hear that Professor Vitomir Belaj, of the Faculty of Philosophy at the Univesity of Zagreb, crossed the Veil on August 19, 2023. Many practitioners of Slavic and Eastern European ethnic spiritual traditions are aware of Prof. Belaj’s work. His work influenced the reconstruction of Slavic stories and mythology. He was particularly influential in organizing scholarship on Croatian mythology.
The professor was the founder and editor-in-chief of the magazine, Studia Ethnologica Croatica and a member of the editorial boards of the magazine Folk Art and Ethnologia Slovaca et Slavica.
One remembrance wrote “Professor Belaj left behind an exceptional scientific-teacher body of work. An important part of this body of work consists of debates on ethnological theory and methodology and a series of debates about persons who are responsible for the development of Croatian mythology.”
Belaj’s scientific interest in spiritual culture focused especially on the traditional beliefs of Slavs and their spiritual practices. In 1998, Belaj wrote a cultural and historical monograph of Croatian ethnology Die Kunde vom kroatischen Volk: eine Kulturgeschichte der kroatischen Volkskunde (The Lore of the Croatian people: A Cultural History of Croatian Folklore).
He received multiple awards and recognitions for his work including the Annual State Award for Scientific Work of the Republic of Croatia, the Great Gold Plaque of the Faculty of Philosophy of the University of Ljubljana, and the Lifetime Achievement Award “Milovan Gavazzi” from the Croatian Ethnological Society 2007.
What is Remembered, Lives!
Announcements & Upcoming Gatherings:
Ogden Pagan Pride Day will be held on September 23, 2023, and celebrates the 23rd year of the Pagan Pride Project. It’s also the day of the autumn equinox! The Ogden Pagan Pride event is to be held at Monroe Park, 850 Monroe Blvd, Ogden Utah. It will be from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., with local entertainment, vendors, two rituals, and lots of workshops. They wrote, “Let’s conjure up a day filled with workshops, rituals, and enchanting activities that celebrate Pagan Pride and unity!” Event information and updates are available on the Events website.
Western MA Pagan Pride Day is one of many Pagan Pride Day events that take place worldwide. As a nonprofit organization, we strive to establish awareness of earth-centered spiritual traditions in our local communities. People of all faiths (or none) and walks of life are invited to join us on Saturday, September 23, 2023, from 10:00 a.m. through 6:00 p.m. There is no admission fee to the event, however, we ask that you bring a cash donation for our charity drive. We will be collecting cash donations for our favorite charity, the Northampton Survival Center. You can come expecting to find information about paganism in many of its forms, experience an open harvest ritual, musical entertainment, workshops (classes), and many vendors for a fun, family-friendly community-driven event. There are several restaurants and cafes in the area, so plan to come and stay a while! Updates are also available on their Facebook and Instagram sites.
Lehigh Valley Pagan Pride Day will take place on September 30, 2022. They wrote “Our event is Lehigh Valley Pagan Pride Day in Easton Pennsylvania. There will be vendors of all kinds, classes, and food. We also have guest speakers who are authors.”
Event information and updates are available on their website.
Washington State’s Pagan Pride Day is Sept 30/Oct 1, 2023, at the LaQuinta in Tacoma, WA.
This is our 17th year, and after two years of broadcasting online events with some of the most respected names in the Pagan community, we are back in person! Please join us and the many vendors, readers, and a fantastic lineup of presenters.
Special guest presenters include @ThatWitchLife podcast, who will record an episode for their internationally-known weekly podcast. The show is hosted by Kanani Soleil, Courtney Weber, and Hilary Whitmore and focuses on living as a Witch or Magickal person today.
We are delighted to have Brittany Jones, a presidential candidate for the US 2024 election. Brittany Jones is an unaffiliated candidate for the 2024 presidential elections. She is taking the knowledge she has learned from her campaign and helping educate people across the United States about how elections work. She has been a practicing Pagan, primarily doing dream work, for the last ten years. She also practices candle magic and energy manipulation. Please visit her website to learn more. Puget Sound Pagan Pride has invited other presidential candidates in the spirit of openness and fairness to all. Organizers said they also need volunteers. Contact them for details.
Earthspirit Community announced dates and open registration for Twilight Covening, a continuous 3-day ritual from October 6-9, 2023 that holds and shapes an institute of Earth spirituality and a time to develop our collective wisdom in a shared sacred space as we move into the dark time of the year.
Each year since 1986, members of the EarthSpirit Community gather deep into ourselves and into communion with this time of year and with all of Nature. We explore the depths of a range of spiritual practices, learn new skills together and experience the joy and power of a living community ritual. We invite you to join us.
The rituals include Releasing Fire Ritual on Friday night, Rituals for Dreaming, Healing and Trance on Saturday night, A Visioning Ritual on Sunday night, and Four “Attunements” each day which marks the solar quarters of the day.
Many participants have found that Twilight Covening provides a model for maintaining an earth-centered practice on a daily basis and is a wonderful opportunity for developing strong and lasting connections with others on a similar path.
They note that Twilight Covening is a demanding physical experience. The schedule is intense, the terrain rugged, the weather unpredictable and the facilities limited in creature comforts.
The Michigan Witches Ball 2023 has announced dates! It will be held on October 28, 2023, at the Ukrainian Cultural Center, Warren, Michigan, USA.
Are you ready to immerse yourself in a world of enchantment and mystery? Look no further than the highly anticipated Michigan Witches Ball, where magic comes alive and dreams become reality. This extraordinary event is not to be missed, as it promises an unforgettable evening filled with spellbinding music, captivating people, and a bewitching atmosphere that will leave you mesmerized.
Step into a Realm of Witchcraft and Wizardry
Prepare to be transported to a realm where witches and wizards roam freely. The Michigan Witches Ball is a celebration of all things mystical and supernatural, where attendees can embrace their inner magic and indulge in an evening of pure enchantment.
Indulge in Delectable Delights
No magical evening would be complete without delectable treats to tantalize your taste buds. The Michigan Witches Ball offers a wide array of culinary delights that are sure to satisfy. Savor mouthwatering food. Indulge in desserts. And of course, no witch’s gathering would be complete without a selection of potions and elixirs to quench your thirst at the open bar.
Dress to Impress in Your Finest Witch Attire
The Michigan Witches Ball is the perfect occasion to unleash your inner witch or warlock. Embrace the opportunity to dress up in your most extravagant and spellbinding attire. From elegant witches’ gowns adorned with intricate lace and velvet, to dapper warlock suits complete with top hats and canes, let your imagination run wild.
Meet and Support Michigan Pagan Charities
Be dazzled by the shining stars that are the volunteers who staff Pagans In Need food pantry, Wolf Run Wildlife Spiritual Sanctuary, and the Michigan Pagan Scholarship. Chat with these magical altruists adept at the conjuring of compassion.
Tickets and information about the Michigan Witches Ball are available on their website via Eventbrite
If you have an announcement to share with the community, send it to The Wild Hunt at pcn@wildhunt.org
Positively Noteworthy
Ospreys (Pandion haliaetus) are migratory birds of prey that breed in the Northern Hemisphere and migrate to warmer climates during the winter. In Ireland, they are considered rare visitors, mainly seen during their migration seasons. Some individuals might choose to stay in Ireland for a short time during their migration. Lough Derg, a large lake in the Shannon River Basin, has been a notable location for Osprey sightings in Ireland. Conservation efforts have also been made to support Ospreys in the country, including nest protection and monitoring programs.
As a migratory bird, ospreys haven’t bred in Ireland for over 200 years, that is until last week in County Fermanagh.
Gilles Knight, Environmental Farming Scheme Advisor with Ulster Wildlife, observed a breeding pair. Ulster Wildlife, a non-profit conservation organization based in Northern Ireland, wrote in a statement quoting Knight, “Along with my son Eoin, I have watched the adults return to the same site since 2021, so you can imagine my excitement the moment that I saw three chicks and two adults this year. It was a rub-your-eyes, once-in-a-lifetime moment; an absolute highlight of my 30-year wildlife career – like finding long-lost treasure.
An osprey guarding the nest in South Florida.Photo Credit: S. Ciotti]
“With at least two of the chicks fledging this season, this is a huge conservation success story and indicates a healthy wetland ecosystem with plenty of suitable habitat and fish to bring this apex predator back to our skies and plunging into the Fermanagh Lakelands. Truly the return of a living countryside!”
Dr Marc Ruddock from the Northern Ireland Raptor Study Group was delighted with this positive development.
“All the signs and sightings in recent years have been pointing towards this, but now actual breeding success has finally been confirmed – truly brilliant news!” he said.
Mr Knight added: “Now these birds are back in Ireland and breeding successfully, it is critical that they are left in peace so their numbers can continue to grow by returning year on year to breed. We believe and hope that this could be the start of a raptor dynasty.
“It has been both encouraging and heartwarming to see the landowner, the local farming community and our partners welcome the ospreys’ return. Their ongoing support will enable future generations to enjoy these magnificent birds far into the future.”
Tarot of the Week by Star Bustamonte
Deck: Tarot of Owls, by Pamela Chen, art by Elisabeth Alba, published by Llewellyn Publications.
Card: Major arcana XI (11) – Justice
This week there is likely to be an emphasis on balance and being on the right side of any given situation. The key to coming out on top is fairness and neutrality.
Conversely, attempting to achieve an equitable agreement without taking all perspectives into consideration is unlikely to succeed. Admitting mistakes and correcting course is more prone to produce the desired outcome.
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