August’s Full moon lunation goes by many names*, depending on your domicile and cultural preference. Named the Sturgeon Moon by Indigenous communities while Chinese folk refer to this lunation as Harvest moon. The calendar month is Skills or Osmanthus (flowers associated with Autumn). You’ll also hear lots of Lunar Eclipse chatter, not visible in Australia but on 28 Aug Luna is technically fullest at 2.18pm in Sydney*(more Full moon times below). Eclipse aside, it’s no ordinary Full Moon.
HUNGRY GHOST FESTIVAL
Chinese folks place great significance on August’s Full moon. It’s one of three ghost festivals in the Chinese calendar. On the first day of the seventh lunar month (13 Aug 2026), the Ghost Gate was opened. It’s believed ancestors and loved ones return home to reunite with their families to monitor their good deeds during the entire seventh lunar month. In Chinese culture, festivals that fall on 15th day of a Lunar month, ensures Luna will be Full. August 28, the night of the Hungry Ghost Festival (Zhongyuan Festival) when the Gate of Hell close; some says the Hell Gates are closed at end of the lunar month (10 Sept. 2026).
On the 15th day of seventh month folks make offerings — burning paper money and floating river lanterns for deceased family members. Other sacrifices and veneration to ancestors involves praying for good harvest and benefic weather. Like many festivals the world over, the true meaning has been lost to commercialism - such as Celtic Halloween another traditional festival of the dead. Hungry Ghost Month as it’s sometimes called is ‘Ubon Festival’ to Taoists. Ancient Chinese also believed natural and man-made disasters frequently occurs in the seventh Lunar Month.
Church gates, Lowgill by David Brown
According to Dr. Ong Seng Huat, chief executive director of Xiao En Cultural Foundation - the term ‘Hungry Ghost’ was coined by the English. The festival essence signals a time for family to reunite and to remember the deceased.
A time of reflection. The seasonal shift into Autumn, aligns with the West direction on the Chinese Lopan - which correlates with ancients philosophy that the sun sets in the West, symbolizing death. The number seven #7 also holds significance as the number of Resurrection. In times past the drop in temps with the passage of seasons often resulted in death of the elderly and those of a weaker constitution. Like any culture, loss of life tragically is regrettable and the ancients believed their ancestors needed prayers and ritual to give them a fitting send off. Joss sticks were burned but unlike today’s commercial renditions, the originals contained herbal blends known only to the village shamans and herbalists - to deter the spread of disease, among other things.
CULTURAL CUSTOMS
The story goes in modern Chinese Folklore that spirits get a "summer vacation" from the Otherworld, returning to the mortal world causing mischief, enjoying feasts including performing in the Chinese opera! Chinese folk are uber respectful of spirits and ghosts and conduct their daily activities with extra caution.
Long story short — staying away from risks and supernatural antics especially children, seniors, weak or sensitive folk are particularly susceptible to encounter evil spirits and should avoid night excursions in the night of Ghost Festival.
Any nocturnal pursuits, be it taking a tour or late night transport, walking alone somewhere less populated, even staying up late or talking of Ghosts at night, especially if your Ba Zi is weak, leaves you vulnerable to spirit encounters. Moving into new homes is another no-no; otherwise evil spirits follow you to your new abode. And addressing folk by their name is also avoided; instead adopt a call sign. For it’s said ghosts may take three souls and the sixth sense of the person you call by name! Nor, do folk wear anything with their name inscribed. Also, no matter the month but especially in the seventh lunar month; a Banyan tree, by your entrance is a favoured spirits meeting point. Banyan trees are parasitic; starting life as a seed on another tree, growing as a vine dependent on the tree for support— eventually strangles its host tree, consuming its structure.
Chinese folk are devout and take burial very seriously, people who pass over during Ghost Month sometimes have their funeral delayed till the end of Ghost month. Ancestors are welcomed with bonfire offerings and recitations of Buddhist scripture at their ancestral shrine. While veneration of the dead involves placated spirits with prayers, offerings of chicken, pork, rice spirits, wine, banquets and kowtows (kneeling and bowing to ground with forehead). A grand scale sacrifice ceremony may involve offering a meal, while the simpler offerings of fruits and desserts are just as acceptable. Food sacrifice quells troubles if spirits accept your food offerings. Take note - eating any sacrifices; is just as taboo and invites ill luck. Tall 2.5-meter candles/Joss sticks are lit to honor the dead - the pair of the digits, two and five are significant in Feng Shui also as when these digits combine on a floorplan, they often indicate an area within the home where spirits can linger - the pairing also signifies death. Paper flags are also hung over doorways to keep out the hungry ghosts.
Joss sticks by jose pereira CC BY-ND 2.0
Burning Incense stick by Antono CC by SA 4.0
Small fires and incense are burnt with the Chinese ‘like for like’ philosophy unfolding in the burning of paper objects - such as televisions, Rolex’s, cell phones, expensive cars and ‘hell money’ to appease the ghosts and encourage them to bring about good fortune. Such rituals take place at the graves of ancestors or at altars of the dead within the deceased’s home.
Depending on the circumstance, monks and Taoist priests also conduct special rituals to placate ‘hungry ghosts’. Veneration of Lao Tzu’s teaching on morality are sometimes takes on an Atonement nature. Ubon Festival is both veneration of Deities and advocates for good deeds to overcome sins of ancestors. The seventh lunar month is considered auspicious to increase ones wealth opportunities. Traditionally Taoist’s commemorate the Earthly Official called Dia Gan Da Di aka the governor of Earthy wealth and indirect wealth (windfalls) under this specific lunation — as the lunation suggests, it’s akin to harvesting or reaping rewards.
7th lunar month - lotus month & kingfisher via Rijksmuseum.
ASTROLOGICAL MAGICK
This Full moon is also a lunar eclipse in the western astrological system, occuring in the zodiacal sign of Pisces; oft referred to as a compassionate and empathic zodiacal sign.
Be it Grain moon or Dog Moon, all point to a harvesting time of year. Wicca folk refer to this moon as ‘Red Wyrt’, as healing plants were once called Worts, or Wyrts and a ‘Wyrtyard’ is a herbal garden - Old English terms rooted in Anglo-Saxon ancestry. Traditionally herbs are harvested with respect to the movements of the sun and the moon which ensured the potency of herbal medicine.
Astrological plants with links to the sign of Pisces are ferns, seaweed, lotus and other water loving specimens. Ferns were used in Irish cleansing ceremonies. While Lotus is deeply spiritual and ties in nicely with the seventh Lunar month known as Orchid, Osmanthus or Skills Month to the Ancient Chinese. A seasonal reference as orchids are lush and in abundance in the N. Hemi. In traditional paintings the pairing of a bird and plant can also reference a lunar month - this month features a Lotus and Kingfisher. Talismanic makers will note Pisces aligned crystals are Deep amethyst and blue topaz.
S.H readers will feel more akin to Spring time when the Storm, Ice or Hunger moon would occur.
RITUALS + ANCESTRAL WORSHIP
*As Astro Magicians will know Eclipses are not the best time to preform rituals.
This year Hungry Ghost preceding opens and closes on an Eclipse. A ritual can be as simple as lighting a candle or much more elaborate. Normally working with the full moon gravitational energies as it wanes in the night sky is considered a great time to remove, clear and cleanse. Meaning it’s typically a good time to get rid of things that are no longer useful, things that have served their purpose. Typically deemed ideal for banishing. As the moonbeams diminish from the night skies over the following two weeks so too will the sentiment you have focused your intention around and remove or draw out the negative aspect.
If you’ve an ancestral altar at home and neglected to maintain a regular offering practice for your ancestors, then generally this full moon is an opportune time to restore the practice. Be sure to clean and cleanse the space when renewing the practice. Chinese folk believe the Gates of Hell are flung open to let the tormented souls out to roam the Earth, and close on this full moon returning to the Other-world. So be sure to shield and call upon your chosen ancestor and not that of a malefic spirit. In feng shui, an altar position is specific so if you have had a consult, your energetic floorplan will highlight the best position for solemn veneration.
And keep your eye peeled. Should a green grasshopper fly into your home: it’s thought to represent the returning soul of a loved one.
FULL MOON TIMES
FULL MOON 4 Pisces
Sydney :: 28 Aug @2:18pm
Dublin :: 28 Aug @12:18am
New York :: 28 Aug @5:18am
Happy Seventh lunar moon, wherever you’re domicile.
“Living eye to eye with Ancient wisdom ”
— FENG SHUi iSM
Disclaimer — This post content is for informational and educational purposes only, not professional advice, and may not be a substitute for professional guidance.
