How to Welcome God of Wealth on New Year's Eve

[myfs_154426]

Dear Master,
I'm planning to do the ceremony to welcome the God of Wealth for this coming Chinese New Year.
However, I'm clueless on how to go about it. Could you advise me on what to do - which direction and what offerings to make ?
Thanks in advance !
Regards,
MysticDragon

[Cecil Lee]

These are some considerations:

1. This area has more to do with a belief of sorts.

2. The key essence of this "exercise" is all about HOPE.

3. Frankly, drawing a parallel, I can think of Father Christmas. Many young children (Catholic/Christian) have been told that they should hang e.g. a stocking ...

4. And this brings much excitement especially on the EVE of Christmas. (Sounds familiar?)

5. Here, we are looking at the EVE of Chinese New Year.

5.1. And the equivalent of hanging e.g. a stocking with the hope of receiving a gift;

5.2. Some belief that on the EVE of Chinese New Year; and in 2013, one should place "something" at SE "to invite" the God of Wealth to "bless".

5.3. Thus, psychologically speaking, if you feel excited and happy to do so then, there are many, many, many ways of becoming happy:-

6. Some (Invite God of Wealth) by asking one to place a bowl or receptacle with items that range from e.g. a bowl of uncooked rice or a bowl with 3 I-ching coins or bottles of unused drinking water at South-East sector.

6.1. And most of the time: one is asked to place such an item at a certain timing e.g. usually 6 to 7 hours before mid-nite of the last day of the last lunar month which is the Eve of Chinese New Year.

6.2. Other methods include, placing a bowl of rice or rice with 5 coins (to represent North, South, East, West and Centre of the House).

7. Alternatively some advisers would ask you instead to place the bowl of "treasure" below your bed.

8. In fact, there are lots (really lots of advice = dime a dozen). Where some say that there are lots of Wealth God: some say: There is the god of wealth related to business (Quan Gong) and another for children's studies.

8.1 And some advisers say, it is not the eve of Chinese New Year but the 5th lunar day of Chinese New Year.

9. In addition, in the Chinese myth;there are actually more different types of God of Wealth.

10. Here, this is to give you a flavour that at least, I know of no less than or over at least 20 different practises.

11. I like to come back to this main essence : HOPE. Some humans depend more on "literal" hope. As in doing some or one of the above: perhaps to feel good afterwards.

12. Since there are so many different beliefs on how to invite the god of wealth... personally, having lived more than a decade on this earth, I have never ever done such things. And will always question the story about Father Christmas bringing real presents ......
12.1 Could I have done better IF I HAD invited the GOD of Wealth? I don't think so. But, again, hey! If it makes YOU feel good, what the heck! Follow SOME of the Jones. As only some Jones do it. Many others don't.

Quote

On 1/16/2013 12:00:38 PM, Anonymous wrote:
Dear Master,I'm planning to do
the ceremony to welcome the
God of Wealth for this coming
Chinese New Year.However, I'm
clueless on how to go about
it. Could you advise me
on what to do - which
direction and what offerings
to make ?Thanks in advance !
Regards,MysticDragon

[Cecil Lee]

One can say that inviting God of Wealth or Cai Shen Ye is equivalent of trying to bring HOPE and Blessings into one's home.
Here, if one where to slot this into one of the three holy trinity of luck: Heaven, Earth or Human (Man) Luck.
It will certainly fit more into the area of Human (Man) Luck factor(s). Especially of perhaps feeling good factor ....
Logically, what is the difference between say Christmas Blessings and God of Wealth Blessings.

Quote

On 1/17/2013 1:40:23 PM, Anonymous wrote:
These are some considerations:
1. This area has more to do
with a belief of sorts.
2. The key essence of this
"exercise" is all about HOPE.
3. Frankly, drawing a
parallel, I can think of
Father Christmas. Many young
children (Catholic/Christian)
have been told that they
should hang e.g. a stocking
...
4. And this brings much
excitement especially on the
EVE of Christmas. (Sounds
familiar?)
5. Here, we are looking at the
EVE of Chinese New Year.
5.1. And the equivalent of
hanging e.g. a stocking with
the hope of receiving a gift;
5.2. Some belief that on the
EVE of Chinese New Year; and
in 2013, one should place
"something" at SE "to invite"
the God of Wealth to "bless".
5.3. Thus, psychologically
speaking, if you feel excited
and happy to do so then, there
are many, many, many ways of
becoming happy:-
6. Some (Invite God of Wealth)
by asking one to place a bowl
or receptacle with items that
range from e.g. a bowl of
uncooked rice or a bowl with 3
I-ching coins or bottles of
unused drinking water at
South-East sector.
6.1. And most of the time: one
is asked to place such an item
at a certain timing e.g.
usually 6 to 7 hours before
mid-nite of the last day of
the last lunar month which is
the Eve of Chinese New Year.
6.2. Other methods include,
placing a bowl of rice or rice
with 5 coins (to represent
North, South, East, West and
Centre of the House).
7. Alternatively some advisers
would ask you instead to place
the bowl of "treasure" below
your bed.
8. In fact, there are lots
(really lots of advice = dime
a dozen). Where some say that
there are lots of Wealth God:
some say: There is the god of
wealth related to business
(Quan Gong) and another for
children's studies.
8.1 And some advisers say, it
is not the eve of Chinese New
Year but the 5th lunar day of
Chinese New Year.
9. In addition, in the Chinese
myth;there are actually
more different types of God of
Wealth.
10. Here, this is to give you
a flavour that at least, I
know of no less than or over
at least 20 different
practises.
11. I like to come back to
this main essence : HOPE. Some
humans depend more on
"literal" hope. As in doing
some or one of the above:
perhaps to feel good
afterwards.
12. Since there are so many different
beliefs on how to invite the god of
wealth... personally, having lived more
than a decade on this earth, I have
never ever done such things. And will
always question the story about Father
Christmas bringing real presents
......12.1 Could I have done better IF I
HAD invited the GOD of Wealth? I don't
think so. But, again, hey! If it makes
YOU feel good, what the heck! Follow
SOME of the Jones. As only some Jones do
it. Many others don't.On 1/16/2013
12:00:38 PM, Mystic Dragon wrote:
Dear Master,I'm planning to do
the ceremony to welcome the
God
of Wealth for this coming
Chinese
New Year.However, I'm
clueless on
how to go about
it. Could you
advise me
on what to do - which
direction and what offerings
to
make ?Thanks in advance !
Regards,MysticDragon

[Cecil Lee]

The only thing that is similar is that God of Wealth (Cai Shen Ye) is that he is suppose to arrive close to mid-nite.
On the safe side, one is told to give around 6 to 7 hours allowance. Thus, if one was told to place a bowl of e.g. rice or bottles of drinking water; one should do it 6 to 7 hours before mid-nite of either Chinese New Year's eve or on the eve of the 4th day of Chinese New Year.
So how come some say, there is one God of Wealth and it should be eve of Chinese New Year. While others say that there are lots of different Gods of Wealth. And some even say he comes on the 5th day of Chinese New Year!
Which is which? Why so confusing. Why so many practises which does not add up to each other?
Does it matter?
So long that it satisfies some person's HOPES and Aspirations and for some who see that they have been showered with BLESSINGS! Ain't this good enough for that person. Who knows no wiser!

[Cecil Lee]

1. By coincidence, this subject was just published, today:- http://www.tremeritus.com/2013/01/17/a-politically-motivated-education-system/

2. Although the actual subject matter is not exactly the same as this topic.

3. What it bears resemblance is that one can say that there might be I believe a modern motive for it.

4. In the past, correct me if I am wrong, some even said that Jesus is not actually born on 25 December or Christmas day. He is suppose to be born on another date.

5. As we all know, even in a tiny island like Singapore, almost every year; the Christmas spirit gets kinda earlier and earlier. In fact, in many Shopping malls, Christmas decorations come up as early as mid-October and early November.

6. What this tells us is that, today in modern times, I believe Christmas is highly commercialised. And one of the objectives is profit driven. Who cares if Santa is just a man, dressed in an oversized stuffed clothing with a false wig and hat... Who cares if Santa is not real. So long as "Santa" can drum up business for me this is fine.

7. Drawing a parallel to the Chinese "God of Wealth". Many who drum up the God of Wealth is into trying to make a buck or two. There are people selling posters, figurines and anything else in the name of the God of Wealth. Again, I believe the motive is commercial.

8. Is it true that when we hang a large red sock in our room or at the fire place, Santa will sure to find our house and deposit a gift?

9. Same here! For example in Singapore, just one estate: the recent By-Election: Punggol SMC has 30,000+ homes. How does the God of Wealth know which home has offered an offering to him?
9.1 Even if the God of Wealth multi-tasks; he may need lots of super computer to detect a few homes out of several millions that has placed an offering to him.
9.2 Look at it this way, more likely, few if ever placed an offering to him anyway. Does it also mean that if he visits a home expecting to find an offering but none provided? What do you think he will do? Get extremely angry with that household?
9.3. Furthermore, God of Wealth is suppose to originate from China. And some claim that they are pre-Tang dynasty individuals who were elevated to the title of God of Wealth.
9.4 And since Singapore is in the Far East, does it mean that every year, the God of Wealth would travel e.g. First Class on China airlines to Singapore and visit those homes that placed an offering to him.
10. What do you think?
11. Therefore, I personally feel that both Christmas and God of Wealth is highly commercialised, today. No joke!
12. Again, for those who want to believe; if it makes you happy and hopeful, go ahead... since it may be a positive thing for you.

Quote

On 1/17/2013 3:16:30 PM, Anonymous wrote:
The only thing that is similar
is that God of Wealth (Cai
Shen Ye) is that he is suppose
to arrive close to mid-nite.On
the safe side, one is told to
give around 6 to 7 hours
allowance. Thus, if one was
told to place a bowl of e.g.
rice or bottles of drinking
water; one should do it 6 to 7
hours before mid-nite of
either Chinese New Year's eve
or on the eve of the 4th day
of Chinese New Year.So how
come some say, there is one
God of Wealth and it should be
eve of Chinese New Year. While
others say that there are lots
of different Gods of Wealth.
And some even say he comes on
the 5th day of Chinese New
Year!Which is which? Why so
confusing. Why so many
practises which does not add
up to each other?Does it
matter? So long that it
satisfies some person's HOPES
and Aspirations and for some
who see that they have been
showered with BLESSINGS! Ain't
this good enough for that
person. Who knows no wiser!

[myfs_154426]

Dear Master,
Thanks for the advice !

Quote

On 1/17/2013 10:50:08 PM, Anonymous wrote:
1. By coincidence, this
subject was just published,
today:-
http://www.tremeritus.com/2013
/01/17/a-politically-motivated
-education-system/
2. Although the actual subject
matter is not exactly the same
as this topic.
3. What it bears resemblance
is that one can say that there
might be I believe a modern
motive for it.
4. In the past, correct me if
I am wrong, some even said
that Jesus is not actually
born on 25 December or
Christmas day. He is suppose
to be born on another date.
5. As we all know, even in a
tiny island like Singapore,
almost every year; the
Christmas spirit gets kinda
earlier and earlier. In fact,
in many Shopping malls,
Christmas decorations come up
as early as mid-October and
early November.
6. What this tells us is that,
today in modern times, I
believe Christmas is highly
commercialised. And one of the
objectives is profit driven.
Who cares if Santa is just a
man, dressed in an oversized
stuffed clothing with a false
wig and hat... Who cares if
Santa is not real. So long as
"Santa" can drum up business
for me this is fine.
7. Drawing a parallel to the
Chinese "God of Wealth". Many
who drum up the God of Wealth
is into trying to make a buck
or two. There are people
selling posters, figurines and
anything else in the name of
the God of Wealth. Again, I
believe the motive is
commercial.
8. Is it true that when we
hang a large red sock in our
room or at the fire place,
Santa will sure to find our
house and deposit a gift?
9. Same here! For example in Singapore,
just one estate: the recent By-Election:
Punggol SMC has 30,000+ homes. How
does the God of Wealth know which home
has offered an offering to him? 9.1 Even
if the God of Wealth multi-tasks; he may
need lots of super computer to detect a
few homes out of several millions that
has placed an offering to him. 9.2 Look
at it this way, more likely, few if ever
placed an offering to him anyway. Does
it also mean that if he visits a home
expecting to find an offering but none
provided? What do you think he will do?
Get extremely angry with that
household?9.3. Furthermore, God of
Wealth is suppose to originate from
China. And some claim that they are
pre-Tang dynasty individuals who were
elevated to the title of God of Wealth.
9.4 And since Singapore is in the Far
East, does it mean that every year, the
God of Wealth would travel e.g. First
Class on China airlines to Singapore and
visit those homes that placed an
offering to him. 10. What do you
think?11. Therefore, I personally feel
that both Christmas and God of Wealth is
highly commercialised, today. No
joke!12. Again, for those who want to
believe; if it makes you happy and
hopeful, go ahead... since it may be a
positive thing for you.On 1/17/2013
3:16:30 PM, Cecil Lee wrote:
The
only thing that is similar
is that
God of Wealth (Cai
Shen Ye) is that
he is suppose
to arrive close to
mid-nite.On
the safe side, one is
told to
give around 6 to 7 hours
allowance. Thus, if one was
told
to place a bowl of e.g.
rice or
bottles of drinking
water; one
should do it 6 to 7
hours before
mid-nite of
either Chinese New
Year's eve
or on the eve of the 4th
day
of Chinese New Year.So how
come some say, there is one
God
of Wealth and it should be
eve of
Chinese New Year. While
others say
that there are lots
of different
Gods of Wealth.
And some even say he
comes on
the 5th day of Chinese New
Year!Which is which? Why so
confusing. Why so many
practises
which does not add
up to each
other?Does it
matter? So long that
it
satisfies some person's HOPES
and Aspirations and for some
who
see that they have been
showered
with BLESSINGS! Ain't
this good
enough for that
person. Who knows no
wiser!

[Cecil Lee]

Previously wrote: "6.2. Other methods include, placing a bowl of rice or rice with 5 coins (to represent North, South, East, West and Centre of the House)."

Case Study: The Five (5) ghosts can also refer to the Five (5) spirits that some Chinese consider in each home:-

1. Spirit of the North,
2. Spirit of the South,
3. Spirit of the East,
4. Spirit of the West,
5. Spirit of the Centre of the home.
= Total of Five (5) good spirits.

Under this definition, these spirits are considered good spirits. 
 

And not associated with real ghosts: where in real life, there can be a mixture of both good and BAD (evil) Ghosts! 
 

If one sees clearly, these spirits in my illustration each holds a heart . LOL

This is why we often see five type of fruits and often five oranges, five applies, five tea cups displayed to make these 5 spirits, happy!

Note: Above is simply an illustration without really associating with the exact magnetic compass readings! It's the symbolism that is important, here.

Related link:-

https://www.geomancy.net/forums/topic/3131-what-is-the-five-ghosts/?tab=comments#comment-6743

[Cecil Lee]

Related resource:

https://www.geomancy.net/forums/topic/17659-when-do-i-start-work-on-chinese-new-year-cny-2020-when-you-open-what-is-2020s-rat-year-forecast-like/

[Cecil Lee]

Hope can be considered as some kind of "fix" or medicine!

Hope sees many clinging to it. And often, it is the cause of less suicides... LOL

 

[Cecil Lee]

An interesting interpretation of placing a wealth bowl at a wealth sector

 

In Summary
 

1. This area is closely linked to a specific set of beliefs or factors related to human luck or fortune.

Related: What is Human or Man Luck?

 

2. The fundamental purpose of this "activity" revolves around OPTIMISM.

3. To be honest, when I draw a comparison, I can think of Santa Claus. Many young children (Catholic/Christian) have been instructed to hang, for example, a stocking ...

4. And this generates a great deal of excitement, particularly on the NIGHT before Christmas. (Sound familiar?)

5. Here, we are focusing on the NIGHT before Chinese New Year.

5.1. And the equivalent of hanging, for example, a stocking with the hope of receiving a gift;

5.2. Some belief that on the NIGHT before Chinese New Year; and in 2013, one should place "something" at SE "to invite" the God of Wealth to "bless".

5.3. Therefore, from a psychological perspective, if you feel excited and happy to do so, then there are many, many, many ways of becoming happy: -

6. Some (Invite God of Wealth) by instructing one to place a bowl or receptacle with items that range from, for example, a bowl of uncooked rice or a bowl with 3 I-ching coins or bottles of unused drinking water at South-East sector.

6.1. And most of the time: one is asked to place such an item at a certain timing, for example, usually 6 to 7 hours before midnight of the last day of the last lunar month which is the Night of Chinese New Year.

6.2. Other methods include, placing a bowl of rice or rice with 5 coins (to represent North, South, East, West and Centre of the House).

7. Alternatively, some advisors would instruct you instead to place the bowl of "treasure" under your bed.

8. In fact, there are numerous (really numerous pieces of advice = dime a dozen). Where some say that there are numerous Wealth Gods: some say: There is the god of wealth related to business (Quan Gong) and another for children's studies.

8.1 And some advisors say, it is not the night of Chinese New Year but the 5th lunar day of Chinese New Year.

9. Additionally, in Chinese mythology, there are actually various types of God of Wealth.

10. Here, this is to give you an idea that at least, I am aware of no less than or over at least 20 different practices.