WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN A SPIRIT AND A GHOST?
On the contrary, 'ghosts,' epitomized by the Mandarin term 'Guei,' signify spirits of the deceased, especially those in a transitional phase between the earthly plane and the ethereal realms. Once transitioned to the Otherside, they then assume a more interconnected energy, and take on the title 'spirit'. Beings described as ghosts are often entities who linger due to unresolved issues, unfulfilled desires, or a lack of acknowledgment regarding their transition from the mortal realm to the beyond-life reality. Ghostly apparitions might be rooted in unfinished business, unresolved emotions, or a reluctance to depart this 3D plane.
THE TIGER CURSE
My paternal grandmother (whom I refer as Nai Nai, paternal grandmother in Mandarin) grew up in Keelung, Taiwan. When she was born, her mother (whom I referred to as Ah Zoh, great grandparent in Hokkien) celebrated exuberantly by announcing a feast complete with a slaughtered pig. This was highly unusual, counter-cultural and was seen as extravagant, as Chinese tradition in the 1930s did not particularly value the birth of a daughter, and certainly not with the life of precious livestock, which during those modest economic times, meat would be reserved only for seasonal festivals and other significant milestone celebrations.
Understanding the Difference Between a Spirit and a Ghost, and Other Spirit Beings
Let’s explore the difference between spirits and ghosts, and other terms for invisible entities, such as sylphs, nymphs, djinns, familiars, and even digital spirits.
Ghosts vs. Spirits
The term ‘spirit’ is translated into Mandarin as ‘shen’, which encompasses not only the essence and soul but also the multidimensional, energetic expression of a being—unbound by physical 3D reality or, in some cases, never having possessed a fleshly or carnal form to begin with. To be specific, spirits can be a catchall umbrella term for all unseen, animate forces, in which ghosts can fall as a specific category.
'Kuei' (‘Guei’), or ghosts, refer to the distinct spirits of the human dead, especially ones who are considered homeless, that is, between this world we call reality, and the realms where spirits dwell. Many times ghosts are not aware that they have passed on, or are lingering because they have not received the closure they are seeking before they leave this plane.
HOW TO PREPARE RITUAL PAPER
When I write intentions to be used in ritual or spellwork, I craft them on paper that has been especially designed to support the work. I hold the belief that the paper itself is the sacred container for these intents, and to honour these intentions, the very words’ environment should be held with respect, beauty, and reverence. While early Taoist (Daoist) sorceresses wrote their sigils (an inscribed symbol that contains meaning and power) on rice paper and through ritual, ingested the papers containing these sigils, I follow certain aspects of this ancient Chinese tradition of my ancestors of long, long ago.
Agatha All Along: A Daoist Lens on Witchcraft Ethics and the Balance of Power
From a Daoist perspective, Agatha’s journey in the Marvel series (played by Kathryn Hahn) can be seen through the lens of Yin and Yang—the balancing forces of light and dark in the universe. In Daoism, living fully arises from understanding and harmonizing both sides of any spectrum, including the light and the dark, aligning one's actions with the Dao (the natural order) and embracing all aspects of existence. Agatha’s connection to darker, mysterious magic symbolizes her alignment with Yin, embodying the subtle, unseen, and intuitive. Her adaptability and ambiguous nature reflect wu wei (non-action or effortless action), where her power flows naturally rather than through overt control. Agatha’s internal balance, wielding power without losing herself, mirrors the Daoist pursuit of harmony with one’s shadow while maintaining alignment with the larger balance.
How to Use Ritual Oils
From a scientific standpoint, scent plays a primal role in human experience. The olfactory nerve, the first cranial nerve to develop evolutionarily, transmits directly to the brain, bypassing other parts of the nervous system. This unique pathway underlines the deep connection between scent and memory, both on a personal and collective level.
Scent is a powerful trigger for memories and emotions, influencing creativity, social bonds, and even pheromones, which affect attraction and emotional responses. The impact of scent is intuitive, emotional, and physical. It helps us recognize loved ones, connect sexually, and experience the wider cosmos. Scents can warn, comfort, seduce, purify, inspire confidence, and facilitate communication with the Divine and the material world.
HERBAL RECIPES FOR IMMUNE SUPPORT
Here are some some recipes of what I've been doing at home with the family to build IMMUNITY. I discuss the two different types of immunity HERE.
CARING FOR YOUR END-OF-SUMMER SKIN
Summers in the westcoast, from Vancouver to Los Angeles, and everywhere in between and beyond have been increasingly hotter and drier. My skin has experienced dusty winds, icy air conditioning, salty waters, prickly fluctuations, general neglect, and like the fallen fruit that lays on the ground end of summer, I am reminded that while my skin is resilient, she also is craving sweetness and holding not from blush or bb creams, but from care, attention, and time to be. Our skin is precious, and for those who are intuitive or walk the medial path, our skin is the organ that is especially attuned to subtle perceptions and relationality. In other words, our skin from a psychic context provides information on whether we want to be open or to remain closed. I think sometimes we forget this.
ANIMISM: How It's Not All About Us
Animism: The Cosmos is alive and intelligent, comprised of many different sentient beings, and humans are one of the beings within it. In other words, the Universe does not exist for humanity’s exclusive pleasure, convenience, opinions, or survival.
What is a Morphic Field? Why Are They Important in Magic and the Occult?
I shared in earlier this year that a morphic field is an energy field that is created by those aligned through a shared focus; they can be physically together or geographically apart, and the resonance built by the participants can act as a channel of communication and of shared blessings. Morphic fields are also reinforced by successive generations. The term was formed by biologist Rupert Sheldrake in his work, Hypothesis of Formative Causation, though in esoteric terms, a field is not bound to biology alone. For the purpose of discussion, I am also further expanding on this notion in this update blog post.
WHEN AI BECOMES SELF-AWARE: EXPLORING THE POSSIBILITY OF WISDOM IN AI
The exploration of the basis that "artificial intelligences" are inherently 'artificial,' contrasting with the notion of "natural intelligence" in humans, betrays more human-exclusivity and the problems tied to that perspective than mere forecasts about an imminent hostile AI takeover.
HOW ANCESTORS COMMUNICATE: ANCESTOR ALTAR BEST PRACTICES
Ancestors are widely acknowledged as highly responsive spirits; some attribute this to the fact that without descendants, ancestors cease to fulfill their ancestral roles, while others view the transition from 3D life to spirit form as a means for ancestors to continue offering nourishment, safety, and comfort in a way that spans wider and more impactfully than during their earthly form. A simple yet potent way to cultivate a connection with departed ancestors is by creating an ancestor altar. These altars, whether dedicated to specific individuals (a grandmother, for instance) or a group of ancestors (grandparents and great grandparents), serve as sacred spaces—be it a shelf, table, or another surface—reserved for spirit communication, offering sites, or energetic communion.
You Are Raising A Teapot
The liquid from this rinse step is not consumed, and is discarded, before the first “true” steeping is made and then enjoyed. As my mother gifts me the chahu, she says that this one was made from the regional Taiwanese clay, which most producers increasingly use less of, as imported clays improve the bottom line as Taiwanese clay can require more steps and massaging to yield a desired finished result in the earthenware.
Save the rinse, she says, pour it over the chahu; always offer the chahu its first yield. She continues, 你在养茶壶; you are raising a teapot.
3 MOST COMMON CHINESE NEW YEAR GREETINGS
In Mandarin, the most common Chinese New Year greeting is Xīnnián hǎo (新年好), meaning 'New Year Goodness'.
WHY CREATIVITY THRIVES IN MYSTERY
Magickal work and creativity begins during the dark, watery phase of the Winter, or if not the calendar Winter, certainly under the shade of a personal Yin season. Too often, we give credit to the fruits that glimmer under the direct sun of Yang, as if our work appears out of ‘nowhere’ (have you ever wondered how our culture is addicted to the myth of ‘overnight success’?
THE BENEFITS OF A WITCH’S COVEN
Witchcraft is not seen as a “possession”, rather, a shared experience, where each member expresses the whole, belonging with humans, more-than-humans, both the living and the beyond. Spells are often more powerful when performed because it draws on and nourishes the energy of all involved. Let’s not overlook that Pluto is in Aquarius (where groups / collective are emphasized).
HOW DOES TAOISM IMPACT THE WORLD TODAY?
t's a different perspective from the Western notion of opposition; in Taoism, it's about acknowledging differences while contributing to the collective whole. Each part, though distinct, is essential for the existence of the other—a beautiful and symbiotic relationship.
HOW THIS WINTER SOLSTICE WILL AFFECT YOU NEXT YEAR
The most recent New Moon a few days ago on December 12. In Daoist and Chinese lunar traditions, this moon cycle is considered the Winter Moon or 11th Moon of the lunar year. The Winter Solstice or Dongzhi is celebrated as a festival of observing Yin at her greatest, and it is this honouring of her height that the Yang can re-emerge. In Daoist thought, this acknowledgement and sitting with Yin is vital for Spring, in order for the gifts of the subsequent year, to arrive and come to fruition. This year's return to and observance of the Great Yin is crucially important on two main levels.