General Star-Dispelling Prayer
The 15th of the 1st lunar month, or other days for receiving and seeing off stars during the year
Meaning
By folk belief, each person each year has a ruling star — some auspicious, some inauspicious. The star-dispelling rite is performed to dispel ill fortune and welcome blessings from the Star Deities (Tinh Quân).
Offering preparation
Set up a ritual altar in the yard. Prepare candles in numbers corresponding to each star, incense, flowers, betel and areca, and the star-name tablet written on paper of the matching elemental color.
Content
Namo Amitābha Buddha!
Namo Amitābha Buddha!
Namo Amitābha Buddha!
Today is the 15th of the 1st lunar month, year .................
The faithful (we) are: ..............................................
Residing at: …………………………………..
We sincerely invite:
The Sun Palace Heavenly Son Star Deity (Nhật Cung Thái Dương Thiên Tử Tinh Quân)
The Star Deities of the Southern Dipper and Northern Dipper
The Thái Bạch and Thi Tuế Star Deities
The Northern Pole Tử Vi Great Virtue Star Deity
The Văn Xương and Văn Khúc Star Deities
The Twenty-Eight Constellations and Five-Element Star Deities
The La Hầu and Kế Đô Star Deities
Descend before the altar and hear our humble petition:
On the 15th day of Nguyên Tiêu, by mortal custom the faithful sincerely prepares offerings: betel and areca, incense, flowers, tea, fruit; lights incense of devotion before the altar. We respectfully invite the venerable ones to come and partake, sheltering our whole family — that we always enjoy good health, peace in all things, all things going well, family harmony, the elders speaking and the young listening.
The heavenly lamps shine bright.
Illuminating the mortal world.
We ask the Star Deities.
To grant grace and blessing.
Though the offering is modest.
The heart's sincerity is great.
May our destiny be at peace.
May our bodies be in health.
Namo Amitābha Buddha!
Namo Amitābha Buddha!
Namo Amitābha Buddha!