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SINGAPORE – Tan, an accountant, was at a loss after she was fired along with all her colleagues in the department in late July as her company had embarked on cost-cutting measures amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
The 49-year-old mother of two, who declined to reveal her full name, had worked at her company for more than a decade. After his dismissal, Tan applied for several jobs, but to no avail. Desperate for a change of fortune, she spoke to her husband, who advised her to seek help from an unlikely source.
Tan hired the services of “Ghostbuster: Fengshui Masters & Exorcists”, a company that offers a range of Taoist services and products such as 八字 (“Ba Zi” or four pillars of destiny) consultation, geomancy, rituals to “improve” luck and “Wish-granting charms.” These can range from as little as $ 80 to thousands of dollars.
“It’s okay to try … as long as it works for me,” joked Tan, who is a Buddhist. In about a week, she received multiple calls from her job search efforts and then managed to land a job as an accountant again.
Due to his “success”, he recommended the services of Ghostbuster to a friend, who was also recently fired.
Business has been dynamic for the company with the pandemic having an “impact,” a Ghostbuster spokesperson said.
More clients, mostly 40 and older like Tan, have sought help to improve their lot and pray for job security during the pandemic, the spokesperson said. He estimated that the company is experiencing an increase of up to 20 percent in these types of requests.
But when customers ask for protection against COVID-19 or pray for good health, the company will emphasize “the clear distinction between disease and spiritual obstruction.” For such requests, I would advise clients that health-related matters should be best left to physicians and other health professionals.
Ghostbusters master Chew Teck Fatt, 45, said that more and more clients are turning to Taoist rituals to cope with the challenges of the pandemic.
“I believe that in such difficult times, religion can serve as a pillar of strength and support as we all seek to discover and realize our competitive advantage in an ever-changing world,” said Master Chew.
His father, Grandmaster Chew Hon Chin, opened “Ghostbuster: Fengshui Masters & Exorcists” in Katong Mall 16 years ago.
In October, the Chews opened a “subsidiary store” on the second floor of the mall, just above the original company space.
The 300-square-foot tent, adorned with 14 yellow flags flanking each side representing 28 constellations in the sky, is dedicated to performing a Taoist benediction ritual of worshiping the stars of the dipper called “Bai Dou” (拜 斗).
During the 30-minute ritual, a six-sided container, containing the client’s name and birth chart, is blessed by the masters who burn a paper with the client’s written requests in an incense urn.
Devotees shell out hundreds to thousands of dollars for the service, depending on the type of blessings requested, such as enhancing wealth, health, or relationship.
Bai Dou can only be performed on auspicious dates with an average service frequency of eight times a week.
The spokesperson said the company is fully booked for the rituals until the end of this year.
Siow, who only wants to be known by her last name, one of Ghostbuster’s longtime clients, had participated in one of those rituals.
The 32-year-old insurance manager said: “Every time we do something, things get better. Knowing that the economy this year is not that good, I definitely want things to improve. ”He revealed that he has spent less than $ 5,000 on the service.
Feng, who also went for a “Bai Dou” blessing, said that his friends recommended him to Ghostbuster services about a year ago.
The 45-year-old retail supervisor, who declined to give his full name, said he first consulted Ghostbusters after losing a job in the food and beverage industry after the Chinese New Year. According to Feng, he got his current job within a month from the date of the consultation.
“I am open to everything, to anything that works or helps,” said the freethinker.
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