NEWS ARTICLE ABOUT TAI SUI

The Planet Jupiter or the Grand Duke Jupiter is worshipped by the Taoists as the deity for the year. To the Taoists, there are altogether 60 generals who are regarded as Tai Suis. They take turns over a sixty-year cycle to take charge of a certain year.

Below is a news article that I got from the Sunday Star newspaper on this Taoist Deity.

Festive offerings: Chew showing the paper cuttings and effigies for the Chinese New Year ‘change of luck’ rituals.

Time to seek Grand Duke’s protection
By FOONG THIM LENG

newsdesk@thestar.com.my

BATU GAJAH: The dawning of the lunar new year means that believers will once again seek protection from a deity known as the Grand Duke of Jupiter to ensure a good year ahead.

Caretaker of the century-old Kuan Tai Temple here, Chew Lam Sen, said it was common for people to request protection from the Grand Duke and to minimise bad luck.

Those who had previously sought protection would also have to show gratitude by making offerings to thank the Grand Duke, he said.

Another common ritual, he said, was the offerings of prayers to acquire good luck in the new year.

“Those who wish to go through the ritual has to be in the temple on certain days deemed good days according to the Chinese almanac,” said Chew, 70.

“However, we can use a paper effigy to represent them if they are unable to turn up in person.
“All that needs to be done is to write the person’s name at the back of a paper cutting and we will perform the change of luck ritual for them,” he said.

He said those born in the year of the Tiger, Monkey, Boar and Snake were deemed to have offended Tai Sui and should make offerings to him in the new year.

Those born in the year of the Horse and Dog would have to appease the “five ghosts”, he said, adding that those born in the year of the Tiger and Monkey would have to make offerings to the “sky dog”.

Chew said it was advisable for those whose age ended in the digits of three, six or nine this year to undergo the ritual to prevent negative incidents.

source: http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2010/1/31/nation/5585712&sec=nation