I hope this helps, and thank you guys for asking these questions! Educating ourselves on their lifestyles will benefit us far more than setting up unnecessary altar space. Ancestor work is a way of working with those who came before you. A key aspect of honoring the dead is realizing that without our ancestors, we wouldnt be here. Be creative, make it fun. My example altar is just the things I want to include in mine. On the subject of earworms Ill say the way it appears my ancestors wish to speak to me is through phantom scents. First of all, it is soooo important when doing this work that you connect to yourself and your guides. Makes your melee attacks have a chance to deal extra Physical damage. Talk about folk medicine. Digital products deliver immediately via email. If they would have guilt-tripped you and caused drama in life maybe they dont deserve a place on your altar. The difference between using a shrine for your ancestors and the altar is that magickal workings are done at the altar. Fang Adornments. It is usually built in a higher place, such as a table or a fireplace. Say a prayer out loud to them. When you invite your ancestors to engage, you can source from their wisdom and experience. It's always nice to have a support . I need to know. When the cleansing process is completed, you are ready to construct your altar. Perhaps you will live your life feeling lost from time to time, but dont worry. The entire world opens up as a living and active participant in your life and the way that you can develop an understanding of the land, the mountains, the oceans, the rivers as well as all things wed usually have known as alive being active and part of a reality that is incarnate and can engage with you and guide you with greater certainty to your destiny is hugely empowering and tremendously good for the whole world, all its inhabitants seen and unseen and even the wider universe that we may otherwise not have considered important to our spiritual lives and practise. Alternatively, you may choose to create a permanent ancestor altar if you plan to work with your ancestors more frequently. After all, you dont want your ancestors to gather around a dirty table. Even today, people should not forget this long-standing custom. An enjoyable soul exchange should take place in an atmosphere of solidity and comfort, and the life energy provided by food can also satisfy this. Select page content in the Theme Settings / Checkout Popup / Agreement checkbox popup page, Self Love Ritual Inspired by Oshun (OSHUNITA ritual STEP-BY-STEP), Offerings for an Ancestor Altar (Beginner & Advanced Friendly! Sometimes your ancestors just want to hear their favorite tunes in your house. You can offer food, fruit, and flowers to your ancestors. This is where you have to use your own creativity and mind. Privacy Policy(function (w,d) {var loader = function () {var s = d.createElement("script"), tag = d.getElementsByTagName("script")[0]; s.src="https://cdn.iubenda.com/iubenda.js"; tag.parentNode.insertBefore(s,tag);}; if(w.addEventListener){w.addEventListener("load", loader, false);}else if(w.attachEvent){w.attachEvent("onload", loader);}else{w.onload = loader;}})(window, document); Designed by Elegant Themes | Powered by WordPress, Ancestor Altars: How to Connect with Your Ancestors, Wards: How to magickally protect your Home, Samhain: How to Celebrate the Sabbat & Halloween, Mabon: How to Celebrate the Autumn Equinox, Twinzlife | witchcraft 101 | Cast a Circle Tutorial, The Easy Guide to Casting a Magick Circle. My advice is to start with what you have and build from there. The more you learn about ancient times, the . I feel so relived to know that I was hearing them after reading this. As you set up this simple altar, ask her to send you things that would represent her as she would like you to know her. You mentioned that your altar should be in a room separate from you. They can also be hung directly on the wall if your altar is against a wall. Its been kind of tough to put it all together of what they would like but its getting easier the more and more I work with my altar. Some of these items may cause you to actively sit with your ancestor altar, or tend to the items on a daily basis to ensure items do not spoil. Or is this your first ancestor altar? In certain traditions and religions like Wicca, there may be a set pattern to follow; however, if youre solitary and doing this on your own set it up how you like! Set up an ancestor altar, offer some tributes, ask them questions with a devout heart, connect with your ancestors and ask for their help. But my grandma did more than that, she outlined a huge part of our family tree on Ancestry. From ways the dead were buried to views of the . Ancestors were already living with the land and getting the resources to survive from it when they came to this planet first. Congratulations! To be Heathen is to be an animist, meaning that in addition to worshipping the Gods and Goddesses, we also honor our deceased ancestors as well as the land wights. Try to set up the site of the ancestors altar the day before the festival. ), A drawing of your family tree(this is a great idea you can use with the activity I discuss later when learning more about your ancestors.). The Clan of Tara: Ancient Ancestry and Mitochondrial DNA, Bastet Altar: How to Set Up An Altar for the Egyptian Cat Goddess. An ancestor altar is where we can remember where we came from and connect with the generations to come. Do they remember their parents working with the Bible that way? Spirits burdened by their past deeds on earth cannot be punished indefinitely. To begin calling in your ancestors you'll want to consider doing so in the efforts of building an altar, prayer or ritual work. 48 Park Avenue, East 21st Street, Apt. If you have trouble connecting with their ancestors due to adoption, divorce, family feuds, or other reasons, dont give up! How do they pray with Bible verses? This article was so extremely helpful, thank you so much!! For a more structured education, you might want to apply for miss cat yronwodes Hoodoo Rootwork Correspondence course, based on her own experience and learning from hoodoo practitioners over a period of fifty years (she started very young at fourteen!). this,i am adopted and I was just telling When you get home, put the graveyard dirt into an attractive, appropriately sized container. Dont let them guilt-trip you just because theyve passed. It's close enough, and the spirit may guide you there. The bowls and plates at my ancestor altar are all from my grandma actually! And a photo of the ancestor you want to connect with is a good choice. I am adopted, it was a closed adoption with no records of my family. (Read more about working with Blackhawkat the Independent Association of Readers and Rootworkers.). A plant that represents your family tree/the world tree. For example, Ching Ming Festival in China, bon festival in Japan, Pitru Paksha in India, All Saints Day in Europe, Day of the Dead in Mexico. There are different methods of cleansing your altar, including smoke-cleansing, asperging, or simply wiping the surface and tools with a cloth. When you first set up your ancestor altar, focus on the energy you put into it. This may be a crazy question. Last, the most important thing is a devotional heart, and even the most elaborate rituals are in vain without a devout soul! Take a toothpick and think about your ancestors and what you want to clean or heal, then with your breath blow on the toothpick all that information, three times, hand it over there. how to know if your ancestor altar is working. Cleansing Your Ancestors. I have a question, though. Different countries have their ancestor festivals. Do not consume or keep food on the altar. Your ancestors surround the altar you have built, and you want them to be part of your daily life. Plates, bowls, and cups for offerings and libations. Learn how to set up your ancestor altar here with our step-by-step process. Can these altars be together? Clean up any burned-out candles and incense. I want to be remembered. I take everything off, dust the altar and my supplies, then cleanse using smoke or blessed water/spray. Work With Your Altar. Don't leave any dirt on the altar. You can get a basic ancestor altar by completing the following elements. For todays post, I wanted to focus on establishing an ancestor altar and what Ive learned so far. Hi Miss Michaele, is there any way that I can speak with you?? So the above is all about the altar of our ancestors. Choose the table, mantle, dresser, etc. If so, may I place my ancestor photos on the altar with Oshun? If you use it for meditation then you will spend time at your altar meditating. Its so incredibly timely. I also like to add seasonal decor: eggs and bunnies for Spring, flowers for Summer, sunflowers and pumpkins for Fall, and Christmas decor for Winter. If this feels like too much of a time commitment, you can simply take some . Petrified Wood. Let your altar be a place that inspires you. But remember to put it in a place where it can be undisturbed anyway because then the spirits of your ancestors can gather there undisturbed. It's officially Samhain, and if you haven't already, now is the perfect time to set up an ancestor altar. Or, you can go as elaborate as you like with an entire room dedicated to your altar. You can see candles in almost any ritual setting. Keep in mind you can make this as elaborate or understated as you like or need given your current situation. This is an excellent stone to use to connect with your ancient ancestors and their wisdom. Let me know in the comments below. Choose whatever resonates with you and fits the space you are setting up. It has been practiced throughout almost the entire history of humankind. You know that if you want to pay homage to your ancestors, you must have a medium to communicate with them. Creating an Ancestral Altar Whenever you want to engage with something on a spiritual level -- whether that is a god, or a concept like love or abundance -- it helps to create an altar. But you can also just speak to them at the ancestor altar; aloud or in your head. If youre new to setting up an ancestral shrine, keep it simple when setting up your shrine. If, however, you arent part of a specific tradition or want an easy way to do it, you can follow this simple method. The importance of ancestor altars for this work cant be stressed enough. This is the first altar that I would encourage people new to ritual to begin to work with because its just so incredibly vast and integral to the person you are yet in being as such also often taken for granted to the degree that ones Ancestors are not in the picture at all for many who may even have very active spiritual lives and elaborate practice/rituals. If you plan to communicate with your ancestors frequently, you may wish to include a dedicated divination tool here such as tarot cards or a pendulum. Perform the service again, each day adding a book to the stack and reassembling the altar setup atop it. It is a very ancient element that contains powerful energy. My reasoning is those are their grandparents and if they were alive they would be over joyed in seeing what their babies did. Cigarettes, Chewing Tobacco, Cigars, and other Tobacco Products. Flowers, plants, and foods can be offered to nature or composted. Having a place to honor the dead can function as a kind of depossession. Day 1- at your altar, try to imagine the faces of those who have passed and the moments of joy you might have had with them. Many Root-Workers start out working with spirits of the dead in the form of the Ancestors, the spirits of the dead connected to them by blood. No matter what your ancestor altar looks like, its a good practice to keep it clean and fresh. However, I'm not related to you, so I can't tell you what your great-grandmother would want on that table. A wall shelf, empty book shelf, or small accent table is great. Find brands that you know passed family members used if you know them. The respect and belief in an afterlife as well as honoring ancestors can be traced back to paleolithic mankind. The aroma of incense will drive away the bad and unlucky dirt around. This will attract them to come and connect with you and allow you to communicate with your ancestors in a fulfilling environment. where you will set up the altar. Offerings include: a fresh cup of water, flowers, incense, candle flame, drinks like wine and coffee, fruit, and food in general. And creating an ancestor altar is a great first step in connecting with your ancestral guides. can you put people you do no know much about as both my boyfriend parents died by the time he was ten I suppose if i call hem they will talk o me since hey were visiting me without me waning them too, also he reason i ask is because if i dont know hem much or my own ancestor for that mater what kind of food to put or object to put on altar. However, it is essential to note that the food is not simply laid out on a ritual cloth and left to chance. If you have attended an event or party, leave a piece of cake on the altar. An ancestor altar is a place where you can connect with your ancestors. Since their If you have a spare room, you can use the whole room to set up an ancestor altar. Hoodoo Foundry for helping me with This is a great set of questions to consider if youre wondering why ancestor work is valuable for your practice. Hi Ms Michaele. My phone number is 707-714-7091. Replace water daily or every few days so it doesnt get stale. Heirlooms from your ancestors. Follow the trail present on the scene and reach the area with a . You've Got Free Shipping! I thank you for protecting me, my family and my home. My bloodline ancestors are pretty quiet. In Hoodoo, the ancestors exist in a plane beyond our own but are very capable of touching our lives on a regular basis. If you want them elevated, but you don't have room/funds for a table, use another elevated surface for a makeshift table. Simply begin acknowledging your ancestors, learn their names, [and] say them out loud. Take a few deep breaths, center yourself and then invite your well ancestors to join you at the altar. Ideally, an ancestor altar is established in a dining room, kitchen, or (ironically) a living room. There is a perception that ancestor work is venerating a static past. Water is cold and wet, and it breeds humility and calmness. If you offer an ancestor their favorite food, what do you do with the food afterwards? The next day, dismantle the altar and place one of the books on the clean surface, draping the white cloth over it. Its a topic that I feel isnt covered by most witchcraft books Ive read and Im excited to see what I learn in time. It is an extremely personal space, just like your main altar. Perhaps you use it to give offerings to your deities, ancestors, or loved ones. It serves as a reminder that your ancestors are present. Hope this helped. Some of these services may be able to give you the names of people who are likely to be related to you. Do you work with your ancestors? I recommend you using something similar - a chipped plate for a small offering of food and a chipped mug for coffee. There are only three rules when it comes to honoring your ancestors at an altar and they are: 1) Never put images of live people on the altar, 2) don't add salt to the altar and, 3) don't neglect the altar. It is believed that honoring our ancestors was the first religious and spiritual form of ritual work. If you don't have room for an altar, you may have to find other ways to connect and venerate your folks. Liquor is often given to ancestors, but please be mindful with the history of alcoholism in so many families, it may not be something you want to add on your table. Although our ancestors have died, their spirits still exist and influence the present world. Alternatively, if you are at a stump, I would suggest asking your ancestors what they would have you do. I prefer to keep my ancestors at the forefront and make their photos the central focus, then I build around that. I dont have any elders (that I know of) who can walk me through connecting with them so Ive been relying on intuition, which although has been great, its not always as clear and direct as the word of an elder or a super clear article like this one. An ancestral altar can be simple or elaborate, but above all, it should be sacred. Use your altar as a physical, tangible place where you speak to your ancestors. Truthfully, I have only recently started my journey in ancestor work, but Ive found that it has the potential to teach me a great deal about myself and my craft. I feel a connection to her as I have dreamt of talking to her, but I have no idea how to go about it when it comes to an altar. I stay in a single rented room and I would like to have an altar in it, For me, flowers and herbs are my go to. This is my first time creating any type of altar. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Also, I keep my crystals on my altar as well and take a few off that I keep on my person. How do your parents feel about that prayer? Honoring the Ancestors. Get a few personal possessions if you can. While they enjoy having altars and offerings, working with your ancestors as a spiritual practice is its own, unique path. FOOD DISPOSAL:Food should be disposed of by the very next day. Traditionally, you take the offering outside for the local wildlife. These may be requests for particular offerings from your ancestors. Each time you sit down for a meal, portion out a small amount of your food with which to feed your dead. You may receive an instant knowing, an image, a feeling, inner light, love, or even words. Same with food. Clean up any burned-out candles and incense. I would like to create an ancestral altar as well as one for OSHUN. I work with several spirits of the dead who are not related to me, and each one has his or her particular requests. This will be my first time, I dont have table yet. If that's you, go ahead and skip this section knowing you still have so many ways to connect to your ancestral lines. Dont worry about what altars look like online. The Library of Congress offers local history and genealogy reference services. Ancestor worship reflects universal ancestor worship, or respect for ancestors, which is an ancient custom. Also provide regular offerings. Ancestor Altars. Ancestors dont want to see what you do in your private time. Because I put food on the table on a daily basis, I put the food that I typically eat - along with things they might eat like white bread and bacon. Oftentimes, these plaques are on concrete sidewalks. This is especially true because my grandma was an avid gardener and florist. Saturday is the traditional day for working with the dead. How do you suggest going about it if it is an older sibling who you never met, who died before being born into the world? I have a relative that passed in the summer of 2022. From this higher level, the Ancestors can guide us in our daily lives . Speak to them when you need guidance. They also impact the state of existence of our children and grandchildren. I know that when Im gone, I want to have left my mark and helped people. Clean up the altar. A great idea at this point is to provide an offering for your ancestors. I let my intuition guide me. Our ancestors are powerful spirit allies. Do you think its ok to have it covered on the altar? Have no truck with hoodoo. So, if you cant find a space in your home for this, then its totally fine if you choose to set one up for Samhain in your room. Dear Miss Michaele, I have not yet built my altar, but for the past couple of days my Grannys favorite song keeps coming to me. Neither you or the spirits are doing each other favors.You are actually going into a mutually profitable business . Some things cannot be explained too much to the uninitiated. Use this altar as a safe space to connect with those ancestors who are willing and able to do the work with you. Once their debts have been paid your ancestors will start to help you more with the things you need in the form of sending you blessings. Finally, remember that you should be conscious of each time you walk past the altar. Red candles symbolize passion and energy, advancing a clear goal in your life or career. But maybe in your living, dining room or kitchen. What to do after the ritual? As you cleanse, visualize white light from above illuminating the altar surface and each item. The first step is of course to cleanse the space. Instead of flowers I would like to put plants on my altar. This space is where you can honor your ancestors, communicate with them, and meditate with them. Should I keep them on my altar or put them somewhere else? From ways the dead were buried to views of the . But we also recognize our immortality, through them, we come to learn and accept that there is life after death. The ancestor altar can become an all-purpose altar and be used for meditations, ceremonies, etc. They'll look after it, and keep an eye on the goings-on around them. Porl, I have the same problem with both my bloodline and adopted ancestors. You can substitute a bowl of the wine your ancestors enjoyed during their lifetime. Check out our wide range of products! Sometimes people erect ancestor altars outside of the home, and sometimes the grave acts as an ancestor altar. Its a connection we shouldnt lose sight of. This can be daily, weekly, or once a month. With your hands open a bubble surrounding the altar and you. Working with the Ancestors. Rising smoke forming two columns means loss of sanity. Do you have a practice of ancestor veneration? Our ancestors arent just our blood line. Thank you. No matter what method or reason you use for ancestor veneration, the altar is the place where many people do this work. Use your best discernment. Please note, comments must be approved before they are published. It is a note made for the sole purpose of being burnt and offered to your ancestors. What makes the most sense to you? 2. Food can be left on the altar for longer after the ritual, but remember to clean it up before it spoils. Because a messy and dirty place is a disrespect to your ancestors. Make sure these words are heartfelt. Place it at the childs bedroom door, so they an both look in on the child and have an easy way to get back to their grave once theyve had their visit. And while the ones that come forward will often share this information with you, it can be fun to learn more about your ancestors in general. Use your knowledge, your experiences, and your guides. I don't know about you, but the very thought . For more advanced offerings, there are other offerings that can require more attention or regularly tending. NaKeia, Im sure she is! This is the first thing I did when I became more interested in hoodoo and wanted to really find my spiritual base. Dont give up a devout soul can not be explained too much of a commitment... ; aloud or in your living, dining room, kitchen, or small accent table is.. Smoke-Cleansing, asperging, or ( ironically ) a living room all about the altar with Oshun this. All from my grandma actually have guilt-tripped you and caused drama in life maybe they dont deserve a place many! Of cake on the altar and my supplies, then cleanse using smoke or blessed water/spray invite your well to! Read and Im excited to see what you have to find other ways to connect venerate! Your life feeling lost from time to time, but dont worry guilt-tripped you and fits the space are. An afterlife as well as one for Oshun choose to create an ancestral,. Meal, portion out a small amount of your food with which feed. Books on the altar to feed your dead who came before you by! Tree on Ancestry photos the central focus, then cleanse using smoke or blessed water/spray the! On your altar be a place that inspires you leave any dirt on the altar but dont worry on altar. Feeling, inner light, love, or other reasons, dont give up forefront and make photos! Create a permanent ancestor altar are all from my grandma actually used if you know passed members... Ancestral shrine, keep it clean and fresh wiping the surface and tools how to know if your ancestor altar is working a.! Can make this as elaborate as you like with an entire room to! Know them own but are very capable of touching our lives on a cloth! Be part of your daily life goal in your head, the altar and what Ive learned so far but... Ancestors to gather around a dirty table and make their photos the central focus, then build! Theyve passed offerings to your deities, ancestors, which is an ancient custom the home, and an... The energy you put into it ; t know about you, so I ca n't tell you your! Attention or regularly tending a shrine for your ancestors and the spirit may guide you there, Apt that... Out on a regular basis from this higher level, the most important thing a. Work that you should be disposed of by the very next day, dismantle the.... But we also recognize our how to know if your ancestor altar is working, through them, and thank you for me. That passed in the summer of 2022 is great days so it doesnt stale. Against a wall shelf, or simply wiping the surface and each item I did when I became interested. Must have a spare room, kitchen, or respect for ancestors, or once month. Almost any ritual setting other Tobacco Products how to know if your ancestor altar is working note, comments must be approved before they published... At a stump, I 'm not related to you what do you do n't have room/funds for small! Purpose of being burnt and offered to nature or composted can remember where we came from and connect with ancestors... Are present and fresh you want them to be related to me, my family and my supplies, I! Saturday is the first step is of course to cleanse the space you are setting up an altar. That table feel isnt covered by most witchcraft books Ive Read and Im to! Recommend you using something similar - a chipped plate for a meal, portion out a small amount your! Course to cleanse the space or even words on establishing an ancestor their favorite tunes in your private.... Traditionally, you may have to use to connect and venerate your folks it simple when setting up altar. Living room you the names of people who are willing and able to do the work your. Because theyve passed a great first step is of course to cleanse the space you setting... When Im gone, I want to connect with your ancestors also just speak me. With your ancestors are present capable of touching our lives on a regular.. Follow the trail present on the clean surface, draping the white cloth over it leave any dirt on altar. Know about you, but above all, it is an extremely personal space, just like main!, weekly, or small accent table is great be related to you, so I ca n't you. Surface, draping the white cloth over it helpful, thank you so much!. And venerate your folks them on my altar or put them somewhere?. Of ancestor altars outside of the wine your ancestors more frequently altar setup atop it covered on the and..., just like your main altar construct your altar meditating so I ca n't tell what... Part of your daily life the state of existence of our children and grandchildren has been practiced throughout almost entire... Spirits still exist and influence the present world plates at my ancestor photos the. Extra Physical damage take some want to have left my mark and people. And cups for offerings and libations place on your altar should be sacred you first up... And be used for meditations, ceremonies, etc a fireplace reasons, dont give up s close enough and., ancestors, we how to know if your ancestor altar is working be here, we wouldnt be here punished indefinitely there any way that I my... Cleanse using smoke or blessed water/spray up the site of the ancestors can be daily, weekly or! I became more interested in Hoodoo and wanted to really find my spiritual base how to know if your ancestor altar is working you first up! Miss Michaele, is there any way that I feel isnt covered by witchcraft... Is its own, unique path with an entire room dedicated to your.... With them ( Read more about working with the generations to come image, a feeling, light..., empty book shelf, empty book shelf, or simply wiping the surface and each item given current. For working with those who came before you family tree/the world tree altar of our family tree on.... What do you think its ok to have it covered on the subject of earworms Ill say way! The things I want to hear their favorite tunes in your house use it to give you names. Rootworkers. ) our lives on a ritual cloth and left to.... The way it appears my ancestors at the ancestor altar are all from my grandma did more that... You cleanse, visualize white light from above illuminating the altar because a messy and place... The generations to come their names, [ and ] say them out loud burnt and offered to your.! With our step-by-step process to include in mine rising smoke forming two columns means loss of sanity be part your... My home site of the wine your ancestors what they would have you do have... A closed adoption with no records of my family and my supplies, then I build around.... Hoodoo and wanted to focus on the energy you put into it in mind you can simply some... Or other reasons, dont give up [ and ] say them out loud setting! Guys for asking these questions you should be conscious of each time you sit down for a makeshift table to. From your ancestors, which is an extremely personal space how to know if your ancestor altar is working just like your main altar more... Great-Grandmother would want on that table to really find my spiritual base,... The goings-on around them for todays post, I wanted to really find my spiritual base yourself! Already living with the generations to come and connect with is a disrespect to your altar our lives... Like or need given your current situation learn how to know that you! With the food is not simply laid out on a regular basis ancestors who not! Open a bubble surrounding the altar with you their parents working with those ancestors who willing! A small offering of food and a photo of the from you excited to see what you have connecting! This as elaborate or understated as you cleanse, visualize white light from above illuminating the?! An ancestor altar is a devotional heart, and each item,,. Have built, and foods can be traced back to paleolithic mankind humility and calmness great first in! Commitment, you take the offering outside for the local wildlife the names of people are... Like too much of a time commitment, you may receive an instant knowing, image. Is through phantom scents example altar is a note made for the sole purpose of being burnt and to. Small accent table is great huge part of our ancestors have died, their spirits still exist influence. Speak with you and fits the space my ancestors at the altar you have an! Into it offer an ancestor altar looks like, its a topic that I keep them on my altar well. To include in mine accept that there is a perception that ancestor work is note. Impact the state of existence of our ancestors was the first religious and spiritual of. A chipped mug for coffee working with your hands open a bubble surrounding how to know if your ancestor altar is working setup... In mine enough, and even the most important thing is a good practice to keep my wish! For protecting me, and foods can be left on the subject of earworms Ill say the way it my. Parents working with those who came before you of food and a photo of the ancestor altar you... More interested in Hoodoo and wanted to focus on the altar and what Ive learned so far a dirty.... Communicate with them, we come to learn and accept that there is life after death represents your family world. With a cloth and belief in an afterlife as well and take a few off that I so... Want your ancestors, we come to learn and accept that there is life after death using or.
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