I hope I'm putting this in the right spot.

Ancestors - a guide to those with not so enlightened relatives.


When I describe my family, I tend to just use the good parts, the parts worth learning from. But there is a whole pack of boring, narrow minded, ignorant, petty, abusive, addictive, and just about every other bad thing you can think of in there too. Even the best of us have not be saints, and there is some bad feelings that run very deep on all sides of my genetic lines.

With that said, even if all the family members you have ever had or have ever even heard of were repellant... that doesn't mean you should rule out giving Honor to your ancestors. Perhaps you know nothing of your genetic heritage, or would prefer to connect with family by adoption, still not a barrier to this practice. (my family LOVES to "take in strays" and tended to have few blood descendants. plenty of my ancestors and I don't share a drop of genetics more than I would with a total stranger... which is still what 99% or something like that? Blood calls to blood, but nothing beats Love.)

My own altar is very simple:
A white glass enclosed candle (picked up at dollar store or local grocery. if you can't find one check in your "ethnic" or Mexican aisle.)
A small black dish
A small white dish
A glass of clear clean water (tap is fine)
Nice additions might be small pictures in a frame or small items familiar and saturated with energies of an honored ancestor.

Things I have that you don't need but that I think are pretty spiffy:
Spirit lamp
Day of the dead chattering clay skull
2 shot glasses
Heavy black coffee mug
Antique white china tea cup
Rose of Jericho (resurrection plant)

What you give them depends upon who is coming through for you. The most common offerings include; coffee (often very strong), tea, liquor, cigars/cigarettes, spirit money (go look it up yourself - you have Google), baked goods, spicy foods, candles, incense, flowers, herbs. (note - in some cultures the food must be completely salt free in others it must be heavily salted)

I talk to them. I sing to them. I dance with them. I invite them to my celebrations and I share my troubles with them. They are as real to me as the fat cat napping on my favorite hoodie here in the living room. Ancestors I never met in flesh, energies that connect me to the whole amazing map of humanity, have helped to guide and shape the course of my life.

Despite having become isolated from the primary body of The Family, I remain connected to all the best that they had to offer. They have comforted me in times of pain, and stood beside me in the halls of those who would be my enemy.

But the most important thing they have taught me. is that all that remains is the Love. All that remains is the best things. The feuds and strife and struggles are all behind. They never encourage me to cut short my journey, but knowing what and who is waiting for me on the other side is an enduring pillar of my support structure.

I guess some women knit, and some of us talk to the dead. But don't knock it 'till you've tried it.

I like to see this. :thumbup:

one of the most important things we can do is honour our ancestors,since it is on their shoulders we stand.

great post

Maythen, that was just so beautifully done!!!!! :thumbup:

Also a good reminder to give our ancestors some honor, and yes even I have felt some of mine as well, a lot of times, when I was feeling low, they let me know that I was loved, no matter what!!!! Thank-you for sharing!!! :thumbup:


starfire :dragons:: :kistune:

sadlotus79 wrote:I like to see this. :thumbup:

one of the most important things we can do is honour our ancestors,since it is on their shoulders we stand.

great post

I agree. Beautiful.

I don´t know that much about my ancestors but I always make offerings to them. Mostly alcohol, because they are most likely Finns. I should remember to talk to the more.

I was talking about my ancestral altar with a friend, and we were discussing that not everyone knows about their ancestors. I have a head full of stories, several photos, and little trinkets from quite a few.

We were also discussing that some people have issues of abuse or trauma with blood relatives that makes connection with ancestors frightening or difficult. I admit, I've got a few of those myself, but when I set up my altar I specifically charged it to only allow through those energies with loving intentions, that had my best interest at heart, and that came for my highest good.

It's actually a wee little plant stand that is meant to go out in the garden, so don't think you need an antique table or huge spread. (although they probably would like it if you got a huge antique table and laid out a daily buffet :hungry: it isn't neccessary or expected)

A little incense, fresh water, offerings now and then... but mostly it's a way of opening the door. Of saying to yourself and to them that you want that connection.

I suppose it helps that I was raised with such a broad understanding of "family" since there was so little blood shared. To me family is about love more than genetics.
How many times in your life have you said to yourself "I just hate my situation, I'm surrounded by those who love and support me. I need a lot less of this." :facepalm::

All part of the human family, at least for this life. :lol:

Maythen21 wrote:I was talking about my ancestral altar with a friend, and we were discussing that not everyone knows about their ancestors. I have a head full of stories, several photos, and little trinkets from quite a few.

We were also discussing that some people have issues of abuse or trauma with blood relatives that makes connection with ancestors frightening or difficult. I admit, I've got a few of those myself, but when I set up my altar I specifically charged it to only allow through those energies with loving intentions, that had my best interest at heart, and that came for my highest good.

It's actually a wee little plant stand that is meant to go out in the garden, so don't think you need an antique table or huge spread. (although they probably would like it if you got a huge antique table and laid out a daily buffet :hungry: it isn't neccessary or expected)

A little incense, fresh water, offerings now and then... but mostly it's a way of opening the door. Of saying to yourself and to them that you want that connection.

I suppose it helps that I was raised with such a broad understanding of "family" since there was so little blood shared. To me family is about love more than genetics.
How many times in your life have you said to yourself "I just hate my situation, I'm surrounded by those who love and support me. I need a lot less of this." :facepalm::

All part of the human family, at least for this life. :lol:

You are so correct! I have used the same motivations and definitions of the mental process that you outline here, but I don't maintain a specific altar but simply have "areas of respect" and ceremony all over the place...so it looks more like a Woolworth's with a lot of unusual stuff rather than a Cathedral or a Mage's Table.....

There are several ancestors that I talk with a great deal (My grandfather "PR" (for Percy Richard) is one of them) and get advice from in an "ongoing way"

C-

LOVE this thread. Thank you for sharing this!

You're most welcome, I'm glad to see that others are finding connection and solace as I have.

Ancestral energy is such a special flavor, and they're often uniquely capable of understanding the strife and struggles encountered while having this human experience. They often know what it was like to experience poverty, illness, pain, betrayal, addiction, loss, the burden of service, rage, or wanting. They remember the blessings of little miracles; money found in a jacket pocket, the little scratch off winning, near misses and narrow escapes.

Right now my altar is a little cluttered. They've acquired several pieces of jewlery as well as a little saint icon with sacred soil in it. I suspect it's a less than subtle hint that the whole altar could use a scrub down and while I'm at it, some extra offerings sure would be nice since I've got to start house hunting. wink wink, nudge nudge.

You know, the dead are rarely subtle.