Can it be changed around or does it need to be kept a certain way? If, however, you arent part of a specific tradition or want an easy way to do it, you can follow this simple method. . So the above is all about the altar of our ancestors. Ancestors were already living with the land and getting the resources to survive from it when they came to this planet first. Clean up any burned-out candles and incense. 1. Can I put it into my office? And how to maintain it. You can energetically clean the table, cloth, and area if you'd like with your preferred medium. If you have a statue or image representing your psychopomp, bathe it in incense smoke or anoint it with oil. So make sure that the altar table is not shaky when you worship your ancestors. Darius, have you seen the Lucky Mojo Forum? Handmade spiritual tools can take up to 7 days to ship. Ive felt the presence of my ancestors my entire life but recently is when Ive been able to start truly venerating them in the way they deserve. I smudge them before and after. Personally, I feel a deep connection to my grandmother who passed away years ago. If they would have guilt-tripped you and caused drama in life maybe they dont deserve a place on your altar. The obvious point is that they gave us blood and life. Just throw it away, either before you go to bed orthe next morning. Thank you . Put your ancestors favorite foods on a plate. Likewise, you can add your ancestors favorite foods or sweets to your altar. Connecting with our ancestors can literally change, protect, and better our lives on a substantial . For anywho wants to know how to discard food, just throw it away like youd regular throw away old food and its typically a day or two after youve placed it there. Because on my altar is for my dad, grandparents and my partners parents. Ive wanted to work with ancestors and set up an altar for some time now, so this will definitely get me started in the right direction! How to Create an Ancestor Altar: 1. ITEMS ON ALTAR:remember whatever you place on the altar is not something that you should continue to wear or use. For example, the Three Sutras of Science and Chemistry says that if incense is sprinkled on an open fire and the smoke drifts to the right, the enemy will be defeated. Or do I have to get rid of it? You may receive an instant knowing, an image, a feeling, inner light, love, or even words. An ancestral altar can be simple or elaborate, but above all, it should be sacred. It is believed that honoring our ancestors was the first religious and spiritual form of ritual work. It's also a place for them to gather. A map of their homeland, photos of historical markers, etc. I have a much better idea of how to set up my ancestor altar. I appreciate your thoughts, even though Im pretty sure this is a vague conceptualization. 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! A plant that represents your family tree/the world tree. A key aspect of honoring the dead is realizing that without our ancestors, we wouldnt be here. A few basic recommendations: a photo(s) of your ancestors, heirlooms, a cup and bowl for offerings, incense and incense burner, candles and candle holders, and seasonal decorations (optional). 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. An altar to honor the ancestors is built. Thank you for this. 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. Traditionally, you take the offering outside for the local wildlife. Food should not be consumed again because the ancestors have already enjoyed them. 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. Unstable foundations reflect wrong communication and represent unrest and trouble. On the subject of earworms Ill say the way it appears my ancestors wish to speak to me is through phantom scents. I have cats who might get into a glass of water. a few people works very well. Ideally, an ancestor altar is established in a dining room, kitchen, or (ironically) a living room. I dont have another room to place one. The first time you set up your ancestor altar, provide offerings and invite your ancestors to this sacred space. Look into the depths of your soul and show honesty. Thats why Im here now contacting you, maybe its just curiosity but maybe its something deeper. For water, be sure to refresh the glass regularly. You then tell them why you have come (to honor them). Before you can make offerings to your ancestor, you must first have an Ancestor Altar. Everyone will have their own choice, but you need to remember that your ritual cloth is one that you have carefully chosen. This can be daily, weekly, or once a month. One of the things I love most about offerings flowers is that they grew in my garden. So if you wish to include memories of an old friend or pet, they are a part of your ancestral lineage. The lyrics, or an associated memory, may reveal what they want or it may be the music itself that they want to hear. You have very clear and to the point instructions/suggestions and I absolutely love it. 6. It also serves as a daily remembrance of those close to you who have crossed. 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? This is the first thing I did when I became more interested in hoodoo and wanted to really find my spiritual base. Another option is to get cemetery water. No phones, remotes, computers, TVs, appliances, etc. Use this altar as a safe space to connect with those ancestors who are willing and able to do the work with you. This Sabbat, after all, is the night when the veil between our world and the spirit world is at its most fragile. The importance of ancestor altars and the . Food can be left on the altar for longer after the ritual, but remember to clean it up before it spoils. We all come from somewhere. While others might only give once every other week. Click the link above to read our full policy. Before setting up an altar to any other deity, one should set up an altar to their Ancestors first as a sign of respect. These may be requests for particular offerings from your ancestors. Have you been giving regular offerings, prayers, and burning ancestor money? One way of doing this is by looking through old family scrapbooks. Rising smoke forming two columns means loss of sanity. If thats all you have to work with i say go for it. The Clan of Tara: Ancient Ancestry and Mitochondrial DNA, Bastet Altar: How to Set Up An Altar for the Egyptian Cat Goddess. Next, choose a surface of a table, buffet, shelf, counter, etc. It would be better to have a room dedicated to the ancestors altar. If you have flowers on your altar, replace them with fresh ones before the old ones are dead. Clean up the altar. Exactly what you do and how or how often you do it will depend on your tradition. Get names and pictures. Although we have deities, angels, nature spirits, and others we can commune with our ancestors are the most like us. Things that instantly bring to mind people and places. I hope this helps, and thank you guys for asking these questions! So it doesnt matter what it looks like. Many years ago, people would perform divination by the shape of the smoke when burning incense. When you approach your altar, show respect, ask forgiveness if you have done wrong but also tell them your troubles and dont hesitate to express yourself. Create a suitable environment for the arrival of the ancestors. So on the 20th of last month I was doing a bit of last minute running around before a flight I had to catch out of town and directly in between the oil store where I have recently started visiting for essential oils and dvds and the nail salon I have recently started visiting for my nails and eyebrows, there is a (for lack of better terms) a botanical store where you can purchase many different spiritual artifacts. The set-up is entirely up to you. Our ancestors are valuable allies for guidance, wisdom, and protection. I also have a book, which details one particular branch of my family tree pretty far back. But also speak with them just to honor them, to get to know them, and to be inspired by them. Inviting them aloud is most effective but if you need or choose to do it silently, it will still work. Traditionally, what are some ways your culture venerates those who have gone before us? This way, you wont be overwhelmed when the ritual begins. Keep at least . What makes the most sense to you? 3. Do you have a practice of ancestor veneration? However, it is essential to note that the food is not simply laid out on a ritual cloth and left to chance. Still yet, there are those who may know names of ancestors but nothing more than that. I have set up my first altar but its in my room since I dont really have the space for the table anywhere else in my apartment. A small piece of bread and meat or a scoop of veggies or piece of fruit is fine. I work with several spirits of the dead who are not related to me, and each one has his or her particular requests. First of all, it is soooo important when doing this work that you connect to yourself and your guides. That would be where you would make offerings to your ancestors, pay tribute to them and respect them. Can these altars be together? Clasp your hands together, close your eyes, and recite the eulogy silently. Then place the items afterward on the altar cloth. My reasoning is those are their grandparents and if they were alive they would be over joyed in seeing what their babies did. You can get a basic ancestor altar by completing the following elements. Lele, have you read Martin Colemans Communing with the Spirits? Here, you can meditate and do spirit work, you can leave offerings, or simply venerate your ancestors here. The respect and belief in an afterlife as well as honoring ancestors can be traced back to paleolithic mankind. Congratulations! This will attract them to come and connect with you and allow you to communicate with your ancestors in a fulfilling environment. 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how to know if your ancestor altar is working