Creating an Ancestor Altar
There are some very inspiring quotes you may have heard about the concept of our ancestors and how they watch over us. Quotes like “Walk like you have 3000 ancestors walking behind you” and “Respect your ancestors, for you’re the result of a thousand loves”. I don’t know about you, but the very thought makes my spine chill!
It is right! There is nobody more invested in your own well-being, your progress, your success and your happiness than your own ancestral line! Honoring those who are already departed can be sometimes a frowned upon thing to do, but developing a relationship with your ancestry can be a life-changing journey that will make a difference in your life from very early on!
There are some concerns people usually have about this: What if I don’t know who my ancestors are? What if I didn’t get along with them while they were alive? Will my house be haunted if I set an ancestor altar?
Well, let’s split it in a few parts:
Your ancestors will find you regardless of the situation. You are their own, and they move in a plane of existence that it not limited to our reach. No matter if you don’t know much about your ancestors, or even if you are adopted, they will know who you are and they will come to you!
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If you are concerned about hanging out with the spirit of an ancestor you didn’t get along with, you can specify that only well-intentioned ancestors are welcomed into your space. However, you can also have some faith that death has taught them a thing or two and shown them the big picture.
No, your house will not get haunted!
How to begin with an ancestor altar
All you need to get started is a place in your home dedicated to your ancestors. This can be a little table, a shelf or a cabinet where you will place pictures of your ancestors, belongings of them or simply a candle that you will lit in their memory. As you progress in your ancestor journey, so will your practice and it will get more and more complex, but for now, you can start offering them a candle and letting them know that you’re there.
As you feel more and more comfortable with your work, you can start by calling their names in the morning or offering drinks or some other kind of treat that they used to enjoy. Flowers, tobacco or playing a song they liked! The possibilities are endless!
Sibyl’s Verdict
What do you think about ancestor work? Do you have a special place to honor your ancestors? If so, what are some of the changes that you have noticed in your life? Do you receive signs or any other sort of message? Let me know about your journey in the comments!
2 Comments
I would love to try to connect w/my ancestors I think it would be the missing link in my life…
I’ve never thought of this! Even though I think of them all the time! Especially the ones that I knew and that raised me. Also, I’ve never heard of these saying about our Ancestors!!! This is something that I truly need and its the right time!! Go figure! Thank you so much for this and I will inform you about my Altar and I cant wait to begin.!!!