You can energetically clean the table, cloth, and area if you'd like with your preferred medium. My grandma actually made separate scrapbooks details the lives of her parents, grandparents, and other old relatives from before my time. Since I am of Latin orgin I felt compelled to create an altar for my ancestors at my working altar. A key aspect of honoring the dead is realizing that without our ancestors, we wouldnt be here. Although our ancestors are dead, they have left behind beliefs that continue to influence the living. The set-up is entirely up to you. These may be requests for particular offerings from your ancestors. Just throw it away, either before you go to bed orthe next morning. Traditionally, what are some ways your culture venerates those who have gone before us? Or, you can go as elaborate as you like with an entire room dedicated to your altar. Place the tablecloth on the altar and sprinkle it with a few drops of Ylang Ylang. Ask yourself these important questions while doing this work, because it's truly personalized for you, your needs, and what you have access to. I have a much better idea of how to set up my ancestor altar. I take everything off, dust the altar and my supplies, then cleanse using smoke or blessed water/spray. Check the edges of the concrete. 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. Clean up any burned-out candles and incense. What elements are needed: space, air, earth, fire, water, spirit, living. If so, this video will explain to you some common things that happen once you've established a consistent altar practice.FREE Spiritual Growth Course http://www.salimyers.com/contact/mailing-list/Deity Linkage Manual: How to Find Your Gods \u0026 Goddesses Using Numerology (Paperback \u0026 Kindle available on Amazon) http://www.amazon.com/Deity-Linkage-Manual-Goddesses-Numerology/dp/1508957150/ref=tmm_pap_title_0Website http://salimyers.comOnline Store http://EL9SHOP.COMWORK WITH ME:Spiritual Mastery Accelerator Program http://www.salimyers.com/accelerator/MasterClass http://www.salimyers.com/masterclass/1-on-1 http://www.salimyers.com/1-on-1/ Let me know in the comments below. I want to be remembered. Find brands that you know passed family members used if you know them. Read and research about ancient civilizations, for example Ancient Egypt, the Celtic Empire, the Mayans, the Romans, Greeks, Nubians, Aborigines, Hebrew, etc. If you have a statue or image representing your psychopomp, bathe it in incense smoke or anoint it with oil. What's up beautiful souls, we created this episode on how to set up your ancestor altar because sooo many people ask about this. I have cats who might get into a glass of water. I prefer to clean and cleanse mine once a month usually on the New Moon. Candles are like bright lights that light the way forward in the shade of your ancestors and guide future generations on the right path. You've Got Free Shipping! It's easier with Ancestors. If you want to honor ancestors whom you dont have photographs of, you can have a list of their names. Because I live with other people and mine would have to be in my room to keep people from touching it. Get names and pictures. Our ancestors arent just our blood line. Food can be left on the altar for longer after the ritual, but remember to clean it up before it spoils. Ancestral Veneration is one of the most ancient religious and spiritual practices. Alternatively, if you are at a stump, I would suggest asking your ancestors what they would have you do. If you have a spare shelf, fireplace, bookshelf, or other flat surfaces, then you have a perfect space for an ancestor altar. My father has African American and Cherokee Native American roots and my mother is full Sicilian. The basics are photos or your ancestors. Now, in the real world, you can research your ancestors just talk to your parents about straight-up genealogy. One way of doing this is by looking through old family scrapbooks. Even today, people should not forget this long-standing custom. The first step is of course to cleanse the space. Because your cloth is the base ground of the altar, you want to ensure that all your soul exchanges are around this base ground. This space is where you can honor your ancestors, communicate with them, and meditate with them. Thank you for offering clear, concise and succinct advice to help people set up a area in their home that is likely to quite quickly become of great significance and importance to them in ways they had not ever imagined or envisioned. If youre beginning to develop a relationship with your ancestors, setting up an ancestor altar is essential. You have your ancestor altar set up, but now what? The respect and belief in an afterlife as well as honoring ancestors can be traced back to paleolithic mankind. You can email me at heartofgold@hoodoofoundry.com. Check out our ancestor altar selection for the very best in unique or custom, handmade pieces from our shops. I didnt know what they could say or do that would be different from the countless other types of spirits Ive worked with. You dispose of the food by either throwing it away or putting it in your compost. There are different methods of cleansing your altar, including smoke-cleansing, asperging, or simply wiping the surface and tools with a cloth. And creating an ancestor altar is a great first step in connecting with your ancestral guides. Pick four stones or crystals for the four corners (the corners of the world). Strengthening that bond with your ancestral army will help you stay not only grounded, but properly guided. If you offer gifts of food, leave it for an appropriate amount of time and then dispose of it. Burning ancestral money also helps dissolve financial debt that they . Before you make an altar, figure out why you want to connect with your ancestors. 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. It is believed that the dead don't die, but rather ascend to another level of being, from which they can look on and assist us. Some of these services may be able to give you the names of people who are likely to be related to you. 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. And the stone comes from the earth, which represents the quality of perseverance and persistence, and endurance. It serves as a reminder that your ancestors are present. Finally, remember that you should be conscious of each time you walk past the altar. I only have one room to work with (my bedroom). Of course, if you know your familys favorite foods, etc., you may certainly offer those. Definitely something nicer than a pill bottle or zip lock bag! I owe quite a lot to Miss Michaele and But I know shes by my side now and am grateful for her guidance with gardening! Working with the Ancestors. Do you have an ancestor or deity altar and want to know if it's "working"? Get the names of your grandparents, if they were decent people. Finally, I wanted to talk about some tips and ideas I have for working with your ancestors this Samhain and beyond. Keep this table outside of your bedroom or places you sleep. When you get home, put the graveyard dirt into an attractive, appropriately sized container. Unlike any other spirit ally, our ancestors share our DNA and human experience. How to Begin Working with the Ancestors. Make sure these words are heartfelt. I offer respect and gratitude to my Ancestors past, present and emerging and recognise their role in my life and development of purpose. Its in my bedroom now because I was lead to set it up there. Digital products deliver immediately via email. (Read more about working with Blackhawkat the Independent Association of Readers and Rootworkers.). For water, be sure to refresh the glass regularly. Everyone will have their own choice, but you need to remember that your ritual cloth is one that you have carefully chosen. Ive been looking for Native Indian people or groups to follow and learn more of their ancient ways and ritual. Offerings include: a fresh cup of water, flowers, incense, candle flame, drinks like wine and coffee, fruit, and food in general. Of course, items the ancestor loved during their lifetime are also allowed. graves are far awaywould anyone have The bit about not keeping altars in rooms was especially helpful, eye-opening, and affirming lol! Its officially Samhain, and if you havent already, now is the perfect time to set up an ancestor altar. But without any further ado, here are a few of my ideas and suggestions: Lastly, remember that you can honor anyone whos passed at this altar. I've seen that done many times before, even though that is not the way I was taught, it makes sense. No one ancestor altar is better than another. My phone number is 707-714-7091. Burning ancestral money also helps dissolve financial debt that they incurred while being alive. And souls will, in turn, help you eliminate all the depression and worries of reality. 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. If so, let me know in the comments! So clean up before setting up the ancestor altar. The pictures I have are the ones I and my partner known personally. Ideally, an ancestor altar is established in a dining room, kitchen, or (ironically) a living room. If you are ever so inclined, work with and talk to your ancestors about any small special offerings in that can be included. Check out our ancestor altar work selection for the very best in unique or custom, handmade pieces from our shops. It's close enough, and the spirit may guide you there. Choose whatever resonates with you and fits the space you are setting up. Speak to them when you need guidance. They can also be hung directly on the wall if your altar is against a wall. I highly recommend that its not in your bedroom. The Department of the Interior provides a guide to tracing your Native American heritage ( PDF, Download Adobe Reader). If you have no photographs of your ancestors, and cannot get to their graves, you can use a personal possession of theirs instead: a piece of jewelry, a tobacco pipe, a favorite book, etc. It is taboo to have something topple over during the ceremony. Once week, sit down in a quiet moment and offer your ancestors a white candle and change their water. The importance of ancestor altars and the altars themselves vary from culture to culture. 8 01 2016. landofkam (01:46:16) : Hetep Martha. Have no truck with hoodoo. Blessings. It is believed that honoring our ancestors was the first religious and spiritual form of ritual work. When you feel sad, ill, or in need, stand at your ancestor altar and call on your ancestors. Now, this is not to say there is no speaking ill of the dead. The term root doctor exists for a reason. I recommend you using something similar - a chipped plate for a small offering of food and a chipped mug for coffee. It is usually built in a higher place, such as a table or a fireplace. Still yet, there are those who may know names of ancestors but nothing more than that. Creating an ancestor altar that you regularly work with is a powerful ritual that powers spirit work. We should focus on it and communicate with our ancestors minds. While they enjoy having altars and offerings, working with your ancestors as a spiritual practice is its own, unique path. Instead of flowers I would like to put plants on my altar. For todays post, I wanted to focus on establishing an ancestor altar and what Ive learned so far. all work well in place of personal photos. Once week, sit down in a quiet moment and offer your ancestors, communicate with our ancestors are.... Wanted to focus on establishing an ancestor altar and what Ive learned so far topple over the! 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