Post by robincragin on Oct 27, 2015 16:56:31 GMT -5
Witches honor the departed members of their family tree, but in a wider sense, they also honor all creatures as branches and roots of the wider existential tree. These are the Witches’ ancestors.
Ancestor practices are some of the very oldest religious shrines found in Neolithic archeological sites. In primal cultures across the globe, tribal folk called upon their departed ancestors to bring magical aid and teaching from the spirit world.
Witches pay homage to their ancestors as part of their contemporary Samhain practices. One growing custom among contemporary pagans in the building of ancestral shrines on Samhain. Although it may not be Samhain today, our practice will focus on this custom of creating a magical ancestral shrine.
What You’ll Need:
* Family photos of deceased relatives
* An altar cloth
* Flowers
* Candles
* Fresh basil
* Dried mandrake root
* Bowl of water
* Dish of salt
To begin this practice, leaf through your old family photo albums. Rummage through that old box of family memorabilia. Look for photographs and items that were once part of your deceased relative’s lives. If you cannot find anything suitable, take time to write a memory of each deceased ancestor you can recall. You needn’t spend hours on writing, simply put a few memories down on paper.
Next, find a table in the westernmost part of your house and use this as your altar. Lay out a beautiful altar clash of any color. Spread out on the cloth the photos and other items that were once your ancestor’s belongings.
Now you should be creative. Add to the altar fresh flowers, or scatter flower petals. Arrange some fresh basil and dried mandrake, two traditional death herbs. Light tea lights or candles. Hand tim white Christmas tree lights around. Drape your photos with sheer fabrics. Set out tows or trinkets that are beautiful or symbolic to you in some way. You might also add in foods or items that the ancestor once enjoyed. Light some pleasing incense.
When you have finished decorating your altar, sit in front of it and take time to silently thank the ancestors for being part of your journey in this world. Allow the candles to burn completely out. Since you will use the altar again for tomorrow’s spiritual work, try to leave the altar undisturbed. For the remainder of the day, keep thoughts of your ancestors in your mind.
Ancestor practices are some of the very oldest religious shrines found in Neolithic archeological sites. In primal cultures across the globe, tribal folk called upon their departed ancestors to bring magical aid and teaching from the spirit world.
Witches pay homage to their ancestors as part of their contemporary Samhain practices. One growing custom among contemporary pagans in the building of ancestral shrines on Samhain. Although it may not be Samhain today, our practice will focus on this custom of creating a magical ancestral shrine.
What You’ll Need:
* Family photos of deceased relatives
* An altar cloth
* Flowers
* Candles
* Fresh basil
* Dried mandrake root
* Bowl of water
* Dish of salt
To begin this practice, leaf through your old family photo albums. Rummage through that old box of family memorabilia. Look for photographs and items that were once part of your deceased relative’s lives. If you cannot find anything suitable, take time to write a memory of each deceased ancestor you can recall. You needn’t spend hours on writing, simply put a few memories down on paper.
Next, find a table in the westernmost part of your house and use this as your altar. Lay out a beautiful altar clash of any color. Spread out on the cloth the photos and other items that were once your ancestor’s belongings.
Now you should be creative. Add to the altar fresh flowers, or scatter flower petals. Arrange some fresh basil and dried mandrake, two traditional death herbs. Light tea lights or candles. Hand tim white Christmas tree lights around. Drape your photos with sheer fabrics. Set out tows or trinkets that are beautiful or symbolic to you in some way. You might also add in foods or items that the ancestor once enjoyed. Light some pleasing incense.
When you have finished decorating your altar, sit in front of it and take time to silently thank the ancestors for being part of your journey in this world. Allow the candles to burn completely out. Since you will use the altar again for tomorrow’s spiritual work, try to leave the altar undisturbed. For the remainder of the day, keep thoughts of your ancestors in your mind.