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Over the years and after dabbling in all sorts of different traditions, sometimes ignorantly, I recognized a common theme. The importance of having a solid relationship with your ancestors. Before calling on any spirits, gods, goddesses, etc, consider the fact that every single one of us has a team ready to help us at sound of our calling them. And also consider just how many ancestors you actually have. It recursively adds 4 to every branch of your ancestral tree, webbing off into a massive network of possible support... if you work for it. And you have to remain committed to it!
The thing is, that we truly don't know some of our ancestors and probably never will. It's a massive pool of people all who had sometimes very opposing ways of living and seeing things. Some good, some bad. Some supportive, some destructive. We sometimes see that now with our living relatives. But the important part is to understand that without them, you wouldn't be here. Some might say "Oh my life sucks, why should I thank people I don't know for my shitty life". Well, somewhere down the ancestral line, some really good people in your family worked hard and long to preserve and provide for the family. Even if don't you see it now. All of that matters. It should be honored and respected. And in doing so, you'll see things in your life turn around.
Ancestral Altar
Altars for our dead loved ones is seen across many, many cultures. Unfortunately, its not very common in western cultures. This is partly due to the stigma behind what some religions see as "idolizing" the image of a person. Beyond how ridiculously hypocritical and stupid that is, they've been missing out on such an amazing opportunity! Not only can your ancestors truly hook it up, but in working your altar, you are also working your skills as a medium. You are enriching your connection to the other side while simultaneously learning how to do it better. Win win right! So what do you need?
This altar setup is inspired by Caribbean style Espiritismo (Spiritism) and their use of whats called a Boveda Spiritual aka Spiritual Vault. While being an ancestral altar, a true boveda also represents all of your spiritual guides. Yours does not have to be the same. Its your altar, not mines or anyone else's. Here you'll find ideas that you can use to inspire your own altar setup. There's also some resources online for the proper construction of a boveda if you prefer to do it that way.
Also, keep in mind that this example will include Christian stuff. To be very honest, I don't particularly follow to that religion but I understand that almost all of my family until who knows when had always been practicing Catholics. I also had a Catholic upbringing which helps me to be a bit more comfortable including this in practice than normal. In honor and respect of that, I personally have opted to include this in my setup and it feels right. If its not for you, choose whatever does. Just remember that this is an altar for your ancestors, not your personal altar.
Generally, you want to make use of the 4 elements, have items to establish an connection, and some other trinkets used when working the altar.
Items:
So now that it's setup, how is it even used? After your first session, working your ancestral altar will usually be one of two types. A.) Daily Veneration or B.) Weekly Maintenance.
The thing is, that we truly don't know some of our ancestors and probably never will. It's a massive pool of people all who had sometimes very opposing ways of living and seeing things. Some good, some bad. Some supportive, some destructive. We sometimes see that now with our living relatives. But the important part is to understand that without them, you wouldn't be here. Some might say "Oh my life sucks, why should I thank people I don't know for my shitty life". Well, somewhere down the ancestral line, some really good people in your family worked hard and long to preserve and provide for the family. Even if don't you see it now. All of that matters. It should be honored and respected. And in doing so, you'll see things in your life turn around.
Ancestral Altar
Altars for our dead loved ones is seen across many, many cultures. Unfortunately, its not very common in western cultures. This is partly due to the stigma behind what some religions see as "idolizing" the image of a person. Beyond how ridiculously hypocritical and stupid that is, they've been missing out on such an amazing opportunity! Not only can your ancestors truly hook it up, but in working your altar, you are also working your skills as a medium. You are enriching your connection to the other side while simultaneously learning how to do it better. Win win right! So what do you need?
This altar setup is inspired by Caribbean style Espiritismo (Spiritism) and their use of whats called a Boveda Spiritual aka Spiritual Vault. While being an ancestral altar, a true boveda also represents all of your spiritual guides. Yours does not have to be the same. Its your altar, not mines or anyone else's. Here you'll find ideas that you can use to inspire your own altar setup. There's also some resources online for the proper construction of a boveda if you prefer to do it that way.
Also, keep in mind that this example will include Christian stuff. To be very honest, I don't particularly follow to that religion but I understand that almost all of my family until who knows when had always been practicing Catholics. I also had a Catholic upbringing which helps me to be a bit more comfortable including this in practice than normal. In honor and respect of that, I personally have opted to include this in my setup and it feels right. If its not for you, choose whatever does. Just remember that this is an altar for your ancestors, not your personal altar.
Generally, you want to make use of the 4 elements, have items to establish an connection, and some other trinkets used when working the altar.
Items:
- Small table with white table cloth (NOT IN YOUR BEDROOM)
- Vessel(s) for water (1 wine glass can be used if you are limited on space, traditionally 1 large wine glass is used along with 4, 6, or 8 smaller glasses)
- Quartz, Amethyst or both
- Incense holder (can be brazier for coals, or holder for sticks) and incense (Nag Champa works great)
- Flower vase with white flowers (lillies, carnations, roses all work)
- 8" glass encases candle(s) (1-2 is fine but if you feel more is what you need then go for it)
- Small Cup/Bowl of herbs/stones
- Bell/Maraca/Percussive Instrument
- Photos of ancestors if possible
- Items your ancestors might have enjoyed (more on this later)
- Florida Water and/or Kolonia 1800
- Cascarilla (eggshell powder) IF NOT ALLERGIC
- Traditionally, bovedas use Christian imagery. If you don't mind Christianity you'll need a metal crucifix, a rosary and an altar crucifix. Else, find an item that represents the God you believe in. Deciding not to have any additional items is perfectly fine too.
- Notebook + Pen
- Setup your table cleaned with the perfume water and place a clean white table cloth on it. It is important that the table is as level as possible.
- Clean your water vessels real good.
- Place the vessels on table. If using one glass, place it in the center. If using more than 1, place the large one in the center and then half of the small ones to the left, other half to the right.
- Clean your crystals with perfume water and place them in the bottom of the center vessel.
- Fill each vessel with cold water to the very top.
- Place representation of God either on top on in the center vessel, supported by the lip of the glass if possible. Wrap rosary if using one around the base of this glass.
- Place flower vase behind center vessel.
- Place incense holder on either side of the vessels.
- Place bell and bowl of herbs right in front of the center vessel. If using an altar cross or any other symbol on a stand, this gets placed in the center.
- If using a single candle, place it in front of the bell and bowl. If using 2-3 more arrange them in front of all vessels.
- Place photos around the back of the vessels or on the wall behind altar if possible.
- Place items they would like where ever on the altar feels right.
So now that it's setup, how is it even used? After your first session, working your ancestral altar will usually be one of two types. A.) Daily Veneration or B.) Weekly Maintenance.
