Our ancestors are the root of who we are, and a good time to pay homage to those who came before us is just before Samhain. One very special way to remember them is to create an ancestor altar. It can be a part of your personal altar or a separate one which is dedicated only to your ancestors.To set up the altar gather pictures of those ancestors you wish to honor and any momentos of your loved ones you wish to add for a deeper connection. I don't have a picture of mine, but I include a potholder crocheted many years ago by my beloved grandmother, a vase that had once belonged to my maternal grandmother, fresh flowers, photos of my ancestors, copper candle holders that belonged to my mom, candles, a bowl of water, a feather and a stone which came from Ireland.
Arrange the photos and other objects in the middle as you chant "May my loved ones touch me again. Spirits of the air, fire, water, earth, please bring my loved ones close again."
Oh, I really like your idea of putting little things on the altar that were actually owned by the ancestor being honoured! To me, that invokes their personal energies almost better than a photo.
ReplyDeleteI like your altar ideas!
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