A Reciprocal Dynamic
In our first article in the ancestral series, we say that whether or not you have a spiritual or religious affinity to your ancestors matters little. Your ancestors are in you, living blood, aka DNA. Not sure how you’re feeling about this overall, but we offer a practical approach below.
Start by deciding if you want to honor one ancestor or a group. Either way is good. There’s a hint for you in the specific thoughts, memories or specific family members that brought you to this, by the way.
Think about doing this at least three times, to give it a chance. Many people go monthly, on either Moon, a special day, etc. We recommend six times to really get a feel for it.
Bring the Light Any light, a candle, a flashlight, natural sunlight or a match; all spotlight the Light, your Light, as the focal point of our honoring ritual. We are asking for, some would say “invoking,” light for the departed, and for us at the same time.
Do you have any idea the amount of scientific research aimed at light? Edison and Einstein are just the tip of the iceberg on that. Makes sense, right? Religion, though, also says to walk in the light and avoid the dark, in a million ways.
So everything we see, including within us, came out of the dark, into the light, and that’s according to both the churches and the scientists. Interesting thought: the Lucifer, Hell and Heaven people say it and the Waves, Particles and Energy people say it, too.
Maybe place the light you choose on an altar or a windowsill and say something like, “I place this light for the ancestors in my blood, for them and for us to find the light we need.”
Of course, you can say or do much more than that, and be free to open up, by all means. This is just a core of a ceremony that you can work from.
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Gratitude or Acknowledgement Both of these mental-emotional giants work. We were raised on gratitude to our ancestors, so the decision to say thanks is easy. However, for some this may be so new that acknowledgement of the huge role ancestors play in our reality is equally as effective.
Something like, “Thanks for bringing us this far,” if you have gratitude, or “I realize the role you have in my life,” as acknowledgement. Elaborate, of course, as you wish.
Declare or Petition or Pray If you have a specific need in mind, this is the time to voice it. If you’re done talking in the last step, just go to the close.
If you do have something to add here, be clear about what you want. If you want success, ask for it, healing, ask, or if you are having trouble with a granddaughter or a husband’s brother, and so forth, ask.
The trick here is to realize you are asking a trusted source that can actually help in certain ways, and who also needs help from you in other ways.
Offering something in return simply makes sense, “the energy exchange,” we often hear about. You’ll be happy to know that a prayer for them, an offering of food or liquor, goes a long way where they are – a touch from living humans, an exchange. You could also be more practical and offer to help Aunt Vera who needs a little financial support in life, and is your ancestor’s favorite. Important, however small or large your offering, do comply, keep your word. The rewards are amazing.
Something like, “Grandma, I could sure use some help with my daughter. I’m at wits end, don’t know how to approach it anymore. I will keep looking in on Aunt Vera, you know I can’t do that much, but we take her what we can.”
Or, “I need this job, Ancestors, if you help me get it, I will place flowers on your grave, once a month, for a year, for whatever you guys are needing.”
Again, if you are uncomfortable with this step, skip it. It’ll come to you, what to say in these moments – after you intend it with some action a few times.
Close it Speaking gratitude/acknowledgment in your terms, saying a quick “Amen,” and smiling and walking away, all work quite well. Be creative.
Try it six times, record/remember what you said and mostly observe what may or may not come to you. No matter what, you know we’d love to hear about it.
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