Today’s post will talk about ancestors and some ways that they can be honored.

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What is an ancestor? Dictionary.com defines it as “a person, typically one more remote than a grandparent, from whom one is descended. ” So, that would make my mami an ancestor of mine since she passed away. It also makes my cousin who was 19 at the time of his passing in 2004 another one of my ancestors. We all have them! And many we are not even aware of because they were here before we came to be in this lifetime.

My beliefs are that even though our ancestors (and everyone that’s passed away) aren’t here in the physical plane. They are always with us and watching over us from the spiritual plane. These last few years mine have been adamant about getting my attention. I’ll give you a few instances:

I’d be deep in sleep and would hear a voice in my ear speaking to me.
I’d be deep in sleep and was awakened by a voice. I sat up in my bed, more asleep than awake and heard the voice talking rapidly. I felt like it was chanting over me. I felt like it was trying to “level me up” with these chants. I know it sounds strange lol but it’s what I felt. I sat there looking like those Mortal Kombat characters as they waited for the opponent to make their final Decisions move. I sat like that for a few minutes and dropped back into my sleep.
Things of mine would get thrown on the ground.
Vivid dreams.
Specific songs.

They got my attention alright! No better time to put up an Ancestral Altar to honor them! I wanted to make it a habit of mine to thank them daily (sometimes multiple times a day depending on the day I’d have) and to include them in the everyday life.

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Okay! So here I was wanting to start an ancestral altar and didnt know where to begin.

First I decided where I wanted this altar to be. A good guide for this is knowing why you want to have an altar. What’s the intent? To honor my ancestors? To thank them for their support and assistance and love? Or maybe I just wanted to connect more to them?

I could’ve easily placed it in my office. But I decided against it just because I didn’t always go in there daily. And I wanted to have it somewhere I’d see them daily and use it as a visual reminder that I am not alone. I am not walking this life path alone. I have a support team rooting for me not just here but on “the other side”. I also want to be able to see the altar on a daily basis to remind myself of that, and to be thankful! That’s how I decided on the dining room.

One option was to hang a wall shelf up but decided against it(I wanted something more sturdy because spirits will be spirits and energy manifests in different ways) so I decided my side table would be where I’d put it. Some people put a table cloth on theirs, the option is yours. “Just go with what you feel” is what I say. Other altar options can be a treasured box, a closet, small desk, a chair or stool, a bench. I learned that it’s okay to think outside the box with this.

I won’t post any pictures of my altar because it feels like it’s very personal. It is in my dining room and anyone who walks in can see it. It’s not like I keep it a secret. However it is not seen by many people. Because being inside of my home is an honor not everyone will have.

I also added photographs of the ancestors that I want to honor and thank. I didn’t start off with many. I had my mother’s urn with her photograph, and a picture of my godmother. That was it. Now I have my paternal grandparents, my mother’s aunt who was very spiritual, my maternal grandfather, my maternal great grandmother, a picture of a known guide of mine and a picture of Archangel Michael who’s been with me since I can remember.

I have this Dominican Faceless ceramic doll aka Muñecas Lime. And it represents all of the ancestors that I don’t remember or know about from this life and past lives. It was important for me to honor them as well.

Ive had her for yeaaaars! She was gifted to me by my maternal grandmother.

Something that else that I like to add to my altar is an elemental touch. Such as a glass of water,a white candle for fire, or flowers. I’ve also poured wine in a glass (specific for the altar) and I’ll sit there sipping my wine while just sitting on my bench right in front of the altar. And that’s me spending time with them. Yes, there are many times that I will talk to them. I tell them about whatever is going on (although they know and see all even before I do) but it helps keep me connected to them. I can’t explain the feeling I get during and after these moments. But it’s special.

I add items that belonged to them as well. The items have their energy attached and it’s a great way to embody that energy. Like this red northern cardinal that belonged to my mom. I’ve added some of her marbles too, and a plaque that I gifted her for Mother’s Day as well. I have a single dried flower from one of her arrangements from her viewing.

I try to add Seasonal touches as well. Such as flowers from that season (they can be faux as well). I light a candle almost daily for them. And when I do I express my gratitude for all that I have, and what’s to come.

I also include them while I am cooking. I know I am not the only one that can hear a voice telling me to either add more of this and that or to stop lol. You can also serve them some of whatever you are eating. It might feel new and “silly” at first now my son doesn’t ask me why i have such and such on the altar lol. The food is an offering to your ancestor. It is believed that this is a great way of including them, and they can absorb the energy of the food. If food isn’t your thing you can leave snacks like candy or whatever they enjoyed, incense even. It doesn’t have to be overwhelming or a huge display. They don’t care about that.

I can’t end this without saying that the best way to honor one’s ancestors is simply by being the best person that you can be. Don’t give up when things get tough, ask for help when you need it (I’ve been practicing this) and heal what needs to be healed.

Thanks for stopping by!

Love, light, and the shadow too—-Cin.

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