Feasting the Ancestors
Feasting the Ancestors by Lady Raven Ariana
copyright 2005
We drape the altar table in black and light a myriad
of candles. We carefully place out pictures of our
Ancestors, women, men, pets, and children, with loving
hands. Incense sweetly wafts past the many fragrant flowers
strewn around the pictures and placed in lovely bouquets.
We set out plates of sweets and savory favorite dishes, libations
of spirits and juices, sugar skulls decorated in icings of glowing
colours, with other offerings.
Also on the altar is a book with names, dates and prayers for
those who have passed beyond. Several pens sit by the book
inviting new names and prayers. One inscription begins, "Dear
Pop, I miss you!" Another says, "To my beloved familiar, Sage,
you were my best friend and I hope to meet and be with you again
someday". A poem expressing sadness and loss begins another
entry. Some entries mention forgiveness and a willingness to
release past negativity. All entries are personal expressions of
heartfelt prayers, love, and devotion offered up to the ones who
have crossed over the Rainbow Bridge.
Savory smells fill the kitchen. Our mouths water as we pull from
the oven a golden turkey lovingly basted and a ham dotted with
cloves and pineapple rings. We mash potatoes, stir up the gravy,
add olives to the relish tray, pull out salads, prepare fruit, add
whipped cream to pies, and do the many tasks required to prepare
a luscious feast.
Meanwhile a bonfire is prepared outside. The smoke mixed with
the smell of autumn leaves evokes memories of past feasts. All
guests have prepared prayers, poems, blessings and good wishes
which they have written on paper. Some people have brought
burnable dried offerings, flowers, herbs, incense, and fragrant woods,
to add to the fire. After appropriate prayers and blessings, all guests
offer their gifts to the Dead through the portal of the sacred bonfire.
It's Samhain, the season of the Ancestors and the Mighty Dead. The
Mighty Dead are the great ones who have passed through the Veil of
mortality. Those who were wise in life, who are now dead, and yet
still they use their wisdom to help the living. Sometimes these Mighty
Ones wear a four legged form. They are here to connect to their kith
and kin, to help and heal when they can. They wish remembrance and
relationship given with honor and respect. Through a relationship with
the living they can assist their descendants to prosper and be happy.
When the feast is ready all come to the table. We priestesses prepare
the first plates and these plates are set on the altar and offered with
prayers to the Ancestors. Wine and sweet mead is passed around to all
and several chalices are filled and put on the altar. We raise our cups and
toast the Dead. People are invited to fill their plates and feast. All
conversation is about the departed. We share stories of those who have
passed, recite poems praising the Ancestors, and speak of other topics
honoring all who have crossed the Veil.
When the feast has ended, the Ancestors are thanked and welcomed to
stay as they wish or go as they must. We make our vows to remember
them and to honor them throughout the Wheel. We part with the
understanding that this feast is one event in our ongoing relationship with
the Dead.
How can we cultivate a relationship with the Ancestors? What if we don't
even know who are Ancestors are? What if we had a stormy or troubled
relationship with those who have passed on? What if the Ancestors we
most admire and feel drawn to are not of our direct lineage? How might
we proceed and what might the work look like?
Ancestor work is all about relationship. Many, many cultures around the
world revere their Ancestors by having a permanent altar set up in their
homes. This altar may have pictures of the deceased, a vase for flower
offerings, somewhere to burn candles and incense, and room to offer food
and other favored treats on a regular basis to the departed. Sometimes
their altars are in a special place out in Nature. These places may be visited
regularly and offerings left.
If you have never worked with the Ancestors it's best to start simply. Perhaps
have a picture on the altar with a place to light a stick of incense or a candle
When you light your candle or incense offer up a prayer and spend some time
in meditation. Try and make this a practice at the same time every day. This
is helpful in establishing a relationship.
If you do not know who your Ancestors are, take some time and
find someone that you admire and you feel drawn to that has
passed away. Maybe you can choose someone that you liked,
admired, or who helped you out, but is unrelated, and has now
crossed over. Perhaps your choice is a hero, and one of the Mighty
Dead. You could choose a beloved pet that has crossed the Rainbow
Bridge. The choice must feel right and good to you.
If you have troubled past relationships with your Ancestors you
have a number of choices on how to begin the work. You could pick
someone that you admire. You could ask Spirit to intervene and help
you work through some of your issues surrounding your familial
relationships. If your parents have passed and you have negative
feelings towards them, perhaps there is another deceased relation
that you can begin with and that you have positive feelings for.
Sometimes an Auntie, Grandpa, one of the Mighty Dead, or Spirit can
help with the gradual resolution of old baggage from a troubled past
relationship.
When you begin your practice of fostering a relationship with the
Ancestors or an Ancestor, keep a dream journal. Write down your
dreams as soon as you wake. Dreams often fade fast. Sometimes
your Ancestor will give you information in a dream. Also pay
attention to what is going on around you. Sometimes the Ancestors
will leave a message or a sign. Your presence and awareness will
facilitate communication.
Journey and trance work are very helpful tools for conversing with
those who have passed beyond. You may be amazed at the
information that comes through journeys, trances and dreams.
Sometimes you will discover outside facts that collaborate the
communications heard in the Spirit realm.
Have patience with yourself and the Ancestors during this process.
Relationships take time and presence. I have been delighted to find
wonderful allies in my Ancestors and have felt truly humbled by all
the gifts they bring to me. I love the Feast of the Ancestors, Samhain,
Hallows, Day of the Dead, by whatever names that this holiday is called
throughout the world cultures. Blessings and luck to you all on your
Ancestral relationships. Hail and welcome to the Ancestors and
Mighty Dead.
posted by Raven @ 4:52 PM
