October is the time of the ancestors, when the veil between the worlds of the corporal and non-corporal dimensions is thinnest. Honoring the ancestors is a central spiritual tradition of many cultures around the world. It’s an ancient practice that involves cultivating and nurturing a relationship with our ancestors, honoring their legacy and inviting and recognizing their influence in our lives. This practice is deeply rooted in the belief that our ancestors continue to exist outside of their earthly bodies and can have a real impact on the living. Working with our ancestors can provide a sense of connection, guidance, support, protection and blessing in our daily lives.
Ways to honor and work with your Ancestors:
- Get Curious: Take an interest in your ancestry. Seek to learn more about your ancestor’s stories, cultures, and traditions. Learning more about who and where we came from offers us a sense of continuity and connection to our roots. A bridging of the past, present and future. Some people don’t have the ability to track down their blood ancestors due to adoptions or other family situations. That’s ok. Our ancestors are with us whether we know their names or not so reach out to them, and they will respond. If you are adopted there was a reason that you became a part of your adoptive family so embrace your adopted heritage as your own as well.
- Create an Altar: Set up an altar that celebrates and honors your ancestors. If you already have an altar, for the month of October, transform it into an ancestral one. Place photographs, mementos, and offerings such as food, water, flowers, incense, feathers, shells or crystals.
- Create Rituals and Offerings: Perform rituals to honor and thank your ancestors. Use candles, prayers, singing, dancing, meditation, and/or divination. Offerings are made to show respect, gratitude and to invite your ancestors into your life. Ask for protection, guidance, and blessings. Think about the miracle of your existence and how you are the accumulation of thousands of human stories. Without your ancestors you would not be here.
- Generational Trauma: Ancestral work addressing generational traumas can bring about deep and profound healing. There may be ancestors that you are not proud of. This is an opportunity to work with them like you would any shadow part. All of our familial stories are human stories which means there will be people and actions we like and those we don’t. Part of healing generational trauma is not only to face and break the negative patterns that have been passed down but to also acknowledge and celebrate the positive traits and strengths as well. We must embrace all of our history – good and bad to bring about true healing.
Working with your ancestors can be a deeply healing and transformative journey for everyone involved. Not only can it offer you personal healing, but your attention and honoring may also help your ancestors continue their healing journey in the other dimensions. Win/Win.
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