We are fast approaching Halloween and Samhain. There are many different cultures that celebrate the end of summer/fall and the beginning of winter and the dark half of the year. Samhain (pronounced sah-win) is a holiday originating from an ancient Celtic spiritual tradition that honors the changing of the seasons as well as our ancestors.
It is believed that during this time of year the veil or mists that separate our world from the Otherworld, where our ancestors and other spirits reside, is at its thinnest. This means that communicating with our spirit allies and ancestors can be easier at this time of year. It is not uncommon to see an uptick in people wanting tarot readings in October. If the veil between our world and the Spirit world is easier to cross, then performing divination readings during this time may allow messages to come through more straightforwardly.
One of the easiest things a person can do to honor their ancestors is to create an ancestor altar. Ancestor altars are relatively easy to do, you just need to find a place for it to go. Generally the best place to put an altar is where it will not be disturbed, whether that is up high on a bookcase or in the bedroom so visitors don’t feel the need to pry. Depending on your religious or family tradition, there may be certain things that you must have on the altar. If you have no such requirements, build your altar in a way that feels right to you. Many people use a white tablecloth on their ancestor altar, as white is the color of purity, spirit, and is the highest vibrational color there is. My ancestor altar is on a built-in bookshelf in my office, and I do not use a cloth on it because I think it would look cluttered.
Once you have a good space, it does not matter how big or small, fill your altar with photos and mementos of your loved ones. If you do not have photos of your deceased loved ones, add something that makes you think of them. I have a great uncle who I loved dearly. He was a horticulturalist and teacher. I have a stick with a pinecone on the end of it on my ancestor altar for him. To me it represents his love of nature and plants, and it also came from his childhood home. You can also type or write a list of names of your beloved dead and place it on the altar.
Once you have added your loved ones to your ancestor altar, it is time to leave them offerings. It is always good to honor our ancestors, but it is better if we feed them. We know that everything we do requires energy. If we believe that our ancestors can visit us, then we know their visitation takes energy on their part. It is our duty, both because we can and because we love them, to give them offerings that will replenish their energy. If we give them energy, it will make it easier and more appealing for them to visit us. Typical offerings for the ancestors include water, their favorite foods, and even their favorite items or hobbies. Did grandpa like to gamble? Put some dice or playing cards on the altar for him. Did your aunt love macaroni and cheese? Make a big dish of it and place some on the ancestor altar for her and the family. The ancestors will take the energy they need from the food.
We would all do well to remember and honor those who came before us, whether they are family or not. Without our ancestors’ decisions and actions, none of us would be where we are now. Although October is a time of year when we think more about the collective ancestors, they deserve to be honored every day. One of the ways we can honor them is by being the best version of ourselves we can be and working to make the world a better place for the next generation, who will call us the ancestors.