The mysteries of death have called to our attention, alluding to truths sung in songs and dreamt in beds in such variety to have helped birth a great many religious cosmologies. As such, it’s safe to say that there is a great deal discussed on the nature of life and death that is not agreed upon by the different spiritual varieties. However, amongst all the philosophies, debates, gnosis and enticed hubris, there is a calming retort offered in the form of similarity, that those before us offer those amongst the living. One thing we all share in common when exercising our understanding of our existence-we are all results of the actions of those that came before us.
Ancestor veneration has its foundations set by pretty much every culture, the world over. A spiritual practice where one believes that the spirits of the dead live on. With not only the ability, but the interest to continue relationships with the living. This being especially potent when it comes to interactions with the ancestors.
For us, it is a common, familiar link to the mysteries on the other side of the veil of death, with one or many who were part of their culture or bloodline. Ancestor veneration allows for a conscious continued relationship with them on our end through celebration of memory and respect through continued care, while in return they may bring stability, comfort, healing, communication or prosperity to their living relatives. With the emotional difficulties death can bring, It’s no wonder it has become a common thread in many spiritual practices.
In many parts of Asia, namely China, filial piety- the virtue of respect for ones parents, elders and ancestors, is a key component of culture and religion. Confucianism heralded it as a virtue as early as the Qin-Han Dynasty (212BCE-220CE), and remains to this day a key component to the righteous way of life. To support, care, respect, show courtesy to family, and proper conduct of one’s self is to bring honor to your family and this conduct remains apparent in the actions of those seeking connection with those that have crossed over.
In many ancient European and African cultures, their ancestors well-being were the direct responsibility of their living relatives. This responsibility was met by keeping the memories of them alive by providing them with proper offerings, prayers, songs, celebrations, and in Ancient Kemet (Egypt), even letters. As such, the vitality of the link between the ancestors and the people thrived and kept honorable. For it was a common belief that as much as an ancestor could bestow blessings upon their descendants, they could just as easily act unfavorably, by acting as intermediary between their people and the Gods, in favor or against.
To highlight the nature of ancestor veneration in the ancient world, I have included below a letter that had been written in ancient Kemet (Egypt). A mother writing to her deceased son with praise, but also in asking a favor….
Greeting:
O Mereri, born of Merti.
The God Osiris-Khentamenti assures that you shall live for millions of years, by providing for the breath in your nose and by placing bread and beer by the side of Hethert-Lady of the Horizon (Hathor). Your condition is like one who lives millions of times by order of the Gods who are in the sky and on Earth.
Praise:
You make obstacles to enemies who have evil characters and who are against your house, against your brother, and against your mother, who loves her excellent son Mereri. You were excellent on Earth and thou are beneficent in the land of the dead. Invocations and offerings are made for you. The Haker Festival is celebrated for you. Bread and beer are placed upon the altar of the God Khentamenti. You sailed downstream in the night-bark of the sun God. You are justified in front of every God. Make yourself my favorite dead person!
Petition:
You know that he said to me, ” I shall report against you and your children.” You can report against it; you are in the place of justification!
In modern times, ancestor reverence remains strong in certain parts of the world. Particularly in Asia and African tribal communities. With more pockets found scattered throughout Oceania, Europe and the Americas. However as a majority, in North America and places with a similar taboo mentality on death, ancestor veneration is not as culturally apparent, except amongst certain Indigenous groups, African dispora and many Pagans.
Amongst this lack of mainstream cultural and religious remembrance of ancestors, we have managed to sustain two rather large celebrations in North America, that highlight our blessed dead. Mexico’s Dia de los Muertos – Day of the Dead, which is celebrated on November 1st and 2nd , and our Samhain. Better known as Halloween, celebrated on October 31st.
November 1st’s Dia de los Inocentes (Day of the Innocents) and November 2nd’s Dia de los Muertos is a celebration with a mix of ancients Pagan beliefs and Catholic practices, as the Day of the Dead coincides with the Catholic All Souls Day and All Saints day.
The Mexican traditional belief is that the gates of heaven open on the night of the 31st of October. Allowing first the souls of deceased children to spend the next 24 hours with their families. On the day preceding, the people’s beloved departed adults may join the festivities.
(Above: sugar coffins. A popular Dia de los Muertos treat, with little skeletons that pop up out of the casket tops.)
Although I’m sure tears are cried, Dia de los Muertos and Dia de los Inocentes is more joyous than a somber holiday, celebrating their loved ones. Many folks save for months to afford to create a custom Ofrendas (altar) for the Blessed Dead, with adorations of marigolds and Cock’s comb flowers, candles, sugar skulls, a variety of foods, including Pan de Muerto (Day of the Dead bread) and candies and toys for the departed children.
Many people march in parades, dance to music and on November 2nd, the festivities are often taken to the graveyard where gravesites are cared for while folks reminisce together.
Although Dia de los Muertos holds a more prominent(if not exclusive) focus on ancestors in comparison to the Halloween most of us are familiar with, ancestor veneration still is the main focus for Wiccans and many other Pagans as the primary purpose of Samhain.
Unfortunately, due to the historical demonizing of Pagan practices, Hollywood and commercialism, Samhain’s ancestor veneration takes a complete backseat, if it gets a seat at all, for most non-Pagan people.
As with The Day of the Dead, Wiccans celebrating Samhain believe it is the day where the veil between the world of the living and dead is at its thinnest. As such, altars are dressed, food is prepared for both the living and dead, where a plate of offerings are given to not only our ancestors, but all departed loved ones, and a feast is had, usually with a period of time where silence while eating is observed.
Candles in Jack o Lanterns are lit alongside side the path to the home or doorstep. A symbol of our invitation to our ancestors and other loved ones, so that these welcomed spirits may find their way home.
Much of the mainstream culture we reside in has a strange relationship with death. One where the concept is tolerated or even grotesquely portrayed in pop culture. Perhaps out of not knowing what else to do with such an uncomfortable notion of inevitability. Where many go through the motions of dealing with the processes imminent of the death transition, meeting them out of responsibility and respect for the individual, without an equally given respect given to the transition itself.
As I see it, this state of stepping on the toes in the dance with death is a notion of seeing is believing, rather than believing is seeing. Where death is often feared rather than embraced when the time comes. A notion of finality rather than continuity of life and our beloved relationships. As such, perhaps focusing on those who came before us has a tendency to bring us closer to our own mortality rather than immortality of familial and cultural lineage.
The journey to a better relationship with death and perhaps life itself begins with a change in this perspective. To really remember that the ones who came before us, the ones who left a grieving hole in our hearts, are a threshold away. An energy- tangible, eternal and ready to awaken the heart with wisdom old and new.
For those that feel drawn to set up a practice to honor your loved ones I’ve included a few simple ways to get started.
- Create an ancestral shrine
Creating a shrine for your loved ones can be as simple or complicated as you like. A special table can be bought or constructed, or you can use the top of a dresser, wall shelf, book shelf or even a stowaway chest if you think it’ll be disturbed or if you’re lacking space.
When creating sacred space it’s important that you create it in a way where you feel it holds up to your inspiration enough that you can connect. After all, creativity is the bridge between our consciousness and the spirit! In the case of a space to honor ancestors, it is also important to keep in mind what would make it theirs too. Pictures of your loved ones, cultural or religious emblems that pertain to them or other personal items should be considered for the shrine.
Other items that can be included are:
- an altar cloth (black or white depending on your spiritual tradition are common colors, but go with what speaks to you).
- Candles(white are most commonly used, but again, go with your preference).
- incense( raw/loose blend, stick, cone or essential oil/burner).
- Offering cup, plate and/or bowl, for giving offerings of food and beverage.
- Any other items that speak to you: deity figures, angels, religious emblems, poems, flowers.
All items used should be cleansed vibrationally before being dedicated for use, unless it was a personal item of your loved one. All items used should be consecrated with your intent.
- Create an ancestral essential oil blend that you may use during meditation, ritual or prayer.
The blend may be used in an oil burner, or it may be used to anoint candles specifically lit when connecting with the ancestors, or to anoint oneself. Third eye is a good chakras point to anoint, but because essential oils are the most potent aspect of plant-based material, a few safety precautions should be exercised. Make sure you test for allergy to the blend with a dab on the wrist first. You don’t want an allergic rash to develop on the middle of your forehead ;). Essential oils should be mixed in a carrier oil if being applied to the skin, really only use a dab, and avoid perhaps altogether if you are pregnant.
Ancestral Essential Oil Blend
3 parts Cedarwood oil
2 parts Cinnamon oil
2 parts Clove bud oil
Bloodstone chip, (optional) vibrationally cleansed before use.
Sweet Almond carrier oil (for use if applying to the skin- may add directly to essential oil blend, or mix with a few drops of essential mix, separately).
Add all ingredients into a tinted glass, sealable container. Mix with intent of ancestral connection and respect.
- Cook an offering with intent.
Food offerings to the ancestors of any kind are generally fine, but to cook an offering while staying present in the moment is especially potent. This is the very soul of kitchen witchery. To remaining mindful to your intent throughout the prep/cooking and offering process connects you with the spirit of sustenance, gratitude and giving.
When your food is ready, it is fine to remove a small portion onto an offering plate and save the rest to be eaten by yourself and others. It is generally considered a sign of respect to present the food as an offering first though and eat after. In Wicca it is considered ethical to inform all you share with too, what intent was put into the food, as this intent may affect all who share in its magic.
Offerings to the ancestors can be given at anytime, but in the spirit of the season, I’ve included below a couple traditional recipes shared during Dia de los Muertos and Samhain. Enjoy and blessed be!
Pan de Muertos (Day of the Dead Bread)
Yields approx.. 20 slices
Ingredients:
1 ½ cups flour
½ cup white sugar
1 teaspoon salt
2 table spoons dry yeast
½ cup milk
½ cup water
½ cup room temp butter
4 eggs
4 ½ cups flour
½ cup white sugar
2 tablespoons orange zest
2 teaspoon anise seeds or extract
1/3 cup orange
Directions:
Mix all dry ingredients except 4 ½ cups flour.
In pan heat, milk, water and butter just before boiling. Do not scald the milk!
Add the pan liquid mixture to the dry mixture and beat well.
Add eggs, and 1 ½ cups flour. Mix
Slowly add rest of flour till well blended and can form a ball of dough.
Knead dough for about 10 mins
Put dough in lightly greased bowl, cover and let rise to twice the size. Takes about an hour
Punch it down, then shape do as preferred, A round loaf with a knob on the top is fairly common.
Let rise, covered for another hour.
Pre-heat oven and bake dough on cookie sheet at 350*F for about 40mins.
Heat ½ cup sugar and orange juice over stove.
Brush mixture over bread while still warm out of the oven.
Copyright: Chrystal Raven Rowanwood/Phoenix Rising School, 2016.
Sources:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/filial_piety
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/veneration_of_the_dead
www.mexicansugarskull.com
Ancient Egyptian Magic, Author Bob Brier (Ancient Egyptian letter)
Images: morguefile.com, www.mexicansugarskull.com