Rebel Rede

Ancestor Worship

As winter is upon us and Yule is just around the corner I find myself reflecting back on Samhain and our time spent honoring the dead. Ancestor worship has been going on since the beginning of time, and almost all religions embrace some form of it. As Pagans we chose to bring a little ancestor worship into our practice through sabbats, rituals, and altars. One of the most common forms of ancestor worship is an altar dedicated to non-living family members. I have found that ancestor altars are not only a great addition to a witch’s practice, but are also a great way to bring people of different faiths together. For example, my husband is not Pagan but he grew up with an ancestor altar in his home. His mother is a practicing Buddhist and so she made my husband pray and give offerings to their ancestor altar when he was child. We decided once we moved into our first home that we would set up an ancestor altar as well. We figured this would be a good cultural and spiritual tool to teach our future children. We also liked the idea that the altar is a combination of his Asian background and my Pagan practices. The right side of our ancestor altar is set up for his ancestors and is decorated in a traditional Chinese style. The left side of the altar is for my ancestors and is decorated in a more African/Hoodoo style (a boveda) since that is one of the traditions of witchcraft I practice. I am Caucasian and my ancestors are all Nordic and Celtic, but I am more comfortable with the African style of ancestor worship, so that is what I went with.

It can be challenging to have an ancestor altar though. It takes time and dedication to up keep it. It can also be a challenge to work with your ancestors when you are not always a fan of your family members, living or dead. Whether or not you liked your ancestors in life, they are bond to your bloodline. They are required to protect you, your home, and your family if you call on them. They may not behave perfectly even in death, but you can always rely on your ancestors to keep you safe. Taking the time to set up an ancestor altar, to worship at it, and to call on your ancestors during meditation or ritual is a great learning tool for all witches. There are many ways to enhance your spiritual practice and craft, and working with ancestors is one of those ways. Samhain may be the sabbat where we honor our ancestors, but that does not mean we should not be honoring our ancestors all year long. This Yule season do not forget to take the time to honor your ancestors and to ask for their blessings as the wheel of the year continues to turn.