Honoring female ancestors.

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Kimberly Ann Ferguson on October 22, 2009 at 8:15am

Hello! I think that this is a great subject, and you know there are several things that we do here, but it is more of a traditional pagan thing. We will set placements at dinner for the deceased and we will talk to them like they are pretty much there. Its funny because you feel them around about a month or before Samhain is here. The veils between world are most definitely thinner the coming month before. I know that we will set out extra food for all the spirit critters in the outside world. I know that there are some many other things that we can do but I think that it depends on what is going on around that time.

Permalink Reply by Mitra Lujan on October 23, 2009 at 3:04pm

I always put a photo of my ancestors on my alter. I usually do a small ritual alone and create a small circle, I light a candle for each. My thoughts and invitations for them to be in the circle with me. I keep the candle lit all day and through the night, (I use the large glass candles, I think they are called 7day candles).I don't use incense because my mother hated incense and since I want her presence, I don't use it. I close the circle but ask if the would stay through the night.I make sur to leave them food and water.
We did a similar ritual as a child for the day of the dead. I guess that's why it comes easy to me. od luck making your own ritual up. M

Permalink Reply by Sally Austin on October 24, 2009 at 9:58pm

Thank you! Both are beautiful traditions. Your ancestors must be most greatful to be honored.

Permalink Reply by Kimberly Ann Ferguson on December 9, 2009 at 7:41am

Hello!

I have been off for some time, going through my own death and rebirth in my own life. Not of anyone, but of myself and these seems like a good place to mention that I think coming to the beginning of a new year it is important to note the growth that we ourselves have made.

As women I think that it important to celebrate ourselves as woman and everyone should note the growth that they have made this year.

For me I have been through a lot of different aspects this year, which includes slowly learning that I do deserve to be happy and that it is OK to enjoy my life, this is one thing that I am working on in my current phase of life and I really think that things will be wonderful once I learn this. But for things that I have learned over the past year is 1. Not all friends are out to ruin your life, I had a friend a few years back that was a person who acted as a friend but did anything and everything to ruin my life behind my back. If I go into detail it will take a lot of space, but I will tell you the outcome, I learned to push everyone away and hide from even having friends. This is not a good thing, but the good thing is that I am learning to work through it trying to trust again and I know that it is a slow process but I am working on it. There are several other accomplishments that I have had but I would like to hear some of your.

Honoring yourself and accomplishments are important no matter how little those accomplishments are. What are some of the accomplishment that the rest of you have?

Permalink Reply by Freyas Kitten on February 1, 2012 at 3:28pm

My grandmother died late on October day a few years ago. That year I was not prepared to honor her on my Samhain altar. But the next year I felt ready. I placed the porcelain doll I had made her and was returned to me along with some china teacups that were hers. There actually ended up being several things on that altar representing many of my grandmothers. I topped it off with the dried roses I had saved from her funeral. I lit candles and talked to my grandmothers. It was a very healing and empowering evening for me. My granddaughter was fascinated with the altar when she came a trick or treating. She was also very careful but looked at everything and had lots of questions. She is just little.

Permalink Reply by GarlicClove on February 1, 2012 at 8:09pm

Sounds like a beautiful way to honor your grandmother. Mine was in my mind also this Samhain. I realized that in a lot of ways, she started me on my path with her interest in holistic therapies. I feel like there was a bit of a parallell in our lives. She had to find the courage to leave the catholic church for one that gave her a more personal relationship with god and face the condemnation of her family. Even though I think we'd have differences in opinion about religion, I think she could relate to what I am going through right now. Part of me wondered if she would mind my honoring her, since she was christian. I still wonder.

Which brings up a question. In some ways, is honoring your ancestors for them or for you? If in life, they would not want attention and offerings, then is it alright to give it to them in death? Maybe if it offers the living a connection and a sense of closeness. I don't know though.

Permalink Reply by Sally Austin on February 1, 2012 at 9:22pm

"In some ways, is honoring your ancestors for them or for you?" Personally I thinks it's a little of both

Permalink Reply by Freyas Kitten on February 7, 2012 at 9:59am

I think it is both also. Because it is both I don't think the honoree would be offended by the path we choose to honor her. Think about it, there is never a time after the funeral when Christians are given an opportunity to honor their ancestors.