Ancestor Veneration

There are specific ways to set up altars in accordance with your practice and culture.

Ancestor veneration has existed since the beginning of time, focused on honoring and uplifting the deceased. I view ancestors not only as part of your bloodline but also as your chosen family, soul family, friends, and even spirits from past lives who walked among the living and continue to walk with you in this life.

Ancestor work can be painful, no matter who your ancestors are there may be painful history to it. Know that uplifting your ancestors is about clearing out the secrets, uncovering, and facing the pain.

The dead will reveal to you way MORE than what you may gain from the living. Depending on how deep you want to dig into the history of your ancestors, they will talk. They will talk in whatever way your gifts and connections show up. The less fear you have, and the stronger your intention about the connection, the clearer messages will come to you.

This is a deeply intimate practice, and the connection is personal to you. There is no "right or wrong" way if your intention is genuine. Remember, these are your spirits, your Muertos. You can connect with them even without an altar or any tools; explore and discover the method that works best for you.

Below I am going to answer FAQs on ancestor veneration and how to set up an altar!

Do all ancestors work for you?

No, not all ancestors work for you. Generally, you should allow your ancestors to rest in peace. You shouldn't constantly call on them or petition them, although there are specific ancestors, both recent and far back in your bloodline, who may choose to step forward and guide you.

One way to understand the ancestral spirits with you is by using divination tools to explore their energy, personality, offerings, and how they wish to collaborate with you. Tarot cards, runes, and oracle cards can help you interview your ancestors, especially those who have chosen to work with you in this lifetime. Always invoke your highest and most benevolent ancestors; avoid summoning ancestors who may not have your best interests at heart. You don’t want to call on ancestors that do not f@#k with you to do work with you.

I recommend using tarot or using a mix of general oracle decks as well as an archetypical deck. Using a tool with archetypes can help you comprehend their power and presence better. It may even help you assign a name to an ancestor, especially if they are distant or unknown. For example, if an ancestor appears as "The Emperor" in tarot, this will give you a guide that this ancestor might have a more masculine, ruler, patriarch type of energy. You might even call them “The King” / “Emperor” whenever you feel their presence and call them that when you specifically want to talk to them for their guidance. If you have pictures of your ancestors, use them as focal points for communication.

Understand that not all ancestors are willing to engage with you; some may have chosen to rest or have negative intentions. It's essential to be discerning about who you call in.

You may have a homophobic ancestor who would not be a safe spirit to work with if you are queer. You want to be clear that not everybody can work with you, and that you are protecting yourself with your intention on who is invited to the table.

Why work with your ancestors?

Your ancestors serve as your first line of defense in the spiritual realm. They protect, warn, guide, and tap into your intuition, delivering messages and more. They are an extension of who you are, so by working with them, honoring them, and building a stronger connection, you are also nurturing yourself. When you make offerings, you are essentially offering to yourself. The healing of generational wounds and traumas also strengthens their spirits. You are directly linked to the ancestors of this time, whether they are your chosen or biological family. Focus on understanding and healing the ancestors of this life; it's a crucial part of your journey, regardless of blood connections.

CW: Abuse, & Drug Use.

One recommendation is to observe repeated patterns and cycles within your family. My grandmother, my mother, and I (as well as other family members) were all in very abusive relationships. My grandmother passed away at 33 from a "broken heart" with no prior health issues. As part of my ancestral healing, I allowed her to process her pain through me, experiencing her love, disappointment, anger, and suffering from that relationship. This process was emotionally intense but vital for generational cleansing and clearing. I also connected with my abusive grandfather, a war prisoner who likely suffered from PTSD. I witnessed glimpses of his torture and understood how his use of drugs and alcohol stemmed from mental torment. I felt his guilt, shame, deep pain, and regret, as well as his excitement about my impending birth, even though he passed away two weeks before I was born. He didn’t expect his death. In a way, he thought he could start fresh and be a great grandfather even if he couldn’t be a good father anymore. These interactions were painful but essential aspects of my ancestor's work.

How do you build an ancestor altar and Why have one?

An ancestor altar is a dedicated space for you to connect and engage in rituals with your ancestors. When your mind, body, and spirit recognize it as a spiritual space for connecting with ancestors, you become more open to the connection. Ancestor altars can be as grand or minimalistic as you prefer. Consider creating a portable altar for travel or limited living space. This space is intended to provide clarity and assist in healing generational wounds.

Altar basics: A white candle and a glass of water are all you need to get started. The candle is to call them in and uplift their spirit. The water serves as a conduit. You want to clean and change the water weekly so that the connection is clear.

Offerings: Prayers, Cigars, Herbs, Weed, Alcohol, Food, Flowers, Coffee, Jewelry, Bibles, Scripture, prayer book, candy, rosary, food, etc.

This is an intimate practice, so use your intuition to select items that resonate with your ancestors. Engage your family to learn about your ancestors' preferences, such as favorite songs, drinks, foods, or vices. Music can also help connect with them and call them forth during your sessions. In some Caribbean traditions, it's customary to knock three times on your altar when leaving an offering or ring a bell to summon them.

Ancestral Altar location: Set up your altar in the living room, kitchen, dining room, or office. If you set up your altar in your bedroom: cover it during intimate moments. Ultimately, it's your choice, and you can even create an altar inside your closet if space and privacy permit. Your ancestral altar is not meant for public display.

Tips for mini altars: Buy fake flowers you can use to decorate wherever you are, get some crystals that are connected to the spirit realm, and add any other small details that make you feel connected and safe.

If you have any further questions about ancestor veneration or ancestor work, feel free to ask.

Sending you so much love and bendiciones,

Ash Sanchez