- Ms. Micheale - ancestor offering.jpg (28.22 KiB) Viewed 3539 times
As a medium, I can tell you that the departed love being acknowledged by the living! It absolutely tickles them pink, I kid you not. No one likes to be ignored, and everyone, even the dead, likes to be remembered and appreciated. So, the first thing you'd probably want to do as a hoodoo practitioner is create an ancestor altar. It's not a "rule" or anything, just a strong recommendation. Ancestors are considered your allies, your team.
Bloodline Ancestors
The approach to ancestors in hoodoo is that they are not worshipped, per se, but they are deeply revered. "Family comes first," and if you include gods in your hoodoo practices (an option and personal preference, not a requirement, as there are no "hoodoo gods"), then ancestors take precedence over those gods. Ancestors are considered still "part of the family" even after they die. Their point of view is respected and sought out.
They are consulted for advice, just as our living relatives would be. If you are planning to start a new business, or are going off to college, or are about to be a new parent, you would take some time to share your thoughts about these things with the ancestors at your ancestor altar. You would tell them about it, and seek their blessing and guidance in these things. If somebody is bullying you, you tell the ancestors about it and ask their protection and assistance dealing with this nuisance. Whenever you do spellwork related to all of the above (and more), you would always include your ancestors in the working.
"Adopted" Ancestors
Hoodoo takes into account that everybody's family situation isn't the same, nor ideal. Some people don't even know who their blood relatives are. Some don't feel "connected" to their family of origin. Some are adopted by non-bloodline people. In hoodoo, there is allowance for all this. A practitioner could simply "adopt" any "new" ancestors to whom they feel a truly strong connection. Adopted ancestors are just as important as bloodline ones are, and all of the above about bloodline ancestors would likewise apply.
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Here are excerpts of articles written by experienced rootworkers for setting up an ancestor altar and working with ancestors:
The Ancestor Altar
by Miss Michaele, rootworker
An ancestor altar is an effective and beautiful way to connect with and gain support from the spirit world. It can be as simple as a photograph and a glass of water, or as elaborate as the spirits direct. An even stronger connection than a photograph is a little dirt from your ancestors’ graves. There is an art to getting that dirt in a respectful manner.
Go to the grave, bringing with you a small container such as a pill bottle, a spoon or trowel, a few coins and (if your ancestor has no history of alcoholism), a small bottle of whiskey. Introduce yourself to your ancestor. Explain what you want to do — bring home a little dirt from the grave so that you can build a connection with him or her. Pour the whiskey over the grave and tuck the coins into the grass about where your ancestor’s hand would be. Then spoon a small quantity of dirt into the pill bottle. When you get home, put the graveyard dirt into an attractive, appropriately sized container.
Saturday is the traditional day for working with the dead. The traditional, basic offering — the “meat and potatoes” of the spirit world — is a glass of water; some folks, drawing on the traditions of the Spiritual Church, dye the water pale blue. Once you have set up a simple altar, you may wish to make weekly offerings of food, music, or other items as the spirit directs. Of course, if you know your family’s favorite foods, etc., you may certainly offer those.
Pay attention to unusual food cravings and “earworms” –tunes running through your mind that you can’t get rid of. These may be requests for particular offerings from your ancestors. The lyrics, or an associated memory, may reveal what they want — or it may be the music itself that they want to hear.
When you approach your altar, show respect, ask forgiveness if you have done wrong – but also tell them your troubles and don’t hesitate to express yourself. It’s OK to get your BMW on (Bitch, Moan, Whine) [I love this! --K]. You can also recruit “new” ancestors – those who have passed on and succeeded in the things you wish to accomplish, even if they are not related to you. I would also recommend at least one person who dedicated his or her life to good works and/or justice.
To read the full article by Miss Michaele, visit:
hoodoofoundry.com/casting/the-ancestor-altar/ (<~~~copy and paste this into your browser)
Ancestors! In Vodou and Elsewhere
by Houngan Hector, Haitian Vodou priest
(note: because hoodoo and Vodou are both African Diaspora
spiritual paths, they share the same views on the importance
of working with ancestors, so I include this article here)
Importance of Ancestors
At the core of every Afro-Caribbean tradition is the propitiation of one's ancestors. Even most Hispanic Catholics that I know revere their ancestors with a glass of water and a candle, thus giving their ancestral spirits luz (light: to guide their way), progreso (progress; advancement), and refresco (refreshment). The ancestors are so fundamental, so basic to the individual that one's first service in any of these traditions should be to them. They are essential to your well-being and development.
One coming into the world is standing on the shoulders of his or her ancestors. In other words, it was they who made you. One change in the past could have changed your position in the world today, including your very presence in this world at all! Our ancestors help guide us to our respective paths. They take us where we need to be in life. They love us and oftentimes want to contribute to our well being.
Who is an Ancestor?
Now, other people from various traditions have different ideas as to who constitutes as an ancestor. For some practitioners, only someone who died a "natural" death can be considered an ancestor. I, however, disagree with this view. Family actually extends quite far also, in my view. First, as I have stated, there are the ancestors of your biological bloodline. These are your mother, father, sisters, brothers, aunts, uncles, cousins, etc. These family members, considered by mostly everyone as such, frequently qualify as ancestors. But there are more.
Are you adopted? If you are, then you have a second set of parents, siblings, cousins and family. They are your ancestors too. Do you have a deceased friend, who you considered family in life? He or she is an ancestor. A deceased spouse is an ancestor. Deceased members of your spiritual family are your ancestors. (According to your tradition, your initiator should teach you how to approach this.) Have you had an abortion or miscarriage? Those child spirits can also be considered ancestors and included on your altar. Spiritual guides can also be placed on your altar and given their special place. This is because the bottom line is: we all have something to contribute.
Ancestors are individuals who still have their own personalities. This should be taken into account. You should not consider that because they died they will suddenly have a reawakening and become all peace and light. This does sometimes happen however. With some exceptions, most ancestors will react to situations, problems, and proposals in ways that are in accordance with their personality in life. If a person was lazy in life, one can most likely assume that they are still lazy in death, and you will have to work to get them motivated. If someone was a workaholic, however, you can expect them to work day and night on your problem until it is resolved.
Your ancestors are all around you. They are with you. Use this to your advantage in everyday life. When looking for a carpenter, why not ask Uncle Juan - known for his excellence in carpentry in life - for help. Skills, attributes, and traits are all transferred with death. If your grandmother just loved coffee, why not serve her some on the altar? If your heritage shows that you are German, give your ancestors German foods. If your family is from Hungary then give them traditional Hungarian foods. There are other things that most ancestors will gladly accept.
At the Ancestor Altar
For one, whenever working with a spirit, an ancestor, a Lwa, a mo, whatever, one should always have at least a glass of water and a candle. Ancestor staples include coffee with and without sugar, bread, milk, coconuts, candy, white rice, chicken, and other white foods. When serving your ancestors remember that their foods are served without salt. Salt has the ability to make the ancestors depart and nullify their powers; in fact it would be better not to serve them at all then to serve them with salt. After the first service, however, your ancestors should be immune to salt, and you can offer them foods that contain modest amounts of salt.
You will need to find a table to set up as your altar. Any type of table will do. A nightstand will work also, but be sure to keep the altar out of your bedroom if at all possible. This is because the spirits will often disturb your dreams and/or cause you problems in having a romantic partner. Place a large glass of water in the center of the table. You can choose to use a white cloth as an altar cloth. Under this glass of water, you can place a small round hand mirror. The spirits are known to live on the other side of the mirror. Both these things will amplify your ability to contact them. In my family, we use a brandy snifter and a white men's handkerchief as our altar cloth.
To this altar, add photos of your ancestors. (DO NOT INCLUDE PHOTOS WHICH HAVE LIVING PERSONS IN THEM!!!) You can also add jewelry that once belonged to them, trinkets, and other things that remind you of your ancestors. Let them be your guide. Some people keep dirt from a deceased family member's grave on the table, small toys (for spirits of deceased children), crosses, bibles, and flowers. White flowers are appropriate, as well as the inclusion of a single red rose. Just one though.
Name all your ancestors as far back as you can. You should start with the most recently deceased. Then state: "To all those ancestors who I know and who I don't know" This is a classical way, in Vodou, to cover all your bases. Then present your offerings to the four directions. Tell your ancestors what you are giving them, for example "Here is cake for you to eat, coffee to give you energy, etc." Then tell your ancestors that you love them, you remember them, and you are serving them.
Have a short period of remembrance. Experience your ancestors to the fullest extent of your abilities. Draw from their wisdom. Remember the love they showed you in life. Allow them to bring you inspirations, give you advice, and communicate with you. Some people use rattles, bells, or other noisemakers to attract the ancestors' attention. You can do this too, see what works for you. Ask your ancestors for peace, guidance, to clear your path of obstacles, for blessings. Then leave the room and let them eat. After at least twenty four hours, you can go back and remove the food offerings and leave them under a bush or in a cemetery.
If you would like to receive a really clear, strong message from your ancestor in the form of a dream, you can sleep in front of the altar. Your ancestors can help you a great deal by clearing your path of obstacles. They will work on your behalf. They will give you insights and blessings. But if you slack in their services, ignore them, mistreat them, they can also do the exact opposite. You will find yourself with obstacles springing up all over. So, take care of them and their table. You should attend to your altar at the very least once a week. Keep it clean. Keep the water fresh. Keep the glass washed.
To read the full article by Hougan Hector, visit:
ezilikonnen.com/ancestors/ancestors.html (<~~~copy and paste this into your browser)
A whole room dedicated to the residents' ancestors:
I've had a fascination with ancestral altars for quite some time. This does answer a couple of the questions I had about working with ancestors, such as who can be considered an ancestor. It's also very helpful to know to avoid putting the altar in your bedroom. 
I do plan to read the full articles at a later time. Thanks for taking the time to share this with us.
If you want to add an even more interesting twist to the mix, get your DNA tested. You'd be surprised what comes up in these tests! lol. People think they know their "family line," but often there are other family histories that were never told, it seems. Cat Yronwode wants to write a book about this topic one day...ancestor work based on one's genetic test results. Intriguing idea, I think.
