Photograph of a family friend.
Coconut milk scented hand cream, my great aunt.
Rose and vanilla scented hand cream, maternal grandmother.
Satya Nag Champa incense, my aunt (living), my past self.
Satya Superhit incense, my aunt (living), my past self.
Hand cream was often a holiday gift from older women in the family. My great aunt often gave me face creams, hand creams and other beauty products.
I use the hand cream and its associated scents for feeling closer to departed ancestors.
I work as well with a version of my past self during ancestor work. This brings to the fore the way I used to practice and my spirituality at a different time.
Ancestor work need not be with those currently passed only. I like to honor and remember living ancestors as well. Much of ancestor work for me involves feeling closer to those loved.
in my tradition, there always be altar or table for ancestors with their portrait, and we use fire (when so many people there [avoid flame danger] , we put red/yellow candle a pair in left and right on nearby corner or edge we place the "incense pot" ), usually,we place oil in the bowl, with its oil wick and plastic or wooden floater, "Oil Lamp" , because fire functioned as a gate when connecting with ancestors.
and my culture always avoiding place black & white photos for still living humans , and avoid to place still alive human photo in already dead ancestors altar , they said it could drag the living
so how about the position? ( i don't ask what's right or wrong, it's just why and what if )
[ i agree that even though person already dead, they still need our care, even in some culture they burn symbolicclothes, food, drink, etc and prayed to angel or (according their tradition) to ensure the soul is not in hunger, thirst or very bad condition. So many people is dreamed by they already dead relatives having not good condition (damaged clothes, sick skinny body, pale skin, even dirty), because no one do some kind of ancestor work after death in their family, and maybe the worst just forget names and don't care. So the Souls it just without body and need their descendent care, because not all person is a hermit or shamman or witch]
Ancestors are a big part of my practice. In kindred ceremonies we always offer a toast/libation in their honor along with one for our gods and the spirits that affect our lives. We believe that our ancestors are piece and part of our spiritual and corporal body. We carry their essence with us always.
Ancestors can be called upon for assistance, guidance and protection. As long as we can call out their names and speak of their words and deeds, they live on in our world and in our hearts. We believe that they never truly die until they are forgotten. Thus the need to periodically honor them in our rites and rituals.
Some of us are fortunate enough to have been able to retain personal items belonging to our ancestors. These things may be quite simple and utilitarian, such as tools, furniture and household implements. They have a special feel to them in which we can feel the life force and history of the person that once owned them. An example would be a great grandfather's hammer that always hits the nail or a grandmother's baking dish that never burns the cake. These are things of great sentimental value that are passed on through generations.
We honor our ancestors but do not worship them. Theywere people not deities. It would be acceptable to leave them offerings, candles and other specialties as a way of ceremonial rememberance as long as we keep things in context. Not a rule for all, just those who are on the Northern path.
