Procedure/Prayer to Honor Ancestors
For Clarification: Ancestors means All those blood relatives who have physically left the Earth Plane.
The actual ritual of ancestor worship is extremely simple. Create a sacred space, set aside specifically for this practice. It does not need to be large. (It may be as small as 12 X 12 inches) A corner of a table, space on a shelf, etc. Use a natural fiber cloth, white only. All materials must be white – the cloth, candle, flowers if you choose to use them, etc. Anoint and pray over all items with focused intention or intended purpose.
Think carefully about the space you would find most appropriate. It should not be done in your bedroom. If you are in someone else’s home, or traveling and in hotels, a place where the energy and history is unknown to you, it is best to wait until you are in a more desirable location for the best results and to lessen any interference with your ancestors, but any location will do with appropriate, well thought preparations. Remember, as always, to clean and clear the space, regardless of location… to set up the room as you would for an energy session, meditation, prayer, etc.,
refer to “Anointing your home and belongings” document.
For the basic ritual, all you need is a clear (no designs or patterns) ‘Large’ brandy snifter type glass, natural water (the fresh natural water (bottled spring water, for example, and tap water will also work) poured into the glass and placed on your sacred space and allowed to slowly evaporate over the seven days. This symbolizes your ancestors drinking. Do not refill the glass.) a white candle, and the discipline to set aside thirteen minutes a day for seven consecutive days.
For these seven consecutive days, at the exact same time each day, you will light the candle with matchsticks and offer prayers to your blood ancestors. (You may let the candle burn, but it is not necessary. You may put the candle out after the thirteen minutes and relight it the next day. As usual, do not blow the candle out with your breath.) At the beginning, for your parents, then children and ancestors, you will call out each name and title three times, and, after offering your love and your thanks, after offering the water for coolness and refreshment and the candle for light and energy, you may bring your problems to them.
This doesn’t mean asking them for a new pair of shoes. We only ask our Ancestors to intervene in serious life situations. The loss of a job, illness, the release/healing of addiction, the breakup of a relationship – these are the kinds of issues for which it is proper to ask their assistance/advice, etc. If no serious problems exist, then simply ask them for guidance in your life, health for you and those you love, and prosperity for your home.
These instructions must be followed exactly as written. “Ajuba (blessings) to all my departed ancestors who are my blood relatives. The following is just an example. Do what is applicable in your life. Name as many as you or parents, relatives, can remember. Remember full names, at birth name including married names. Create your specific list (laminate/wrap in plastic) and place it on your ancestral altar.
(Note that the title is given first, and then the name of the individual follows directly after the title. Each one is spoken aloud three times.) “Particular blessings and thankfulness to my Father (his full name), to my Father _____, to my Father ______. Also to my Mother _____, to my Mother _____, to my Mother_____;” (After your parents have been called upon, you state the title ONCE and the name three times for everyone else…) “and to any children you may have had who are no longer with you: to my son/daughter (name), or children who did not reach term, then your siblings… to my sisters and brothers, and then your parents sisters and brothers, to my grandparents…” (You may do one bloodline at a time… Mother’s then Father’s or vice versa. It is a personal preference.) Continue (if applicable) to list the next generation of your great aunts/uncles, then great grandparents, great great aunts and uncles, etc.
State exactly as listed:
(If adopted, and do not know your blood relatives, begin by reciting the prayer at this point.) “As well as all those whose names I do not know but whose blood runs through my veins: Please accept the coolness of this water so that you may be cool and comfortable. Please accept the Light and energy so that you may have brightness and strength. I ask for the light and energy to move back through time, to all the ancestors that can be reached, to let them know they are loved, and the Light is sent to them through all the generations. I want it to reach back until my blood line reaches /fuses with that of the collective blood lines, and the legacy of them all is infused with healing energy… and the capabilities/wisdom/power of them is brought forward to us as they are healed, to be used for the good of all in this time/space/place.
I love and miss your presence here on Earth, but gather strength and wisdom from your continued energy and guidance. May that guidance continue to open my paths and roads and the paths and roads of those I love. May your strength and energy give health to me and those I love. May your wisdom bring love and prosperity into my home.”
This is simply an outline, and you’ll find that if a lot is going on in your life, your prayers will be more complex. Also, the setting can be much more elaborate. Most Priestesses/Priests I know put a table covered with a white cloth in one corner of a room and place as many photographs of their ancestors on it as possible. Plus adorn with spiritual/religious items, etc. to add strength and healing to the Uplifting of the Ancestral line.
A quick word of caution: the pictures should contain only deceased relatives; no pets, or other living beings
lest he or she join the deceased. You might place some of your ancestors’ favorite items on the table, too.
For example, if a relative enjoyed coffee, fruit, honey, an occasional cigar, you can place them there,
or anything else you feel they might appreciate.
Be aware that when you take a specific problem/situation to your Ancestors, the solution may come in many forms.
It is possible one of your ancestors will appear in your dreams and offer a suggestion or solution.
Perhaps you will suddenly get a flash or insight into the problem, or perhaps the problem will simply cease
to exist for no apparent reason. So when you are asking your ancestors for help, it is important
to be open and aware and to keep a pencil/pen and paper by your bed so that when you awaken from a dream,
you can jot it down before it fades into the morning.
Remember to keep the entire process to 13 minutes exactly. So if necessary set a timer, stop watch etc….
Also please remember to be respectful of these seven days and to honor your self/body/Spirit by refraining from the use of drugs, alcohol and illicit behavior before, during and after the seven days time.
When researching your Ancestral lines…. this is a healing within and of itself… remember to record the names in order with title plus whether male/female… begin with your parents, children, grandparents, aunts, uncles, then great aunts, uncles etc, as listed above, please hand write in free flowing ink blue (preferred). Upon completion, either laminate or cover with plastic (zip lock), then place on altar where they will sit during the stay of the 7 days or longer depending on ones preference. This will make it easier to have on hand and be able to read from while praying/meditation…(list in order) it is our duty to research, to the best of our abilities our bloodlines. Remember to do this with respect and honor for yourself and those who came before you; our steps will dictate much for those who will come after us, specifically into our own bloodlines, but also globally…. For we reside in a global tapestry with the
Great Web of Life……….
If you are in a one room suite do not do any of the above in the same room where the alter practice is set up. Now you can set the Alter up and take it down each day, it is preferred to leave it up for the full 7 days.
You may set everything on a tray, with a white cloth underneath then, move tray in and out of room,
please be sure to cover the tray once your practice is complete.
A few questions and answers…
Do I let the candle burn?
You can, but it is not necessary. You can put the candle out after the thirteen minutes and relight it the next day.
Do I keep giving fresh water?
No. The fresh natural water (bottled spring water, for example) should be placed on the shrine in the large drinking glass/brandy snifter and allowed to slowly evaporate over the seven days. This symbolizes your ancestors’ drinking.
Do I have to do it at night?
No. You may do it any time of the day or night. But, if you start at 6:00 am, you must do it at exactly 6:00 am each of the seven days. If you “blow it” you will have to start over.
Can I do it for a lesser or greater number of days?
With our belief system, there are occasions for performing worship for three days, 14 days, 17 days, and 21 days. These are for specific and highly esoteric reasons. 99% of the time, 7 is the correct number.
Do I have to have pictures?
No, you don’t even have to have a formal shrine/altar. All you need is the water, candle, and your prayers.
What happens if I am traveling?
If you leave during the course of the seven days, simply continue the sequence wherever you are staying. Be certain to adjust the time to correspond to the time you were doing it at home. (If you were praying at 11:14pm in Chicago, you would pray at 12:14 am in New York, etc.) Remember, you may do it anywhere – in a hotel, vacation home, etc. It is best to energetically clean and set up the energy in any space prior to beginning. Anoint and seal in the room with olive oil, salt, and incense, etc. (Refer to document titled “Anointing your home and belongings.”)
Can I keep a candle going all the time?
Yes, you may work with your shrine/altar in any way you like. You can replenish the fruits and drinks and presents daily or weekly, as do most people around the world.
The formal worship, however, takes place on seven consecutive days within each month.
I had a friend who was as close or closer to me than my relatives.
I called her “aunt.” Can she be included in my worship?
NO! Only blood relatives can be honored/worshipped in this way.
Store your drinking glass for reuse for this purpose. We ask you to create/activate this system when problems accumulate: i.e. Business is stagnate or your losing business/clients etc, you have negative feelings about self and others, you are depressed or anxious, etc.
Once a quarter or more if your life is on a continual move would be considered minimal.
Once a month is optimal!
Ancestor worship requires no initiation, no conversion, and no expense. It is something everyone can do.
It is a powerful tool for making positive and discernible changes in our lives. It is equally effective in providing us
with the awareness that life is not a single, accidental event but a continuing process
that offers endless possibilities and pleasures.
Be at Peace
Jozef
