Our most frequently asked question is ‘How can I connect with my ancestors?’ The reality is you already are but not conscious of it.
It is easy to get caught up in the belief of separation due to death, not knowing a family member or being removed from your ancestral home and culture. However, the most important thing to remember is your ancestors are you; they are part of your genetic make up. Every memory, experience and characteristic exists within your DNA. For example, you may have a child who not only exhibits a striking similarity but also similar mannerisms to a grandparent they have never even met. It is imperative to note that the connection with ancestors transcends time and space.
In traditional African worldview life is a cycle of birth, death and rebirth, meaning spirit never dies, just as physics teaches us that energy is never destroyed only transformed. The family unit is composed of both the living and the departed, the essence of the departed is ever-present and as such can be activated anytime. Whilst the ancestors are no longer present in the physical they still can communicate and act as spiritual guardians to their descendants by offering support and guidance along their life to help overcome challenges and tap into one’s potential.
There are various ways to communicate with your ancestors and here are a few examples…
Altar
Setting up a sacred space in your home can be very beneficial for creating a place of peace, meditation, focused thought and to allow necessary time out from our busy lives. This process facilitates a ritual setting to connect with higher aspects of ourselves.
There is no right or wrong way to setting up an altar. You can use a table and cover with a cloth and add items that are related to your intention. You may wish to add a photograph of a family member and an item that reminds you of them. You could also light a candle and add a glass of water to the altar as well as stones, crystals or flowers. Your intuition will guide you on what to add. You can go to this area when wanting to make communication with a loved one.
Note it is advised that you initially connect with ancestors within your lineage who are worthy of veneration and exemplary in the way they lived their lives. That doesn’t mean that those who were not good people should be discarded, as they are still a part of you. Instead, send them love, cleansing and healing energies.
The relationship between the departed and the living never ceases to exist and just like any other relationship, respect is key. When communicating with a loved one show respect and gratitude. Call them by name, if you do not know any of your ancestors’ names ask for the positive ancestors within your lineage to come through to help, protect and guide you. Start by building up a relationship with them, you may need to do a few sessions before you can recognise the signs of communication in return, but they will come, be patient.
Libation
Libation is a traditional form of prayer, which can be found all over the ancient world particularly across African cultures. This tradition can be found on temple walls in Egypt and still is prevalent across the various communities on the continent today.
Traditionally libation was carried out using water. This primordial element represents purity, cleansing and vitality as it is one if the major aspects which makes up the planet and our bodies.
Offerings
The notion of giving offerings is a global concept found in many spiritual traditions, religions and cultures. In African communities offerings can take many forms including leaving a small portion of food for ancestors at meal times, pouring palm oil to the earth, adding flowers to an ancestral altar etc. There are various ways to reflect this gesture, which is ultimately to show respect and acknowledge the energies you are trying to connect with. The symbolic and literal act of giving spiritually opens up the pathway to receiving your intent requested in the ritual, in a reciprocating cycle.
The most important thing is to understand the power of your intention. Once you make the decision to connect with them, you will find that the pathway of communication will open. One of the easiest, yet effective ways to connect is to simply close your eyes, relax and set an intention to commune with them. Silence your mind and observe what comes through, remember they are a part of you, learn to trust your internal guidance.
Just like anything else you will need to work at it and be consistent but they will respond to you, be patient and increase your awareness and pay attention to all forms of signs and symbols that will appear around you as these show what communication you are receiving in return.
Further information on the role of ancestors and much more about African cosmologies can be found in our Home Study Course.
