5 Steps to Connect with your Ancestors

When you don't know your family's exact heritage and have no way to find that out, may you be an African American or in a situation where there are no more records or a way for you to access that information; this is a post I have curated for you.

I am that child, I walked where you have walked. The long cold road alone. The truth is your ancestors are always going to be there for you in one way or another. They may not watch every single thing you do but understand that they know you in a way you don't yet know yourself.

It is said that the less present your parents are in your life the harder your ancestors work to make things right for you.

Not all ancestors are created equal but I'm sure the ones around you are here to help and have attempted to reach you in ways that will become clear the more you cultivate that relationship.

1. Learn Absorb, Learn Some More

Speak with your elders. People you can contact on earth that may have a stronger connection to loved ones who have passed on.

Learn from their stories, their memories, and their experience so you can have a better feel and understanding of your ancestors you may not have gotten the chance you know.

Only after speaking with one of my grandparents did I learn of traditional moon blessing rituals performed on children so that they may be watched over and cared for by the moon's energy.

I began to see these magickal patterns in my family that led me to reach out to my ancestors who have practiced witchcraft only within the privacy of their own homes and space.

Do your research, and learn about the traditions and religious practices of your people. Learn their way of life and why they might have been different from the other people of their time.

Learn of their missions and dedications so that you may recognize their spirits and identify which of your ancestors will want to help you and which ones that may not have the best intentions for you.

Have you ever been able to identify someone because of their steps, their laugh, or something they have left behind? It's the same type of thing when you develop a sort of sixth sense to identify spirits.

Through practice you are given the tools to be successful, making connections with spiritual guides that want to help you along your journey.

No matter how little you may know about these ancestors, you open up a world of communication where you can build new relationships.

There is no such thing as learning too much so take note of what you learn from your ancestors, or learn on the way to your ancestors; so that you can incorporate these practices into your life as you see fit.

Really evaluate what resonates with you or any information that gives you strong emotions; good or bad.

2. Create a safe place

Are you in the correct head space to be working with others; which can look like daily meditation and reflective work on yourself?

Are you ready to not only receive but to give? Your life doesn't have to be perfect but you must be willing and open to understand messages and reciprocate love.

Set up an altar in your home for your ancestors; welcome them into your life and let them know that you have made the space for them to be in your life.

6 Needs For your Ancestral Altar

3. Offerings & Gratitude

After creating an altar or space on or altar dedicated to your ancestors, you can show gratitude for their life and journey.

Honor your ancestors by giving them offerings, this can look like: libation, herbs, coffee, incense, art, etc.. anything you would like to give to your ancestors to show them how grateful you are that they have lived a life so that you can live yours.

This is where the research comes into play, only you can know what would best work for your ancestors. However, if you have nowhere to start I suggest a cleansed white candle covered in everlasting flowers.

This is a good introduction as it represents love and a long-lasting relationship with your ancestors.

>Link to Incorporate Botanicals into your Craft

4. Call out to Your Ancestors & Cultivate a Relationship

As you are in your safe space, the foot of your altar, offerings in place and gratitude shown call out to them.

Make sure you have actually drawn out all negative energies and have warded yourself and your space before you call out to them to make sure you are not accidentally inviting unwanted spirits into your home.

Call out to your ancestors by name or in general for ancestors you have never been given the chance to meet in this life ask, them for guidance or for love.

Some are fortunate enough to be able to easily receive messages, for most it's not so easy.

You will have to work on creating a strong bond with your ancestors so that you can begin to recognize the signs they send you. Soon you will easily be able to identify exactly who you are speaking with

5. Write Them a Letter

After a few times of speaking with your ancestors, you will want to write them a letter covering your intentions and expectations that you have.

This can and should also include questions you have for your ancestors so their needs and wants are also addressed.

Use the guide below to write your own letter.

Letter to My Ancestors

With an open mind, gifts, & gratitude I welcome my ancestors with open arms. I have created this ancestral altar to express my love for you & to lay bare my intentions.

I am eternally grateful that you have blazed the trail before me & given me the opportunity to live the incredible life that I live.

I appreciate all of the guidance you have given me thus far & I wish to expand on our relationship.

I call out to all of my ancestors, to the spiritual guides whose blood now runs through my veins.

I want to know you. I want to know the experiences that make your essence yours. So that I may understand the world and my position in it better.

I'm looking for our relationship to be built on loyalty, trust, and mutual respect so that we may learn and evolve together...

At this point in the letter you will want to make a list of what you would like your ancestral relationship to look and feel like.

This can look like guidance, support, friendship, etc.. Explain yourself to your ancestors and allow yourself to be completely vulnerable with them.

The more time you spend with your ancestors, the stronger your relationship will be; however, you must be honest with your intentions and expectations of them.

I nor anyone else cannot tell you what you would like for your ancestral relationship. That is something specific for your journey and you will have to figure that out for yourself.

If you are having difficulties, ask yourself why you want to connect with your ancestors in the first place.