How to Build an Ancestor Altar
Many Neo-Pagans incorporate worship or honoring of the Ancestors into their practice--Asa Tru, for instance, and those who work to re-create the pre-Christian Roman religion, just to name a couple. There are many cultural and historical precedents for the practice. In Vietnam, an ancestor altar is prominently displayed in nearly every home. In America today, whether it's formally part of a Pagan identity or not, spending a few minutes at an altar or shrine dedicated to one's ancestors can bring comfort, inspiration, and peace amidst daily craziness.
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Instructions
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Look for an altar you may already have without knowing it. In your home, you may have a space that is serving, informally, as an ancestor altar. A collection of old family photographs on a dresser, a kitchen counter where Great-grandma's cannisters are being displayed--and used--with love, a collection of Mom's dollhouse furniture on a fireplace mantel: these could be the start of a great ancestor altar.
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Find a good spot for your altar, if you don't already have a semi-formal altar spot. Choose a flat surface: a sideboard, an old end table, or the top of a low bookcase or dresser. If it can hold your altar items and is in a space you feel comfortable visiting, it's a good spot.
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Assemble your altar items. Collect old photos, small items that belonged to your ancestors (or items similar to those your remember), flowers, a candle or two, maybe a favorite book of your grandfather's, and arrange them on your altar. If you have any linens or embroidered pieces that belonged to--or were made by--an ancestor, consider using them as altar cloths. If you do this, make sure your candles are jar candles. You don't want to drip wax on a family heirloom.
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Think vertically. Not all altars have to be horizontal. A wall in your family room or dining room devoted to photographs or portraits of your ancestors makes a good altar, too.
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Use the altar. If your altar is vertical, i.e. a collection of photos on the family room or dining room wall, make time to tell your partner or children about the people in the pictures by recounting family legends and personal anecdotes.
If your ancestor altar is on a table or shelf, make a habit of going there when you feel the need for advice or counsel. Sit quietly and think about your problem. The solution may not come to you right away, but knowing that those who came before you (and who, presumably, have full life experience), know about the problem can be a great comfort. You may have greater access to your own deep knowledge, and, who knows, the ancestors may just be working on a solution for you.
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Consider the season. Many Pagans erect an ancestral altar only around Samhain. This makes sense, since the veil between the living and the dead is believed to be thinnest at the end of October. Many Samhain celebrations include some sort of shared meal with or quiet reflection upon loved ones who have already crossed the veil.
In Asian countries, an ancestor altar is assembled when a family member dies, and is taken down forty-nine days later.
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Tips & Warnings
Honor your ancestors by occasionally making some simple food that they enjoyed, and "share" it with them by eating some of it at the altar. If it's not in reach of pets and the food won't spoil (like cookies or fruit), consider leaving some on the altar with the thought that they may enjoy its essence.
References
Comments
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ullarskald1957
Aug 23, 2009
Nicely done, from one who has ancestor pictures around the house as reminders of them. As an Asatruar, honoring my forebears is an important thing to me. One thing I really liked about your description is the inclusion of heirlooms; my parents have a kitchen table (still in use) that belonged to my great grandma Burke. It was a wedding gift from her grandmother. It is a kind of family altar, though my folks are neither Heathen nor Pagan. My nieces and nephews are the 7th generation of our family to eat around it, and these times are major story telling events, of current and past kin and kith. The table will be passed on to one of my nieces one day, and will continue to be that family touchstone. be well - Pip
