Here I have provided a list of some of the commonly used herbs and plants and their magickal properties, so to have on hand for your spells, blends and mojo hands. Note that many can be used for more than one purpose, sometimes depending upon the properties of the other herbs and plants they are blended with. - Adam and Eve Root – love - Allspice berries – good fortune in games of chance and business; relieves psychological stress - Alfalfa – general good luck; luck in gambling; business success; financial security; prevent poverty and money troubles - Alkanet root – good fortune in games of chance, money matters, and business; source of red dye - Allspice – general good luck; luck in gambling; health - Aloe Vera – protection - Amber – love - Anise – protection; general good luck; luck in gambling; increase psychic abilities; protect against evil eye - Basil – Love; protection; happiness; peace; associated with Erzulie and Vishnu - Bay leaves – protection; health; protection; success; enhance spiritual gifts; increase wisdom, clarity of thought, and insight; ward off evil; drive away enemies; victory - Birch – protection - Black pepper corns – prevent unwanted visitors; cause pain and sorrow to an enemy; revenge - Cactus – protection; spines used for jinxing - Catnip – Love; makes women attractive to men - Cayenne pepper – jinxing enemies, driving enemies away; cause confusion in enemy household - Cedar – protection; cleansing; blessing; health; source of benevolent power - Chamomile – general good luck; luck in gambling; protection; remove money jinxes - Cinnamon – protection; health; spicing up love; brings good fortune in business and games of chance - Cloves – love; money drawing; friendship - Clover – love - Dandelion – wish granting; increase psychic visions - Devil’s Shoestring – general good luck; luck in gambling - Dill – love; protection; break love jinx; restore sexual feelings; luck in court cases; ward off illness - Dragon’s blood – protection; general good luck; luck in gambling - Eucalyptus – protection from jinxes; cast off evil; break bad habits - Fennel – protection; keep the law away; ward of troublesome and meddling people - Five finger grass – protection; health; gaining favors; gambling luck; traveler’s protection; money drawing; uncrossing - Garlic – protection; ward off evil - Ginger – fiery protection; heats up love; gambling luck - Ginger root – general good luck; luck in gambling - Ginseng – protection - Holly – general good luck; protection of the home - High John the Conqueror – love; protection; health; luck in gambling and games of chance; bring great strength; success; personal power; money - Irish moss – good fortune in money, business, and gambling - Ivy – protection - Jasmine – love - Job’s tears – wishing; gambling luck - Juniper – love; protection, blessing; cleansing; healing; berries bring good luck in sexual relations - Lavender – love; protection, peace - Lemon balm – clears away bad luck in love; draws in new lover; cleansing; health - Licorice root – commanding; controlling; dominating - Lilac – protection - Lucky hand root – protection; general good luck; luck in gambling - Magnolia leaves – protection; keep a husband faithful - Mandrake root – love; protection; made into a doll for love or to conjure wealth - Marigold – protection - May apple – general good luck; luck in gambling - Mimosa – protection - Mint – protection; repel enemies; uncrossing, enhance psychic abilities; ward off unwanted spirits - Mistletoe – protection from enemies, evil, and love jinxes - Mustard Seed (white) – protection; love; restore male sexual energy; general good luck; ward off evil; luck in gambling - Myrrh – protection, blessing,; purification - Nutmeg – love; general good luck; luck in gambling - Oak – general good luck; luck in gambling; uncrossing; removing unwanted spirits from home or place of business - Orange peel – general good luck; luck in gambling - Onion – protection - Parsley – protection; love, fertility; death; rent a house - Patchouli – protection; draw love and money; uncrossing - Pine – general good luck; luck in gambling - Raspberry leaves – brings good luck and fidelity - Rose – drawing love; luck and protection - Rosemary – empowers women; powerful guardian, protection; ward off evil, brings good luck in family matters; brings good dreams - Sage – protection, cleansing; blessing; wisdom; gives strength to women - Snakeroot – general good luck; luck in gambling; protection; health; domination; virility; money-finding - Spanish moss –stuffing Voodoo dolls; jinxing; money-drawing - Spearmint – love - Star Anise – general good luck; luck in gambling; lucky dreams; ward off envy - Thyme – peace of mind; increase and protect money; stops nightmares - Vanilla – love - Yarrow – courage; bravery; divination; protection

Working with Your Ancestor Altar Once you have your altar set up, you can and should begin working with it. As I mentioned before, an ancestral altar is supposed to serve as a focal point for communication with your ancestors. It is not meant to be just another piece of decor in your home. It is also good to cleanse it with Florida water or another spiritual cologne on a regular basis. With these concoctions, you can effectively clear a space of negative energy, purify an environment, and relieve anxiety and stress. Your altar should be cleaned frequently to prevent the build-up of foul or stagnant energy. A weekly, bi-weekly, or monthly cleansing schedule is generally sufficient to maintain clean energy in your altar space. If you keep water on your altar, you should also change it regularly. Water acts as a portal through which spirits travel. Water also represents the fluidity of the relationship between you and your ancestors. It is a basic essential for an ancestor altar, as previously menmentioned. But, if it is dirty or cloudy, it has the opposite effect – it attracts unclean energies and causes blockages. At a bare minimum, it is best to change the water weekly. When you add new water to the altar, you should use a clean vessel to store it in. If you plan to use the same glass, simply wash it before refilling it with water. Ideally, an ancestor altar should be blessed with an intention prayer before you begin working with it. An intention prayer sets the tone for how you plan to use the altar space. This prayer serves to invite your ancestors into the altar space and tells them why you set it up. I encourage you to speak from your heart when you pray or talk to your ancestors. However, you can use this simple prayer below or consult a prayer book to help you find the right words: Ancestors, known and unknown, I invite you into this space to connect with me. I have set up this altar for us to develop and grow a loving, long-lasting relationship. This altar serves as a memorial space and place of honor for you. As we walk this journey together, let me know how I can best honor you in this space as I want it to be inviting and pleasing to you As mentioned, the prayer above is very basic and straightforward. Use it as a template to fill in your own words from your heart. When I set up my altar, my prayers were more elaborate and personal than those in the template above. I talked to my ancestors about every object that I put on the altar as I explained the significance and meaning of each item. I did this when I initially set up my altar, and I likewise do it each time I add something to my altar. For instance, some of the last objects added to my altar were a couple of Dan masks from West Africa. The masks are sacred artifacts used in traditional religious practices to communicate with the spirit world.

You can also represent the four elements by placing a cross or ankh on your altar. If you don’t feel comfortable using a cross because of its affiliation with Christianity, keep in mind that early spiritualists who pre-date Christianity used the cross in their spiritual ceremonies and rituals. It was used in ancient Egypt (Kemet) and Ethiopia (Nubia) centuries before the advent of modern Christianity. Throughout history, the cross has symbolized the four directions, which likewise correlate to the four elements. Dispersed throughout the East African region, one of the most ancient civilizations known to modern-day man, ancient crosses can still be found in this area today. So, you can effectively incorporate this directional element into your altar without associating it with a specific religious practice. Simply use a cross without Christian imagery, or use an ankh, as it serves the same purpose. Another essential feature to include on your ancestor altar is a representation of the four directions (east, west, north, and south). The four directions correspond to the four elements as outlined in Table 3-1. Specific spirits live in and rule over each direction. Therefore, paying homage to the four directions is likewise elemental in ancestor veneration. Keep in mind that Table 3-1 outlines one representation of the symbolism or correlation of the four directions. Other references may categorize them differently. Feel free to use the symbology that best resonates with you when determining which source is most accurate. Additional elements that you may want to use on your altar are images of lost loved ones. Be careful not to place pictures of living people on the altar. If your photos include living and deceased people, you can crop out the living people using photo editing software. You can likewise make a photo-quality copy of the picture and physically cut out the image(s) of the people who are still living. Other standard items usually placed on ancestor altars include things that belonged to lost loved ones. If you have your grandmother’s favorite pearls or your grandfather’s cherished watch, you can add these items to your altar.

🕯️ 1. Simple Ancestor Candle Working Purpose: To call your ancestors for protection, guidance, or support. What you need: - White candle (or ancestral color you use) - Glass of water - Photo or name of ancestor(s) Steps: 1. Place the water and candle before the photo or name. 2. Light the candle and say: 3. Sit quietly for a few minutes and listen for intuition. 4. Thank them and let the candle burn safely or extinguish it. 🌾 2. Ancestor Blessing Bowl Spell Purpose: To invite blessings and strengthen ancestral connection. What you need: - Small bowl - A pinch of salt - A pinch of sugar or honey - A piece of paper with your prayer Steps: 1. Mix the salt (protection) and sugar/honey (sweet blessings) in the bowl. 2. Place the paper inside and say: 3. Keep the bowl on your altar for 7 days. 🌬️ 3. Ancestral Guidance Smoke Offering Purpose: To receive clarity and messages. What you need: - Incense (frankincense, myrrh, sandalwood, or sage—use what your tradition accepts) Steps: 1. Light the incense. 2. Hold your hands over the smoke and say: 3. Watch the smoke and note any impressions or feelings. 🍞 4. Food Offering Spell for Peace and Healing Purpose: To heal family wounds and bring peace in the lineage. What you need: - Bread, fruit, or a small plate of food - A cup of cool water Steps: 1. Set the food and water on your ancestor space. 2. Say: 3. Leave the offering for a few hours, then respectfully dispose of it outdoors or in the trash. 🔮 5. Ancestor Dream Connection Ritual Purpose: To receive messages in dreams. What you need: - A glass of water - A small piece of paper Steps: 1. Place the glass of water by your bed. 2. Write: “Ancestors, speak to me in dreams.” 3. Place the paper under your pillow. 4. Say: 🧿 6. Protection Spell Through the Bloodline Purpose: To create a protective barrier using ancestral strength. What you need: - White candle - Small bowl of water Steps: 1. Light the candle. 2. Dip your fingers in the water and touch your forehead, chest, and hands. 3. Say:“By the strength of those who came before me, 4. No harm may cross my path. 5. Their shield is my shield.” Amen

Many people give their ancestors food offerings. While it is a beautiful gesture and show of appreciation, it should be handled with careful consideration. Food is an energy source that attracts ancestral spirits. However, always be mindful of the type of food you give and when and how you dispose of it. Generally, living foods are excellent choices for our ancestors. Living foods carry a higher vibration than cooked foods. Fruits are ideal offerings because they are sweet and maintain a high vibration in their natural state. However, cooked meals carry a certain layer of authenticity and cultural connection that is likewise beneficial. When cooking meals for your ancestors, you can share a portion of your meals with them or cook something special for them. If you give your ancestors cooked food, be sure it is something they liked when they were alive. In today’s world, vegan, vegetarian, and alternative diets are ubiquitous. However, we must remember that many of our ancestors consumed meat, fish, poultry, etc. Even more, those who may have enjoyed a primarily plant-based diet didn’t generally consume the types of food that we now consider to be vegan or vegetarian. As such, if you decide to cook for your ancestors, you should cook meals they would have actually enjoyed. Remember, the offering is for them and not for you. Suppose you have ethical, spiritual, philosophical, or other aversions to preparing the types of foods that your ancestors ate. In that case, it is best not to give them cooked food offerings. You can simply give them fresh fruits and vegetables as an amicable compromise. Also, remember that whatever food offerings you present to them should have a purpose. Even when cooking their favorite foods, you should select foods that hold significance and meaning in some way. This concept is similar to the observation of Passover in the Bible. The annual feast of Passover was ordained to commemorate when the Most High passed over the children of Israel and killed all the firstborns of Egypt to provoke the Pharaoh to let the Israelites go. Therefore, the Israelites were instructed to maintain an annual feast unto the Most High to remember this event. Every part of the meal held significance and purpose. The lamb represented the sacrificial lamb they offered for protection against the Most High’s wrath. The bitter herbs symbolized the bitterness that the Israelites experienced during their sojourn in Egypt. And symbolism was assigned to the rest of the meal in kind. It is beneficial to prepare meals for your ancestors in a similar manner. Every part of the meal should have significance. It doesn’t need to have deep meaning like the Passover meal, but each part of the meal should serve a purpose. You may use your grandmother’s fried chicken recipe because that