5d • Ancestor Veneration
Other Altar Tips
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.
The essence of your ancestors still lingers on these items, so they are great ways to connect with your ancestors. If you don’t have items that belonged to your ancestors, you can use items that represent your ancestors or their culture. For instance, coins, artwork, jewelry, clothing, dried herbs, or other items from areas in which your ancestors are from are great additions to an ancestor altar. It is best to place culturally specific items on your altar for the sake of authenticity. For instance, if you have Ghanian heritage, beads, money, cloth, or other items distinct to this country are best to use rather than similar items from various parts of Africa. Adding cultural paraphernalia to your altar is a great way to remember and embrace your cultural heritage. Every time you look at these items, you will remember your roots. They will remind you of where your ancestors came from and what they went through during their journey on earth. If your ancestors practiced a particular religion or form of spirituality, you could also add the holy book(s) of that religion or faith to your altar. Even if you don’t practice or believe in the religion, your ancestors will be greatly honored by this gesture. The goal is to show appreciation for your heritage, even if it is against your current belief systems. Alcohol is often included on ancestor altars because it likewise acts as a conduit for spirits. It is actually a form of energy that serves as a channel for conveying spiritual energy. This is where the phrase “wine and spirits” comes from. However, if you or your family have a history of alcoholism, I discourage adding alcohol to an ancestor altar. You can work with this element in less threatening or enticing forms, which I will discuss later in the next section. It may also be helpful to include a sound-maker such as a bell or a rattler on the altar. Such devices are often used to call forth spirits during ceremonies or rituals. They aren’t necessary but can be beneficial when working at your altar. These are just some of the many items that can be placed on an ancestor altar. The ultimate goal is to create a space where you and your ancestors feel comfortable interacting with each other.
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Other Altar Tips
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