The ancestral altar should be the first altar to create by anyone who wishes to develop a New Orleans Voodoo spiritual practice. This can be to honor your biological ancestors, the universal archetypal ancestors, or both. Any and all connection to the spirit world is dependent upon the strength of your ancestral connection.
The following are some guidelines for creating your own ancestral altar. Follow your intuition when creating your altar, and feel free to add to or subtract from the suggestions below.
To create an altar you will need:
- A table, flat stone, or shelf
- White cloth
- Photos and momentos of your ancestors
- White candle
- Glass or crystal bowl of water
- A portion of each meal of the day
- A dish with 9 different types of earth, including graveyard dirt
- Fresh cut flowers
- Incense
Drape the white cloth over the table or shelf. If using a stone, leave it bare. Place the glass bowl of water in the center of the table and the white candle behind the bowl. Arrange the photos and momentos, flowers, and bowl of earth on the altar in a manner that pleases you. The bowl of food should go in front of the bowl of water.
How to Address the Ancestors
First, light the incense to purify your surroundings. Sprinkle a little fresh water on your altar, on the items on your altar, as well as on the earth to give respect to the Ancestors. Light your candle and begin speaking to your Ancestors. Begin by introducing yourself. Say something like,"Greetings Ancestors, my name is __________, son/daughter of ________ and ________ and I come with a pure heart to honor you with these offerings."
"I honor (say all of your ancestors names out loud). I honor all of those remembered and forgotten, who were associated with my ancestors as friends, companions, and loved ones. I love, honor, and respect all who have gone before me. I thank you for your guidance and protection, seen and unseen. I offer this special prayer so that you may rest in peace through the intercession of the four archangels and the Seven African Powers” (say the prayer to the Seven African Powers here followed by a heartfelt prayer of your own).
You can now talk to your ancestors about your problems and ask them for guidance. When you are finished, offer them the food and drink and thank them for listening. Take a moment and meditate on your life, focusing on your blessings, and abundance. Visualize passing on all that is good to your ancestors who have gone before you and to those yet to come. To conclude, pour water on the ground and say “Aché!” Let the candles burn out if possible.
Copyright 2013 Denise Alvarado, All rights reserved worldwide.denise-alvarado www.planetvoodoo.com
