Across cultures, this time of year is recognized as a thinning of the veils between worlds, when our ancestors and departed loved ones draw near.
In Mexico this is known as Día De Los Muertos, the Celts recognize Samhain, Catholics honor All Souls Day, and in the US, we celebrate Halloween.
This is a collectively special time to honor the ones we’ve loved that have passed.
Read on to learn ways to celebrate and find a cacao practice for connecting with your ancestors!
Ways to Connect With Ancestors At The Thinning Veils
We’re in a time when the doorway to the other realms opens and our ancestors and other spirits journey amongst us.
Practices to honor this special time include creating ancestor altars, giving offerings, visiting graves, lighting candles along paths and windows to guide lost souls home, as well as general protection against more trickster-like spirits.
Here are some ways to celebrate:
- Create: Create an ancestor altar (Learn more below!)
- Gather: Gather with family/friends in a common space, around a fire, or even at gravesites and share stories of departed loved ones.
- Reflect: Reflect on your lineage. Who and where have you come from? What gems will you carry forward from your line, and what are you releasing?
- Move: Put on music that inspires you to move (could be connected to your lineage) and invite your ancestors to join you in the dance!
Ancestor Altar + Cacao Ritual
Around the time from October 31st - November 2nd, set aside time to create an ancestor altar and prepare to sit in a cacao ritual.
When creating your ancestor altar, here are some guidelines to consider.
- Decorate with photos of those who have departed, including pets.
- Include any of their favorite items from when alive.
- Have at least one candle you can light when you sit in presence.
- As often as inspired, visit this altar, commune with them, and leave offerings (especially consider their favorite food and drinks).
- Hint: For the purposes of this practice, leave an empty cup on the altar.
- This can be as elaborate or as simple as you desire/are available for.
- This can be a personal altar space or you can invite your family/friends/housemates to co-create.
After you’ve created your ancestor altar and tidied your space for ritual presence, prepare yourself a cup of cacao.
With your cacao handy, sit in front of your ancestor altar. Begin by lighting the candle and calling in your guides, directions, and any other allies that support you grounding into ritual and offer protection.
Next, call in your well ancestors. When doing so, set the intention to support the healing for those ancestors who are still needing it and ask for the wisdom of those who are well to guide you. Then, offer the first sip of your cacao to the empty cup on your altar.
As you sip your cacao, open your awareness to any messages, images, or insights you receive from the spirit realm. As the veils are thinner during this time you are more likely to receive direct communication.
When you’ve finished your cacao, take some time to journal anything that came up for you. Below are some journal prompts to consider.
- What did this practice of creating an ancestor altar illuminate for me?
- What gifts have I received from my ancestral line?
- How does cacao support me in opening up my connection to spirit?
- What kind of images, messages, or guidance did I receive?
If this practice feels resonant with you, consider keeping your ancestor altar up for as long as serves your connection with this dimension of spirit!
Remember to close out with gratitudes, thank your ancestors for joining you, and deactivate the altar (blow out the candle, close the container).
