Having an ancestor altar is an important part of your spiritual practice because it opens you up to receive more of the support from your ancestors. For many of us in the Western world, we haven’t engage with this practice whether because of religious upbringing, historical disconnection, or harsh family dynamics.

But if you’re someone who has been doing the work of coming home to self & God and aligning with your purpose, then you’ll eventually feel the pull to explore this ancient, indigenous practice. Increasing your capacity for a fuller expression of yourself requires reconnecting to your roots and opening yourself to receive even more of the support available to you in the Spirit.

So, how do you create an altar for your ancestors?

There are 5 primary components to have when setting it up:

1) Flowers. (I highly recommend white roses.)

2) A glass of water. (You could also add a different beverage if you know something was a favorite of one of your ancestors. Water is fine if you don’t know.)

3) A picture or physical item(s) of the ancestor(s).

4) A food item which may have been a favorite of one of your ancestors. (Sweets or fruit work if you don’t know.)

5) Either incense or a small white candle.

IMPORTANT: When it comes to physical items, only have pictures or items for those ancestors who had good character when they were alive. Do NOT place images or items on your altar for the problematic ones. The altar in your home is to strengthen the good available to you, not to intensify stress and conflict. You can always participate in facilitated ancestral veneration rituals to support the healing and elevation of those “negative” ancestors. If you don't know of any specific ancestors, then you can simply get a piece of paper and write "the elevated beneficial ancestors of my paternal & maternal lineages” and place that on the altar.

(f you are working with any other spirits, angels, or divine beings, then I recommend setting up a separate altar for them. Do not combine them with your ancestor altar.)

Once you’ve set up your altar, spend time either sitting in meditation, journaling, or talking openly to your ancestors every Friday. Ask for their help and guidance on whatever’s important to you. Be open to answers coming through direct knowing, songs playing on the radio, messages from Nature, etc.

At some point you may get the nudge to customize your altar. Have fun with it, but please do not fall prey to the comparison game with others. Your altar is a representative of your relationship with them, not how it appears to other people.

Finally ~

Be patient with the process. It will take time—sometimes years—to fully get to a place where you feel completely comfortable and are communicating easily with your beneficial ancestors. There is no better time than now to start the journey!