Graveyard, Ancestors, Mediumship, Dying, Death, The Dead

Unread post by **LynneTyson** » Sat Dec 18, 2010 5:54 pm

Thank you all for your replies. I found out today that he passed at almost the exact time that I was lighting the candle for him.

DieFaust · Unread post by **DieFaust** » Mon Feb 28, 2011 12:37 am

A dear friend of mine has recently passed, the circumstances without getting into too much detail were very bad and I have been told that he is most likely a restless spirit. is there anything that i can do to help him?
or at the very least ease him?

Also i would like to do something that would honor him and our friendship, is there something that is traditionally done?

thank you.

Unread post by **starsinthesky7** » Mon Feb 28, 2011 12:51 am

I am so sorry to hear about your loss. I would get a white candle, and dress it with blessing oil. And speak from the heart about your friend and ask that his soul be laid to rest, and that you would like him to find peace on the otherside.

I would perhaps create an altar to him, and include pictures of you and him, favorite candle, drink, colors, etc. Perhaps once hes buried you can get some of his graveyard dirt, and you can put that on your altar. Once a week perhaps Sunday, or a day that you associate him with you can leave him treats and speak with him. However you can speak with him whenever you like of course.

I am very sorry to hear about this, and I would like to hear of what others have to say.

suzyparker · Unread post by **suzyparker** » Mon Feb 28, 2011 9:09 am

Excellent advice, Stars. I think it's always helpful to help anyone with the transition; but particularly a person who took their own life. Lots of stuff going on there. I would also do an altar for my friend. photo of him, a bowl of water, graveyard dirt (or another personal effect of his), a white candle (dress it with Blessing oil - or even Peace Water) and lots and lots of prayer and conversing with your friend. Tell him you love and care about him and that he is in a safe place, etc. Good luck and it's wonderful to see you care so much about your friend. Many people tend to wash their hands of those who are gone (especially if they go under less than perfect circumstances) and that is just wrong.

Unread post by **ConjureMan** » Mon Feb 28, 2011 9:49 am

Lovely suggestions and building an altar is a great idea. However, I would not recommend gathering graveyard dirt from a suicide victim, murder victim, or other person whose death was charged, at least not yet. As worker I deal with spirits quite a bit and in addition to exorcisms I am also frequently called to put spirits to rest. I have found that these spirits are extremely confused and lost when I speak to them and it usually revolves around not understanding what is going on. Given this, while gathering graveyard dirt is well-intentioned in this case it actually may cause some difficulties.

First these spirits are in a raw emotional state and bringing the graveyard dirt home can track that confusion and chaos into your home.

Second, you want to help the spirit get acclimated with its *current* state. This means to help it find rest in its grave. We see various traditions of doing this still practiced today.

This is usually done by washing down the tombstone with holy water, or water sprinkled with a dash of 711 Holy Oil or Florida Water. This cools the spirit and allows them to rest.

Other acts revolve around leaving mementos and other items like favorite drinks, possessions, flowers, etc at the grave to help make the spirit at home.

If you've ever traveled in the south and visited a graveyard you'll find people's tombstones packed with little toys, items of clothing, flowers, candles, pictures, religious items and other things aimed at helping the spirit adjust.

So, my advice would be to first help the spirit get adjusted to its new existence. Set up an altar, light candles, work with 711 Holy Oil and Blessing Oil and once your friend is buried help make him or her feel at ease in their new home by working with the grave directly and not to gather any dirt until things have settled.

Unread post by **Devi Spring** » Mon Feb 28, 2011 9:54 am

I'm very sorry to hear of your loss, and of the troubled life your friend led. It's lovely that you wish to aid them now that they have passed.

I was taught that spirits should be given a period of time to become acclimated to their new state before attempting to work with them through graveyard dirt, etc. In fact, I was actually instructed not to speak directly to the spirit during that period - you can pray FOR them, and pray for blessings and comfort for them, peace for their spirit, etc - but talking directly to them can cause them to difficulties in getting settled in the spirit world. (Others may feel differently on that point - and obviously, it's not referring to when those with the gift of communicating with spirits speak with one to help it move on.)

I think making an altar to honor them, and in order to pray for them is a fantastic suggestion. There are many wonderful prayers for the dead that you can find online and pray daily for your friend. You can burn Tranquility and Blessing and Healing candles for them, in order to help calm the troubled spirit and help them find rest. Keeping their grave tended with gifts on it during this time will also help honor them and show your love for them, without including confusing elements that may cause them to cling unhealthily to the living, when they need to adjust to the spirit world.

{EDIT: Beaten to the punch by some fantastic advice by ConjureMan Ali!!

}

Unread post by **starsinthesky7** » Mon Feb 28, 2011 10:02 am

Bring back the graveyard dirt in this case makes complete sense in this case. Thanks for clarifying conjureman Ali. I hope that you are able to find comfort at this time, and set a light for the family as well to help pray for them at this difficult time.

artemis · Unread post by **artemis** » Mon Feb 28, 2011 10:06 am

I am in agreement with much of what was posted. To cite personal experience, my sister suicided as a teen. I went to the cemetery almost every day for the few months before I left town for school and took her flowers and other gifts on a regular basis. Her friends also tended to her grave on an almost daily basis and left her many, many tokens of their love and esteem for her which was both comforting to my family, and certainly for her.

Talk to your friend. Tell him how you feel. I would say prayer, daily prayer is most important here, so that your friend's spirit is moved in the right direction. I could feel my sister suffering for some time after her death, but one day, all of a sudden, I realized she had moved on. I don't doubt for a moment it was the extreme outpouring of love, support and care that was expressed by friends and family that helped her to move in a relatively quickly way.

I am truly sorry to hear this for you. It is one of, if not the most, devastating events one can ever experience. Peace to you and your friend's family.

DieFaust · Unread post by **DieFaust** » Mon Feb 28, 2011 2:02 pm

thank you everyone, the support and advice from community members has made this ordeal easier for me and hopefully for the spirit of my friend.

from the bottom of my heart I thank all of you

suzyparker · Unread post by **suzyparker** » Mon Feb 28, 2011 4:27 pm

Conjure Man Ali is correct about the graveyard dirt. I use it to commune with someone who has been dead for a very long time. Probably the last thing your friend needs at this time is to be confused about the latest part of his journey. I also love the idea of taking things he liked to his grave to acclimate him to this new path. Excellent. You sound like a wonderful friend and remember also be kind to yourself during this time. There's no good way or good circumstance to lose someone you care about, but suicide is always hard on those left behind too. Maybe use some healing and/or tranquility oil on yourself. I have used LM's products for emotional turbulence and they never fail to comfort and ease the hurt. Please keep us posted.

DieFaust · Unread post by **DieFaust** » Mon Mar 21, 2011 12:58 am

Just giving any interested parties an update, I've been lighting candles for him every night and praying for him, speaking to him and just trying to move on as well
It has been hard saying goodbye to him but i think overall what i have been able to do has worked. We finally had a memorial for him yesterday and i got a chance to speak with his parents and we're finally getting closure.

Once again i want to thank everyone for helping me, I know i don't post much on this forum but the fews times i have i've always been impressed by the solidarity within this community as well as the quality of people you have here.
Thanks again

miss sonja · Unread post by **miss sonja** » Wed Apr 06, 2011 2:08 pm

My mother and I were very close my entire life. She was a spiritual, yet troubled woman. She committed suicide on Mother's Day 2006. We had a falling out 2 weeks before she took her life so we never had the chance to mend things while she was living. It was literally one of the only times in my life that we fought.
Are suicides off limits in ancestor work? I would like to work with her, I'm not sure how to approach it or if I should. Is the death too recent? Since her mental health was obviously not well, should I not work with her? If I do work with her where do I begin?
I know this post is a bit brief considering, so if there is information you would like to know feel free to ask. Any insight/advise would be great!

Thank you so much for your time,
miss jolene

Unread post by **ConjureMan** » Wed Apr 06, 2011 10:16 pm

Suicide victims are called upon in various graveyard works, but not that often in ancestral work. That said, my suggestion would be to work with a reader who is also a medium, if you lack the ability yourself, to contact the spirit and see if your mother is willing to work with you and more importantly if she is capable. Spirits sometimes can be rather restless and you want to work with ancestors that bring strength and wisdom, not their turmoil.

To help your mother you can light candles for her dressed with 711 Holy Oil and Blessing Oil.

miss sonja · Unread post by **miss sonja** » Fri Apr 08, 2011 8:33 am

That's what I figured. Thank you so much for your reply!

Unread post by **Dr Johannes** » Fri Apr 08, 2011 1:03 pm

If you were close to your mother there is no reason for you not to try to work with her. Some traditions usually say the dead should be left alone of a year after death and I think that is a nice recommendation. Suicides can be tough in the beginning and in graveyard work they are sought out mostly for enemy work. Vervain herb used as an incense works work wonders to lift the spirits who have died accidentaly or were in a bad state at the time of death. So you could get some packages of Vervain herb from LM , light it on charcoal on a Monday, light a white candle and summon your Mother. Set out a glass of cold water for her. Repeat for three consecutive mondays. If you do not feel a connection at all or if it feels bad then do a Novena. Skip the medium consultation if the medium does not know how to strengthen your mother enough (or bring your spirit to her) for you to feel or hear her yes or no to your suggestion about increased contact.
In any case you should talk to her daily and offer her water, Vervain and some of her favourite stuff for at least 6 months before you even suggest any "work".
Good luck!
//Dr. Johannes

Unread post by **ConjureMan** » Fri Apr 08, 2011 1:15 pm

There are various mediums at AIRR who can help your connection with the dead. For example, Miss cat is an accomplished medium and can help you develop a connection while also telling you whether her spirit is able to be a presence in your life without causing chaos. In various conjure traditions in the south we find that certain spirits, no matter how close they are to you, can actually be disruptive and often there is a need to sooth them. For example, when a mother dies she sometimes latches on to her young children which can overwhelm the child. This is why there are specific conjures aimed at getting to mother to lay at rest and not disturb her living descendents. The same is often done for suicide victims.

I've worked with suicide victims in the past and find that it is always best to help them adjust to their new lives before attempting work with them. Blessing Oil and 711 Holy Oil can go a long way. So in addition to the work outlined by Dr Johannes, get a medium to work with the spirit to discover the feasbility of bringing that presence in your life, light white candles dressed with the oils mentioned etc.

Good luck.

miss sonja · Unread post by **miss sonja** » Fri Apr 08, 2011 2:52 pm

Johannes, Thank you for your response. I notice you are connected to Sweden and wanted to mention that my mother was born there and was full swedish. I have just recently started researching Swedish traditions to see if that may be an avenue I might take in connecting with her. She was a healer & a medium so it baffles me as to why we haven't connected (though there could be plenty of reasons, I can't reach her), I would like a meeting with a medium to help with that. I'll do what you suggested and also look into finding the *right* medium.
Thanks again to the both of you!
Edited- I didn't see that last post! Will make an appt with miss cat.
Thanks!!

Unread post by **Dr Johannes** » Fri Apr 08, 2011 3:09 pm

My family has lived here in Sweden for the last 500 years and I am full swedish myself, so yes I suppose that makes me connected.

I am a medium as well but I am officially not taking clients this year due to another project involving old Norse customs and practices. But you made me curious. What town was your mother from? How old was she when she emigrated? The customs you should start your research on is the ones surrounding Midsummer and Christmas and the foods served at these occasions. You can also call miss cat for a reading and ask her if she can make some of the Norse Ancestral Oil for you. It is not in the official product line and thus might be more expensive, and she might say no, but she has the recipe.

//Dr. Johannes

faith2008 · Unread post by **faith2008** » Fri Apr 08, 2011 3:19 pm

Thanks CM. I wasn't to sure about contacting someone that had died in such an unnatural way but I feel better about it now.

He was a really great friend when he was alive so hopefully we will be able to build a new relationship now.

And who knows, if he is an unsettled spirit maybe I can help him in some way.

miss sonja · Unread post by **miss sonja** » Mon Apr 11, 2011 10:03 pm

Johannes, I tried to PM you but it didn't work....I'm new to this forum so maybe I just don't know what I'm doing.
My mother was born in Karlskoga and several generations before her as well, that's as far as I am genealogically so there could be more. There are lots of secrets involved so trying to get to the truth has been difficult, and Swedish records are hard to get online. I believe my Mormor took her to Spain as a child (maybe 5 years old, again not sure) after her father committed suicide, and then to the U.S. in the 60's maybe. Everyone is dead so I'm unraveling this story myself and that is part of the reason I'm researching ancestral work. I would love to work with them but I have to meet them first LOL. I'm very drawn to my family history spiritually so I will get a reading and look into the oil! Thanks so much, and how cool!!!

Unread post by **Dr Johannes** » Tue Apr 12, 2011 1:15 am

miss sonja wrote:... My mother was born in Karlskoga and several generations before her as well, that's as far as I am genealogically so there could be more. There are lots of secrets involved so trying to get to the truth has been difficult, and Swedish records are hard to get online... I'm very drawn to my family history spiritually so I will get a reading and look into the oil! Thanks so much, and how cool!!!

Karlskoga is just 1,5 hours drive and in the same county as I am in. Look at www.gravar.se and you will find a search engine for graves in all parishes of Sweden. It might locate some family tomb. Spiritualism and folk magic has always been very strong in this county so there are probably many interesting family secrets to unravel. On a side note this county is now the one with the most LM HC Course graduates and conjure ambassadeurs in all of Northern Europe. Miss benedikte, Svarthyndan and me.

//Dr. Johannes

msdriethewitch · Unread post by **msdriethewitch** » Wed Jun 22, 2011 11:46 am

Hello All!

Today is my birthday and I would like say thank to everyone who has been kind enough to offer their spiritual help. I woke up feeling very good today and I have the urge to give a great thanks to my ancestors who help me daily and my other spirit guides. Including this little spider that lives in my room

What would be appropriate to do this? Light incense or candles? Should I just kind of go with my intuition? This aspect of my spiritual walk is fairly new and Id like give them an honorable gift of thanks. Something other than the altar candle I have for them.

I would also like to give a great thanks to Miss Cat who has tirelessly made rootworking available to people who do not have teachers readily available. Lucky Mojo has been quite instrumental in my life and Id like to thank everyone for time and gifts.

Thanks to you all!

Love and many blessings

Unread post by **Miss Ida Lundin** » Thu Jun 23, 2011 2:45 am

Hi msdriethewitch,
A glass of water, a candle, some things they liked in life, like food or some liquor like whiskey if they liked it.
All would be appropriate offerings for your ancestors. So would incense or some florida water or kananga water cologne.
Blessings on your work.

Unread post by **Joseph Magnuson** » Thu Jun 23, 2011 6:16 am

I woke up feeling very good today and I have the urge to give a great thanks to my ancestors who help me daily and my other spirit guides

Happy birthday, msdriethewitch! Always follow those urges and signs that you get and you will be rewarded with a full life of favor! Get to it and Good Luck!

-Joseph Magnuson

Unread post by **Spookyredhead** » Fri Jul 01, 2011 6:07 am

Hi all! Here is some background:

I would like to do some ancestor work with my maternal great-grandmother. I am a very serious designer of knitting, sewing and embroidery patterns and would like to connect with her because she was an amazing crafter. Her work was impeccable and she was so prolific that my house is full of things she made. My grandmother knows how much these items mean to me so she is always giving me more of her mothers work as well as her supplies.

I am pretty sure she is still hanging around her tatting pillow. It is a rather large object and wherever I seem to move it I keep catching shadows out of the corner of my eye. My husband even mentioned having seen things without me having told him what I had seen. If this is the case, do I still need to make the 3hr trip down to the cemetery for some graveyard dirt? Or, would that be redundant? I have so many of her things...from her dining room set, photos, craft tools and items, and even the hook she used to button her boots when she first came to America.

My great-grandmother died when I was 6 months old. The resemblance between us is startling (we both look quite different from the rest of the family), our personalities are the same, and we both are obsessive makers of handmade items. Nearly every time I see my grandmother she tells me how much I remind her of her mother. Sometimes it seems like her soul jumped into my body when she passed.

I am sorry for spouting so much information here...I am just not sure where to start! Help please

Unread post by **Mama Micki** » Fri Jul 01, 2011 9:23 am

Start by setting aside a space with her picture and some of her things. You can light a white candle dressed with Spirit Guide oil or Guardian Angel oil. If she had a favorite food or drink, offer some to her spirit. When you can make a trip to her grave, get the dirt, but you certainly can make an ancestor altar without it.

Unread post by **owlsfoot** » Fri Jul 01, 2011 1:08 pm

You may also want to consider doing a series of baths with Spirit Guide bath salts (http://www.luckymojo.com/bath-spirit-guide.html). And I would recommend doing a simple ritual to welcome in your great-grandmother at your newly erected ancestral altar or shrine space. Perhaps most fundamentally, though: start talking with her regularly and asking for her presence and guidance in your life. Her graveyard dirt, if you can get it, will be very valuable in establishing and maintaining a connection with her in your home, as will making daily offerings and prayers of some kind at the altar--especially, as Mama Micki has pointed out, if the things you're offering are things that you know she liked in life.

Ancestral work is very important work. I wish you all the best in cultivating those invaluable connections!

Unread post by **ConjureMan** » Fri Jul 01, 2011 4:47 pm

Graveyard dirt is one way of working with ancestors. Graveyard dirt can be placed on an altar, but personal objects from your ancestors are equally strong in their links. Photos, old possessions, and other things can be placed on a dedicated space where you talk to her, give her light, water, and food.

Graveyard dirt is more commonly used in the deep south in actual rootwork with ancestors, for ancestor altars possessions are more common. Yet both are great links.

See these forum threads for more information:

Altars Questions and Answers
altars-questions-and-answers-t124.html#p2358

Graveyard Dirt: Collection, Purchase, Burial in Grave, Uses
graveyard-dirt-collection,-purchase,-bu ... t5465.html

Unread post by **Spookyredhead** » Tue Jul 05, 2011 7:37 am

Thanks so much for the help guys! I have some great info to get me started! I am so curious how she is going to choose to communicate with me.

Rain42day · Unread post by **Rain42day** » Tue Sep 13, 2011 2:34 pm

Hello,
Ive set up my Ancestor Alter, and have been lighting just plan 7day candles on it. However I got to desire to add some oils and write a request on the top of the Ancestor candle.
However Ive never heard of others doing this. From what I hear its just a PLAN white candle to burn at all times. Is it ok that I added some oils and a petition to my PLAN white Ancestor Candle?
P.S the petition was basically to have a relation with my ancestors.....

Unread post by **Devi Spring** » Tue Sep 13, 2011 6:24 pm

Sure, you can dress a candle on your ancestor altar. Spirit Guide oil is particularly good for that kind of thing!

Unread post by **jwmcclin** » Tue Sep 13, 2011 7:39 pm

Spirit Guide Magic Spells and Spiritual Supplies can be found here (http://www.luckymojo.com/spiritguide.html)

Unread post by **MissMichaele** » Tue Sep 13, 2011 9:18 pm

Spirit Guide is a great choice, and if you like to tweak things, as I do, you could use some Peaceful Home in there, too. But it's not necessary.

When I work with the ancestors, or invite a new spirit ally into my home, I pay special attention to any unusual cravings. For instance, I'm not a dessert eater, but when I began working with Aunt Caroline Dye, I woke up one morning craving a particular kind of cake. I spent the morning making some for her and put it by her picture. The room sparkled with gladness all day.

I also pay attention to cravings other than food: music, for instance. Your ancestors and spirit allies may call for a particular brand of pipe tobacco, a favorite book, or invite you to wear a piece of their jewelry, as well as their favorite foods or tunes.

Hope this helps,

Miss Michaele

Rain42day · Unread post by **Rain42day** » Wed Sep 14, 2011 8:36 am

wow,
Thanks Miss Michaele and jwmcclin,
That really does help, I will be conscience of this

Unread post by **Joseph Magnuson** » Wed Sep 14, 2011 12:16 pm

Thank you for that post Miss Michaele. Beautiful advice and insight! Much appreciated!

Rain42day · Unread post by **Rain42day** » Tue Oct 11, 2011 10:05 pm

Hello I have an ancestor altar, which keeps warm 24/7 as I always keep a white candle burning on it.

Upon rising I sit at my altar and talk to them, meditate, do tarot, etc.

I begin by first ringing a bell, and before I go to bed I ring my bell and sit at the altar in the evening, and do the same as in the morning.

However I have noticed that when I wake up in bed sometimes, I feel as if spirit is sending me messages, either a smell or a taste in my mouth. But I never seem to get any messages when Im sitting at my altar asking them to send me a "sign" of their presence

So my questions are:

1) Are there certain ways to let spirit know that I want to talk during my time sitting at my altar, like putting Florida Water cologne on myself, or drinking a tea, or something?

2) I use to see Spirits as a child, but I no longer see them directly -- what can I do in order to see and hear my spirits now?

3) I have been seeing little flickers of light similar to lightning bugs -- could this be spirit coming to me in a different form than before?

Thank you in advance

Unread post by **ConjureMan** » Wed Oct 12, 2011 1:19 am

You can use Spirit Guide Oil and Psychic Vision Oil to help you commune. Also remember that it takes time to actually develop such abilities. In various traditions regular practice of communing with ancestors takes months to develop. Know that they can here you and most likely are trying to communicate with you, you simply have to have the ability to hear them.

Rain42day · Unread post by **Rain42day** » Wed Oct 12, 2011 4:12 am

Hi ConjureMan Ali,
First let me say how wonderful it is to hear you on the Lucky Mojo Hoodoo Rootwork Hour.

thank you for this information,

I do have one other question though.
when you say "you simply have to have the ability to hear them", how do I go about getting this ability?
As someone who use to have the ability to see and hear, can I get it back?

thank you

Unread post by **ConjureMan** » Thu Oct 13, 2011 7:05 pm

Thank you for the kind words.

You can absolutely get it back. Use the products that I've advised, spend time in meditation and prayer with your ancestor and simply listen. It is like trying to work out an unused muscle--keep at it and you'll develop its strength once more. The key is to remain patient.

You might also consider a consultation or reading on the matter with either a member of AIRR or through the Lucky Mojo Hoodoo Rootwork Hour.

autumnalflower · Unread post by **autumnalflower** » Fri Oct 14, 2011 8:26 am

Thanks for this post. I used to see as well when younger but kind of ignored it for a while. Now that I'm more open and ready for it, I hear and feel things. I will look into using the products suggested as money allows, which candle colors/vigil candles could be used?

Rain42day · Unread post by **Rain42day** » Fri Oct 14, 2011 4:28 pm

Thank you Conjureman Ali.
I will call in this weekend, Hopefully we will be able to communicate!
Thanks again

SweetLady · Unread post by **SweetLady** » Fri Oct 14, 2011 5:04 pm

You might also try using incense from LM. Maybe Spirit Guide or Psychic Vision. I also hear that Frankincense is good for doing Divination.

Rain42day · Unread post by **Rain42day** » Sat Oct 15, 2011 8:59 am

Wow thank you SweetLady,
I will try the Frankincense today, and once my order from the LM arrives I will try that as well

Rain42day · Unread post by **Rain42day** » Sat Oct 15, 2011 9:03 am

All,
I have another question.
I have very limited space for my alter, I have 1 white 7 day candle that I use for my ancestors as well as my spirit guides.

Is this generally ok?
Or do they require seperate 7-day candles?
Also,

When I feed my ancestors, since it is on the same table I make one plate for everyone (Ancestors and Spirit guides)
Is this generally ok?

Thank you
Rain42day

Rain42day · Unread post by **Rain42day** » Sat Oct 15, 2011 9:07 am

Hi Miss Michaele,

Id like to give you an update on your advice. I went to bed earlier this week to woke up with a taste in my mouth of SWEEEEEET candy. It was something I have not eat before, but strangly familiar with.
Thank you for you advise,
It was VERY acturate and sound

Rain42day

SweetLady · Unread post by **SweetLady** » Mon Oct 17, 2011 7:32 pm

when I offer food to spirits, ancestors or otherwise, it is always on one plate. A small amount of each dish/food that you made along with a pinch of tobaccco. (I am native american and this is the traditional manner in which we offer food to our ancestors.) It can be left out overnight and then discarded or put into a ceremonial fire.

Rain42day · Unread post by **Rain42day** » Tue Oct 18, 2011 3:54 am

Wow,
Thank you so much sweetlady, this really helps

Unread post by **Joann Lee** » Sun Dec 25, 2011 12:01 pm

I have set up an ancestor altar and, after reading Martin Coleman's book on necromancy, am wondering whether to proceed.

I cannot stay in this house for the rest of my life, avoiding vacations and absences to work with the spirits every day.

Does anyone have any experience?

I am currently using Santisima Muerte products and althea herb to assist the ancestors. I put the oil on their candles.

Helpful Spirit is another possibility, I realize.

I am just curious how you deal with the necessity of feeding them every day, moving from one place to another, taking vacations.

I have had LM burn a candle for me when I was on vacation, especially for the ancestral spirits. The burn gave a good reading. I am wondering if having LM keep the flame lit would be enough.

Thanks.

Unread post by **catherineyronwode** » Sun Dec 25, 2011 1:03 pm

There is no one way to work with ancestors, and not all who do call upon ancestral spirits will even make an "ancestor altar" in the usual sense of the word "altar," nor need they become necromantic practitioners.

Working with Santisima Muerte is Mexican, with a Catholic overlay -- and ancestor veneration is found in MANY more cultures and nations, in entirely different forms. If you are interested in hoodoo and conjure, you may wish to study the way that ancestors are approached in African American culture -- which does not involve necromantic practices.

Here are some AIRR web pages that may help you:

Ancestors
http://readersandrootworkers.org/wiki/Ancestors

African and African-Diasporic Ancestral Traditions
http://readersandrootworkers.org/wiki/C ... Traditions

The Dead and the Graveyard
http://readersandrootworkers.org/wiki/C ... _Graveyard

These forum threads may also be of help to you:

Altars Questions and Answers
altars-questions-and-answers-t124.html#p2358

Graveyard Dirt: Collection, Purchase, Burial in Grave, Uses
graveyard-dirt-collection,-purchase,-bu ... t5465.html

Good luck!

Unread post by **aura** » Mon Dec 26, 2011 10:11 am

Hi Joann Lee,

I'm by no means an experienced worker but if this can help, great.

I maintain an ancestor's altar in my house but am only there periodically due to a rotational shift schedule at a mine site. I also spend some of my time at our cottage with no altars. As a result I work daily with my ancestors at the altar when I am home and only pray to/for and chat with them when I'm not. I maintain perfumes and strong spirits (longer-lasting offerings to them) when I'm not around and flowers/foods/red wine (perishables) when I am. When returning from a rotation (so when it's been a while since I worked at the altar) I'll burn a full candle rather than the usual punctual burning I maintain during work at the altar regularly. Or if I can while I'm there, a Vigil Candle burning continuously.

On a whole, working with them has been slower and more subtle. It took over six months even to feel any inkling of a presence at the altar (I'm also less than gifted when it comes to spirit contact keep in mind).

Spiritual product wise, frankincense resin incense seems to work best, as does All Saints Oil for dressing candles (but then my family were all Catholic!). I've also had better results when keeping the altar in a Northern direction and closer to the Virgin Mary and St-Joseph of Cupertino devotional spaces (again, keep in mind these are Catholics).

Blessings and best of luck!

Unread post by **Joann Lee** » Mon Dec 26, 2011 11:59 am

Thanks. I am having a reading and will proceed as Santisima Muerte and the ancestors guide me.

sun369 · Unread post by **sun369** » Mon Jan 16, 2012 5:44 pm

The room of the place I will move in soon. The guy who used to live there was an 80-year-old man who died of heart congestive failure right in that room. I am not scared. My roommate doesn't believe in ghost and is not afraid of ghost.

Anyone has any suggestions to clear up the spirit of this old man ?

Thanks

Unread post by **Mary Bee** » Mon Jan 16, 2012 6:05 pm

If you want to spiritually cleanse the room before you move your stuff in there, get some Chinese Wash and dillute it in a bucket of water. Wash the room from back to front, praying that all evil or bad spirits or bad energy be removed from the place. Dispose of the dirty bath water off your property, like at a crossroads.

Then come back in the room and light a white candle dressed with Van Van oil or Blessing oil, to encourage peace and blessings in there. You can also smudge the room with some Frankincense resin to encourage peace and blessings.

Good luck,
Mary Bee

sun369 · Unread post by **sun369** » Mon Jan 16, 2012 7:35 pm

Mary Bee,

lol, thanks a lot.

Unread post by **Flora** » Tue Jan 17, 2012 6:59 am

I would do it a little differntly than Mary Bee. Before you move in if possible leave a cut red onion on the floor over night. Onions absorb all kinds of stuff and they clean the air and space. Take the onion to a grave yard and leave it out for the critters to eat if they will. If you have already moved in you can do the same but it is best if the room is untouched by your stuff.
To seal the work up I burn a white candle dressed with peaceful home on a mirror so that all the good vibes are reflected in this world and the next. Finally I would leave a glass of water on my nightstand the first night I sleep in the room. Toss the water out the back door or in a road by your home the next morning.
Best of Blessings,
Flora

sun369 · Unread post by **sun369** » Tue Jan 17, 2012 3:33 pm

Flora wrote:I would do it a little differntly than Mary Bee. Before you move in if possible leave a cut red onion on the floor over night. Onions absorb all kinds of stuff and they clean the air and space. Take the onion to a grave yard and leave it out for the critters to eat if they will. If you have already moved in you can do the same but it is best if the room is untouched by your stuff.
To seal the work up I burn a white candle dressed with peaceful home on a mirror so that all the good vibes are reflected in this world and the next. Finally I would leave a glass of water on my nightstand the first night I sleep in the room. Toss the water out the back door or in a road by your home the next morning.
Best of Blessings,
Flora

No, I won't officially live there until February 1st, but I may move stuff in sooner. About physical cleaning, my roommate has already cleaned the room up. But he just doesn't believe in ghost or spirit. So, he won't do any spiritual cleaning.

I don't quite understand about your "a white candle dressed with peaceful home on a mirror"

Unread post by **Flora** » Wed Jan 18, 2012 6:56 am

I take a couple of drops of Peaceful Home Oil http://www.luckymojo.com/oil-peaceful-home.html rub it on my hands then take the white candle and rub the oil off of my hands and onto the candle. Some people would suggest that you rub the candle from the bottom to the top when you want something to go away from you. In this case you want the spirits that may linger in the house to move on. Then heat the bottom of the candle just enough to melt a little wax then stick it to a flat mirror sitting on a table in the room. The mirror acts like a plate to hold the candle. Then light the candle. Say a prayer that all the angels clear the way for the lovely departed in the house to find their place in the afterlife.
Best of luck,
Flora

Unread post by **Miss Tammie Lee** » Wed Jan 18, 2012 8:08 pm

I like the replies and Flora and Miss Mary Bee with Chinese wash with the link have already been delivered. This could be of great help to you:
http://www.luckymojo.com/floridakanangawater.html
I have reasons for posting; I will not brag on anything, it is not proper. There are products helping you from beginning to the end. You cleanse and you work with Spirit. There is a longer story to tell. Work with blessed trained salt. You follow up with Money House Blessing.
I have done this more than once and it has worked. I worked traditionally, as instructed by my Teacher. Separate properties were taken care of.
I hope this helps you in your endeavors to move forward with the property.
Sincerely,
Miss Tammie Lee

sun369 · Unread post by **sun369** » Thu Jan 19, 2012 7:49 am

because of unexpected financial disagreement. they won't let me rent that place and I am not going to live there. Anyways, thanks for the suggestions though !!!

Unread post by **perk590** » Tue Feb 07, 2012 12:45 pm

Hello to all,

I just wanted to add my 2 cents on this topic because through trial and error we learn. Please keep in mind that although ancestors are in spirits, they are still in need of bonding with their family member(s). This is because when one creates, erects and establishes an ancestral altar, it become in essence, a second home to them, the ancestors. Not only is it a second home, but it is a sacred place where learning, bonding and continual family ties are cultivated and continued.