Ancestral | Wintering in Connection
Taking the time to honor our Ancestral Lineages is an incredibly important practice. In this time and space, we are being called to pause and reconnect. To remember the ways of the Ancestors. To be rooted in honoring the land, following ancient practices and the importance of ritual. Honoring the Old Ways will often bring great peace to our bodies, minds & spirits.
During the Winter months, people are susceptible to what is called the ‘Winter Blues’ or even Seasonal Depression. As the sun brings the light of Summer to the opposite hemisphere and our days shorten we can tend to feel boxed in and lonesome. Spending our Winters wishing time away is a mistake, my friends. One key to joy over the colder times can be found through connection to the Ancestors. I typically choose to honor the seasonal changes by bringing symbolism into my home to help call in the Sun’s energy, refreshing my Altar & crafting Ceremonies all rooted in Ancestral Practices.
For me, this will vary slightly as each year passes. I choose not to practice a rigid way of moving through the seasons as it can become stifling & ruin the initial purpose and intentions. I celebrate the seasonal changes of Mother Gaia such as Yule and Imbolc. Honoring the stages that our Earth & Society is moving through brings me great joy. Aside from traditions in relation to the sabbath’s, I bring in my own practices. My Altar gets a seasonal refresh about every quarter. If I am going through a large change, moving through density or healing a trauma I will use my altar as a supporting tool & tend to move things around during these times as well. Having fun with it is key!
This year, I have chosen to honor my Ancestors by getting back to the root of who I am. Reaching deeper levels of connection and knowledge through meditation and astral communication, I have been able to isolate certain Ancestral Lineages and times of existence. I have a rich and diverse lineage and have recently been working in the ways of understanding and knowing all of my peoples. Some of my heritage comes from Vikings, Native Americans, Hawaiian & Puerto Rican Ancestry. I will often move through the seasons as I’m led by each type of Ancestor, but almost always see a common trait: we are all connected to and rooted through the Earth. We honor our internal seasons of life by honoring hers. The Ancestors seek to have their descendants continue to connect and practice their traditions. There is no hate toward another part of your lineage - only love. It can be understandably confusing to begin this work. I encourage you to remain neutral and allow for your Ancestors to guide you as you cultivate connection to them.
My Altar space will often be enrobed in seasonal colors, elements of nature, crystals & a few choice items that hold sentimental value for one reason or another. Sometimes, these additional items happen upon my Altar through connections with the Earth, Ancestors & my Spirit Teams. I may find that a Spirit Animal has been working with me deeply in a certain season of mine. Or perhaps I have stumbled across a feather, acorn or leaf that holds magical energies. A gift from the Universe, if you will. The Altar space is incredibly personal and from one home to the next, they will typically vary greatly. What matters here is the intentions that you imbue your Altar with. An Altar can be used as a beacon for Abundance, contain a crystal grid for protection, and even serve as a space to pay homage to the Ancestors or any Deities you may choose to work with. Some people choose to craft a separate space to honor more recent Ancestors such as a passed on Grandfather or Sibling. Creating an Altar is as intimate an experience as curating your home space. Sometimes, one may feel more comfortable keeping their altars hidden from plain view rather than displaying them in a prominent location.
Some of my favorite ways to connect with myself, the Ancestors and Mother Gaia are listed below:
Allowing creativity to flow. I enjoy creating art, journaling, dancing, singing to name a few. Whatever makes you feel light and filled with joy - that is a guiding nudge from your Higher Self to be followed.
Tarot/Oracle Pulls. Divination tools can be helpful in connecting with your Higher Self (Soul’s Essence), Ancestors, the Earth. Try this Spread: 3 cards for how to better connect to your body, mind and spirit. Include a call for fun, easeful, or very honest messages as you see fit during your reading.
Spirit Baths! Crafting a special bath to help you move through the current energies surrounding yourself, the collective or even to help call in abundance, joy, love are fantastic ways to work with the water element & release anything that no longer serves your Highest & Best. Play around with this & allow your intuition to guide you. A few key elements I typically include during my Spirit Baths are crystals, candle/incense smoke and herbs.
Allowing your Wintering Body to rest, heal & prepare for the upcoming Spring energies of increased abundance, prosperity & blossoming is so important. We are often choosing between honoring the ways of ourselves and how others can pull us. When it comes to your life, only you will be left to live it. To look into the mirror and choose love over hate, shame, etc. following the decisions you make in life. If you have heavier thoughts or burdens that you’re clinging to, this is your message from God to let it go. Allow yourself the gift of true rest and nourishment by choosing peace first and foremost. You are so deserving of a life led by joy and love. Allow the life you dream of to begin coming in by releasing old energies, resting and connecting deeply as your soul guides.