Sacred Ancestors

[Flar's Freyja]

In honor of Samhain. Feel free to add your prayers to this thread.

Sacred Ancestors,

You have loved us and have shaped who we are even if we have never met. Tonight the veil thins, the portals are open.....remind us to open our minds and hearts to hear your wisdom, to feel your presence, to remember and honor you. If there was conflict while you were with us, show us the lessons and reconcile us now.

Be with us as we progress along our path. Guide us in our interaction with all our relations and let us walk in a manner befitting priests and priestesses of the Old Religion so that we may exemplify the love, protection and beauty of the Lord and Lady to all who cross our path. Help us to teach by example and walk together in harmony, love and unity. Protect us in our practice and correct any mistakes we might make, for we are but human.

Stay with us always.

I remember:

The Four Strong Women: The aunt that I am named after, who is my guide and guardian angel. My mother, her mother and her sister.

My Nana, who was not my relation by blood but loved me and had a great impact on my life.

My Papa, who was the only person in my childhood who truly loved and adored me.

Bob, who was more of a father to my son than his biological father.

Pam, a bright light in the face of death.

My great-grandmother, who I never met but guides me in my Native American practice.

The counselor who introduced me to me and helped turn my life around.

All my relations who protect and guide me through my journey.

I keep the light for you.

Blessed Be

[WtchyChick13]

To all of those who hae gone before me and who continue to guide me, I honor you and thank you for always letting me feel your presence.

I know that I am never alone and am truly blessed to have your guidance in my life.

On this Samhain, I say thank you for getting me through the past year. For aiding me when I've needed help and for granting me your light.

A friend told me recently that this past year for me has been about closure. This is true. I thank you for helping me with that.


May the coming year be one of new beginnings and may I continue to feel you with me.

I am so honored to have you and I honor YOU today.

So mote it be.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~


*~*~*~*~*~*~*~Brightest Blessings to you all this Samhain*~*~*~*~*~*~*~


~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

[Mithrea]

I remember:
My Granny, that harsh peanut butter eatin Indian . . .
Estel who loved his cigarettes more than life itself . . .
Brandon who was not my family but whose death affected me more profoundly than any other. . .
Jeannie who shaped my Maw Maw who in turn shaped me. . .
Georgette, may she be waiting for Margaret and my Paw Paw . . .
Johnny, whom I never even got to meet . . .

and all of the rest who went before us. You are all welcome in my home and at my table tonight! May I learn from the lessons you learned.

[Danustouch]

I remember my Grandma Hislop, her never ending generosity. Her kindness, warmth, and good nature. The never ending supply of cookies warm from the oven, and berries fresh from the bushes. The soft hugs, the gentle indulgence. Her soft words, of reproach at times, and her words of praise at others.

I remember my Aunt Maggie, who contributed to my path in ways that I probably can't even know now. I remember her laughter, her "spoiling" of me, my siblings, and my cousins. I remember her giving, her advice. Her willingness to give her time, to any who needed it.

I remember my Uncle Joe. There is just so much, of this man, that I can't even begin to thank you for, Great Mother, and Father! You sent this wonderful soul to walk this planet, and touch the lives of all those around him, with song, with laughter, with kindness. He is missed, every day. He is never forgotten, and never far from our thoughts. If he is smiling down upon us this day, or if he has moved on, into a new life.....just let him know, how deeply he is loved, how greatly he is missed, and how many wonderful and good things, that he has done for others.

I remember my Uncle Sonny, and his gentle, sweet nature.

I remember the stories, of all who've gone before, whom I've never had the pleasure of knowing in this incarnation. I have heard the stories about them. And thank them for giving me their blood, and their stories, to share.

Great Grandpa John- your stern, no nonsense, work ethic. Your ability to tend the earth. How you never forgot where you came from. How you passed down the stories, and the legends, and the traditions to your son, my Grandpa. And to Great Grandma Lizzie. Every time I brush my hair before bed, I give it 100 strokes, having heard the tales of your ankle length red hair, and my aunts brushing it for you 100 strokes each night. How difficult your lives were. Leaving the country of your birth, and working the land to create a legacy. The loss of your son, my Grandpa's twin. You instilled in my Grandpa so many wonderful traits, Honesty, Perseverence, Faith, Patience, Faithfullness. Hard Work. Thank you, for these qualities, that have stayed in my family, in my blood, and remind me of the person I seek to be.

To Grandpa Bartram- My mother speaks of your gentleness, and kindness. Lord knows you HAD to be a saint to put up with eleanor! I fear she is not much longer for this world. So wait for her. I know she looks foward to seeing you, and her sons, again.

Auntie June- Did I inherit your way with animals? Did I inherit your voice? I hope that I inherited some small bit of your sweetness, which has been the stuff of legend in our family. You died so young, and left such a big imprint in your passing. My father misses you, they ALL miss you. I am sure that you, and your sister, Maggie, are up there laughing together :)

Donald- You weren't really my biological ancestor, but you were very much a part of our family. You are missed. I hope that you and Uncle Joe aren't playing too many pranks, wherever you are :) Try not to hassle my Aunt Maggie too much, and devil her as you did in life :)

Great Grandma Phoebe-You are the greatest mystery of all. And yet, your influence is felt so keenly in our family. Your life, was such a tragedy, and yet a triumph. I hear of your strength, and your independence. And I honor you for your perseverence. I want to know you better, Phoebe. Please, share your stories with me...some day, somehow.

Come to my table this evening. All of you. Share the meal with us. Share your spirit with us. Celebrate this Turn of the Wheel, with us. So mote it be.

[WandererInGray]

I miss you so much Grandma....so very much.
There will be a place for you tonight, please stop in and visit.

[Nissala]

for my father, I miss you so much and thank you for your guidance through the years, the love you openly shared with me and for continueing to guide me from the afterlife. thank you for visiting me these months since your passing, please come visit tonight..I miss you daddy...

[Flaire-FireStar]

I remember.......

Beryl - You made the best cookies, and, although I hadn't seen you for the longest time, I still loved those cookies you made for us at yule. You were the best chinese checkers player I knew. No one could beat you.

Jessica - Although we were never really close, or rarely even talked, we were in the same classes. I think everyone in our grade must have been affected to know what had happened that night - or the morning after.

Grandma - You made the best bread ever. I really loved your house too. You were so caring, and big hearted, but that's the way grandmas are supposed to be, right? I wish I could have gone out there sooner to see you guys again.

Grandpa - I loved the way you took me and my brother on rides around the big rock in the tube. You never seemed to mind, even though it was scortching hot out, and your breathing problems. I wish I could have gotten to play crib or euchre with you sometime.


Blessed be :heartthro

[Storm]

In 30 years I have lost only two that were more than friends of friends.

My Grandpa and my beloved cat. I honor them as I honor all those who are past that I have not met.

[Flar's Freyja]

Today I honor the many who I will never meet, all those who have suffered needlessly either through illness or at the hands of their fellow man.

I remember the children who came to me in a paper file, sometimes with not so much as a photograph.

My nephew and grandnephew, neither of whom I was able to see before their lives were taken so early by natural means not understood.