Creating an Ancestral Altar

[RubyRose]

Okay, I want to create a Ancestral Altar, (for loved ones who has passed and and those few beloved pets, I have lost along the way as well) and I'm wondering exactly what to put on it (besides pictures of the deceased and other momentos)

Also, can this altar be left up all year round, or is it typical an altar that you only set up around Samhain?

Blessings,
RubyRose

[Swifthollow_Poe]

Good question! I'm very interested in anyone's input!

[Jenett]

I have one that's set up all the time.

It has a variety of things - a videotape my mother put together of photos of my father, letters, things like that. I suspect most people wouldn't identify it as an ancestral altar even if they were looking for it (though it does live on a shelf right below my main altar)

But it's meaningful to me, which is the point.

[Sylvan]

My mom put together something like that, though she doesn't call it an altar.
She took an antique curio shelf unit, and put pictures of the deceased on the shelves, along with a few heirloom pieces and some dried roses.
Doesn't have to be an *altar* altar... If you have any mementos of them, that would work. A dog collar (or just the tags), something that Great-Gramma knitted, a toy you always admired, a decorative plate..

[RubyRose]

Thanks, I was just looking at my altar last night, and thinking it might be worth while creating two, one for the deceased ... and my working altar ... other wise it would be too crowded ...

[RubyRose]

One question though, in regard to photos of deceased loved ones. Does it matter if the person in question is young (like a photo taken in their childhood, or wedding photo) or a photo of when they are older ... Or can it be a mixture of both for one person ... :huh:

[Sylvan]

At least one of Mom's pics of her mom is from when my Mom was a kid, and there is at least one of Gram & Grampa together at an age that I recognize (older).. I'm sure she has one of her brother when they were kids, too...

[RubyRose]

Thanks, its about time I dug thru all the photo albums and stuff again ...

[Mòrag Elasaid Ní Dhòmhnaill]

I'd definitely say photos, letters you have from them, mementos like jewlery you have from them or a scarf that great-aunt judy knitted for you. You can even incorporate pictures or poems that remind you of the person/persons. Anything like that would work great. Really anything that reminds you of your ancestors. Personally I like to incorporate items for living family members as well, there is nothing wrong with including them when you're honoring your ancestors/family.

As for when you can have the alter up, I'd say year round. Your ancestors shouldn't just be important to you at one time of the year. They are worthy of your honor at all times. They are there to help you just as much as the gods are, and I think should be invited to participate even in all of your rituals. You never know what kind of wisdom they might have to share with you.

[Faeawyn]

One question though, in regard to photos of deceased loved ones. Does it matter if the person in question is young (like a photo taken in their childhood, or wedding photo) or a photo of when they are older ... Or can it be a mixture of both for one person ... :huh:
What matters is how the photo makes you remember the person....how it makes you feel. If its from an earlier time, and it still reminds you of them and makes you feel good inside to see them young and healthy...then thats perfect :)

[mucgwyrt]

:uhhuhuh:
You could even get half a dozen of said person, and make a collage :)

[Swifthollow_Poe]

Thanks everyone, you've been very helpful. It made me realize that the little thing I do have set up is already quite the altar, though I have never viewed it as such. I think I might add a few things to it now that are just sitting in boxes. Make it a home! :reading:

[luna rising]

What matters is how the photo makes you remember the person....how it makes you feel. If its from an earlier time, and it still reminds you of them and makes you feel good inside to see them young and healthy...then thats perfect :)

Yeah, this is a good call. I have lots of photos of my mother from after I was born, but I know that she was never very healthy then. So my favorite pics of her are MUCH older - when she was a child and my grandmother was pushing her on a swing. Even though I didn't know her then, those pictures make me happier.

[MerrisHawk]

What you're building sounds very much like an Ofrenda. An altar to remember and celebrate the lives of our loved ones.
I had one up for a while and used pictures, personal items, notes, candles and a few other things that fit.
Here's a link:
http://www.orozco.cps.k12.il.us/Humanities%20Museum/ofrendafolder/ofrenda.html

[RubyRose]

Thanks MerrisHawk, very interesting ...

[Mòrag Elasaid Ní Dhòmhnaill]

Hey RubyRose, I was just doing some reading and part of the article made me think of this thread.

The Celtic lore the west was commonly associated with the dead and death, so mayhaps it would be a good idea to place you ancestral alter on the western side of your room. It was common practice in Ireland, even well into the 20th century and still in some places today, to have what is known as a seomra thair (west room). This "west room" was a place where mementos, relics, and photos (in later times) of dead relatives and friends can/could be kept. For any who were granted accomodations there, such as visitors or the elderly, it was a great honor. The ancestors are/were honored in this room, frequently with offerings of bread and water.

I know you follow a Welsh oriented path, but this was something interesting that I thought you might be interested in hearing about. You could probably do some more research on the seomra thair and find out if there is a similar tradition in Welsh lore.

[Ben Gruagach]

If you want to put lots of photos on the altar for a particular ancestor, why not put out photos that show bits from the whole life? Baby photos, childhood pics, adult and old age. The point of the altar is to help you remember, honour, and connect with the ancestors so do what feels right to you.

In voudou they often put out samples of foods and drinks that the ancestor or spirit is known to like. If your ancestor really liked a particular candy or fruit, for instance, you could put a bit on the altar and change it every day or so (don't leave it until it's rotten.) Or put out some treat for the ancestor on special days, like their birthday or anniversaries. If you're not sure what they liked, a little glass of water and a bit of bread or a piece of fruit (an orange or apple) are usually good. Or cookies and milk like kids leave out for Santa Claus!

Maybe squirt a bit of their favourite perfume or cologne or aftershave or whatever too. Or put out a bit of tobacco if they were a smoker. Or maybe use some incense that reminds you of them. It's all about connections and memories, right?

[Asthmorte]

you can put anything you want there really.......pictures of course.....maybe poetry that you wrote for them or that reminds you of them.....maybe thier favorite flower if they had one....if they loved cats or something you could put a little cat statue..for pets maybe thier collar.....maybe an old toy of thiers.....anything that would go along with them really....and maybe a few white candles....and perhaps light it on thier day of passing/birth/any other special day, etc...

good luck and Blessed Be

[RubyRose]

Hey RubyRose, I was just doing some reading and part of the article made me think of this thread.

The Celtic lore the west was commonly associated with the dead and death, so mayhaps it would be a good idea to place you ancestral alter on the western side of your room. It was common practice in Ireland, even well into the 20th century and still in some places today, to have what is known as a seomra thair (west room). This "west room" was a place where mementos, relics, and photos (in later times) of dead relatives and friends can/could be kept. For any who were granted accomodations there, such as visitors or the elderly, it was a great honor. The ancestors are/were honored in this room, frequently with offerings of bread and water.

I know you follow a Welsh oriented path, but this was something interesting that I thought you might be interested in hearing about. You could probably do some more research on the seomra thair and find out if there is a similar tradition in Welsh lore.

Thanks, I'll figure out the westerly direction and see if its possible. Thanks for thinking of me.
Blessings, RubyRose