Across time and culture, one of the oldest forms of spiritual practice has remained constant: the honoring of those who came before. Known as ancestor worship or ancestral veneration, this practice is not about worship in the sense of bowing to a deity, but about cultivating a respectful, ongoing relationship with the spirits of the dead.
Whether you’re beginning your spiritual journey or deepening your craft, ancestor work can offer grounding, protection, guidance, and healing. Let’s explore its roots, modern expressions, and how you can begin building your own practice.
Ancestor worship is practiced in some form all over the world, often integrated into cultural and religious life:
- In West African traditions, ancestor reverence is central to spiritual life. The dead are believed to become powerful spirit allies who watch over the living. Libations, offerings, and altars keep these bonds strong.
- In many East Asian cultures, such as Chinese folk religion and Shinto in Japan, ancestors are honored through regular offerings, festivals (like the Hungry Ghost Festival or Obon), and home altars.
- In Indigenous traditions across the Americas, ancestor spirits are often invoked in ceremony and ritual, acting as guides and protectors. The Day of the Dead (Día de los Muertos) in Mexico is one of the most well-known expressions of ancestral remembrance.
- In ancient European paganism, ancestor veneration was often tied to land, burial practices, and seasonal festivals. The Celtic Samhain marked a time when the veil between worlds was thinnest and the dead walked among the living.
Though colonialism, modernization, and religious conversion disrupted many of these traditions, ancestor work persists – and is seeing a revival among spiritual seekers.
In today’s world, ancestor veneration is making a comeback – not just in traditional cultures, but among witches, pagans, and other spiritual practitioners looking to reconnect with their roots and reclaim lost traditions.
Modern ancestor work can look like:
- Setting up a home altar with photos, candles, and offerings
- Praying, meditating, or journaling with the intention to connect
- Visiting graves or tending ancestral land
- Cooking family recipes or speaking the names of the dead
- Healing generational trauma and consciously breaking harmful cycles
- Honoring not just blood ancestors, but queer ancestors, chosen family, and cultural elders
This work can be especially empowering for those whose ancestral ties have been disrupted by adoption, diaspora, colonization, or family estrangement. It’s not about perfect knowledge – it’s about presence, respect, and intention.
How to start your own practice
Starting small is both effective and meaningful. Here are a tips to get you going, in an internet-friendly list:
1. Create a Space
Designate a small area in your home. This could be a shelf, a windowsill, or a corner of your altar. Keep it clean and dedicated.
Include:
- A candle or lantern (white is traditional)
- A glass of water (a conduit for spirit)
- Photos, heirlooms, or tokens
- A dish for offerings (coffee, flowers, food, or incense)
2. Speak to Them
Say their names aloud. Share your thoughts, dreams, worries, and thanks. If you don’t know names, speak to “the ancestors known and unknown, of blood, spirit, and tradition.”
3. Make Offerings
Give what feels right: fresh water, food they loved, a poem, a song, or time spent in their memory. Change the water regularly and remove offerings when they’ve been received.
4. Listen and Observe
Messages can come in dreams, symbols, or strong gut feelings. Keep a journal nearby to record synchronicities and impressions.
5. Set Boundaries
Not all ancestors were kind or safe in life. You can choose who you welcome into your space. Use protective herbs, wards, or prayers to ensure only benevolent spirits are present.
Ancestral practice is a dialogue, not a performance. It’s about remembering that you are a continuation of your lineage. By connecting to the dead, you root yourself more deeply in the world of the living.
You are not alone. You walk with a thousand behind you.
Ancestor worship is not just for witches, pagans, or people with deep genealogical knowledge (although those things help!). It’s for anyone who wants to feel rooted, guided, and connected to something larger than themselves. Whether you light a single candle or build a long-standing altar, you’re honoring a powerful spiritual truth:
The dead are not gone – they’re just transformed.
Further Reading:
Ancestral Wisdom: Connecting with Your Lineage Through Spiritual Practices – Wicked Obscura
Plant Allies for Ancestral Healing – Worts & Cunning Apothecary
Modern Day Magick 