Ancestors

Lately I seem to be getting lots of questions about how to contact deceased loved ones. For those of you that don't already know, honoring our ancestors is an extremely important part of New Orleans voudou.

To be honest, I wish it was more customary in American culture to acknowledge the presence of our dearly departed loved ones period. Ancestor service is a huge part of life in many places, such as Mexico, where Dios de la Meurtos or Day of the Dead is the norm each November, or Japan, where family shrines dating back centuries, are kept sacred by the each younger generation.

Speaking to your ancestors can be as simple as just talking to them about life, and ackowledging that their spirit is still with you. It can be polishing a table that belonged to your grandmother and now graces your home, leaving flowers on your Aunt Ella's grave, or making your dad's favorite pie recipe.

You can build a little shrine of your own with pictures, mementos, and even foods, beverages or items they enjoyed in life, such as cigars etc. and spend some time remeniscing or asking for your ancestors help or guidance on a particular matter.

There is nothing wrong or bad about doing this. Our loved ones remain beloved for the rest of our lives, ever living in our DNA and our hearts.

So I guess my 2 cents for today is this; If you would like to speak to your dear family members after death, it does not have to be something spooky, creepy or evil. It can be enourmously comforting, immensely helpful and to be certain, truly magical, on your journey through this thing we call life.

"To understand the living, you've gotta commune with the dead." – Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil

In Service,

Khouzhan Morgan