Jennifer Goclik-Robinson Intuitive Reader Angel Worker

My favorite season is Fall. There is something truly magical about the season, especially the month of October. The leaves begin to change their colors and slowly begin to dance their way to the ground. And you can feel the excitement in the air as everyone prepares for Halloween, carefully selecting their costumes getting ready for all the Treats, and maybe a few Tricks along the way.

Many people are unaware of the pagan festival, Samhain. Samhain is a pagan festival that originated with the Celts, celebrated at time of Halloween (sunset) to November 1st. The celebration was to mark the ending of the harvest and the beginning of the Winter season, which aligned with the Celts New Year.

Some of the rituals were to celebrate the New Year with dancing, feasting with food, spending time in nature (walks in nature), and building altars to honor their ancestors.

There are some rituals that have continued from the original Samhain festival, but also some that have evolved over time to be part of our own traditions as they immigrated to America with our Ancestors. The most beautiful, and important part (in my opinion) is the Thinning of the Veil in the Samhain. This veil exists between the living and the dead, but during this short amount of time, it is especially thin, making it easier for the spirits and the living to communicate with one another. How beautiful is that?

So, how can we honor our Ancestors during this time? And how can we help to bring them closer to us, and open the “channel” to allow for communication during this time?

One fantastic suggestion that is easy to do, and has easy maintenance, would be to create an Ancestor Altar. An Ancestor Altar can be small enough to keep in a corner in your living/family room, or dining room, a place where family would gather. Things to include would be pictures of the Ancestors who have passed, fresh flowers, fruit & sweets, money/coins, Fall crops to symbolize the end of the harvest such as apples or pumpkins, candles (ones you light or battery operated acceptable), trinkets that belonged to the Ancestor(s) like a piece of jewelry, glasses or a wallet are just a few examples. Things from nature: feathers, bones/skulls, shells, crystals, and rocks. A glass of fresh water is kept placed on the altar for the Ancestors; to quench the thirst of the spirits after a long journey from the afterworld.

Another idea is to add in a crystal grid to your Ancestor Altar. A crystal grid can be as big or as small as you want. What matters is the intention you put into the crystal grid. Each crystal has a special use, which you can set the intention for. For a small crystal grid, that you will see in the 4″ Tree of Life grid I included Petrified Wood, which is one of my absolute favorites for connection to ancestry, as well as grounding. I also like to include Rose Quartz for unconditional love, Blue Lace Agate for mind clarity and grounding, and Black Tourmaline for extreme protection, emotional stability, and clarity. I include with my altar a small battery candle and keep it lit throughout Samhain, beginning with sunset of Halloween through November 1st; the thinnest of the veil

May you find inspiration to connect with your loved ones, your ancestors during this Samhain season and the special time of the Thinning of the Veil.

Sending you Blessings and Good Wishes!

Below, you will see my Ancestor Altar that I keep all year. My loved ones on the other side are always near, and I hold them close. I wanted to share what I put on my altar. I have candle stick holders that belonged to my grandparents (who are a part of my altar), I have a small crystal grid with the Tree of Life, dried oranges, my crystal ball that never leaves this house, a wood sculpted bear (we called my grandfather Smokey the Bear), a spirit guide, and one of my guides, the fox.

May this inspire you to create your own ancestor altar.