Welcome to altar creation.
Inspired by my own ancestor altar practice, one of the rituals that is most dear to my heart over the last decade and has been an enormous source of insight, mindset shifts, and ancestral healing. And while it was inspired by the long, rich history of ancestor veneration, really you could use these offerings in any altar or sacred space.
This curated kit is full of my favorite altar accoutrements, collected over the years, and finally ready to be released and shared. This mini version of the altar creation kit turned out not so mini after all.
Your altar creation kit includes ...
1. A small vintage silver offering cup. I think of this as holding the water element. It is tradition to offer up the ancestors some of their favorite libations. After my mom died, when I was deep in grief and just did not understand how to connect with her, I set up an altar for her, and my favorite ritual was pouring her a cup of coffee in the morning. We had our morning coffee together, in silence, there was no communication, but we were there sharing space. I want to say that that was enough. But of course it wasn't. But it had to be. And it was some sweet solace.
2. A trio of ritual candles. Made of natural beeswax with a delicate honey scent. No added fragrance or synthetic smell. 100% cotton wicks. These are our fire element. I love these prayer candles for their ritual. Each has about a 30 minute burn time. While I often have other candles going on my altar, I love these for those more focussed moments with the altar. I light one and really just be with the altar, the ancestors, Spirit for the time it takes to burn.
3. Dried roses are our earth offering. Flowers, in all states of decay, are classic 𝘮𝘦𝘮𝘦𝘯𝘵𝘰 𝘮𝘰𝘳𝘪 (Latin for remember death) and have a rich history as a reminder of the fleeting nature of life. As such, they are a beautiful addition to an ancestor altar. Fresh marigolds are the traditional choice. Lately I’ve taken to including dried roses. Rose is a heart opener. She is all about love and beauty, self-love and compassion, divination and embodiment. And in my ancestor practice, which has at times been fraught, rose has been a powerful ally, a keeper of my heart.
4. A trio of tumbled crystals, another offering from the earth.
Ancestralite connects with the past, healing ancestral lines and releasing karma. By fostering understanding of life cycles, it encourages self reflection, emotional healing and spiritual evolution.
A powerful manifesting stone, citrine is uplifting, activating, and charged with positive energy. Closely associated with the solar plexus chakra, which is all about identity, personal power, and claiming your place in this world, this stone allows you to transform inertia into action, to meet challenges, and move forward.
Garnet roots us in love, offering a sense of devotion and empowerment.
5. For our air offering, we have a beautiful assortment of feathers, a symbol of transcendence and communication with spiritual realms. I love including lots of feathers in my altars. For me, they also a bring a refreshing energy of lightness and levity.
6. A bundle sustainably harvested palo santo, and incense sticks collected from far and wide, from India to locally made to my favorite sandalwood my yoga studio burns. The smoke is both cleansing and purifying and acts as a bridge between this world and the next.
Wishing you a magical and meaningful altar creation experience.