It’s human nature to remember our loved ones fondly when they pass away from us. This innate desire leads to a universal urge to honor the memories of our loved ones as a way to keep them close to our hearts. But we can gain more than comfort from remembering our departed. We can also find the wisdom and inspiration to connect more fully with our lives.
In many ancient cultures, this basic urge toward remembrance gradually developed into the many forms of ancestor worship. Going beyond merely remembering a loved one fondly, ancestor worship carried this fundamental concept a step further. Ancestor worship was based on the idea that the spirit of the ancestor was still connected with the family, and could affect those still living. It was often thought that the ancestor could both favorably intercede in spiritual matters and punish the misdeeds of the living. This thought spurred families to take great pains to honor their relatives appropriately.
Ancestor Worship
Ancient forms of ancestor worship varied greatly depending on the culture that it was found in, but common elements weave them together. Typically, an area was set aside and reserved in some way for the ancestor. An altar or shrine of some sort was typically created to honor the memories of the beloved dead. Monumental shrines and tombs were also sometimes erected, especially for royal burials and those who were especially revered or feared. Offerings of food, drink, flowers, or other material goods were usually given to the deceased to show respect, offer them comfort in the world beyond, or to appease a potentially angry ancestor. The pyramids in Egypt, Southeast Asia and South America demonstrate the elaborate lengths that ancient peoples went to in order to honor their dead.
Very often, the ancestors were honored humbly in a central location in the family home, keeping the connections to the departed a firm part of everyday life. This is still common today in many parts of Asia. The family is considered the glue which binds the entire social fabric, and was affirmed as an essential foundation of society by Confucius himself. Paying honor and respect to ones ancestors is often considered a primary duty. Therefore, the departed are remembered frequently at a family shrine which might contain photos, mementos, and even letters written to the ancestors, sharing a joy or asking for wisdom. This intimate familiarity is a powerful way of staying connected to the ancestors, since they remain a part of everyday life even after death.
In some cultures, the ancestors were honored at special rites and holidays, where familial myths or legends of the ancestors’ exploits were told. The “Day of the Dead” is a major holiday still celebrated in Mexico today. Family members gather at the burial sites of their departed relatives where the graves are dressed out and decorated elaborately. The family then gathers for a festive picnic meal together, sharing the spirit of the family with their departed. Most cultures designate a day set aside for remembering the dead. Even today in the United States, Memorial Day is a national day of remembrance.
Honoring the dead is an idea shared all over the world. The outer forms of ancestor worship varied greatly, but the central idea was the same - remembering and honoring the lives of those who came before them.
Ancestral Amnesia
Modern western culture has come a long way from the ancient practices of ancestor worship. We’ve become far more disconnected from our families than ever before. Our culture is much more mobile and prone to relocating than previous generations, leading to families that are widely scattered. Many of us have become disconnected from our ancient familial roots, losing the wisdom of those who have come before us. We’ve forgotten our family and tribal histories.
Modern Paganism seeks to redress this ancestral amnesia by reconnecting us to our family histories and searching for wisdom among the roots of our past. There is recognition that wisdom can still be shared across generations. Since honoring departed loved ones is a natural urge, modern Pagans are giving it a modern expression, and finding a rich trove of ancestral wisdom that nourishes and encourages their growth.
Mighty Dead
When Wiccans refer to their ancestors as their “Mighty Dead”, they are referring to those ancestors whose lives still hold meaning for those remaining. Our Mighty Dead are our inspirational forebears who continue to teach and inspire us by the examples of their lives. We are all a product of the endless generations that came before us. A Yoruba expression says “We stand on the shoulders of our Ancestors.” By consciously nurturing a relationship with our Mighty Dead, we seek to reconnect to our legacy of ancestral experience.
Modern Pagans and Wiccans look to the practices of the past as they decide how to reconnect and honor their ancestors. Ancestors may be honored in many different ways, and there are no limits on how one may pay respect. However, many people find it easier to connect with the spirit of the ancestor via the rituals from the culture of the ancestor. Whether the family ancestry is Celtic, Teutonic, Eastern, Native American, or any other cultural heritage, each one had their own ideas on how to appropriately honor their ancestors.
Among Wiccans, Samhain is the holiday that is set aside especially to honor the dead. Samhain corresponds to the secular Halloween, a time of year that is filled with imagery of the dead. It seems that everywhere you look, ghosts and skeletons are dancing among tombstones, with jack o’lanterns lighting the way. For many Wiccans, the ancestors are invited into their Samhain circles, where the memories of the departed are shared and honored in sacred space.
Samhain is also a traditional time to seek the wisdom of the ancestors via magick or divination. It is thought that our ancestors draw close to us at this time of year, making it easier to hear the wisdom they have to share. Scrying, tarot, and seance are all commonly employed during the Samhain season.
Many Wiccans and Pagans also hold a “Dumb Supper” to honor the dead. The family dining table is set for a feast, with an extra place set for the ancestors. Favorite foods and drinks of the departed are served, and the meal is eaten in total silence. Photos and mementos of the dead are displayed on the table as silent invitation to reconnect with those who have passed beyond the veil. It is thought that the departed visit and share in the essence of the meal. The physical remains of the ancestor plate are often left out doors as an offering when the meal is over.
There are many ways that a modern Pagan can reconnect to his ancestors and Mighty Dead. By stretching our curiosity into our past, we can find ways that honor both our ancestors and our heritage. We can all benefit by seeking comfort and inspiration from the past. By showing honor and respect for those who have gone before us, we can reconnect to our personal histories and learn from our departed. Their lives can continue to impact those of us still living. Our loved ones might leave us physically, but they can continue to support our future efforts and inspire us to greater things.
~Flame RavenHawk
August 31, 2004