I’ve never spoke on ancestor veneration or praising my ancestors while walking this spiritual path because I didn’t see how it pertained to me. I never understood why it was needed. Being a Christian damn near all my life tainted my view on all things spiritual. Even with all the things I have experienced and all the powers I have access to now, I was still looking at my path still through a Christian lense. Not fully able to see my ancestors as positive entities and energy that was supposed to be praised and acknowledged. Unable to truly experience divinity, because I didn’t see my ancestors as the key to my past, present and future. Yes, they have spoken to me, attended spiritual rites that occurred to me in the astral and on other realms, given me insight on my mom and sister, but never once did I truly feel I needed this connection with them to excel in life. I didn’t grow up in a household where we even acknowledged our ancestors or recently passed relatives, so including it now wasn’t understood or familiar.

After researching Ifa and Hoodoo, it became clear to me why ancestor veneration was a requirement for these practices. My genetics is the key to all and that key wouldn’t have been made available to me if they didn’t come before me. Knowing I come from a lineage of priestesses and priest, how can I excel and reawaken this in our family if I don’t stand on the shoulders of the ones that came before me and are excited that I’m here to finally put our lineage back on track. I’m not only powerful but my children are powerful. How can I truly help them mold their gifts if I don’t first call on the ones before us that contributed to the potency of our gifts. We are powerful and tapped in because the knowledge was already inscripted in our DNA before we even got here.

So, a couple of days ago I sat down at the altar I put together a year or so ago and spoke to my ancestors. They came through and told me how they want their altar to look and the items they wanted included. Yesterday, I was finally able to make it to my favorite witchy supply store aka Dollar Tree and get some supplies. This morning I set up my ancestor altar in a separate space from my working altar. Laid the lace, goblet of water, cup of fruit, my maternal grandma’s favorite cookies and placed 3 photos. Lit my white candle and asked for their assistance throughout the day and in return offered myself to be of assistance to them.

Back story, butterflies are my mom’s side of the family totem. The story is when my grandad/mother’s dad was lowered into the ground a sworn of butterflies appeared and surrounded everyone. So, butterflies were incorporated into everything from that day forward. I even have 3 butterflies tattooed on me. But ever since I had my falling out with my mom, my association with butterflies has been a little tainted. But this morning, when I was getting in my car to take my daughter up to the bus stop, I noticed a white bug on my seat. Thrown back but calm surprisingly, I looked closer and noticed it was a very furry white spotted moth. Absolutely gorgeous and stunning to see! Reminded me of those cute moths I’ve seen posted on Pinterest. So beautiful it could of been mistaken for a butterfly. I’ve never seen a moth like this before, but instantly knew it was from my ancestors. Just that quickly I knew that I was on the right track with making the changes to create an altar specifically for them and incorporating them into my spiritual life properly.

Knowing that this moth was a gift, I was going to gently ease it off my seat and guide it to leave out of the car. But when I went to nudge it, it just rolled to its side. Due to running behind and not having the time to see if it was dead or not, I collected it in a box and placed it in my garage just in case it was still alive. With all signs I receive, did a google search to see what the spiritual meaning might be on my way to work. With discernment came across some info that best resonated with me. “A white moth is said to embody the soul of a loved one. White being the symbolic color of purity of the soul, and the embodiment comes from an ancient idea that the night (realm of the moth) is a dwelling place for souls (in terms of the Underworld or Otherworld).” “Moths represent transformation, hidden knowledge, inner wisdom, psychic abilities, and shadow work. They are connected to the moon, feminine and yin energies, and intuitive discoveries. They show up to help you discover your hidden desires and awaken to your true self.” https://crystalclearintuition.com/moth-meaning/

In typical mystical fashion, when I got home the moth was no longer in the box or showed any signs of being in the garage. Even checked the garage at night to see if I could find it active but nothing. Glad to see it was still alive but sad to see it wasn’t there so I could admire its beauty.