How to Contact Ancestral Spirits

Our deceased loved ones are never really gone. Their spirits remain close to us and we may still communicate with them. In most cases, our ancestors who have passed over to the otherworld are eager to keep in touch with us and miss us just as much as we miss them. There may even be times when a departed ancestor will try to initiate contact with us. But we must be sensitive to these manifestations. For example, you may hear a whisper or catch their reflection in a mirror. Or perhaps their favorite song will come on the radio while you're thinking of them. A good friend of mine knew her late husband was near when she'd see a flicker of light in a stairway. My grandmother would make her presence kown after her death by leaving the scent of one of her favorite flowers, jasmine, in the air.



There are many other ways a departed family member may try to contact us--a dream, a touch, or a feeling are just a few. The problem is that when an ancestral spirit tries to contact us, their method of contact may be so subtle we could miss it. That is why many people I've met over the years are eager to learn how they can effectively contact the spirits of their ancestors. The reason someone may wish to contact a deceased ancestor usually varies. In some cases, the living wish to bring closure to a relationship and take care of any unresolved issues, or the living may seek guidance from the deceased. If for no other reason, spirit contact will comfort us and let us know that our deceased loved one is settling into a new existence in the spirit realm. If the deceased is a long-ago ancestor you never knew, contact may still be desired because it will enable you to reach into your past, and in doing so, you'll learn more about yourself, your culture, and traditions. No matter what the reason, to call upon our ancestors for guidance or support is a loving way to connect with them. All spirit contact should be done with respect. Never command your ancestor to communicate with you, always ask--the contact should be desired by both of you.



Preparation



Before attempting to get in touch with a deceased loved one, you should have a few things on hand. If possible, have available a few personal items that belonged to the deceased. These may include clothing, jewelry, eyeglasses, or a key. A photograph of your loved one, especially if you're also in it, would be another good item. Food, perfumes, or anything else the departed enjoyed in life are also good choices.



To set the mood, candles in white or yellow may be used. Herbs associated with spirit contact, such as sweetgrass and wormwood, are sometimes burned during a spirit ritual. Not only do they help spirit contact, their scents are also cleansing and protective. If you plan on using your altar or table, these should be draped in a plain black cloth.



Methods of Contacting Ancestral Spirits



The first things that come to mind when we speak of contacting our deceased loved ones are ouija boards, psychics, and seances. Under the right conditions, and with the guidance of a valid spiritualist, these methods of spirit contact are fine. But, when seeking intimate communication with a loved one in the spirit realm, you may wish to use a more private method, one that you can perform alone. The techniques that follow utilize traditional magical methods to help you contact the spirits of your ancestors safely and respectfully. Let's begin.



Using a Letter to Contact the Deceased



Special verses or letters used as charms to contact the deceased date back to the early days of German magic. These letters are known as Himmels-brief, which means "a letter to heaven," or "heaven letter." Few people outside the Pennsylvania Dutch community have heard of them, but Himmels-briefs were frequently used to contact a deceased family member. Some of these charms, if written by a powerful magician, could cost hundreds of dollars.



Here is one way to use a Himmels-brief to contact an ancestral spirit. Select a sheet of clean white paper and a special pen. Light a yellow candle, and place before you a photo of the deceased or a personal item they once owned. Begin writing your letter as you would any letter. You may request help for a particular situation or ask a question. The letter doesn't need to be long. Take your time; you needn't write everything in one letter. End by thanking the spirit and wishing them peace. Finish by folding the letter as if you're sending it and burn it in a ritual fire. The smoke will "send" your letter to the deceased.



Your letter may be answered in a dream, or you may visualize your ancestor actually speaking to you. Another way to seek your answer is to scry into the candle flame of the candle you've just used. A letter is a very personal, loving way to contact a deceased relative.



Contacting with a Magic Mirror



Magic mirrors are an ideal way to contact an ancestral spirit. Before using a mirror for any spirit contact, speak Words of Power to surround yourself with positive energy, and trace a holy symbol (such as a pentagram or cross) over the mirror to prevent any unwelcome spirit from entering your space.



Once again, place a personal item belonging to the deceased near the miorror, or hold the item. Darken the room and light a white candle; set it off to one side.



Concentrate on your ancestor and ask if they wish to communicate with you. Gazing at the mirror, visualize your ancestor and ask a question if you'd like. A misty or sharp image of your relative may begin to form. Be aware that the face may look younger or healthier than you remember. Your question may be answered with a symbol, or an actual scene could appear in your mirror.



Keep your mirror sessions short to avoid fatigue. Thank the spirit; let yourself slowly return to reality and snuff out the candle. If contact isn't made, simply try again in a few days.



Channeling with a Pendulum



Pendulums are usually used to give a yes or no answer to divine the future, but I've found them to be an effective tool to contact a family member on the other side because you have intimate contact with the pendulum. and, in a way, you are helping to channel the communication.



You may use the pendulum for spirit contact in two ways. First, you could ask the ancestral spirit if they are present. Then continue with simple questions that can be answered yes or no.



If you wish to receive more detailed answers, try this: First, I'm assuming that you already know the direction your pendulum will swing for a yes or no answer. If you haven't already established that, do so now. Next write all the letters of the alphabet on a piece of paper. Ask the spirit a question and pass the pendulum over each letter. When the pendulum says yes to a letter, record it. A message will begin to form. You may wish to have someone else write the message down as you work the pendulum. You'll be surprised at the answers you'll receive.



When done, thank the spirit and the pendulum for their guidance. Using a pendulum in this manner can be time consuming but rewarding.



These are only a few ideas on how to contact ancestral spirits. Other interesting methods you might want to explore on your own include dream work, meditation, and automatic writing.



However you choose to contact family members and loved ones who've left the physical world, it's important for our ancestral spirits to know that they're welcome to communicate with us. Even when we aren't actively seeking to contact them, let loved ones know you're thinking of them. Leave a bit of their favorite food on your altar, outside your door, or on their grve if possible. Leaving a gift is an especially loving gesture if you do this on their birthday, or on any special day you both shared. Or, you may honor your ancestor by planting a flower in their memory in your garden.



These acts of love and kindness willmake your ancestral spirits feel welcomed, and will improve future contacts.

by James Cambos