Ancestors are the departed souls of our bloodlines—those who are no longer physically incarnated. Does this idea creep you out or intrigue you? While the thought of connecting with ancestors might bring to mind unsettling images of ghosts, it doesn’t have to be intimidating. In fact, building a relationship with your ancestors is neither exclusive to psychics nor beyond reach. Mediumship and intuitive perception are innate human capacities, accessible to anyone with a bit of practice.

If the idea of engaging with your ancestors feels daunting, remember this: they aren’t all frightening or unapproachable. On the contrary, they often offer valuable support, guidance, wisdom, and love—gifts that can deeply nourish your daily life.

An Ancient Practice Across Cultures

Ancestor reverence has been practiced across Africa, Asia, and parts of Europe long before the rise of organized religions. At its core, this practice sought harmony—between the living and the dead, humans and other life forms, and the physical world and the unseen realms.

As Dr. Daniel Foor writes in his book Ancestral Medicine Rituals for Personal and Family Healing: “We are bonded with the ancestors as life to death, light to shadow. The choice is not whether or not to be in relationship with them, but whether or not these relationships will be conscious and reciprocal. Ancestor-focused rituals are one way to relate more consciously to the dead and to advocate for our interests and for the well-being of our family and our world.”

You’ve likely encountered examples of ancestor veneration in some form. Celebrations of the dead are woven into the cultural fabric of societies worldwide.

Festivals of Remembrance

In the northern hemisphere, the Celtic festival of Samhain (pronounced “SAH-win”) marks the midpoint between the autumn equinox and winter solstice. First mentioned in Iron Age texts, Samhain celebrates the end of the harvest and is believed to be a time when the veil between the physical and spiritual worlds is thinnest. The night of October 31, Samhain is a time for remembering the dead and is echoed in other cultural observances like Halloween in the U.S., All Saints’ Eve, All Saints’ Day (widely observed in France), All Souls’ Day in Christian communities, and the Day of the Dead (El Día de los Muertos) in Mexico.

Around the world, similar traditions honor the dead:

• Fèt Gede in Haiti’s Vodou tradition
• The Awuru Odo Festival among the Igbo people of Nigeria
• The Hungry Ghost Festival in China, celebrated across Southeast Asia

Each of these rituals reflects humanity’s enduring connection with those who have passed. Whether through offerings, prayers, or celebrations, these festivals provide opportunities to remember loved ones, honor their spirits, and maintain a harmonious relationship with them.

Beyond Festivals: Everyday Ways to Honor

These seasonal celebrations remind us to reflect on our ancestors, but we don’t need to wait for special occasions to honor them. Daily acts of remembrance—such as heartfelt offerings of food or drink, speaking well of them, or simply holding them in our thoughts—can nurture a reciprocal relationship. When ancestors feel appreciated, they are more likely to act as allies rather than adversaries.

Every effort to heal intergenerational patterns, live ethically, and care for one another supports our ancestors and brings them joy. Conversely, disruptions caused by desecrating sacred sites, neglecting ancestor shrines, or disrespecting places they held dear can disturb their spirits, leading to challenges for the living. These disturbances may manifest as emotional or physical struggles—curses, legacies of illness, depression, addiction, or even bad luck.

Reawakening Ancestral Connection

Bringing our ancestors “back to life” within us not only supports them but also fosters self-discovery, clarity, and purpose. My personal journey with ancestor work has brought me a profound sense of belonging, creativity, self-confidence, and alignment with my roots. It has helped me understand where I stand in the world and how to honor the wisdom of those who came before me.

If you wish to explore this path further, I highly recommend Ancestral Medicine Rituals for Personal and Family Healing by Dr. Daniel Foor, whose teachings have deeply enriched my understanding of this sacred connection.