Beginning Ancestor Meditation

Last updated on: March 14, 2017 at 3:14 am by Erica Baron

Beginning Ancestor Meditation 2017-03-14T03:14:39+00:00 Erica Baron

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Dancing Flames – public domain

As Oestara, the Spring Equinox approaches, it is a time to contemplate balance. The balance of light and dark, warmth and cold, and perhaps other polarities as well. Looking at the world around me, I am bombarded with news of ways that human beings, and particularly Americans, are moving away from a balanced relationship with each other and the earth. It is overwhelming, and I need guidance, wise counsel, and loving support.

One place to seek such guidance is in connection with ancestors, either genetic ancestors or ancestors of the spirit. This is a meditation to seek such guidance, and is especially written for those who do not already have a strong connection with ancestral guidance.

This meditation will be most powerful if you can listen to it. You can either record it and play it back to yourself (speak slowly!) or ask a friend to read it to you. You are welcome to use it in any collective rituals, as well, as a guided meditation. Feel free to adapt it to suit your own needs!

Get into a comfortable position and relax your body. Follow the sound of my voice as I count down from 13. There is no need to visualize numbers this time. 13. 12. 11. 10. 9. 8. 7. 6. 5. 4. 3. 2. 1.

Yggdrasil. Photo by Joe Schulz (cc) 2013.

On the screen of your mind, picture a giant tree, bigger than any tree you have ever seen. This is the World Tree, a gateway between the worlds. Imagine the screen of your mind is like a doorway, a portal you can easily pass through. Step through and stand before the great tree. Hear the wind in its branches; smell the earth where the roots dig in; reach out and feel the bark. As you keep your hands on the bark, hold the intention of finding an ancestor spirit to help you in your part to restore balance to the world.

Search in the roots of the tree for an opening. When you find it, step into the opening, which will lead to a tunnel. The tunnel slopes gently downward. Follow the tunnel downward. Continue to follow the tunnel as it continues to spiral down. At the end of the tunnel, you see a light, flickering like a fire. Walk toward the light.

The tunnel ends in a forest clearing. There is a great fire in the middle of the clearing, and around the fire are the spirits of the ancestors. The ancestors are dancing or simply watching the fire. Wait on the edge of the clearing until one of the ancestors breaks away and comes to join you. This may be a recent ancestor, someone you knew in life, or it may be someone from a more distant past. It may be an ancestor of blood or an ancestor of spirit. If you do not recognize the ancestor, introduce yourself.

Ask your ancestor guide for any wisdom and guidance about your role in restoring balance to the world. What is your task in these times? What wisdom from older times can help you in your work? What else do you need to do your work in the world? Ask any other questions you may have. (Reader, give the meditator(s) a good long time to do this work.)

The ancestor may give you a gift to help you in your work, or to help you remember your conversation. Search within yourself to see if you have a gift to offer in return. Thank your ancestor guide for their help and wisdom.

Find the tunnel again, and enter it. Follow the tunnel as it slopes back up. Follow the tunnel up and up. Follow the tunnel until you are once again at the base of the World Tree. Hold your hands to the bark of the tree and offer thanks for facilitating this journey. Then step back through the screen of your mind and bring yourself back to this circle. Come back, come back, come back. Come back to this time and this place. And open your eyes.

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