you don't have to practice ancestor veneration to be a "good witch"
listen, i don't know who needs to hear this, but you don't have to practice ancestor veneration or build an ancestor altar if you don't want to. and if you're going to argue with me and be rude, consider that a) i don't gaf, b) fuck you, and c) i don't gaf
i've been a practicing witch for over eight years now. i have a contract with the lord of the dead. i neither have an ancestor altar nor regularly light candles, incense, or meditate with my ancestors. i have many reasons for this, of which i'll list below, but just know that it doesn't Matter what your reason is. it is your choice and yours alone what you do with your practice.
reasons why i don't practice ancestor veneration:
the only "ancestor" i would bother venerating is my mother, who i lost when i was seventeen. to some people, that might seem like a long time ago, but it's still too fresh for me
i have no connection with the older generations, nor do i think they (hardcore christian, white) would respect me (queer, trans, and a witch) in the slightest
many of my ancestors were mean, hateful, or very ill people
unless someone reaches out to me, i have no interest in trying to force a connection with someone just based on the fact that they were biologically related to me. see above for why
i value the peace of my dead, and because no one is reaching out, i assume they'd rather be left alone
PSA: this isn't a vague post or a commentary on anyone else's practice in any way, merely an attempt to dispel a common misconception i see
I talk about this subject often, but I figured I'd write an incomplete guide encompassing a variety of things I've posted about for those interested!
Before the Work:
I know, I know. You're here to learn about spirit work, so why is there even a section prior to it? Well, it's because spirit work begins with the energy forces (spirits of energies), the spirits of herbs and our own spirits, before it begins with deities, fae and ghosts.
Before performing any kind of spirit work as you may know it, it's important to begin with these basics:
Thorough, layered protections that cover each of your bodies (physical, spiritual, etc), any of your items (especially once you may use in spirit work, such as divination tools), and your place of residence as a whole (the space you reside in most, that has most of your energy accessible inside of it, that you will likely perform a large portion of your spirit work as well). If you're worried, please also look into protections for other members of your household / residence, such as furry friends / "pet" family members, just keep in mind that while some protections automatically cover anyone else in the residence (including any spirits btw, be mindful), some protections can actually do harm to animals.
Ethics, morals, and values. This is going to encompass things like being respectful to other spirits, how to imagine them in your brain to ensure you aren't treating them as a commodity, recognizing their autonomy and self-determination, etc. This is meant to be general as each spirit type (learn more below) and individual spirit is different. This is also great to help you determine what path of spirit work you want to take - psychopomp work, bonding with nature spirits and growing plants / herbs, casual hanging out with spirit friends, etc etc etc
Cleansings and banishings. These are talked about a lot, but let me tell you, wards and sigils are not always the way to go. In fact, wards and sigils - even if done correctly - can lead to accidental spirit bindings / trapping spirits in your residence rather than keeping them out. These are not effective protections to lean on without any additional protections / support, and not bullet-proof whatsoever. If your protections are strong enough, they are the safety net. However, when inviting spirits into your space, you are sometimes giving them permission to bypass your permissions - so try looking into protections that can, without harm, force a spirit out of your space once they are unwanted there. This is known as a "banishing" as well, but really it's just a protective method. Cleansings are important when encountering any kind of spirit, and great for non-spiritual health too!
Vetting
Vetting is the process of verifying who a spirit is, whether you're sure you know who they are or not. It's a sign of respect to many spirits, such as deities, but also really important to your safety and well-being. Whether a spirit is harmful, a trickster, or just someone you misunderstand, learning who they are, why they're there, and how to properly communicate / interact with them based on those things is incredibly important to forming any kind of bond with a spirit and / or keeping yourself safe throughout your work.
Vetting is not just asking questions. In fact, it is meant to be a very thorough process. Spirits are just like us - they can lie, tell the truth, or be misunderstood. It's important you understand how to vett properly when learning spirit work.
The steps to vetting include:
Research / Familiarity
Divination
Research: This step is all about learning. What are you learning about? Depends on the spirit you're trying to contact, but obviously, that spirit haha. However, you gotta learn more than just the spirit you're working with, to be able to identify spirits that may show up that may not be them, spirits they introduce you to, other spirits you encounter in your daily life or practice that you may need to handle, etc. So, more specifically, what are you learning about?
-> Spirit classifications: different spirits (or "spirit types"), their traits, etc. Of course, every spirit is an individual, but their "type" still affects or shapes them, just like how being human affects or shapes us. This will help you to understand what's safe for them and what's not, if they're friendly to you or not, what they can help with and what they can't, what they like and don't like, etc. From there...
-> Spirit communication basics is the next step of research for if you wish to speak with them. Certain spirits have specific customs, preferences or conveniences. Which are safe to say xyz to, which are not? Etc. Learning about their spirit "type" can help because it will also help you with this kind of communication, as different spirits have different "ground rules" in terms of communication (what they find respectful / disrespectful, what is safe / not safe to say in their presence, etc).
You want to become familiar with these materials. Take notes, be thorough. You do not need to memorize what you've learned as long as you're in a protective space, but you shouldn't have any notes exposed at the time of vetting (more on this below).
How to research:
Do heavy and thorough research (personal stories, ancient beliefs, historical artifacts, studies, religious information, scholarly academia, non-scholarly "UPG" experiences, etc)
Verify the credibility and context of all sources and cross-compare / cross-reference
Some things to keep in mind when researching:
Memorize lore, stories, facts, associations, practices, etc, that relate to the god / spirit you’re planning on reaching out to. (Please keep in mind that during the vetting, you should not think the answers to the questions you're going to ask in your head, as for many spirits you're basically giving them the answer that way. Additionally, do not have your notes exposed or accessible in any way while you're vetting - it's based to avoid taking notes at all, or deleting them later. Saving the resources in a tab folder on your computer is a great idea to refer to when assessing the answers the spirit gave you)
Save the tabs of the resources you find in a dedicated folder on your computer. (If you're writing traditionally, make sure you take extra precautions to keep your notebook safe so that spirits can peek into it and find the answers during vetting.)
Divination
Most people tend to bust out a deck of tarot cards for this - I do not recommend this! As a tarot reader of about 9 years now, this is a one-way ticket to Frustration Town. Not only is it incredibly easy to misunderstand what the spirit is actually trying to say if you aren't advanced enough in tarot (or if the spirit themselves aren't as familiar with tarot as they are with other divination methods), but the spirit can get frustrated too! Do you know how painful it is saying the same thing 5 times but instead it's invisible charades? Lol
Instead, I recommend utilizing a pendulum. This is much clearer and more convenient for both parties. There's some things to keep in mind when utilizing a pendulum:
-> Yes / no is the easiest method, but you can also do a true / false or a more elaborate spread. (I do not recommend doing oujia-board style for a variety of safety and efficiency reasons.)
-> As mentioned, don't have your notes out and don't think the answers to questions in your head. Simply ask the questions, ask the spirit to leave your space (banish them if they don't; in which case, you likely shouldn't work with them anyways haha), and then deliberate over the answers.
-> Call on the spirit without loopholes. Do not call in "peaceful spirits." Know who you're contacting, even if you don't know their name, otherwise you're opening yourself up to a whole swarm of risks. There are other ways to meet random spirits without needlessly endangering yourself. When calling on the spirit, be respectful, kind, and I recommend verbal if possible.
-> When asking questions, don't ask the basic "are you so-so" or "is hades the god of the underworld" questions. If this information is commonly known and widely accessible to you, then it is also commonly known in the spirit world (especially since they're a spirit / deity you're even reaching out to) and accessible to them as well. You'll want to look into conventional things, uncommon information, stuff that isn't typical or well-known - if they are who they say they are, they will be able to answer correctly, even if the information is incredibly specific or niche.
-> Consider waiting until you're in a good space of mind to establish a relationship. This way, you're less likely to make mistakes that lead to a spirit taking advantage of you. If this is an unrealistic standard for you, make sure you've accommodated yourself in your practices and that you're still respectful to the spirit (some spirits appreciate being told if you're unwell, some this is dangerous to do when communicating with them).
-> Many people are worried about involuntary movements when it comes to using a pendulum. This worries are incredibly valid. That's why you should look into (yes, these exist) specific positions you can sit in and position your arms / etc in that limit the risk of involuntary movements when divining with a pendulum.
There's also some general things to keep in mind when divining throughout the vetting process in general:
-> Trust your intuition. If you have any spirit-sensing abilities, you're allowed to trust yourself there too, as long as you've ensured your healthy and well.
-> Be aware of how you feel emotionally / energetically / internally, how your nervous system feels, any changes in temperature, how your thoughts may be (as some spirits can influence thinking), any physical bodily sensations you may begin experiencing, etc.
Fear-Mongering
There is an incredibly ill-thought-out idea circling these days that spiritual protections are "fear-mongering" or speaking on harmful spirits is "fear-mongering" derivative of Christians being against witchcraft. I'm just gonna say it: this is fucking stupid and an incredibly uneducated, discriminatory take.
The idea of harmful spirits existed long before Christianity was even developed, despite efforts to destroy our cultures, and still exist outside the lens of Christianity today. (Stop taking my culture and spiritual practices, shaming me for it, and then calling me a Christian for practicing it. What kind of backwards logic is that from a witch / practitioner / pagan?)
If you're protected, then you have nothing to worry about. You do not have to feel afraid in order to do your due diligence. We don't ever hop in a car expecting a car crash, but we still put our seatbelts on just in case. We still take driver's tests just in case. We still look both ways before making a turn just in case. It's really not that big of a deal.
Fear-mongering would be "all spirits are out to get you specifically because you don't do what other witches do." But saying things like, "hey, keeping yourself safe is a good idea because bad things can happen" is not fear-mongering. Saying things like "just as spirits can be our friends, they can be our enemies or purposefully / unintentionally harm us too; just like people can" is not fear-mongering. Saying things like "making sure you feel safe and comfortable is important and should not be taken as disrespectful by any spirit / deity" is not fear-mongering. Saying things like "there are consequences to your actions, even spiritually" is not fear-mongering. The idea that really basic practices based in centuries of tradition and developed in modern times are "fear-mongering christian beliefs" is a slippery slope to spiritual psychosis and getting yourself hurt / your spells or spirit work not working or going well / etc. It's also a great fucking slope to continuously erasing practices that Christianity and other oppressors have already been attempting to take, twist and erase for centuries.
Just because Christians took an idea from a traditional practice (multiple, really) without learning the intricacies about it and use it to hurt others, does not invalidate that actual practice they stole from. If it did, all of witchcraft, paganism and other cultural customs would be "fear-mongering." Y'all are just allowing the colonization of our practices and then shaming us for not following your ideals. Besides -- Christians do not speak on the subject more often than traditional practitioners in general, so maybe you guys need to do some more genuine listening and learning / finding actual traditional practitioners if you think Christian ideologies run our practices lol (yeah... people like y'all who preach this sound a bit indoctrinated ngl, and most of us would prefer if you didn't bring that into our teachings and try colonizing us instead of doing some really basic research and self-healing, thanks)
If you're going to talk about fear-mongering, then be knowledgeable about fear-mongering. It doesn't have to be as complicated of a mess as it is, truthfully.
Spirit Work Paths
There's a variety of ways you can lean on relationships with spirits, depending on the relationship and those specifically involved. Here's just a handful of ideas!
Psychopomp work
Spell work
Energy work (especially energy forces / spirits of the energies)
Divination practices
Additional protections
Baneful workings
Healing, health boosts and overall well-being
Attraction, confidence, abundance, etc
Learning about the spiritual world (or even the living world!)
Learning ancestral / cultural practices
Learning lessons and teachings from spirits
Bonding with nature and your environment or spiritual community
Deity work / worship
Animal bonding / work, and / or plant bonding / work
Inner peace, intuition enhancement, etc
Spiritual gift(s) unlocking, locking, development / enhancement, training, etc
Ancestral veneration
and more!
Thank You
Thank you for taking the time to read my post / learn from my personal knowledge, experiences, and beliefs!
You can learn more about spirit work in this guide to working with death. I also have a brief guide to vetting in this post. For research tips, visit this post and this post, as well as this post on finding traditional Greek practitioners (more focused on Hellenism). Check out this PSA on tricksters and also this post on fear-mongering in spirit work I came across recently. You can also take a look around my Table of Contents post for other posts on the topic, as I have shared a variety, and / or send an Ask any time!
As the veil thins and the air turns still, we remember those who came before us, our ancestors, both known and unknown. Samhain is the time when the living and the dead draw close, when the whispers of the old ones can be felt in candlelight, smoke, and dreams.
This isn’t merely remembrance, it’s connection.
🌑 Who Are Our Ancestors?
When we speak of ancestors, we often think of family lines — parents, grandparents, those tied by blood. But ancestor veneration in witchcraft is broader and more inclusive.
There are:
Blood Ancestors: those in your direct family line.
Cultural Ancestors: those who share your heritage, traditions, or language.
Spiritual Ancestors: witches, healers, mystics, and rebels who paved the way for the craft you practice now.
Ancestors of the Land: the spirits and peoples who lived, worked, and died where you stand today.
Chosen Ancestors: those who have passed but guided or inspired you in this life — mentors, authors, artists, or friends.
There is always questions about adoption and who you honor if you are adopted, but the real answer is to Honor who and what feels right for you. If you feel more connected to your adopted family, honor them. If you feel more connected to your biological family, honor them. If you want to do a mixture of both, do so. It is all about what feels right for you, there is no wrong way to do this.
All are worthy of honor. Ancestor work is not about worship — it’s about acknowledgment, gratitude, and relationship.
🍞 Ways to Honor Your Ancestors This Samhain
🕯️ 1. Create an Ancestor Altar
Set aside a small space — it could be a corner of your main altar, a windowsill, or even a shelf. Add:
Candles: black for protection, white for remembrance
Natural elements: autumn leaves, stones from ancestral lands, herbs like rosemary or marigold
Light a candle and speak their names aloud if you know them. If you don’t, simply say:
“To all my ancestors known and unknown, of blood, of spirit, of craft, and of land, I honor you. Walk beside me in wisdom and peace.”
🍎 2. Offer Food or Drink
In ancient Samhain traditions, families left plates of food on doorsteps or at the hearth for the wandering dead — a practice known as “Dumb Supper”. You can recreate this by:
Setting a spirit plate with small portions of your meal and leaving it overnight.
Hosting a Silent Supper, where you eat in silence by candlelight, leaving a place open for the ancestors.
These gestures feed the bond between worlds, a reminder that love continues beyond the grave.
🌿 3. Connect Through Memory and Story
Storytelling is a form of magic. Spend time recalling memories, reading old letters, or researching your lineage. If you don’t know your ancestry, meditate on the archetypes and energies that feel ancestral such as: healers, warriors, poets, mothers, midwives, dreamers.
You may find that your spirit recognizes family where your mind does not.
Personally, I will light a white or cream colored candle in honor of a specific ancestor, the last few years my grandfather because he past away about 6 years ago. I will sit with the candle lit and just talk, I tell him about my favorite memories I have of him, update him on my life, tell him about the family that he never got to meet because of his passing. I always get a larger candle for this, like a 7 day candle or a pillar candle because I tend to ramble on and talk with him a lot because I just miss him so much.
🔮 4. Divination & Dream Work
Samhain’s thinning veil makes it an ideal time to receive messages.
Before bed, ask:
“Ancestors of my highest good, what wisdom do you have for me tonight?”
Keep a dream journal by your bed. You might notice familiar faces, symbols, or sensations -they’re subtle ways your ancestors communicate.
You can also use tarot or pendulums to connect, always setting clear intention and boundaries:
“I open this space to messages only from my benevolent ancestors and guides.”
🌾 5. Acts of Living Tribute
Honoring your ancestors isn’t limited to ritual, it’s also found in how you live. You honor them by:
Breaking generational patterns they could not.
Living joyfully when they could not.
Creating and healing, adding your light to the lineage.
Sometimes the best offering is simply peace, healing your own life in their memory. Remember any ancestor of your highest good wants you to live a long, happy, healthy, and truly wonderful life, so live it!
At Samhain, as the wheel turns and the nights deepen, remember:
You are the living altar of your ancestors.
Their breath moves through your lungs.
Their magic flows in your veins.
I think witches underestimate the importance of spirits and spirit work in their craft until they actively practice and create bonds with them.
I have been a spiritless witch at the beginning, years ago, only including deities in my practice. It felt... Empty. Lonely. Not right, too. Now I can't believe in a life without spirits. They make my witchcraft whole.
Trust me, work with spirits. You won't be able to go back, in a good way.
i cannot say it enough: RESEARCH IS WORSHIP RESEARCH IS WORSHIP RESEARCH IS WORSHIP RESEARCH IS WORSHIP RESEARCH IS WORSHIP RESEARCH IS WORSHIP RESEARCH IS WORSHIP RESEARCH IS WORSHIP RESEARCH IS WORSHIP RESEARCH IS WORSHIP RESEARCH IS WORSHIP RESEARCH IS WORSHIP RESEARCH IS WORSHIP
research your ancestors, research your gods, research the land you come from, listen to the stories told by your family, your community, your elders and take notes. research research research.
Graveyard Dirt: What Every Witch Should Know .˚⊹. ࣪𓉸 ࣪⊹˚.
What Is Graveyard Dirt?
Graveyard dirt is earth collected from cemeteries, considered one of the most potent ingredients in folk magic and traditional witchcraft! This soil carries the energy of the deceased, the power of transformation, and centuries of spiritual significance. Different types of graveyard dirt serve different magickal purposes, from general cemetery dirt for universal magick to specific grave dirt for targeted work. The earth itself becomes a bridge between the living and the dead, making it invaluable for ancestor work, protection spells, and much more!
Types of Graveyard Dirt
General Cemetery Dirt comes from pathways and common areas, perfect for universal magick and general ancestor connection without specific spirit attachment.
Specific Grave Dirt is collected from individual graves, creating a direct connection to that particular spirit for targeted magickal work and personal petitions.
Crossroads Dirt from cemetery crossroads holds special power for choice magick, opening new paths, and decision-making spells.
Old Cemetery Dirt from historic graveyards carries stronger ancestral energy and deeper potency from centuries of accumulated spiritual power.
Traditional Magical Uses
Protection and Banishing...
Home Protection: Sprinkle around your property's perimeter to create a powerful protective barrier that keeps negative energy and unwanted visitors away from your space.
Banishing Rituals: Mix with salt and herbs to remove stubborn negative energy, break harmful patterns, or cleanse spaces of unwanted spiritual influences.
Binding Spells: Use to stop someone from causing harm, binding their negative actions while protecting yourself and others from their influence.
Ancestor Work & Spirit Communication...
Altar Offerings: Place small amounts on ancestor altars to honor the dead and create a stronger connection between worlds for spirit communication.
Divination Enhancement: Add to divination tools or altar space to improve psychic abilities and receive clearer messages from the spirit realm.
Séance Work: Incorporate into séance circles to facilitate communication with specific spirits or strengthen the veil between worlds.
Healing & Justice Magick...
Healing Rituals: Dirt from a healer's or doctor's grave can be used in healing spells, combining their earthly knowledge with spiritual power for recovery work.
Justice Spells: When someone has wronged you, graveyard dirt can help ensure natural consequences catch up with them through karmic justice.
Truth Revealing: Mix with other herbs in spells to uncover hidden truths, expose lies, or bring secrets to light in legal or personal matters.
Ethical Collection Methods
Always Ask Permission First: Always speak to the spirits before collecting, explaining your purpose, and requesting their blessing for your magickal work.
Leave Fair Offerings: Bring coins, flowers, tobacco, or other appropriate gifts to show respect and maintain reciprocal relationships with the dead.
Wait for Proper Timing: Avoid fresh graves and collect during appropriate times when the spirits are most receptive.
Take Only What You Need: A small amount goes a long way in magick. Excessive taking shows disrespect and greed toward the sacred space.
Storage & Usage Tips
Proper Storage: Keep in dark glass jars away from sunlight, labeled with collection date and location for future reference and magical accuracy.
Spell Applications: Add to sachets, spell jars, or burn with incense. Mix with herbs and oils for enhanced magickal properties.
Cleansing Protocol: Always cleanse your tools and yourself after collection to maintain spiritual hygiene and prevent unwanted attachments.
Respectful Disposal: If you no longer need the dirt, return it to the earth respectfully rather than throwing it in the trash.
Remember!! This is sacred material that deserves respect! Graveyard dirt work requires proper preparation, clear intentions, and ethical considerations. The spirits whose resting places you visit are not just magickal ingredients to serve you – they were once living people deserving of dignity and respect! Approach this work with humility, gratitude, and genuine spiritual purpose!!
Have you worked with graveyard dirt in your practice? What experiences have you had with different types of soil? Share your stories and insights in the comments; your experience could help guide others in their respectful approach to this powerful material.
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