Ancestral Work (Part 2)

Ancestral work with herbs.

Hi Guys,

Yes, it's me again continuing our ancestral work mini-series with the follow-up as promised on herbs to use.

As with all herbal work, if you plan to ingest them, seek medical advice first.

As you gather your herbs (it doesn't matter if you are using fresh home-grown herbs, or store-bought dried ones) make sure that you speak your intentions to them, and connect to them.

Keep stating your intentions during the workings, and express your thanks to the herbs for working with you in this.

Herbs can be used internally, in foods, teas and tinctures; and externally, in baths, as an incense or an oil. You will know what works best for you, and consult a professional if in doubt.

If you are seeking to do ancestral work, where possible, use herbs that your ancestors would have been familiar with or used, or if there is a particular plant or herb that you associate with them, then use that.

Below is a list of general herbs and plants that can be used along with some of their properties. After this list, I will pop in a few ides for hoe to incorporate the plants into your workings.

    Rosemary - known as the memory herb

    Patchouli

    Blackthorn - associated with Samhain

    Apple - associated with Samhain

    Cypress - associated with death and mourning

    Fumitory - associated with the Underworld and Samhain

    Hemlock - a funeral herb (TOXIC)

    Marjoram - aids with grief and sadness

    Parsley - connects to the dead

    Plantain - has power over the supernatural (I am unsure whether this is the broad- or narrow-leaved variety, although I tend to defer to the broad-leaved version)

    Pomegranate - associated with the Underworld

    Sage - relieves grief and helps you come to terms with loss

    Sweet Cicely - used in rituals for the dead and dying to ease passing

    Valerian - aka graveyard dust

    Wormwood - used to summon the dead (TOXIC).

    You can use a mixture of rosemary spilanthes and sage as an oil to trigger the release of ancient stored knowledge in the body, simply apply to pulse points and womb area (sacral chakra).

    Likewise, a concoction of rosemary and mugwort will bring forgotten wisdom to the surface. This can be as an oil, or drank as a tea, but test your tolerances first, as mugwort is known hallucinogenic.

    You can take a cedarwood and rosemary bath to ease the ancestral burden you carry. This can also be made into a water (similar to rose or lavender water) and used as a body wash or worn as a fragrance.

    You can make an oil from mugwort and pedicularis to release your personal and accumulated ancestral trauma from being stored in your muscles. Great as a massage oil, or worn on your pulse points.

    Some ideas for plants to place on an ancestral altar could be

        Rose

        Ginko Biloba

        Oak

        Sequoia (any redwood will suffice)

        Rosemary

        Mugwort

        Yew (TOXIC)

These are all long-lived plants, and as such, have become associated with ancestral works.

I like to make an incense from my chosen plants and burn it on a charcoal disc. This goes back to the tradition of honouring your dead at mealtimes by setting them a place with you, then burning their food as an offering afterwards, which was something I was taught from an early age by one of my grandmothers, along with telling bees your family news, but that is for another post!

I think we'll leave this one here, as it is quite a length now.

K x