Ancestor Remembrance at Samhain

Somewhere between the second and third week of October, I set a small Ancestor altar up. Many do this only on the night of Samhain, but I think being in tune with The Wheel means that the season leading up to Samhain is a time of reflection, as well as a time of preparation.

An Ancestor altar does not have to be a full-fledged altar if it would be too conspicuous in your home for visitors or anyone else. A simple Ancestor altar can be a picture and a small personal memento set where you can see them. Creating an Ancestor Altar is an important step to feeling Samhain approach, and I would highly recommend creating one to help start your inner reflection for the Sabbat. 

Seeing an Ancestor Altar set up at certain times of the year will help to create associated recognition - in the same way smelling turkey and stuffing immediately makes most people think of Thanksgiving. It's all about associations and being in tune with the seasons, all of which will become a familiar pattern after a while.

We make the Rosemary Remembrance bread often in our house - not only because we enjoy the flavor, but it is an associated trigger for remembering people. Because we have made it so. 

Today, I made the Rosemary Remembrance bread as we will be having a roast with a thick, rich gravy for dinner this evening and the Rosemary bread is the perfect accompaniment to the beefy taste.

While the ancestor altar was not fully set up, I did pull a few things together this afternoon to honor someone that I still revere and talk with the most, despite they left this world; my father.

Though it has been many years since he has passed, I always put out some rosemary bread and pour him his favorite beer in a good, German stein. (as our family hails from Emmendingen, Germany) On Samhain, I will set him a proper feast near the fireplace, invite him in, and hope to hear some new tales from him.