Previously, I’ve written about Ancestral Healing and it’s importance in bringing balance into your life. Ancestral Healing provides a way to honor our past, yet make space for the present and the future. By finding a way to honor and release past patterns we can make room for healing, growth and change in our lives.
Although Ancestral Healing is not fully understood in the West, it is practiced in many Eastern cultures. It’s thought of as a way to venerate or honor the deceased, since it’s believed that they can have an ability to influence the fortunes of those still living. It’s also believed that by honoring them, their well-being and positive disposition toward their descendants is continued. Although ceremonies are held for the benefit of honoring our ancestors, occasionally they may be asked for special help or favors.
On a practical level, Ancestral Healing serves to strengthen kinship, loyalty, and family relationships. It helps families to recognize where they’ve come from, and recognize the importance of remembering the wisdom of the past. Younger generations might not have ever had a chance to know their grandparents, and therefore may feel lost or isolated. Honoring the past, helps to maintain a connection to our roots, and fosters healthier relationships within families and communities.
Various cultures practice Ancestral Healing in their own unique ways. Mexico has the “Day of the Dead”, where families will come together to commemorate their ancestors through the telling of stories about them and eating their favorite foods. The Chinese celebrate the Hungry Ghost Festival which serves to release the deceased from suffering. Many people of Japanese descent celebrate the Buddhist festival of Bon Odori which is held to honor the ancestors, in which families often gather at ancestral homes to honor the deceased.
As you can see, other cultures have a variety practices that help them to remain connected to the past and honor their ancestors. The common thread amongst these cultures is that they set aside special time, and space, that is dedicated toward this practice. Rather than allowing feelings of isolation or separation to settle into their lives, they remain committed to reconnecting and maintaining their relationships with the past and the present.
I feel that the ceremonies mentioned here, and others like them, can help to offer insights into practices that may offer healing insights for those of us that do not currently work with them. Your Numerological chart can provide a basis for where to begin working. Next time, we'll continue looking at your Family Name number and we'll look at your Karmic numbers, which can help us to overcome potential challenges and release our doubts and worries about them.
One purpose, not necessarily obvious at first glance, of Ancestral Healing is to feel more centered and grounded. It's to feel like you belong where you are and to believe in yourself. Some of the questions below may help you to think about how it might help you in your life.
Some question that you can ask yourself at this time are:
- Have I been listening to the guidance from my heart?
- Have I been listening to the guidance from the past?
- Do I remember any of the wisdom my grandparents offered?
- Do I look to my dreams for inner guidance?
- Do people from the past show up in my dreams?
- Do I have pictures of my parents or grandparents on display?
- What do I tell my children about my parents?
- What do my children know about the past?
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