How Are You Feeding Spirit?
When we’re ready to eat, we bless our food and ask for continued blessings and mercy for others. But do we ever think of making a plate for our ancestors? Here’s why we should.
Across Africa, it’s common for people to leave offerings at their ancestral altars. These offerings can take the form of flowers, food, or objects.
Food offerings for the ancestors are placed on special ancestor plates, which are cleaned and replenished daily.
Just like we feed our guests, when we welcome our ancestors into our living space, we should offer them something to eat. Passing from the spirit realm into our world takes a lot of energy.
Food offerings offer energetic nourishment to our ancestors, not just symbolically.
Everything that physically exists in our world leaves an energetic imprint in the spirit realm. Preparing an ancestor plate reminds our ancestors that we haven't forgotten them.
Remember, our ancestors are spirit guides for every living member of our bloodline. They have many places to be. Setting out an ancestor plate invites them to your particular altar.
Do you know what your ancestor’s favorite meal was? Consider making it for them for a special occasion.
The rest of the time, cook extra food so preparing the plate is easy. If you don’t have an ancestral altar, set a place for ancestors at your dinner table.
However we choose to invite ancestors into our lives, let’s make sure they feel welcome and nourished once they’ve arrived.
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