If you could connect with an ancestor, what would you want to know? What questions would you ask? What wisdom would they impart?

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In many cultures, ancestors are viewed as wise guardians who offer guidance and protection. By honoring these figures, we can access a wellspring of knowledge and support that transcends generations. 

Perhaps you are someone who was able to know some of your ancestors before they passed, but it wasn't a close relationship, or you were too young to ask genealogy questions. Maybe you don't know your biological family and therefore have little or no information about your ancestral line. Unless you are one of the fortunate ones whose family was able to keep tidy, detailed records for the last thousand years, most of us don't know much about our ancestors more than a few generations back. Some of us only have a handful of random photos with blurry ink on the back, or heard names dropped at family gathering when someone regaled a saucy relative story that was passed down. (But most of us have never met Great-Great Uncle Cornelius). 

What's important to understand is that it doesn't matter if we don't know our ancestors or who they were in life. However, we can still honor those who have come before us, because they've paved the way for us so that we may be here now, even if they are nameless and faceless to us. This act of acknowledgment fosters a deeper connection with our ancestors and becomes a starting point for our ancestral healing practice. We take this one step further in our retreat and celebrate the ancient traditions of the Celtic holiday of Samhain, which included practices such as lighting candles to guide spirits home, consulting with oracles, and interpreting dreams as messages from the other side. It's quite common for ancestors to be helpers and guides from beyond the veil, and these rituals can offer us insights into our personal journeys and help us navigate the challenges ahead.

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By honoring our ancestors during this time, we acknowledge their influence on our present lives. This recognition can be a powerful catalyst for healing old wounds, both personal and familial. By reflecting on the sacrifices and struggles of those who came before us, we can gain insight into our own challenges and find strength in their stories. This process of ancestral healing is essential, as it allows us to break unhealthy patterns and embrace the wisdom that our forebears have to offer.​ By engaging with the traditions of the past, we can cultivate a deeper understanding of our roots and the lessons offered by their ancestors.