The Bones of our Ancestors

The ancient civilisations of Peru mummified their dead – offered them food and drink and went to them for guidance as if they were still alive. What must that have been like to look upon the decayed face of your ancestor and feel such an intimate connection with one who shares your blood?

It is easy to be alive today and forget that we are part of a lineage. That we inherit both traumas and gifts from previous generations. Perhaps you have had moments where you feel a certain fear or anxiety around a situation, yet an intuitive part of you realises that you are carrying a sensation that doesn’t truly belong to you. Researchers have discovered that we are intimately affected by at least the past three generations of our bloodline. All the wars, famine, uncertainty, love, joy and compassion still stirs within us in ways we cannot always fathom.

There are shamanic practices that can support you in no longer having to hold onto the traumas that you have taken on from your ancestors. I like to imagine that our ancestors are applauding us and want us to live our best lives. They do not want us to carry their heaviness, and they rejoice in us being open to their gifts. To feel their love and joy and their deep passion for a life that was once theirs and can now be embodied within you.

Although we no longer gaze upon the bones of our ancestors, I am curious about what gets stirred within you at the thought of how you can build a connection to your ancestors? A few ideas could be around creating an altar with family photos and relics; picking up a drum and rattle to call them in or writing an imaginary dialogue with them. You might be surprised at how eager they are to engage with you.