Mother’s Day is next Sunday and I know that this means a lot of different things to different people. My mom is alive and I will be celebrating with her in the morning with brunch.

My mom’s mom (shown above) passed away long before I was born. Her name was Madeline. During my tarot training, she showed up in some of my meditations and visualizations. Because of this, I decided to create a closer relationship with her.

I talked to my mom about this a bit and she told me that I would have called her Nana. I now ask her for guidance on a regular basis.

Now when I tune in and pray, I ask God, Angels, Guides, Bear, Gloria (my name for my higher self), Nana Madeline, Wolf, and Owl to help me. (This has evolved. About 5 years ago, I started simply with Universe.)

I imagine her standing behind my right shoulder. I feel supportive and comforting energy coming from her.

On Mother’s Day, I plan on making a point to spend some time with her by creating an altar and I thought you might like to do the same with a mother or mother-figure from your life.

Here are some ways you can create an ancestor altar and spend some intentional time with a loved one this weekend.

Create an Ancestor Altar 

Ahead of time:

1. Get a photo or photos to display.
2. If you do not have a photo, find something that reminds you of this person.
3. Gather candles – possibly in the colors and scents that the person loved.
4. Pick or find out something that they loved eating or drinking and make sure you have it on hand. ie. Chamomile Tea, Lemon Cookies, Sangria.
5. Designate a space for your altar.

Day of:

1. Put the photos or items on your altar.
2. Light your candles.
3. Ask the person or persons you are honoring to be with you.
4. Close your eyes and imagine them there.
5. Enjoy the food and/or drink that they loved. (If for any reason, you do not like or cannot consume what they loved then simply offer it to them.)
6. Enjoy this time and this connection.
7. You can ask if they have any messages for you. Listen and possibly write down any guidance you receive.
8. Allow any part of the experience to become a sign or symbol of their presence in your life. i.e. The color pink, the scent of Gardenia, the food or drink that they loved.
9. Thank them for their love and support.

Tips:

• You can keep this altar up or create it again when needed.
• Either let the candles burn all the way down or save them for when you want to connect with this person again.
• If there is drink left over it might be nice to empty it outside on a plant or tree. If there is food leftover, then save it for later, share with someone else, or possibly compost, give to the family dog, or throw away with loving intention.
• You can do this on birthdays, anniversaries and holidays.
• Feel free to make it simpler or more elaborate depending on the amount of time, your mood, and desires.

If you create an ancestor altar, feel free to tag me @kerry_burki or use the hashtag #kerryburki so I can check it out.

Happy Mothers Day!!!

xo,

Kerry