One of the most important actions that we must take in our faith is the creation and maintenance of an altar for ancestral reverence. Not having this spiritual altar is detrimental to our success. We must always remember that there would be no Orishas without Muertos. Our relationship with our Ancestors – those we know and those we do not know- is a relationship that guides us with passion.
In the equation of our lives, the Orishas and the Muertos are the values that add up to success, protection, guidance, and salvation.
Suggestion for setting up a simple altar for ancestral reverence:
Take a small table or stool and cover it with a white sheet.
Purchas 7 glasses that attract you, in the name of your Muertos (Eggun). 6 should be identical and one should be different to serve as the center glass.
Place the glasses on the table or stool that you have set up and fill them with cool water.
Place a cross in the center glass.
Surround the glasses with any pictures of ancestors that you have. Be sure that the pictures do not contain the image of anyone who is still alive.
Change the water in the glasses at least once a week.
Place a small white candle on the table (make sure that this is done safely and there is no danger present around the candle)
Place a small bouquet of white flowers on the table (occasionally)
Communicate with your Muertos (Eggun) in a personal manner as often as you like. While there are formal prayers that you can recite, I believe that it is imperative that a personal relationship, strengthened by personal communication be created.
©Dr William Q Ross “Mission” 2018