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Channeling Ancestors

15:12 / 29.05.08

Has anyone used sigil magic as a means by which to contact dead relatives, and/or locate their physical remains?

(I've only used sigil magic once. What I can say is that it didn't not work. What I hoped to happen happened, but whether that was due to the magic, or due to the prayers to Ganesh I stammered through, or due to other things, I can't say.)

My knowledge of sigil magic comes from reading Hine's CONDENSED CHAOS, but mostly from reading the letters page from THE INVISIBLES and watching a lecture (or sorts) I found on YouTube of Grant talking about sigil magic.

Are there other ways to channel ancestors that folks have used and with which they've had success?

I know next to nothing about magical practice, but I am very interested in learning more; particularly as a means to self-improvement

Less searchable M0rd4nt

17:05 / 29.05.08

Hey there murphy.

Well, first of all I'd have to ask "why sigils?" Sigils can be useful--they're a technique that can be picked up quickly and is easily adapted--but like any technique they do have their limitations. Is a sigil working really appropriate here? How would you formulate a relevant statement of intent, and how exactly would you utilise the sigil--as a fire-and-forget spell to get the attention of your Dead? It might be better to try a different approach.

I practice ancestor work myself, and have done for some years now. My preferred approach is to set aside a bit of shelf-space and make a little ancestor altar. I started with a white cloth, a white candle, and some pebbles. My ancestor space now includes various items that I've collected over the course of my involvement: a small deck of cards, a radio, trinkets and cosmetics. I give my ancestors a nod every day, with a longer chat occuring maybe once a week.

What I've chiefly found is that this is a long-term sort of magical practice. The effects are cumulative over time, just like being mates with someone in everyday life. I don't think a fire-and-forget type working would have the same impact as setting up a particular physical zone as your focal point and putting a bit of time in every day.

Here's a couple of threads where people who've done successful ancestor work talk about the techniques and approaches that have worked for them:

Ancestor worship (don't be put off by the w-word)

Ritual Forms of Ancestor Reverence

Hope this helps!

(PS--mod note: please fill in the summary field when you start a new thread. Writing a summary lets people know what your thread is about and helps keep things on topic.)

18:02 / 29.05.08

Thanks for the quick response.

The fire-and-forget technique was more in hopes that it would better prepare me (psychically/oberservationally/subconciously) to locate the long lost graves of my ancestors. The thought came to me Tuesday afternoon as I was traipsing through the woods in Grafton, NY looking for the long neglected cemetery that holds the remains of my 8th-great-grandfather. I couldn't find it (and still haven't), but found myself calling to him for help during my search. The sigil thought came as it's the only thing I'm even close to being familiar with, but so did the notion of channeling for purposes beyond just genealogy.

Thanks for the links, too.

20:54 / 29.05.08

I admit, I know next to nothing about Sigils, but honestly, you found yourself calling to him? Keep calling.

Do you remember his favorites? Food? Drink? Hobby?

Mordant has outlined a fairly common method for honoring one's ancestors as a group, with room for specific ancestors. I do similar myself when I'm not aiming for a particular ancestor.

But, for example, when it's specifically my Uncle Tom I want, it's not white cloth and candles, it's a drink in the pint glass I bought from the member-owned brewery he used to frequent and a picture of him.

Do you have any family heirlooms that used to belong to him?

I know it sounds simplistic, but there's a lot of power in a name, and in simplicity - put out your offerings*, and call that name. Call the name until the sounds run together in your ears, and your throat opens, and you're making the vowels longer and longer.

--Ember--

*busts up giggling* Somebody in my ear just said "It's BAIT!" Heeeere ancestor, ancestor! Okay, I'll stop now.

11:35 / 30.05.08

*busts up giggling* Somebody in my ear just said "It's BAIT!" Heeeere ancestor, ancestor! Okay, I'll stop now.

Yeah, it really sounds like that, doesn't it. Honestly, it began more as a to-myself groan of "c'mon Grandpa, where are you." It didn't get any more than an under-the-breath "you've got to be around here somewhere." Kind of the way you coax a car into starting on a cold winter morning, that kind of calling for help.

...and something just occurred to me: I’m pretty sure that using magical means to contact the spirit of an ancestor who fought in the Revolutionary War is the origin story of The Fighting Yank. Which means I’m definitely going to do it.