Working with Hungry Ghost Ancestors

Working with Hungry Ghost Ancestors

Not all ancestors are “wise ones;” some are disturbed, screwed up, angry, not at rest. But we may  need to work for and with all of them. A way to do this is to specifically target the ones that need help and prayers, and to do compassionate Rites of Death for them, along with praying for their souls that they may have peace and rest. It is important to use the elements when breaking the bonds to this life for these ancestors, as we did in Mariposa's group-working, because the elements are what allow souls to manifest in bodies, and are what hold us here. When these ties are ceremonially broken in a death rite, the soul is free to go on to its next assignment.

The work I did with Mariposa  and her friends was just the beginning, in my opinion. The work can get deeper; one may be led to do some karmic untangling work. Sometimes you will feel the connection of this person, or these persons, to yourself, in terms of karmic themes, or issues, talents, problems, or the like. Sometimes you have chosen to take on a karmic task of the same nature this person had. Or sometimes you just find yourself saddled with it, as if that unhappy, unresolved ancestor was trying to live it out through you, or get you to do it. You must get conscious about this, and make a choice. Are you willing to take this on, or not? If not, then do a ritual to move this particular energy out and away, and state this clearly. If so, then take it up consciously and ask for help.  

The “Wise” ancestors can be worked with much more simply. You pray to them, thank them for their lives, their continuing benevolence and protection, and ask for their wisdom and their help, and be willing to listen to them.

It is polite to leave offerings for them, and to pray for them, too. Everyone can always use prayer. 

 

(c) Margie McArthur,1995