Chloe Adams
Ancestor altars are a way to honour and give reverence to ancestors and loved ones, serving as a daily remembrance of those who have passed away. Ancestor worship spans cultures and civilisations throughout history and is a common way of acknowledging our past and honouring the legacy of those who came before us. Candles are often used on ancestor altars as a tool to connect the physical and spiritual worlds, allowing witches and other practitioners to honour their ancestors, seek guidance, and tap into the wisdom of the past. While black and white candles are commonly used, with black linked to death or protection and white to purity and positivity, some people choose a candle for a specific ancestor by selecting a colour they associate with them, such as their favourite colour.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Colour | White, blue, lilac, green, pink, red, purple, or yellow |
| Symbolism | Love, blood, friendship, calmness, or happiness |
| Scent | Pine, or the ancestor's favourite scent |
| Type | Tealight, pillar, or novena pull-out |
| Use | To be lit daily, or during rituals |
| Placement | Anywhere in the home, or on a side table, shelf, or nightstand |
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What You'll Learn
- White candles are linked to faith, purity, and spiritual cleanliness
- Blue candles are used to open pathways to benign spirits
- Lilac candles are for cousins or close friends who have passed
- Green candles are calming, for those with a tormented soul or who took their own life
- A candle in their favourite colour or scent is a personal way to honour ancestors
White candles are linked to faith, purity, and spiritual cleanliness
Ancestor altars are a way to honour and revere one's ancestors and loved ones, as well as their lives and the paths they paved. They are a manifestation of one's relationship with their ancestors and can be personalised according to one's preferences and practices. Ancestor altars are a sacred space for coexistence between the living and the dead, and people have called upon their ancestors for guidance, protection, and spiritual empowerment for thousands of years across many traditions.
Candles are an important tool in ancestor worship, serving as a bridge between the physical and spiritual worlds. They represent the spirit of one who has passed and are lit during rituals to connect with ancestors. When choosing a candle for an ancestor altar, one can consider using a white candle, as white is linked to faith, purity, and spiritual cleanliness. White candles can be used to perform an elevation ritual for a particular ancestor, engaging in ancestral healing and cleansing any pain or blockage from that lineage.
White is also a traditional colour for opening pathways to communication and contacting benign spirits. It represents light, wholeness, and completion, making it a suitable colour for ancestor altars. One can also dress white candles in oil and roll them in dried flowers or herbs to enhance their properties. Additionally, white altar cloths are recommended, symbolising purity and completion.
While white candles are commonly used, one can also choose candle colours based on their intentions or the favourite colours of their ancestors. For example, pink or red candles can represent love and blood ties, while lilac or green candles can symbolise friendship or provide a calming light. Ultimately, the choice of candle colour for an ancestor altar depends on personal preference and the specific intentions behind the practice.
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Blue candles are used to open pathways to benign spirits
An ancestor altar is a space of coexistence between the living and the dead, honouring the lives of ancestors and the paths they paved. It is a sacred place for remembrance, guidance, protection, and spiritual empowerment.
Candles are an important tool on an ancestor altar, connecting the physical and spiritual worlds. They can be used to honour ancestors, seek guidance, and tap into the wisdom of the past. The flame of a candle is lit to invoke the Fire element and call upon specific ancestors.
When setting up an ancestor altar, it is important to personalise it to one's practice and ancestors. The altar can include photos, notes, items that belonged to the ancestors, crystals, plants, flowers, and other items that elevate the space. It is also common to include a glass or bowl of water, as well as incense to cleanse the space and create a deeper spiritual connection.
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Lilac candles are for cousins or close friends who have passed
Ancestor altars are a way to honour and pay reverence to ancestors and loved ones, serving as a daily remembrance of those who have passed. Witches and other practitioners use candles on ancestor altars as a tool to connect the physical and spiritual worlds, honour ancestors, seek guidance, and tap into the wisdom of the past.
Candles for ancestor altars can come in various colours, each with its own meaning and significance. While black and white candles are commonly used, with black linked to death or protection and white to purity, positivity, and spiritual cleanliness, other colours can be chosen based on personal preference or association with the departed.
Lilac candles, for example, can be used to honour cousins or close friends who have passed away. Purple roses symbolize friendship, so burning a lilac-coloured candle can represent the bond shared with those cousins or friends. This choice of colour can serve as a heartfelt tribute, expressing love and affection for those who are no longer with us.
When setting up an ancestor altar, it is essential to choose a space in your home dedicated to your ancestors, such as a side table, a shelf, or a nightstand. The altar itself can be personalized with meaningful items, photographs, crystals, flowers, incense, and, of course, candles. The candle's colour, scent, and inscriptions can be carefully selected to align with the specific ancestor being honoured or the intention behind the ritual.
Through the use of lilac candles and other symbolic items, ancestor altars facilitate a sacred space where the living and the dead coexist. It is a place where we can connect with our cousins and friends who have passed, share our thoughts and memories, and seek guidance and protection from those who came before us.
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Green candles are calming, for those with a tormented soul or who took their own life
An ancestor altar is a sacred place to honour and give reverence to your ancestors and loved ones. It is a space of coexistence between the living and the dead. Ancestor worship spans cultures and civilisations throughout history and is a common way of acknowledging our past and honouring the legacy of those who came before us.
Candles are an important tool to connect the physical and spiritual worlds. They can be used to call upon specific people. For example, if your great-aunt loved the forest, you could put up a candle scented like pine.
The colour of the candle is also significant. White and blue are traditional colours for opening the pathways to communication and contacting benign spirits. White represents light, wholeness, completion, faith, purity, and spiritual cleanliness.
Green candles are said to be calming. They can be used for those with a tormented soul or who took their own life, to give them a calming light. You can also light a candle in their favourite colour or scent to make it more personal.
When lighting the candle, speak to your ancestors and tell them why you picked that colour. It will be received and appreciated, especially if done with love.
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A candle in their favourite colour or scent is a personal way to honour ancestors
An ancestor altar is a sacred place to honour and give reverence to your ancestors and loved ones. It is a space of coexistence between the living and the dead. People have called upon their ancestors for guidance, protection, and spiritual empowerment for thousands of years across many traditions.
Candles are an important tool to include on your ancestor altar. The flame of a candle is not only used to invoke the Fire element but also to call upon specific people. A candle in your ancestor's favourite colour or scent is a personal way to honour them. For example, if your great-aunt loved the scent of pine, you could put a candle scented like the forest on your altar.
The colour of the candle can also be chosen based on what you are asking for at the time. For instance, you could burn a lilac-coloured candle for cousins or friends you have lost, as purple roses symbolise friendship. Green is another good option, as it is a calming colour for anyone who had a tormented soul or took their own life. White and blue are traditional colours for opening the pathways to communication and contacting benign spirits.
You can also dress your candle in oil or roll it in dried flowers or herbs. When you have finished preparing your candle, it is time to place it on your ancestor altar and light it with intention. This can be done as a daily ritual, where you light your candle and give the space a little smudging with incense. As you light the candle, you can connect with your ancestors, ask for protection and guidance, and meditate on your purpose.
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Frequently asked questions
The color of the candle is usually white, but it can vary depending on what you're invoking or who you're invoking the candle for. For example, you could use pink or red to represent the love and blood you share with a family member, or lilac to symbolise friendship for a cousin. Green is also a good option, as it is a calming color.
Ancestor altars are used to honor and give reverence to ancestors and loved ones, and to honor their lives and the paths they paved. They can also be used to ask for guidance and protection.
You can include flowers, crystals, plants, or even dirt from a special place. It's also common to include a glass or bowl of water, as well as photos of your ancestors.
First, find a place in your home where you would like to dedicate the altar. It can be a side table, a shelf on a bookshelf, or a nightstand. Then, choose a candle and any other items you want to include. Finally, light the candle and say a prayer or speak to your ancestors.
