Mexican Day of the Dead Outdoor Altar

October is the month that Mother Nature shows off the colors of the Season. The nights get cooler as the days still are warm in the afternoons and the trees give off wonderful golds, oranges and ambers as they drop their leaves. This time of year is also known for the Pagan and Christian celebrations that brought us Halloween, All Saints Day and All Souls Day. Read more about the three days surrounding this time of year here: Free Candle Spells | Honoring Your Ancestors (Time of the Year)“. This time, before we march into the winter months and cocoon to dream of bright futures, is Nature’s way of teaching us that there is a cycle in Life: birth, living, and then death, and the process repeats itself over and over. It is an opportune time to consider making an Ancestral Altar for your family lineage.

Setting up an altar for the loved ones in your family that have passed on is meaningful on many levels. An ancestor altar gives you a space to visit and connect with those who have passed, both known and unknown, and gives you a place to weep, mourn, remember and laugh. An ancestor altar is also a place of safe refuge when the World seems to be beating you with a stick. It is a place to sit in silence and ask for insight and wait for ideas to pop into your head to solve the problems of living in this world. In my Tarot card deck, I have an Ancestors card, and when it comes up in a client’s reading, depending on it being upright or reversed, it tells the client that they are their to help, as our ancestors are given the task to guide their progeny through their walk on Earth. Your ancestors will guide and protect you, but you must be receptive to the lessons and insight given, whether you like it or not. In the Bible, Exodus 20:12 tells us to “Honor your father and your mother, that your days may be long in the land that the Lord you God is giving you.”

Setting Up an Ancestor Altar

First, you need to determine a quiet place in your home for your ancestor altar. Considering that houses with children are noisier than adult houses, you may need to place your altar in a quieter den or corner of a back room so that their Spirits will not get upset. Do not place your ancestor altar in your bedroom, as this is disrespectful. Even a corner of the dining room is preferable than a bedroom for the altar. If you are blessed with a guest room or den, use it until you have guests visit, then you can move to another part of the house. A simple ancestor altar is a small table with a white cloth or doily, a glass of cool water and a photograph of those that have passed. Do not place photos of both living and deceased relatives on the table, as you may be inviting the living relative to pass over to the Spirit world. this ancestor altar is for your own blood line family, although some exception could be a non-relative that was “adopted” into the family, like a long term babysitter or a close friend that was always present at family gatherings and in your home.

My Parents' Ancestor Altar

Like other altars you may have on your home, an ancestor altar will grow larger as your spiritual connection with them grows. You will be given ideas and impulses to purchase and add items that ill bring their memory back, such as Grandpa’s Lucky Strikes cigarettes or Grandma’s Tabu perfume. You may want to add other personal items like a favorite bottle of brandy that you may pour out a shot glass full every once in a while. This inspiration will come from your memories of your loved ones as they connect with you and look down on you from Heaven to guide you through your walk. As you begin to create this special place, here are some general ideas to get you started with your Ancestor Altar.

Items you will need:

1.) A place to set up your altar. This could be an end table, accent table or small bookcase top. Many families set up their altar inconspicuously on the hutch in the dining room.

2.) White table covering such as a linen tablecloth or lace doily. You may add another color as an accent color if you know that was a special color to them.

3.) A photograph of the relatives you would want to honor. Please do not place any photographs of living people on this altar as to do so may cause then to become sick and die. Do not place any photos of relatives who have harmed you in any way as you do not want their guidance and spirit in your home to cause an further harm to you.

4.) A glass of cool water, preferably in glass, not plastic. One large brandy snifter or crystal water goblet is fine. You do not have to purchase new glasses; you can pick these up at the thrift store. You may also want to obtain a coffee cup or demitasse cup and saucer to offer black coffee to them after awhile. You may also want to get a small clear glass shot glass for whiskey or a preferred liquor and also another for Florida Water or Kananga Water to attract your ancestors.

5.) A white candle to burn for them to see your devotion and attract their blessings. It does not matter whether you use a 7 day novena-type vigil candle or tea lights, the meaning is the same.

Other items throughout the year may be flowers in a vase, a glass of wine, a slice of birthday cake or a small plate of turkey and all the fixin’s during Thanksgiving, a piece of candy on Valentine’s day, etc. Leave these food items overnight and toss into the trash the next day as they have absorbed the aroma and energy of the food offering and you will attract ants and such if left too long.

Prayers for the Ancestors

Once you have assembled your items and created your altar, you may begin praying for thier souls and asking them to communicate with you and send blessings and guidance to you. Here is a sample prayer that you can begin with, adding a more personalized note after establishing a connection with your loved ones.

Blessed is God, who looks down upon His children here on Earth. I ask that you look upon and bless this altar that I have set to honor my relatives, ancestors, mothers and fathers who came before me. I ask for blessings of peace, safety and tranquility in this space set for them and for protection for me ant my family, from any harm. AMEN.

I call upon you, ancestors of my family lineage, both known and unknown to me. I call all who have kinship to me and with me and aid me in my walk and wish me no ill will.

I call upon (insert all names of your relatives known to you that have passed), and ask that you hear me in my prayers and see this space that I have set for you to come to bless me any my family. I bless you and honor you with these offerings that cool and refresh you. I ask that you love and support all my intentions and the intentions of my family and that you will protect us from harm.

You may choose to change the water every morning before your prayer, but some make a weekly change, usually on a Sunday or a Friday, depending on their beliefs. From time to time, you may want to offer a cup of black coffee and an unlit cigar laid across the rim of the cup. Leave on altar for 24 to 48 hours and discard in trash/sink when done. It is wise to offer food items occasionally to give them time to bless you for your offerings.

The Meaning and Purpose of an Altar

An altar is a physical space to come to when the world seems too chaotic and you need to step out of it and take a break. In the books of the Old Testament , specific woods, gems, metals and even dimensions were written to be used in the construction of an altar. An altar not only provides a physical space, such as a table top, china hutch or dresser bureau, but also its’ sacred elements, deems so by you, create a psychic space in which you can open up to the Divine and seek comfort. What you use for your altar, be it driftwood from the ocean or a folding table with silks draped over it, the most important element in altar construction is what you deem sacred and spiritual and the placement and enjoyment you gain from the ritual of the construction.

Many Altars, Many Reasons

A good question to ask yourself is this: Why are you drawn to create an altar? Some have one because they have received or collected small images of deities and want to display them. Some create an altar for a place, such as the ocean or the forest, because the individual connects or is devoted to that region on Earth. Some create an altar of relatives who have passed, like on a dining room hutch or the fireplace mantle. Do not be surprised that even people who are interested in a favorite rock or pop star or an actor will have a rudimentary altar constructed for them with framed photos, concert tickets, snapshots and maybe even the drink cup from the venue, all to memorialize the function in which the fan attended.

Other altars are created to “do” something, like draw money, work for court cases, humanity or to keep the family members safe. Some set small altars with a white candle near a bedside table when someone is ill, along with prayers and hope for them to return to full health. Some people collect religious statuary and items such as rosaries or crosses, and these can be grouped together in a nice setting, along with candles to give it a feeling of the sacred and divine. Here is my All Saints Altar where I burn candles for my clients:

Whether you set up your altar in a private or public place, indoors or out, you can create an inviting and serene place to sit and meditate or pray, or to quiet the mind and soul from the worries of the day. How you create and use your altar is entirely up to you.

Altar Basics

To create an altar, you need a small table or top of a dresser, or some other piece of furniture. You will need a linen or lace table covering in white and at least one candle in a holder of your choice. Then get creative and place items on your altar that represent the values you hold close. Some love the ocean, so they have a blue or white candle, seashells, a rock from the seashore and maybe a photo or a piece of art that reflect a beach scene or a mermaid. Some have a certain devotion to a particular Deity, and will have many images of that spirit on it. They may also drape their altar in the colors associated with that Deity, even decorating the walls behind the altar as well such as this photo:

Again, your creative expression can be released and there are no “wrong” ways to decorate an altar. Many times a person will begin with a simple set up, only to have it grow over time into quite an elaborate, and more importantly, meaningful sacred space to the person.

This upcoming weekend will be the feast day for Our Lady of Guadalupe, an avatar of the Virgen Mary that appeared to Juan Diego, a poor countryman of Tepayac, who told him of her wish to have a Shrine built when she visited him. Juan Diego petitioned the Bishop, who wanted proof and the Virgen instructed him to gather roses in his tilma, a blanket-type covering, to take to the Bishop. When he presented the roses to the Bishop, her image was imprinted on the tilma, thus convincing the construction to begin and making the tilma a Holy Relic.  The tilma was framed and is hanging in the Cathedral in Mexico City. You can read more about the legend by clicking here.

On this day, many begin to decorate their Christmas trees in the United States and attend Mass with the Mariachi band playing music to the Virgen and later the family gathers at home for warm foods such as tamales, pozole and atole. Some bring the scarlet poinsettia plants to construct a household altar, as the poinsettia plant is native to Mexico. Many will light vigil candles such as this one, to offer petitions to Her.

The Virgen of Guadalupe is revered everywhere and Her image can be found on shirts, jewelry and many have her image as a tatoo to show devotion and asking for her protection. Here is one that I found on the Internet:

Some people believe that if you paint her image on the building where you have your business, that you will not be bothered with break-ins and graffiti. Ironically, it actually is true, as I have read an article that observations has shown that Her image reduces crime in the area. Here is a shop owner who wants a peaceful neighborhood.

Whatever your intensity of devotion to the Virgen of Guadalupe, you can agree that she is an influencal image throughout the Southwest and West. Many of these statues at this market will be relocating in the living rooms of many Latino families very soon.

Here is a simple but effective candle spell that can be used while entertaining guests as a centerpiece or even an altar and they won’t even know the blessings you are surrounding them with!

INGREDIENTS:

1 Cranberry Red Candle
1 Pumpkin Orange Candle
1 Golden Spice Candle
1 bottle “Crown of Success” Oil
1 bottle of “Fast Luck” Oil
1 bottle of Protection” Oil

This candle spell is easy and the earthy scents of the Condition/Anointing Oils will be mixed with the delicious aromas from your kitchen and your guests will not know that you are actually bestowing them with protection and best wishes for their luck and success.

Clean candles as prescribed in right hand column labeled in Categories as “Proper Candle Preparation”. Let dry.

Carve three little holes/wells in candle top and add the “Fast Luck” to the cranberry red candle, the “Crown of Success” to the pumpkin orange candle and “Wall of Protection” to the golden spice candle.

Arrange on something pretty like the gold charger I am using here. Decorate with leaves, mini pumpkins or even glass ornaments. I used faux mini squashes and gourds.

Keep an eye on your candles while you are entertaining because if you use free standing ones as I have here, they will eventually distort and hot wax will run down one side. Extinguish with a candle sniffer before taking a post dinner nap.

Enjoy this festive celebration and Give Thanks for all that the Universe has given to you.

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Saint Expedite, or San Expedito, is a well loved Saint around New Orleans. It has been reputed that he is the Saint to petition when you need “Fast Luck” or when you need ‘things in a hurry’. He is also the Saint to petition when someone is procrastinating about an issue.

Above, we show a simple alter set up for St. Expedite. An image, framed photograph or chromograph or statue (we show both), a glass of water and a candle anointed with either “St. Expedite” or “Fast Luck” Condition Oils (both available through www.lucky13clover.com ). The only other addition may be a petition written on a piece of white paper and placed under the candle.

Once the petition or wish has been granted, legend tells that you must offer him a glass of red wine and some pound cake. Some variations on the offerings can be the whole pound cake or slices arranged on a plate with a coin (usually a dime) placed on top. Once a few days have passed, take the cake outside for the birds and pour the wine and water down the drain. Give the coins to the poor.

Some say that despite their efforts to ‘work’ with Saint Expedite, he does not respond to them. I have heard that either you have much success or no success with St. Expedite.

Thanks Jacqueline! Your Free Candle Blog is the best..and you won’t find another one like it..

Thanks! Lisa

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Funny that you sent this as I am putting the finishing touches on a weeks worth of Prosperity and Money Drawing Candle Spells and ideas to ponder. Using money, whether real or play money, has been a great visual for people to use when decorating their money altar or just to scatter around the green money drawing candle they have lit to give it ‘ambiance’.

For my personal money altar, I have a Lennox crystal clam shell dish with Money Drawing Salt in it that is covering a petition paper that is being weighted down by coins from all over the world (I collect foriegn money) I then have a large Lodestone on top of that with Magnetic Sand and lotto tickets and some real greenbacks poking out and around the bowl.  I have a green dollars designed fabric scarf, a Money Oil Lamp, A Green Candle plus my cash box from my various other endeavors and the bank zippered deposit envelope that is supporting the gold sprayed plastic piggy bank from the bank. I also have a framed photo of the New York Stock Exchange top twenty and a few other personal money drawing items.

You would be surprised to know how much ‘funny’ money is used – and real money as well!

So, placing a layer of Monopoly money or play money with Money Drawing Sigils drawn in red ink in the corners and anointed with Money Drawing Condition Oil would be a grat way to layer under a piece of glass as a base for focusing your money drawing work.

Good Question! Thanks for asking!

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Now onto the Money Tree idea….

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We had a lovely time today at the Saint Joseph’s Day Altar 2009 with visitors, readings and a very generous donation for our efforts to continue to feed those less fortunate. Also, a special thanks to the “Girl Scout Thin Mint Cookie Fairy” You know who you are!

Creating beautiful and spiritual altars in which you can burn your candles at is easier to create than you can imagine. This blog entry gives you various ideas on how to create that special sacred place in which you can burn all your candles for magical work for love, money, revenge, reversing and success.  Here is an example of a simple St. Joseph Feast Day altar I set up. I had an antique cabinet that i painted a french vanilla creme and placed a gold lame’ cloth over it with a piece of glass to keep everything easy to clean.

I then placed my statue of St. Joseph on a pedestal and flanked him with two antique Catholic brass candlestick holders that I put cream colored pillar candles in. The left and right back areas I placed two potted Easter lilies The two large white plates held petition candles labeled with clients petitions and names, each with their own St. Joseph card in front of the candle. There is a large plate of dried fava beans, a symbol of Good Luck for this day, that were distributed to clients. My home was open to visitors during the day and many came to get a reading from me and to collect their three Good Luck Mojo Beans (fava beans) so that they could carry them with their three wishes to the river to toss them in.

Here is my All Saints Altar where 90 percent of my candles are burned for bringing in good things such as love, money, prosperity and success for my clients and myself. From left to right I have an antique photo of St.Anne, two St. Expedite with two different poses (you never know which one is correct!), St. Therese “Little Flower”, Infant of Prague, Our Lady of Grace, St. Martin de Porres, St. Joseph, Caridad de Cobre, Archangel Uriel, Marie Laveau and the Our Lady of Fatima. The offering is clear, cool water, tobacco, a sweet pastry and a white candle. The top of this cabinet holds a long piece of beveled glass from a tabletop and has a cream brocade runner with tassels on each end. But wait… it gets better…

This cabinet was a antique store find! I think it must have been a 1960′s pseudo bar type thing. I sanded it down, painted it a merlot color, andded these nifty Mexican tin images of Sacrd Hearts and lo and behold, it became a place to store all my hoodoo herbs and roots!

I hope this helps you become inspired to go out antique hunting and begin to tap into your creative side to paint and decorate an altar for your special requests for blessings from the Universe.

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Setting up a quiet or private place to do candle spell magic for money drawing success is not as hard at it might seem. All you need is a nightstand, small table or the top of a dresser. I have used the top of the bookcase on my side of the bed, so that I can look at it right before I go to bed each night and again each morning when I arise. I have the good luck of having the ‘money side’ of the bedroom according to Feng Shui standards, which is the far left corner of the room, so I have double power in that regards.

Here is my money drawing altar.

The bookcase is filled with all my metaphysical and religious books, since I like to read late into the night or wake in the middle of the night to read in silence. On this altar I have a Waterford crystal bowl with a fed lodestone surrounded by gold paper “hell money” bullion bars that I got at the Asian market. To the left I have a coffee can with a big eye that held coffee at one time that is filled every night with the coins in my purse. This is “emergency money”, like the two-days-before-payday-and-I-got-to-buy-food-kinda-thing. On top of that is my bowl with my Money Salt and my three Mojo Bags inside.

To the right, I have a framed picture of the 20 companies that make up the Dow Stock Exchange with a photo of me reading tarot cards, a triangle green money candle that I have not burned, and more cello wrapped old Chinese coins. Behind the red candle on the far right is an Oil Lamp with a wishbone holding a hanging “Wealth” mirror that reflects the candle flame across the room, where ironically my computer sits that I am using to type this blog post! I have a pile of Mardi Gras coins and a Rose Quartz crystal in front of the candle and the table scarf is made of fabric that has various denominations of greenbacks on it.

I hope you enjoyed my example of a Money Drawing Altar and I encourage you to take photos of your and send them in with explanations of the symbols of the iems you place on your money altar. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
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