What thoughts do you have on the instructions below-- Whether you're Santeria or not?
Take a piece of white cloth with frayed edges and place it like a table cloth on a small table or bookshelf. Place nine small glasses in a circle on the table. One is usually larger than the others, and can be put in the middle. In this middle glass, always keep fresh water as an offering of energy to your ancestors. In this glass also put a religious symbol of significance to your ancestors - for example if they were Christian, a cross. You can of course include more than one symbol for more than one religion. Remember, it doesn't matter if your not of their religion, you're doing this for them, honoring their choices by displaying their chosen symbols. Fill the other glasses with fresh water as well. It's nice if you have photographs of departed family members to put those on the altar as well. Offer your ancestors a small portion of every meal you eat. Sometimes it's nice to make a meal especially for them, something you know they loved in life.
Put flowers on the altar from time to time. Burn a white candle once a week. (Traditionally this is done this Sundays.) Just sit with the altar while the candle burns and talk to them. It's best not
to call on anyone recently dead because they have their own work to do for themselves. But if you were especially close to someone who died years ago, talk to them. Do this enough and they start to respond.Nothing to it. They want to help you.
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