FOREWARD
On our
paths to spiritual enlightenment and personal power, no practice will pack a
stronger punch than Ancestor Veneration. The current wisdom teaches that there
is no deity or spirit more invested in our success than our ancestors. Their
blood courses through our veins. Therefore, as we succeed, they succeed. If
only for selfish reasons, they desire great things for us and will remove
blocks to achieving our goals. These powerful allies desire a relationship with
us just as we desire one with them. There are many tools one can employ to
develop and strengthen that kinship.
Unfortunately,
getting reliable information on those techniques has been challenging. Finding
information on Ancestor Reverence reveals a mixed bag of “One must always...”
and “Whatever you do, don't ever...” as well as turning up nothing at all. My
childhood comprised the “Thou shalt never” varieties and I abruptly
discontinued my nightly chats with my deceased Irish Grandma. In the decade
plus of actively seeking out my ancestors and opting to work with them, I've
encountered roadblocks that impede my process. When not knowing how long to
leave out a food offering, one might leave nothing at all. Others may have been
warned not to use a certain color candle, the very color their ancestor’s
desire. So, they burn nothing at all. Adopted folks experience a conundrum unto
themselves. These questions, if left unanswered, may paralyze one's work. One
could be called to honor their ancestors but glance at an empty table day after
day in fear of doing it wrong.
Enter
Mama Starr's latest book, Listen to Them Whisper: Honoring the Ancestors. This
information-packed book provides a comprehensive and forgiving path to Ancestor
Veneration. Individuals from all faiths and traditions can realistically read
this treasure and immediately establish the relationship for which they've been
yearning. Mama Starr, author of 8 previous books on her family conjure
practices, draws from a lifetime of personal experience. This book, which
consists of the following sections: “Honoring the Ancestors,” “Questions and
Answers,” “Setting up your Ancestor Altar,” “The Ancestors Speak,” “The Works”
and a “Spirit Working to Meet your Ancestors,” answers any question that could
plague a seeker. In her typical no nonsense style, Mama Starr describes
Ancestor work, its benefits, the process and methods of asking for help from
those who have come before us. Her belief that this work should be accessible
to all is a deep undercurrent throughout the book. Mama Starr teaches her traditional
techniques of working with the Ancestors while providing space for personal
creativity. She repeatedly explains how she was taught to do things, then gives
examples of how those things could be done differently. For example, Mama Starr
describes some of the components of her altar and advocates that others do what
feels right to them.
The
first time one hears Mama Starr speak, her power and connection become
abundantly obvious. My first experience was at The Folk Magic Festival in New
Orleans several years ago. At the festival's commencement, the Southern
Anti-Belle walked into the center of the attendees and called on Father
Blackhawk, an important spirit in conjure. She spoke with absolute confidence
and authority, asking him protect the festival, to ensure that participants got
the information that they needed and to guarantee that conjure itself endure.
My eyes welled with tears as Mama Starr spoke and Blackhawk arrived. He
protected us throughout the magical weekend. We got what we came for and more.
That is what connection looks like. That is what a mutually beneficial
relationship with Ancestors offers. Listen to Them Whisper is the compass that
will negotiate the sometimes perplexing maze of Honoring the Ancestors. Your
grandmothers will be as grateful as mine.