Some folks who claim to be traditional conjure workers seem to be confused about the Ancestor altar. A Traditional conjure workers ancestor altar holds, photo's of their ancestors, a Bible, {1} glass for the offering drink, personal items that belong to the Ancestors or things that they liked in life. This altar is set up to honor and respect the ancestors. This is the place where you leave offerings for your Ancestors. These are your kinfolks, they can be blood kin or heart kin. If you loved them and they felt like your family then you can honor them on your altar.
A lot of folks are under the misconception that you can't place anyone on your altar that is not blood kin; this is absolutley not true. If they were like your family in life and you want to honor them then please do so. I find it very funny that folks who claim to be traditional conjure workers don't know how to set up a Traditional Ancestor altar. Something is fishy somewhere; but someone who has worked with a Traditional Conjure worker or knows one will know the difference. There is to much mismatching going on and calling it Hoodoo, Rootwork or Conjure. Don't be fooled learn the difference go out and find an old worker you will be suprised!
Now that we know what a REAL Rootworkers ancestor altar consist of lets take a look at what a lot of folks are calling a Traditional Ancestor altar. Below is a picture I found on line of someones altar. As you can see it is a Boveda and looks absolutly nothing like my altar. That is because this is a altar used for a Spiritual Mass.
The above photo IS NOT a Rootworkers ancestor altar. I don't care who says it is it is NOT! This is a spiritualist altar. This is the type of altar that is worked with in Santeria. On the Spirit altar or Boveda as some call it only white is placed on this altar. They are almost always set up the same although the glasses maybe placed in different places on the altar. Below is another photo I found on-line of a Boveda.
As you can see they both have {7} glasses and one large glass with a cross in it in the center. This is NOT a Conjure Ancestor Altar! The placement of the glasses differ from person to person it depends on what your spirit leads you to do. Some folks beleive that the Boveda not only holds your Ancestors but also your spiritual guides, this is way off course of a Traditional Conjure workers Ancestor altar. Cascarilla, Flordia Water, and rum are some offerings given on the Boveda, this has absolutly NOTHING to do with Conjure work or its workers if they are Traditional workers. Traditional Conjure workers don't use Cascarilla they use chalk, they don't use Flordia water they use Holy water, river waters, swamp water, Thunder water or just plain ole water. I'm sorry if this up sets some folks but it is the truth.
Peace Starr
