The Spirit Plate
As we cross through the darkest days of this year we remember that this is traditionally the time of year during which human beings take time to honor and connect back with those members of our families and communities who are no longer physically with us.
Although some of us may be more involved than others in specific daily Spiritual practices we can all relate to the need to honor those who brought us into being by coming before us. When we set aside a small portion of our most prized morsels of food, drink and incense before partaking this is a way to show our Ancestors how we remember that their bite comes first.
Favorable times for making offerings to our Ancestors are during the sunset hours, waning/ dark phases of the moon as well as the "waning" time of year (Fall turning into Winter).
Different specific practices are incorporated into making Ancestor offerings depending on the traditions of that area of Earth. When putting out a 'Spirit plate' a wide range of foods typical to that region are offered in a small sized yet full portion of food served on ceramic, wood or leaf.
There are many many variations of foods, drinks and other offerings according to the tradition. However, most Indigenous traditions seem to stay in keeping with the belief that it is always most effective to offer goods that were particular favorites of your Ancestors. If Grandma Clara always had butterscotch candies in her purse perhaps she would enjoy another taste now. If Aunt Mary loved her coffee black then serve her up a tiny cup. Even including that after meal smoke for John- Marc could be thoughtful.
This offering is always placed on the ground and preferably at the base of a special tree or place designated for your offerings. When you have placed the Ancestor plate ( or leaf ) on the ground take a moment to pray for those benevolent Ancestors who came before you. Even our younger friends, children, and siblings who have passed on before us become our Ancestors and stand by our side. Pray in whatever ways work best for you: chanting, singing, words, silence, tears, laughter.....all prayers are heard when they are born of gratitude. Children can particularly enjoy laying down the offering. As our Children and Elders are generally closer to the world of the Ancestors it is appropriate for them to be the messengers.
The practice of setting aside an offering for your Ancestors is an integratable yet powerful prayer to share with your loved ones (and self) during this season. Human beings have been experiencing this way to feel tangibly in touch with their relatives who have recently passed on for at least thousands of years.
And, after all... if we forget to pray for our Ancestors they may very well forget to pray for us.
4 Responses
Kaeri
What do you do with the plate? Wouldnt they want me to eat it for them after it sits for awhile? Im not sure what happens afterwards thats all …let it decay? I’m ojicree so just wondering as im trying to learn
Darlene
How often do we need to leave food for our loved ones?
Elizabeth
Thank you for the information. Our young people need to know and understand the teachings of our people and culture.
Leave a comment
Comments will be approved before showing up.
Also in Original Instructions School Blog
The Medicinal Cotton Tree, an all purpose Herbal Ally first aide
With over 40 relatives in the Cotton family, we can look to them to provide head to tow support for the Survivors. How many generations have survived because of Cotton? Through the winters, tapestrys containing recipes and Instructions woven on a loom, spun in fine chalk living the Coconut Shell. How many Humans have died because of Cotton, elslaved, toturred, trafficked and murdered.
A Nourishing Stew Recipe (Spoiler Alert!...There is no recipe)
Recently, during an Herbalism Class Lecture, an attendee asked a brilliant question, following a tiny tangente on the many outstanding benefits of Lionś Mane Mushrooms. Their question was regarding any favorite stew recipes I have which incorpórate Lionś Mane Mushroom. This got brain sparked up, with wanting to share me favorite stew recipe of all time; the
FEEL YOUR BODY STEW
´Feel your body´stew is not new, but instead is the SAME old recipe that´s been done a thousand million ways since Humanity began to cook with heat.
We start out with just one key medicinally nutritional members of the Plant Nations, for our purposes today that shall be Lionś Mane Mushroom. In addition to their ability to support Human cognitive functioning through the growth of new healthy nerve pathways, Lionś Mane Mushroom is a wonderful source of proteína and amuno ácidos.
Brittany Wilson
January 22, 2024
Hi Darlene, thanks for your comment.. In the lineages I practice we feed our Ancestors regularly – whenever the call comes – (on special days (birthdays, ceremonial days, anniversaries, holy days, etc). Hi Kaeri, thanks for your comment. In the lineages I practice we usually have the person who was in charge of serving the Spirit plate turn the plate upside down at the end of the ceremony and/or meal. Sometimes when the Ancestor offering is in outdoor settings it decays some before the local animals eat it.