Learn 5 Ways to Connect with Your Loved Ones in Spirit

The majority of wisdom teachings and religions believe that we are all energy and that our energy moves to another realm when we die. The teachings suggest that we have the opportunity to connect with our loved ones in spirit. For each of these wisdom traditions, a very auspicious time of year is as summer concludes and the harvest autumn months begin. It is believed that at this auspicious time the “veil” between this life and where the spirits now reside is very thin.  With the veil energetically more open, Earthbound people may feel, sense or know that an ancestor or loved one’s presence is nearby.

Mexico's Day of the Dead Observance
Mexico’s Day of the Dead Observance

This is why the Halloween season is an auspicious time.  Some commonly recognized traditions are the Catholic faith’s All Soul’s Day and Mexico’s Day of the Dead.  These traditions mirror other similar observances such as the Buddhist Obon Festival, South Korea’s Chuseok, Nepalian’s Gaijatra, the Chinese Qingming and Hindu’s Pitru Paksha. And of course, our own Halloween tradition is similar as well.  Halloween was, in part, derived from the Celtic tradition of Samhain which later became known as All Hallows’ Eve.  With all of these holidays, there are some common themes.

Common Themes of the Cultural Observance of the Realm of Spirits:

In Dr. Steve D. Farmer’s wonderful book Healing Ancestral Karma: Free Yourself from Unhealthy Family Patterns, he outlines the following common themes of wisdom teachings and our world’s religions.

  • There exists another realm where ancestors and other spirit beings dwell;
  • Ancestors remain active participants in the lives of their descendants;
  • Ancestors help keep family traditions alive;
  • Ancestors protect the family;
  • It’s important to make periodic offerings to honor the ancestors and to receive their benevolent gifts;
  • Ancestors can serve as intermediaries between humans and a supreme being;
  • If ignored, some traditions believe ancestors create problems;
  • Ancestors gain greater spiritual perspective and insight in the afterlife;
  • Ancestors carry with then into the afterlife some of their idiosyncrasies and character traits;
  • Ancestors can help you heal, and you can help them as well.

Popular Ways that Ancestor’s Connect with Us

Connecting with Your Ancestors

Connecting with our loved ones and ancestors is not left to only a few exclusive or “gifted” people.  Everyone has the opportunity to connect with his or her family-in-spirit and most likely, you all ready have stories of possible connections.  Take a moment to think about your possible connections.  

Have you ever?

  • Experienced an auspicious moment prior to when a loved one passed over?
  • Observed a sacred sign or moment during a loved one’s funeral service?
  • Had a sign from your loved one once he or she passed over?
  • Experienced a loved one’s message through your dreams?
  • Heard your loved one’s voice from the spirit realm?
  • Had a sentimental picture, jewelry or something else appear where it had not been before or move to another location?

There are numerous ways that people feel their loved one’s presence. How have they showed up in your life?

Five Ways to Connect with Your Loved Ones

In order to feel a loved one’s presence, the most important aspect is to become open and aware of possible messages from the other side. So how do you begin to connect with your the spiritual realm?

5 Ways to Connect with Your Ancestors or Loved Ones

1.   Develop a Sacred Ritual:  Many cultures believe that our ancestors appreciate having an offering made to them.  In some cultures, this means offering fruits, chocolate, tobacco or other food or drink.  You may wish to develop an alter that has their picture and candles that may be lit when you wish to connect.  Or simply dedicate a candle to your ancestors that is lit only on their birth date, death date and special occasions.

2.   Begin to Communicate with Them:  As you light the ancestor candle or offer food/drink to your loved ones, begin to communicate with them.  You may pray to them or simply have a conversation with them.  Then, you must be open to their messages back to you.

3.   Work with Your Ancestors on a Problem or Issue:   If you are seeking your ancestor or loved one’s advice or guidance, it is helpful to write down the scenario and the question that you are seeking assistance from them.  Hold the piece of paper in your hand, meditate on the issue and then ask for your loved one to provide assistance. The meditation and communication with a loved one should be between 10 and 15 minutes.  Continue to do this practice daily until you receive your guidance.  (Of course, you need to be aware.  Pay attention.  And if you are not sure if that was the message, communicate with your loved one seeking further clarification.)

4.  Provide Gratitude to Your Loved Ones:  Every time you communicate with your loved ones – whether or not you receive something tangible from him or her – be sure to express your appreciation for their love and support.

5.  Don’t Forget – They Need Your Help Too!  It’s important to remember that your ancestors and loved ones need your support as well.  Sending your love and light their way is an excellent first step. As you begin to communicate and understand the messages, you can ask them what help or assistance is needed on their end.

If at any time you become nervous about working with your loved ones, remember that white light surrounding you is always a very powerful source.  Pull in the white light.

Interested in working one on one to explore? Visit Four Directions Wellness to learn more and schedule an individual session.