Creating an Ancestor Altar for Samhain: A Witch’s Guide to Remembering
Every year as the leaves begin to fall and the air grows crisp with that familiar October chill, I feel it—the thinning of the veil. Samhain has always been my favorite time of year, and not just because of costumes or candy.
Creating an ancestor altar is one of my most cherished Samhain rituals. It’s not about worship or obligation—it’s about connection.
Why I Keep an Ancestor Altar
For me, ancestor veneration is part witchcraft, part therapy, and part grief work. It’s how I process the truth that death isn’t a wall—it’s a doorway.
Whether you’re honoring your bloodline, your chosen family, or even the souls of pets and kindred spirits, your altar becomes a gathering place for love and memory.
What to Include
There’s no wrong way to do this, but here’s what I love to use:
Photos and heirlooms
Candles
Offerings my ancestors loved (like coffee for my Nanny)
Crystals
Herbs like rosemary, mugwort, and marigold for remembrance and protection
A bowl of water or salt for purification and grounding
If you don’t have family photos or heirlooms, don’t worry. You can honor spiritual ancestors—the people, artists, healers, or witches who shaped who you are today.
How to Create It
Find a quiet, meaningful space—your nightstand, a windowsill, a little shelf.
Cleanse it with smoke, sound, or prayer.
Arrange your items with care and intuition.
Light a candle.
How I Work With Mine
I visit my altar often during Samhain season—sometimes daily. I light a candle, pour coffee, and sit for a moment. Sometimes I meditate. Sometimes I pull a card. Sometimes I just breathe.
If Your Ancestors Are Complicated
Not every ancestor deserves a candle. Some deserve forgiveness, others distance. And that’s okay. You can choose to honor the healed and the kind, or dedicate your altar to healing the lineage itself.
Year-Round Connection
You don’t have to take your altar down after Samhain. It can live quietly in your home, evolving as you do. It might even become a grounding ritual when you need comfort, clarity, or a reminder of where you come from.
xoxo,
