I often think of my Aunt Helen
who told me that the worse week of her life was during World War II. It was the week she learned that her brother (my dad) was gravely wounded and her husband had died in an ambush. How did she survive? Honestly, I don’t know.
The truth is, few of us experience that kind of loss. But, we do feel other types of grief:
end of a relationship
loss of bodily autonomy
injustice
loneliness
feeling like an outsider
physical disabilities
aging
loss of children, parents, siblings
Who among us doesn’t feel a hole where there should be wholeness?
So I decided to take the question of how to live a good life, even after loss, to the ancestors. I didn’t ask for any specific ancestor, but trusted in Spirit that the one who came through was the one I needed to hear.
If you want to do the same, these were my steps:
Mini-Ritual
Prepare Sacred Space: Place items that remind you of resilience, such as stones, plants, or symbols of your ancestors. Make a cup of your favorite tea/coffee, and invite in the Spirit who can help you find joy after loss. I used a photo of my mother and a cup of Chai tea.
Set an Intention: Hold the card/s and say:
"To my ancestors who endured loss, I seek your wisdom. Show me how you navigated grief and what strength you passed on to me." Or, feel free to write your own statement.Record Insights: After interpreting the spread below, journal what you learned and how it applies to your life. Note, too, how you feel. Has some of the heaviness lifted after doing the reading? If not, sit with the feelings and allow yourself grace.
Through the Veil of Loss
I noted, in parentheses, my cards so you would know the order in which to lay the spread.