The Ancestral tradition of dumb suppers

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Merry meet all,

I like to honor my ancestors at Samhain. I already have a black spiderweb lace tablecloth and a black spiderweb lace table runner on my table. It looks very morbidly delightful. I have a faux skull, and black skull cardboard plates and matching Halloweenish napkins. I do have Virgo in my natal chart because I am sure you have noticed I pay attention to detail. I bet you are all thinking.. ok she has black cutlery too right? Well.. no. But that’s next lol. I want to perform an ancestral supper this year as I do every year. Oh and candles. I have to have candles.

This is best performed on or around Samhain, the beginning of Samhain. The veil is thinnest then, it is believed. It is up to you what you serve for a menu. Soul cakes are popular as well as black bean soup, apples, pumpkin related meals like pumpkin soup or bread, cider, or maybe a nice stew dish would be nice or game. Set the table with everything black like the above mentioned black tablecloths, cutlery, napkins, etc., and use candles. You can glue black lace to the clear glass candle holders. Then light the candles and get a cool spooky effect Be cautious when using candles to avoid fire.

It doesn’t have to be expensive. 99% of the supplies I have are found at the local dollar store. You don’t have to spend tons and your ancestors who love you don’t expect you to. So breathe a sigh of relief. I like to be simple -and pay attention to detail. If you opt to play music, perhaps make an Itunes playlist ahead of time. Consider playing what your ancestors would have enjoyed listening to.

I usually perform a dump supper alone. I find I am the only one who understands what I am doing. I don’t fit in well with my family. That doesn’t matter to me. I perform them alone because this is my religion and my choice. I choose it this way because it will bring me the most peace. Now the entire point of a dump supper is you perform it in complete silence. Well some people talk but most people do it in silence. I do. I shall arrange photos of those who have gone before me on the dinner table.

Cast a sacred space in the kitchen. Smudge the space ahead of time, scour and clean and be sure to turn off distracting televisions and cell phones. Set a spot at the head of the table for Spirit and then seat yourself at the table. The point again, is complete silence. Light a tealight candle at the table for Spirit and place a shroud at the seat for Spirit. Pray to Spirit, serve Spirit first then yourself or your guests next. Enjoy the meal and don’t talk for the duration. Then consider sharing notes or more prayers as you are seated.

When you are done, offer the food to Spirit or leave the food as an offering outdoors. Attend to Spirit one last time and leave the room in silence.

Blessings, Spiderwitch