Connect with ancestors on the Day of the Dead

If you're someone who loves to celebrate Halloween, extending an invitation to family and friends to gather together on 2 November is a thoughtful way to remember and honour loved ones who are no longer with you.

The Day of the Dead (Día de Muertos) is a joyous and colourful celebration of love, connection and remembrance that's traditionally recognised as a two-day sacred holiday in Mexico. The annual 2 November celebration is such an important expression of culture, that it's listed as an Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity event by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO).

When the veil between worlds grows thin, it's the ideal opportunity to connect with your ancestors. On the Day of the Dead, be open to receiving spiritual guidance and to feel the presence of generations of loved ones all around you...

Day of the Dead preparations

Before you honour the memories of your dearest departed folk, on the Day of the Dead, it makes sense to follow some core traditions...

Clean and tidy up your home and prepare a special altar that can be decorated with photographs of loved ones, keepsake mementos, candles or incense, and fresh flowers.

Traditionally, Mexican families adorn their altars with bright orange marigold flowers because it's believed that their scent and vibrancy guides spirits back to the living world. In this sacred space, they also place a glass of water (to quench thirst) and some pieces of tissue paper (to represent the element of wind).

Decorated sugar or clay skulls and baked sweet bread are additional offerings to include on your altar, along with a selection of your loved one's favourite things, such as special treats, candies and food items.

Connecting with ancestors

A Psychic Network reading with an experienced medium, on 2 November, can offer you a shortcut to connecting with your ancestors on this spiritual holiday. The personal reading can deliver guidance and reassurance from loved ones who've passed on, and give you a feeling of peace and ancestral healing.

If you would like to connect directly with your departed loved ones, choose a time when you can enjoy an extended meditation break. Sit quietly in a private space where you won't be disturbed. Take a few deep breaths and practice grounding.

Set clear intentions and boundaries with spirit and your higher power, to only connect with ancestors who have your best interests at heart. Call in your protector guide, Archangels and animal spirit guides too. When you feel comfortable and relaxed, ask your spirit guides to invite your loved ones to join you. Also ask them to give you a sign of their arrival.

You may feel your skin tingle, or the sensation that someone or something is gently touching your hair. You may unexpectedly smell a familiar scent that you associate with a particular ancestor, or receive sudden intuitive nudges that feel like a 'knowing' or 'sensing'. You may also experience a wave of emotion. These are common signs that Psychic Network readers also get when they tune into the spirit world to give you a reading.

Questions to ask ancestors

Asking your ancestors good questions can reveal many powerful insights about your family history, your home, and your karmic path that you can use to benefit your future life experiences.

It's a good idea to have a pen and a notebook ready, so that you can write down all of the psychic information you receive from your ancestors.

Good questions to ask are:

As you ask each question, invite your ancestor to answer it. Allow your hand to automatically write down whatever you feel guided to write. Don't stop and think about what you're penning, simply allow spirit to work through you. You can read the messages later and decipher any special meanings.

Celebrating with family

The Day of the Dead is a joyous occasion to be cherished with your family and friends. It's an ideal time to gather together to share memories and stories about your departed relatives. As you eat and drink together, reminisce about family events of the past, and play music and enjoy activities that hold unique meanings for everyone, you'll feel more closely connected and bonded.

Your ancestral family will be delighted and excited to pay closer attention to the goings on in your life, on the Day of the Dead. They will be overjoyed that you've taken the time to unite together to remember them in such a thoughtful and loving way.