Journey to the Isle of Ancestors

The Journey to the Island of Ancestors

In this meditation, you will journey to meet an ancestor. Remember that an ancestor is a person from your past, who is no longer living, who has helped shape the person you are today; an ancestor may be a predecessor from your bloodline, a previous incarnation, a person who has given you a meaningful tradition or philosophical basis, such as an adopted relative, a teacher, a mentor. You will not choose who will appear to you and it may be someone you know or do not know. Now prepare for a journey. (Pause)

You stand on quay in the Land of Chinese New Year. The night is clear; the waxing moon rises over your shoulder, and you hear the gentle rolling of water past the old junks that are lined up waiting to take lone travellers to the Isle of Ancestors.

You recognise the junk you must travel on.

Board the junk and meet the ferry woman who will carry you over the South China Sea to the Island of Ancestors. (Pause)

As you slowly head towards the island the water gently stirs. The full moon has provided a pathway and the Ferry Woman is an able navigator.

You see an island emerging before you. The ferry woman stops at the shore and you see a grove of apple trees. There is a moonlit path between the trees and you follow it. Ahead is a mound. In the centre of the side is a doorway made of two immense upright stones topped by a massive lintel. There are two torches burning at the door providing light for the entrance into a passageway. At the far end of the passage is a faint red glow. Proceed through a corridor inclining downward. (Pause)

You emerge into a shadowy great hall. In the centre is a hearth with the glowing embers of a fire. Seated before the fire facing away from you is a hooded figure. Across the hearth from this figure is a bench. You circle halfway around the hearth clockwise and sit facing the figure. This is one of your ancestors. Greet that person. (Pause)

You may now ask your ancestor one question. It may be about his/her contributions to your life or your family, it may be to clarify something about yourself, or about your future. (Pause) When you have finished, your ancestor gives you a token of help and guidance. (Pause)

In a fair exchange, your ancestor now asks you a question. Answer as best you can. (Pause) You find that you have a gift for your ancestor. Look at it and present it to your ancestor with thanks. (Pause)

Finish your circuit around the hearth, go behind the ancestor, and pass out of the mound and back along the path. (Pause)

Boarding the junk, you return to the Land of Chinese New Year as the first light of dawn breaks over the eastern horizon.

At your own pace, bring your experiences and token with you and share these on both the Isle of Ancestors and Land of Chinese New Year bloggers.

Wishing you a safe passage! May the spirit servants be with you!

The Enchantress