30/10/2026
THE ANCESTORS, THE VEIL & THE REMEMBERING OF THOSE WHO CAME BEFORE US.
'Day of the dead'
As we move through the final days of October and into November, there is something deeply meaningful about pausing to remember those who walked this earth before us.
Across different cultures and traditions, this time of year holds significance around death, remembrance, ancestry and the relationship between the living and those who have passed. Both known and unknown, and souls long unseen. The animals, the young ones, those lost to the waters, those who deserve to be remembered, and deserve to be honored. We set the tables, open the door, light the candle, and as we enter in to November we explore who came, we explore the lineage, we then return to the present on the 3rd, the veil lands once more, and we return to presence.
In the ancient Gaelic tradition, Samhain marks the transition from the lighter half of the year into the darker half. It is a time associated with the ancestors, the Otherworld and the changing seasons. A time when the boundary between worlds was understood to become less distinct.
In Mexican culture, Día de los Mu***os is a beautiful tradition of remembering and honouring loved ones who have passed, through offerings, photographs, flowers, food and the sharing of stories.
And within Te Ao Māori, our relationship with our tūpuna is woven through whakapapa. We are connected through generations, through whenua, through our maunga, awa and moana. Our ancestors are part of the stories, knowledge and relationships that shape who we are and where we belong.
These traditions are different, each carrying their own cultural knowledge, practices and significance. Yet they invite us to consider something profound.We did not arrive here in isolation. We are the continuation of lives that came before us. We carry stories, teachings, resilience, experiences and knowledge through our lineage. ancestral remembrance is not simply about looking backwards. It is also about understanding what we carry, what we have inherited and what we choose to pass forward.
There is a difference between honouring the ancestors and carrying their burdens. We can acknowledge the hardships of those who came before us without making their pain our identity. We can recognise their resilience without needing to repeat their struggles. We can honour their lives while choosing a different way forward.
For me, ancestral work is about rememberce
Remembering the names, the stories, the places and the connections that have shaped our existence. Remembering that our relationship with the land is part of our story. Remembering that healing is not about rejecting where we came from, but finding a way to understand it, honour it and consciously choose what continues through us.As we move through these days of remembrance, perhaps take a moment to light a candle, sit quietly, look through old photographs, ask questions about your family history or simply spend time acknowledging those who came before you.
You don't need to know every name to recognise that you are part of something much bigger than yourself.We are the living expression of generations.We are the stories still unfolding.We are the ones who carry the remembering forward.With reverence for those who came before us, and responsibility for those who will come after us.
Elysian Alchemy
Elyse Clarke-Elysian
Www.elysianalchemy.net
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Elysian Alchemy is a global school of spiritual education where ancient wisdom meets modern understanding. Our work honours the intelligence of those who came before us while providing practical frameworks for navigating life today. By bringing together the cognitive, emotional, physical, and spirit...
