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Blog - Honoring the Ancestors: Cross-Cultural Rituals for This Time of Year

As the wheel of the year turns toward autumn’s depth, we enter a season that has long been recognized as a threshold time — when the veil between the living and the dead is said to grow thin. The waning sun, the falling leaves, the early descent of night — all of these natural shifts mirror the mystery of endings, cycles, and transformation. Across the world, cultures have felt this liminal moment and created rituals to honor those who have walked before us.

These practices remind us that death is not only an ending, but also a continuation — that our ancestors live on in story, memory, and the very soil beneath our feet. Herbs often play a central role in these traditions, providing both symbolic and practical support for remembrance, protection, and connection.

Samhain (Celtic Tradition)

In the Celtic world, Samhain (pronounced sow-in) marks the turning of the year. Celebrated from October 31st to November 1st, it is a festival of endings and beginnings — the close of harvest and the ushering in of winter. Fires were lit to guide spirits, food was left out to honor ancestors, and doorways were decorated to protect against wandering beings.

Herbal Allies: Mugwort (Artemisia vulgaris) and sage (Salvia officinalis and Salvia apiana) were commonly burned to cleanse spaces and invite clarity, while yarrow (Achillea millefolium) was used for protection and divination. Sweet herbs like rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis) and bay (Laurus nobilis) were often included in wreaths or altar offerings to honor the dead.

Día de los Muertos (Mexico)

Día de los Muertos is a vibrant celebration held on November 1st and 2nd, when families create colorful altars (ofrendas) adorned with marigolds, photos, candles, and offerings of food. Graves are tended and decorated, and families gather to share stories and meals with the spirits of their loved ones.

Herbal Allies: Marigold (Tagetes erecta), also called cempasúchil, is perhaps the most iconic herb of the holiday, believed to guide spirits with its bright color and scent. Mexican sage (Salvia leucantha) and copal resin are burned to cleanse spaces and invite the presence of ancestors (Botanical Interests, n.d.; Architectural Digest, n.d.).

Obon (Japan)

Obon is a luminous Japanese festival welcoming ancestral spirits back into homes. Lanterns are lit to guide spirits, and floating lanterns are released at the festival’s close.

Herbal Allies: Incense made from sandalwood (Santalum spp.) and Japanese mugwort (Artemisia princeps) is traditionally used to purify homes and honor the ancestors. Green tea (Camellia sinensis) is often offered to spirits, symbolizing respect and hospitality (Tokyo Pony, 2023; Wikipedia, n.d.).

Pitru Paksha (Hindu Tradition)

Pitru Paksha is a fortnight devoted to honoring ancestors, often with offerings called tarpan of food, water, and grains.

Herbal Allies: Tulsi (Ocimum tenuiflorum or holy basil) is often included in offerings, revered for its sacred qualities and ability to purify. Black sesame seeds are also traditional, carrying symbolic nourishment for the departed (Times of India, 2024; Dipika.org.za, n.d.).

Yom Kippur and Soul Candles (Jewish Tradition)

During Yom Kippur, it is customary to light Yahrzeit candles, also called soul candles, in memory of loved ones who have passed. The flame symbolizes the enduring presence of the soul.

Herbal Allies: While not as central to ritual as in some traditions, herbs such as frankincense (Boswellia spp.), myrrh (Commiphora myrrha), and rosemary may be used in incense or placed near candles to honor memory and create a sacred atmosphere (Hey Alma, 2022; Jewitches, n.d.).

All Saints’ & All Souls’ Days (Christian Tradition)

All Saints’ Day (November 1st) and All Souls’ Day (November 2nd) are observed in many countries with cemetery visits, candle lighting, and prayers for the departed.

Herbal Allies: Rosemary, thyme (Thymus vulgaris), and lavender (Lavandula spp.) have long been associated with remembrance and funerary rituals in Christian Europe (Patheos, 2020; Around the Year, n.d.).

Threads That Bind Us

Across these traditions, common threads emerge: fire and light to guide spirits, food and herbs as offerings, and stories as a bridge across generations. These rituals affirm that remembering our dead is not only about loss, but about belonging. Herbs act as both symbolic and tangible bridges — the fragrance, taste, and touch of these plants connecting us to those who came before.

Ways to Create Your Own Ancestor Ritual at Home

You don’t need an elaborate ceremony to honor your beloved dead. Small gestures, made with intention, carry deep meaning. Here are a few ways to weave remembrance into your daily life this season:

Create a Simple Altar: Place a photo, heirloom, or memento of your loved one on a small table or shelf. Add a candle, flowers, or seasonal herbal offerings such as marigold, rosemary, or sage.

Light a Candle: Dedicate a flame to an ancestor. You might place rosemary or a pinch of dried mugwort near the candle to enhance connection.

Make Tea in Their Honor: Brew a cup of chamomile, tulsi, or green tea, inviting their memory into your heart as you sip.

Cook a Favorite Dish: Preparing and sharing a food that your ancestor enjoyed becomes an offering in both taste and intention.

Journal or Speak Aloud: Write a letter, record stories, or speak their name, allowing memory and gratitude to flow.

Take a Nature Walk: Collect leaves, stones, or dried herbs and place them on your altar, returning them to the earth with thanks for the cycles of life and death.

Through these simple, intentional practices, we remember that death does not sever love — it transforms it. Each flame, each sip of tea, each whispered story becomes part of the larger tapestry of human remembrance.

May your rituals this season bring you peace, connection, and a sense of belonging to the great web of ancestors that holds us all.

References

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