So, I was chatting with some folks and shared 2 methods I use to communicate with the beloved dead and since I’d done all that typing, thought I’d share them here!
Enjoy!
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This first one is the one my mother taught me before she died and, so, is the first one I used, but you don’t get a lot of feedback or two-way communication. It’s mostly good for outgoing messages, but it is SUPER reliable. It is basically writing a letter. But, you HAVE to use paper and you HAVE to use ink – no erasable ink, because it has to be flammable/turn into smoke properly, because we’re going to be burning it to send it to the other side. It’s simple, it’s easy, it’s just like formal letter writing, but our “post office” is going to be the fire. I use a trifold method (just like a letter) when I do mine, but you can do quarters if you prefer. But INSIDE the paper before you burn it, you’re going to put rosemary and bay leaves to carry it to the “other side” – that’s the other essential component. Those are kind of your “stamps.”
This being October and with Halloween/Samhain/Dia de los Muertos coming up, it’s the perfect time to do so since “mail” travels faster. And you’ll find that this letter writing is actually traditional across multiple cultures and is actually standard in Dia de los Muertos festivals now.
The second method is a little more… finicky and more two-way, but might take a little more practice to perfect. This is going to use a black candle. If you like or if you need a little boost, you can write your person’s name down the candle (away from the wick towards the base) using a knife, pin, nail, or what have you (towards the base is for calling, away from the base is for sending).
Sit in a nice, quiet, STILL room (no air currents if you can manage), light the candle, and burn a bay leaf (we love those bay leaves!) and invite them to join you. In your head, if you must, or out loud if you feel like it. Now, pay attention to your candle. Speak to the person as if they were there. Any NOISES the candle makes will indicate that they hear you and are responding. Almost all noises are positive (hissing, sizzling, popping), but excessive smoke (you’ll notice), the flame suddenly dropping super low, or the candle going out is a negative response. Not a menacing response or, like, you’re cursed, but more like, they’re angry and don’t want to talk to you anymore. Like stomping off.
In this way, you can have a conversation with them, but you are kind of limited to agree/disagree statements and questions. But at least you’ll know they’ve heard you.
There are other ways, of course, but these are the easiest, in my experience.
<3 Nathara
