At every witch’s disposal there are spirits – they guide,
they teach, they protect, consciously or otherwise – who are the manifestations
of those who came before you. It is,
of course, important to note that the phrase “those who come before you” is not
restrictive only to your bloodline –
which is a seemingly common misconception about ancestry. The ancestors of the
bloodline are nonetheless important (especially in crafts of the African
diaspora), but it must be remembered that this line is merely one strand in the
many lines of ancestry. It’s further important to note that not all witches
share my own particular cosmology, mythology and experience, and as such, this
work is but a reflection of my own beliefs and experiences in the Craft. Always
read critically – note, reflect and rebuke/assimilate.

While undoubtedly more lines exist based on circumstance
(for instance: religious, adoptive bloodlines, cultural, etc.), the lines I
will speak of today can be narrowed down to three: The Blood, The Spirit,
and The Craft.

The Blood

This, of course, is the one most are familiar with. Familial
ancestry. In some crafts, this line of spirits is sometimes referred to as The Beloved Dead. These spirits are tied
to the blood, to the code that comprises your physical form and thusly, rules
best in matters of the physical. This can extend to family, money, and general worldly
guidance. Individually, they possess the knowledge of a full lifetime (and then
some), but collectively, they represent generations, centuries, sometimes even a
millennia’s worth of knowledge. Inevitably, most lines trace back to the same
sources, though I, personally, have only ever gone back a few hundred years.

I will be the first to admit that my bloodline is the one I
most often neglect. I honor them, but I do not work closely with them – which is
something I try to remedy, but every time I do, I tend to get lead astray by
one relative or another, and most often those who were rather unsavory. Which leads
me to another point – just because they are your ancestor, does not always mean
they want what is best for you. They
may, instead, do what they think is best for the line or what is best for them,
but it is your job to play mediator and, more importantly, be the one with the
final say. You might seek guidance from them, but your strength is in your
autonomy. Do not let them make your
decisions for you.

The Bloodlines may be honored in countless different ways –
I, personally, recommend making an Ancestral Spirit Vessel (you may also enjoy this tutorial).
Many honor their Bloodline/Beloved Dead through altar work and shrines –
whereupon photos and possessions of the departed are arranged and food
offerings are routinely made.

The Spirit

This line echoes that of the Bloodline, but manifests not as
physical ancestors, but spiritual ones – the spirits that make up your
collective soul: the lives that came before you. Herein you might find a mirror
into your own life, for those things not yet learned, or those lessons failed
by the lives that came before will be presented again. From them you can learn
of your own strengths, your own short-comings, and your own destiny. These
spirits can offer you a wealth of wisdom for your unique spiritual journey, one
unlike any other – and that’s what makes this line so unique. While the
Blood-Ancestors may guide you in the ways of life, and the following Mighty
Dead might help you hone your abilities, the line of the Spirit is the only
line (save perhaps the religious line) that can get you to exactly where you
need and wish to be. They know what it is you seek, for they have sought the
same, a collective working toward common goals with common principles. This is
where I garner much of my knowledge, for there happens to be quite a bit of
overlap for me with this and the following line. As they say, “Once a witch,
always a witch.”

I have found, however, that some people have more luck with
this line than others – as I have met a number of witches who, try as they
might, cannot connect with previous lives. I always say: There is probably a
reason for that. Not everyone is meant to work with their lives, for just as
they can bring great wisdom about destiny and your spiritual path, this wisdom (when
overanalyzed or sought religiously) can readily spell your own downfall. As far
as fate/destiny go, you can, in fact,
know too much. On a bright note, the lives are very much “on your side,” for
your progression means their progression – as such, they will always do their
best to help or at least guide you to someone who can. Not all lives are “good”
or “morally savory” – know that it is because of their short-comings that your
soul has been bettered. Do not condemn them for their “sins,” for from them you
have learned.

I have always found this branch easiest to work with, for
they come readily to me. They can be accessed through the mind with great ease.
And, for those mediums, they can be accessed in the same way as any spirit of
the deceased. For my applicable views of reincarnation, see Hierarchy of the
Soul.
For a more physical working for the lives, either a Spirit Vessel (mentioned
above) or a spirit-doll (mentioned below) can be used – my Past Life
Recollection Gris Gris might also be of use. An altar may also be arranged.

The Craft

Sometimes referred to as The
Mighty Dead, this line houses the spirits of those witches that came before
us – a collective force of knowledge and power in the esoteric arts and rites.
Here you find the great witches of yore, known and unknown, and each with their
own unique story and ideologies. As with any spirit work, one must be very
in-tune with one’s intuition, for not all spirits have in mind your own best
interest. It is no secret that even now, witches can be a particularly
malicious and manipulative breed – and this is a time when practicing won’t get
you killed (in the majority of the world), so you can only imagine how secretive
and vindictive some of the spirits herein may be. Trust your gut, it will warn
you of coming danger. That being said, this “house” also holds within the most
powerful witches and magic-workers that have walked this earth and their
collective knowledge is unparalleled. Many can be secretive, but so long as you
are open, honest, genuine and have an insatiable desire to learn, you should be
perfectly fine.

Another point that should be made (and a topic discussed
here, actually) is the use of fear in witchcraft – as it is one of the most
powerful and primal emotions. This “house” and the Mighty Dead are no stranger
to employing fear in their workings and will almost surely test you in many
ways so that you might prove your willingness to learn and your adaptability.
So long as you trust yourself and remember that you are powerful – you should
do fine.

For working with a specific spirit, I recommend creating a
spirit-doll, or a Muñeca de Tutela – a doll that houses and binds the spirit to our plane and allows for much
simpler access to both the spirit and his/her knowledge. The tutorial also
outlines proper care, offerings, and guidance in maintaining a mutual respect. An
altar may also be arranged.

Misc.

The Line of Religion – These represent religious “Ancestors”
such as: saints, prophets and spirits that yet Guide the living from the Dead,
connected via religious principles.

In many faiths, spirits serve a greater purpose – for example,
within Quimbanda, Pomba Gira is comprised of a legion of like-spirits that
represent the facets of the Pomba Gira archetype. These spirits represent their
own “ancestral” line, but also intermingle with lines of other faiths and
doctrines. As with most lines, their numbers are what make them so powerful,
for it is the collective that sustains and empowers them.

Lines are not mutually exclusive. For example: You could
theoretically have a life within the same bloodline who also happened to be a
powerful witch. As such, he/she would fall into all of these ancestral lines,
and as such, could be summoned through any of these channels. Interestingly, it
is when they cross many lines that they often seem to develop different (metaphorical)
“faces” or “costumes”.

photo source ;; Gogo and the Ancestors by Marietjie Henning