When it comes to connecting with your ancestors, you can do a lot deeper than mapping your genealogy or taking a DNA test. In this episode of Belonging, I'm digging into the why being able to map genealogy comes from an immense place of privilege, the beauty of making pilgrimages to the lands (both indigenous and otherwise) of your ancestors, and how to re-connect with your ancestors through your dreams and ancestral foods, song, and dance.
my family's burial plot on Bailey Island, Maine
"Ancestral connection work is for all of us, so it doesn't always have to be done scientifically."
Resources:
- Ancestry.com
- 23andMe
- Belonging Episode #7: Embracing Ancestral Time
- How to Connect with Your Ancestral Lineage
- Traveling to Colonized Land & Healing Oppressor Ancestry
- Liz Migliorelli of Sister Spinster
My vision of the women in white on the hillside in Ireland come to life this past spring
Photo credit: Ewelina Wu
I would love to hear from you!
What are your ancestral connection practices?
Credit for the phrase "be a good ancestor" goes to Arianna of Quw'utsun' Made
I have just found out my Ancestral mother is Helena.Sub group H3. My female line is traced back to Cornwall , England. My dna is from the UK with a small percentage of Scandinavian
How exciting! How does it feel to know that?
Becca: I turn 60 on Halloween this week. This year has been a year of change and evolution for me. I thought I was 1/2 Irish and 1/2 Italian by what I was told growing up. (and believe me – the ancestors would fight as to how much I had. lol).
In doing Ancestry DNA I am mostly from Celtic heritage. Irish/Scottish with some Norwegian and Swedish. Now I understand why I LOVE the cold weather. And I’m Polish – a lot! That was from my Grandmother who was married to the Italian Grandfather. She was my best friend growing up. Only Italian was talked about. Isn’t that insane? It blew my mind I had as much polish as I do and I’m so proud of it. I have been studying their traditions so I can honor it more in my life, since it never was.
And so I evolve into my own being. It makes so much sense. I feel my Celtic heritage down to my toes in loving nature, the forest, the sounds of drums and bagpipes, following the moon and planets. Amazing! I feel my Polish self in cooking and and realize my decor has a lot of folk art in it. Amazing again. I have been listening to your podcasts all day as I work and am learning so much. I’m thinking whether to join Hearthside but wonder am I too old for the group? (Did I say six-oh! on Saturday?) Thank you for all you do. And congratulations on the birth of your beautiful baby! It feels like my two were born just yesterday. They are now grown and I’m in a new chapter learning more about the authentic me. The onion continues to be peeled. You are a wonderful resource. Thanks again.