Thanks for the response! I’m new to ancestor work, and I’ve been reading a variety of approaches, but I’m hesitant to do the wrong thing and give offense. How do you personally (if it’s okay to ask) go about petitioning them, do you offer and then dispose of or consume food given, do you speak aloud versus writing… Essentially, I’m looking for a little direction among the many from someone I respect as to effective stuff and not starting off on the wrong foot. Mostly I’m nervous, tbh.

ofwoodandbone:

Again, instead of going over my process, let’s go over some basics. 

My best suggestion to you, when beginning ancestor work, is to start with ancestors that you knew personally and remember fondly. 
Light candles in their name. Call out for them by name. Ask them to attend you and your ceremony. Yes, do this out loud. 
But don’t expect them to make the trek for nothing. Find their favorite snacks, foods, or objects. Put them out on a table set for them. Offer these things up, these pieces of life and connection. 
Feed them not only with food, but with drink and smoke. Offer them their favorite drinks or a drink that you think might suit them. Burn herbs for them, making smoke they can both consume and give messages through. Tobacco, mullein, dandelion, and the like are all good for this purpose. 

Different cultural traditions dictates wildly different ways to dispose of offerings of food or drink, so follow what yours tells you. One thing I can tell you is that if you’re in North America, I highly suggest to not pour out alcohol on the ground. Many indigenous people teach that doing this is disrespectful to the land. 

Be as formal or as informal around your family members as you normally would. You’re speaking to the same folks you once knew. Once you establish a connection with those ones, move down the line and meet older members. That way, you minimize the possibility of a mishap. 

You can ask favors of them, but remember that this will always be a trade. Many of the jobs you ask of them could be taxing and they might need some motivation. If you happen to practice the same religion as they did, you can offer to pray for them. If not, you can offer them food, drink, smoke, or other gifts they might want. 

It’s always interesting to see people start to do ancestor work. The results are almost always noticeable, even if you didn’t ask for anything. Luck seems to perk up and it often seems as though you ‘have someone watching out for you’. That is, of course, because you do.