:｡･:*:･ﾟ'☆

[yuuago]

So. Yesterday evening was a slightly delayed and somewhat rushed ritual of Ancestors Night.

Since I'd had to change my plans, I was stuck trying to put together an altar in my bedroom. After I cleared everything off my computer desk, it served well enough - and it actually looked pretty decent, too, once I got my altarcloth on there and the candles lit. Unfortunately, there's too much to move for me to even consider putting it to this sort of use on a regular basis, but for something like this, that's fine.

When I was in Victoria, I'd picked up some tiny pottery bowls to use for this sort of thing, and that was a good decision. Since offerings are made in small amounts, they're the perfect size.

I set out nuts and honey and the almond cookies, and also a bit of sherry (brandy would have been better, but, all we had was sherry). As well as some water and hand-towel and comb - I honestly can't remember if that bit is traditional, but, well. One must wash up before eating, you know?

Couldn't burn incense, because I didn't want to wake anybody up, but I did set out many candles, including some of the special red beeswax ones. I'm really glad I picked those up - they burn so nicely. I would have liked to leave them lit until they burnt themselves out, but, it was really late and I didn't want to risk dozing off. Ah, well.

And I stayed in the quiet for a while, and watched the candles, and thought about things, and tried not to fall asleep just yet.

Anyway... even if things didn't turn out the way I had originally planned - that is, I wasn't able to do things precisely as I would have liked, because I wasn't alone in the house - I'm glad that I did something, even if it was a bit belated and rather rushed. Better late and rushed than not at all.

And I guess it isn't really that much trouble to do this sort of things indoors. I can clear off my desk if I really need to, and for the big occasions, which happen only a few times per year... it's inconvenient, but it's not that much bother. There are bigger things to worry about than that, when it comes to doing things inside, but hopefully in a year or so it won't be a problem any more.

I will put out some scotch mints next time. Grandmother always loved scotch mints.