I was wondering how do y'all dispose of ancestor meals? I've read so many scenarios like put it at the bottom of a tree or simply throw it in the trash. How long do you leave it?
Good morning all...I found this information...hope it's helpful :One of the questions I always get asked about offerings is how do you dispose of the offerings. If the offering is water, light, and incense it’s pretty simple – liquid to ground, incense to air, and the light just stays on till its out. But when you offer food, it gets more complicated.Some people are tempted to eat the offerings after the ceremony, but you should nor do this. It’s about the ONLY taboo. During the offering rite you can have a section set aside for you to eat with the spirits, so that you are feasting with them. Their portion on the altar, or the portion that maybe you take outside for spirits that you don’t want in the house should be left for a time, then get disposed of. You should NOT eat what you give to the spirits.You can:1. Leave biodegradable offerings at a crossroads or in the woods.2. If you live in a city and the offering is wrapped you can leave it at an intersection where perhaps a hungry person will eat it.3. Leave it in your yard where birds or other animals will pick at it (careful of attracting critters close to the house or you will find yourself getting squirrels out of your attic)4. Throw it out. I know a lot of people will argue against this, but I do it all the time. I simply go to the altar and say something along the lines of: “Please take your last taste of this offering and be fulfilled. For the sake of hygene and safety I must remove the physical offering and dispose of it. May its essence bring your enjoyment and satiety even after the shell is gone.”Will there be some spirits that don’t like this? Probably.
I go and bury next to a tree because to me it is giving back to the Earth if it's something like small little breads I crumble up and I do leave it under the trees for the birds.
I just can't see a pile of food next to a tree lol especially in the summer. That could get really foul really quick @Ari' Serraon Torrez' has a good idea to bury it
I know you shouldn't leave it to where it develops mold. You should always change it out and keep it fresh as possible. Just keep an eye on it but as far as disposing I'm not sure. Me personally I would just through in the trash
@Cleopatra Khalifa I do throw it in the trash. I'm sure if it was a problem I would definitely feel so type of way. When it's done it's done and there's plenty of other things there that last a lot longer. I usually leave it about 24 hours
Good morning all...I found this information...hope it's helpful : One of the questions I always get asked about offerings is how do you dispose of the offerings. If the offering is water, light, and incense it’s pretty simple – liquid to ground, incense to air, and the light just stays on till its out. But when you offer food, it gets more complicated. Some people are tempted to eat the offerings after the ceremony, but you should nor do this. It’s about the ONLY taboo. During the offering rite you can have a section set aside for you to eat with the spirits, so that you are feasting with them. Their portion on the altar, or the portion that maybe you take outside for spirits that you don’t want in the house should be left for a time, then get disposed of. You should NOT eat what you give to the spirits. You can: 1. Leave biodegradable offerings at a crossroads or in the woods. 2. If you live in a city and the offering is wrapped you can leave it at an intersection where perhaps a hungry person will eat it. 3. Leave it in your yard where birds or other animals will pick at it (careful of attracting critters close to the house or you will find yourself getting squirrels out of your attic) 4. Throw it out. I know a lot of people will argue against this, but I do it all the time. I simply go to the altar and say something along the lines of: “Please take your last taste of this offering and be fulfilled. For the sake of hygene and safety I must remove the physical offering and dispose of it. May its essence bring your enjoyment and satiety even after the shell is gone.” Will there be some spirits that don’t like this? Probably.
I go and bury next to a tree because to me it is giving back to the Earth if it's something like small little breads I crumble up and I do leave it under the trees for the birds.
I heard leaving it by a tree. Giving it back to earth.
I know you shouldn't leave it to where it develops mold. You should always change it out and keep it fresh as possible. Just keep an eye on it but as far as disposing I'm not sure. Me personally I would just through in the trash