A Guide for Ethnic Koreans and Foreigners
One ritual approach to non-human ancestors
Harvest moon festivals were a common activity amongst many cultures, and in South Korea the tradition persists today. South Koreans call their harvest moon festival Chuseok, and it’s a national holiday and family gathering. Families get together and eat a meal, as well as visit the graves of ancestors and thank them for the good fortune in their lives. For spiritual practitioners that worship ancestors, especially those that live on the Korean peninsula, Chuseok is an opportune time to join in the prevailing ancestor rituals. The spirit realm is invoked in rituals and ceremonies, and ancestors are given offerings and called upon. Some that live in South Korea are foreigners and don’t have genetic connections or bloodlines that were historically present. However, foreigners can also perform rituals for ancestors on the mountain-heavy land like South Korean citizens do on the harvest moon festival. There is one approach to take that this article will explore, and it means dealing with an unusual type of ancestor, the non-human. The main reason the article is focusing on the non-human ancestor is that it is principally for people who are not ethnic Koreans with strong ties to the land but not its human ancestors, at least not in a visible way such as genetically. Therefore, the ritual will focus on non-human ancestors, of which a few candidates will be discussed below. Further, steps for performing an ancestor ritual will be presented for reference, including elements of a ritual for calling lost souls, a general Chuseok prayer for any sort of denomination, and healing the family line.
There are many non-human types of ancestors. They come in many forms. The animal kingdom includes many ancestors, and they have a relationship to the land. Examples can be deer, birds, insects, wolves, and rodents. Plants are another type of ancestor. Vegetation like trees, grasses, weeds, and plants can be considered ancestors. Plants are linked to the lands humans live in, like animals. An additional ancestor is the actual features of the physical geography in a place. Physical features that double as ancestors are examples like rocks, dirt, rivers, and streams. Finally, weather can be considered an ancestor, such as the wind, rain, heat, or cold. Most non-human ancestors are linked to specific places, and their relationship as ancestors is one of connections in time and space.
The Korean peninsula has a few candidates for ancestors. The first ancestor that relates well is granite. South Korea has many beautiful mountain peaks, and they fuel the imagination. One famous spot is Ingwangsan, located near the ancient palaces in Seoul. Ingwangsan, like many South Korean mountaintops, has granite peaks. Granite has strength, durability, and longevity. Other ancestor candidates discussed here might have some similar qualities.
Second, the eagle is another choice. Eagles live on mountain peaks and treetops, and are a perfect companion ancestor for granite. The eagle is a predator that has strength, speed, and vision. Eagles were a common symbol in Korean history. They represented conquest and were used on armor and weapons. Some additional qualities of eagles are tenacity, independence, fearlessness, and courage.
Third, humid air is an inanimate ancestor that fits my experience of the land. Humid air covers the peninsula from late spring to fall. It’s a characteristic feature of life on the Korean peninsula. It defines much of life. The mood that accompanies hot, humid weather is unique. When the humidity drops in Korea, the mood changes a lot. But, at a deeper level, all air has levels of humidity in it. And so humid air is really just air. In a western astrological framework, air has the qualities of heat and moisture and so it combines fire and water in some of its functions. Air flows outwards and upwards, but also sideways. Air is warm and active.
There are a few steps for performing ancestor rituals, and I will discuss how to do it in a Greek ancestral context, a Korean context, and a generic context. I should add that I’ve known of Catholics who have altars for their ancestors yet it seems that there aren’t specific rituals that are commonplace and that Protestants don’t believe in any type of prayer for the dead. I will share links to resources here since I only use one type of ritual form. Here is some information on what the basics are and how to perform Korean jesa. Next, I will give a ritual outline. First, I will explain in a general context. The ritual practitioner should obtain gifts for the dead and the psycho-pomp that will be used. There should be an altar space and candles and incense. The psycho-pomp will be invoked and then asked to bring the souls of select dead, in either the father’s line of the family, or the mother’s line. One group shall be brought at a time, and the psycho-pomp can be told which types of ancestors to bring. Once the ancestors arrive, the practitioner can give them gifts of food and drink and anything else they desire while spending time with them or communicating with them through different mediums. The ancestors are sent back by the psycho-pomp when time is up, and then the other group of ancestors is brought. The practitioner can ask favors of the ancestors, ask them for information, and share thoughts with them. Once both groups of ancestors have left, and if the practitioner doesn’t want to call other groups of souls or types of ancestors, including some that were specified to be kept at a distance, the ritual can end. A Greek style ancestor ritual is Genesia.
In some traditions, ancestral rites use a psycho-pomp to bring the dead to the ritual setting, as discussed in the last paragraph. Since the beings or spirits that are being used in the prayers in this article are not from the underworld or the land of the dead, it might be better to ask a god of nature for help. In the tradition I work with, a good candidate would be Pan, Gaia, Dionysus, Hecate, or Poseidon. One can find a suitable deity within their tradition or one of the gods listed.
The poems below will use a traditional Korean poetry form called a Sijo. The Sijo has three lines, with about 14-16 syllables each, for a total of 44-46 syllables. Line 1 introduces the theme, line 2 gives details, and line 3 has a surprise and conclusion. This ritual is syncretistic. It can be adapted to one’s own forms but has Greek and Korean elements to it.
The ritual steps are straight forward. The ritualist begins with an invocation of a nature god. A hymn for a God, Pan, Dionysus, Poseidon, Hecate, or other nature gods is read. Note that the Orphic hymns to Pan, Poseidon, and others would be good choices. Then the following prayers can be read for the ancestral Eagle, Granite, and Air. Then offerings can be given, such as traditional fare like flowers, fruit, bread, wheat, or other things. After reading the three prayers, one can read the Chuseok prayer for good fortune and gratitude. Two short prayers have been included for dead souls and healing the ancestral line. These prayers would best be included with a ritual for the familial ancestors and be addressed to the psycho-pomp and other selected deities. Elements of each prayer can be addressed to the restless dead and the familial ancestors to get their aid and recognition.
Prayer to the Eagle
Sijo
Ancestor, your strong wings prevail, above Korea
Tenacious predator, treetop home, a mountain peak
Conquest, champion at war, the toughest survivor
Eagle, ancestor, I call you.
Come hither, eagle.
You are strong and unyielding,
You live at the top of the food chain,
You reside in gusts of air and mountain peaks,
You live on treetops, and see everything with great vision
You are close to the wind and the granite
Give your blessings, help me to share in your qualities in a noble way.
This is the first time I call upon you, revered ancestor. Make our bond strong, ensure we build a good relationship.
Prayer to the Humid Air
Sijo
Air, related to fire and water, combined heat and moisture
Flowing up, outward, sideways, down, to all empty space until blocked
Especially prominent spring to fall, breezy peaceful for all
Air, scattered ancestor, I call you
You are like fire and water
You are always moving in all directions, up, down, left, right
You are made of heat and moisture
You go high and low, like the love of a man and a woman
You reside in the skies
You brush against the granite mountains and pine forests
Give your blessings, help me to share in your qualities in a noble way.
This is the first time I call upon you, revered ancestor. Make our bond strong, ensure we build a good relationship.
Prayer to Granite
Sijo
Solid, permanent, stuck, fixed stone, beautiful, rugged, tall
Mountaintops and deep recesses, under dirt and wedged in
Millions of years, patient, enduring, lengthy are you
Granite, strong ancestor, I call you
Come hither, Granite
You are durable, difficult to break down
You have longevity, and live longer than me
You are strong, so dense that I can’t break you down
You live deep within the earth,
You reside under mountain ranges and on peaks,
You sit near trees, under the winds, below the stars
Give your blessings, help me to share in your qualities in a noble way.
This is the first time I call upon you, revered ancestor. Make our bond strong, ensure we build a good relationship.
Chuseok Prayer
On this harvest moon, this gloried tradition from times of yore,
this time that the souls of the ancestors and the dead are called, honored, and given offerings,
I call upon gods and spirits, ancestors and souls.
Hear my words, old gods.
Please listen to my petition, mighty and powerful deities.
I call upon the ancient gods of Korea, the great ancestors, and other ancestors and protectors of the people of the Korean peninsula. I call upon Buddhist, shamanic, Confucian, Christian, and Taoist spirits and gods, as you all have relationships with the people of the Korean peninsula as well. I call upon my own tutelary gods, and other supernatural beings and protectors, such as the personal daimon, any familiar spirits, and others that are tied to my lineage. The same goes for the lineage of the Korean people.
I am not of Korean descent, yet I live side by side with Koreans, contribute to their society, and live on this land.
I ask for your blessings and aid, oh old gods, various ancestors, and spiritual protectors and helpers. I ask for you to bestow good fortune, prosperity, and success in my daily life. Give blessings to me, give blessings to my family, give blessings to the nation.
The leaves turn red, orange, and yellow. The heat and humidity of summer dissipates into dry, cool fall. Chuseok is a special time. Bring my friends and family together in a spirit of union. Bring health and success to the family line and my own life, including for my health, my career, my relationships, and my spiritual journey.
On this harvest moon, accept my offerings and requests.
Prayer for Lost Souls
Hecate, bring lost souls from parts of Seoul to this ritual. Please bring only souls who won’t create chaos in my home and ritual space. Vet the souls so that those who come don’t bring malevolence or chaos to my own life.
To the lost souls, people who lost lives, died in battles, saw their dreams unfulfilled and can’t give up their dreams, loves, or crimes committed against them, and those souls who linger here for other reasons, please share in this drink, light, heat, and incense. Share a moment here and find peace. Find momentary repose, rest, and love. Though I don’t know your story or know you, I hope you can end your suffering and pain.
Prayer for Recovering the Family Line
Note: There are four alternate greetings that should be addressed independently or at the same time, at one’s discretion.
Deity, please give aid in recovering the family line.
Paternal line ancestors, please help to recover the family line.
Maternal line ancestors, please help to recover the family line.
Totem spirits, tutelary deities, ancestral gods, Agathos Daimon, please help to recover the family line.
Our family has dysfunction, broken relationships, wounded souls, and family members who don’t intend to have children or families of their own.
Bring prosperity, wealth, harmony, healing, purpose, and connection to the ancestral line. Bring it to other members of the family and the family line. Help us to perpetuate the family line and grant continuity and lasting survival.
I believe that in asking for prosperity for the family line, it means a bevy of problems must be solved. It requires purity, cleansing, and peace.
Please bring all of the things I have asked. Help to rebuild our family, our hallowed traditions, forgotten ways, and the success of our lineage.
I will call upon (such and such deities) to help as well.
Ancestors, please do what you can to help. Give guidance, wisdom, and purpose.
This article was mostly written in spring and summer 2020, prior to Chuseok of that year. Due to time constraints, it was never completed. In August of 2024, I remembered it on the occasion of the Harvest Moon eclipse in September, a very important time in my life. I decided to finalize the article and share it in honor of Chuseok and September 2024. Because it is related to Korea, it is also being posted on Rooftop on the Hanok. It can be adapted to various needs but is principally for people with strong ties to the Korean peninsula.
Photo Credits
- A photo of fall in Korea. Photo by Mad Sage Astrology.
- A photo of fall in Korea. Photo by Mad Sage Astrology.
David has studied traditional astrology since 2014. The Bay Area native completed Chris Brennan’s Introduction to Hellenistic Astrology course, and attended courses taught by Austin Coppock, Nina Gryphon, and Ryhan Butler. He is interested in exploring the less well known aspects of astrology, divination, and spirituality.