​The Lyrids meteor shower has been observed for over 2,700 years and was first recorded in ancient Chinese texts in 687 BCE. This yearly event is at its peak the week of April 17.

In many ancient cultures, meteor showers were often associated with celestial events or omens and were believed to be messages from ancestors. For example, in Chinese culture, the Lyrids meteor shower was affiliated with the festival of Qingming, a time for paying respects to ancestors. The Chinese believed the meteor shower was a sign that the ancestors were watching over them and that their spirits had ascended to the heavens.

In Sylvie Minot's Ancestors series, she explores our links to ancestors and how to cultivate a deeper connection and relationship with them. She guides participants through movement and meditation, tapping into the wisdom, guidance, and support the ancestors have to offer.

The ritual of dancing with our ancestors connects us to something larger than ourselves. Participants in Sylvie’s workshops have felt a sense of healing transgenerational trauma by addressing patterns of behavior or thought passed down through generations, then dancing and moving through them, freeing the body.

If you would like to connect with your ancestors this week, here is a simple exercise to use during the Lyrids meteor shower:

• Find a place where you will feel free to move about. This can be outdoors under the night sky or in a room where you can turn out the lights and light a few candles. Find music to play that encourages you to move and exude deep feelings.

 

• Create a sacred space by setting up a small altar or shrine. You can use candles, incense, crystals, string lights, or symbols representing your ancestors or nature's elements. Some like to place images of certain ancestors they’d like to connect with around the altar.

 

• Before you start your music, take a few moments to ground yourself and connect with your breath. Visualize yourself surrounded by a protective circle of light.

​

• Start your music and begin gently move about, warming up your body to the rhythm. When ready, call upon your ancestors by lighting a candle or incense on your altar and offer a prayer or intention. Also, speak aloud the names of specific ancestors you wish to connect with.

​

• As you move about to the music, allow yourself to open up to any messages or guidance you feel your ancestors may be sending you. Pay attention to thoughts, feelings, or sensations that arise during this time. Practice breathing deeply and letting go of any negative feelings as you exhale.

​

• When you feel fully connected and have danced through the experience with your movements and breath, take a few moments to thank your ancestors for their presence and guidance. Write down any special thoughts that came from the experience. You may also want to leave an offering of some type on your altar as a sign of gratitude.

Remember that connecting with your ancestors is a profoundly personal and individual practice, so feel free to modify this ritual to suit your needs and beliefs. The most important thing is to approach this experience with an open heart and a willingness to listen to the messages that your ancestors may have for you.

If you'd like to join us for an Ancestors Series workshop under the guidance of Sylvie Minot, visit our Ancestors Series page for future dates or subscribe to Syzygy Dance Project's weekly newsletter and be the first to know when the next series is scheduled. It can be a cathartic experience that deepens your connection with your ancestors and taps into their wisdom, guidance, and support.