The air is cool, the mists swirl, and the veils are thin…its the time to listen to our Ancestors as we honor our departed ones.

Many seekers of different paths honor the life/death/life process and venerate their Ancestors. Traditionally we honored our Ancestors to maintain familial relationships and heritage and also to learn-divination is performed at Samhaim and during the Day of the Dead so that we might get insight on the year ahead.

But what about getting insight into our priorities from those who have passed beyond the veil?

Bronnie Ware, a palliative care nurse in Australia recorded the regrets of her dying patients and these are the top 5 she heard over and over again: 

1. I wish I'd had the courage to live a life true to myself, not the life others expected of me.

2. I wish I hadn't worked so hard.

3. I wish I'd had the courage to express my feelings.

4. I wish I had stayed in touch with my friends.

5. I wish that I had let myself be happier.

No Tarot cards or Rune stones needed-this is as clear as it gets.

When I sit down to look at fear and resistance with my clients I keep these regrets in mind-they are actually hanging on the wall in front of the desk where I do my phone consultations-when someone says that they are afraid to tell someone how they feel I remind them of number three: "one day you'll be dead, and you won't be able to say it ever, so why wait?" Claims of "I'm too busy" circle back to number two. 

What I love about these regrets is that they provide a clarion example of what to give your energy to-and what you really shouldn't worry about. When we weigh the fact that one day we will no longer be here in this particular form with these particular desires, loves, thoughts, and sensations, what is important becomes radically clear.

Our Ancestors are speaking to us from beyond the veil and even as they pass through-it is up to us to listen and learn from the lessons they impart.