The Book of Ancestors: A Guide to Magic, Rituals, and Your Family History

I was delighted to finally get my copy of author and artist Claire Goodchild’s comprehensive book, The Book of Ancestors, and I can confidently say that Goodchild has outdone herself with her latest work. Goodchild takes readers on a beautiful journey through death and ancestor veneration. As The Book of Ancestors illustrates, this path is immensely personal and may include traumas, both personal and ancestral, known and unknown. However, the reader is never meant to feel frightened or alone, but empowered. Goodchild guides readers through creating their own family history grimoire or book of ancestors (BOA). Not only does she provide information on how to establish a BOA, from the pros and cons of different formats to creating a ritual ink, but she advises readers on how to continually add to their BOA as a perpetual work-in-progress. To help readers create a BOA, Goodchild outlines working with three types of ancestors (blood, community, and archetype). Each ancestor class is thoroughly explained, with information on how to identify and honor them. Not only does she detail more complex actions, like building an ancestor altar, but she includes simpler but no less important methods of ancestor veneration, such as inviting them into one’s daily activities, lighting candles to recognize their birth and death dates, and just living well. In addition, Goodchild explains how to create a family tree to incorporate in a BOA. She includes ample information on both scientific and metaphysical methods, from genetic testing and researching family histories with records available from a variety of sources to rituals and divination (which she goes more in depth with in her first book, The Book of Séances). Goodchild never presumes to know any reader’s experience or situation in The Book of Ancestors. She provides resources for beginners, but also for advanced practitioners. In addition, she offers information for the LGBTQ+, adopted, and BIPOC communities. No one is excluded from recognizing and honoring their ancestors. Finally, I would be remiss to not mention the artwork in The Book of Ancestors. It’s hauntingly breathtaking, and each image is created with care. In short, this unique resource is essential reading for anyone interested in genealogy, death, history, and establishing a working relationship with their ancestors. I can’t recommend it more strongly, and it’s an essential asset in my collection.

I loved this book. What a beautiful practice, to honor our ancestors, and thereby honor ourselves. It's a whole different way to look at self care and reverence for our elders. Deeply meaningful practices, rituals, and histories. An important, beautiful book.

Another amazing book this author. Detailed information about both finding and honoring your ancestors.

This book was full of information, how to begin, tips for moving forward and encouragement. Anyone interested in Ancestor work, this book is a perfect place to start. I found Claire’s personal experiences and practices very endearing. There’s parts where she is vulnerable and speaks of experiences that many can relate to in some way or another. 10/10 would recommend. I had this book on preorder and it arrived on the release date. This book feels special and will stay in my collection along with her other book, The book of Seances, indefinitely.

I didn’t order a used copy and the books arrived with dents and such in it. The packaging was fine. Sad that the book wasn’t treated well, but I’m excited to dive into it. :)

I enjoyed the conversational tone of this book. It reads like a close friend or family member is giving you all sorts of advice on how to start or expand upon your Ancestral practice. I’d highly recommend this for anyone that is interested in this topic. The book is gorgeous. Full color images all throughout the book. It looks great on a desk or coffee table. A must add for your spiritual, historical library.

I absolutely love everything that Claire makes and produces. This book joins my copy of her first one, The Book of Seances, and they pair wonderfully together. Perfect read for spooky season and beyond. Also love that the illustrations are in color. This book is not just a wealth of information but also a work of Claire's art. I can't wait to put the extensive knowledge and exercises into practice! As an aside, I *highly* recommend checking out Claire's Patreon for access to patron-exclusive content and access to freebies + discounts!

Love and always have loved Clair Goodchild. This book is beautiful, filled with knowledge, and helps anyone looking to dive into ancestral magic!