How to make a Spirit Bottle ( Ancestor Bottle )

                                                       Photo is my spirit bottle  Daw  2012 altar  

A Spirit bottle or Ancestor bottle is used to communicate with the dead  

Note Before you begin to make it   CAST A CIRCLE OF PROTECTION 
 Click here to learn how to do this  

To make one you will need the following
Note you can adjust to your needs you do not need to do this exactly remember its all about intention if you do not have an ingredient then find the closest substitute 

a Glass Bottle and yes it must be Glass 
( I like to use old wine , Whiskey, Vodka or Rum bottles : Daw ) 

Herbs associated with attracting spirits and summoning and manifesting the dead. you do not need to use them all just here are a few for example such as the following 
Frankincense 
Sage 
Basil 
Mint 
Mistletoe 
Yarrow 
Rowanwood berries 
Rue 
Sandalwood 
Myrrh 
Garlic 
Rosemary 
Whole Orris Root (powdered will do) 
dandelion root
balm of gilead buds
yew needles or pine needles or pinecones crushed up 
black henbane leaf
Dried  hot peppers   (  I use dried Cayanne peppers 
red ochre
Coffee Beans  ( whole ones or Roasted is fine ) 

Acorns or nuts
Dried Cayenne peppers or Cayenne powder 
a candle (white, red, or black), 

Egg Shell or Powdered seashell 
Powdered Bone or Powdered Antler 
Cinnamon sticks or Cinnamon powder  
Corn meal
Charcoal  not the kind for BBQ  
Sea Salt ( do not use Table salt ) 
Graveyard dirt 
( note do not take it from a grave with out asking permission ) 

3 bent rusty nails (coffin nails: the old way of doing this) 
or take normal nails and put them in a 1 part bleach 1 part vinegar solution and let them sit a few hours the chemical reaction will rust the nails  

If the spirit bottle is for you own Family ancestors then you may also want to add  for an easier connection; hair,baby tooth, nail clippings, dead skin, blood ( a few drops ) etc.


Photos or object of ancestor  

a Skeleton key

and something Sweet  ( I find candy works best )  

black candle    

Dont forget  to CAST  A CIRCLE OF PROTECTION BEFORE YOU START MAKING THIS  click here to learn how to do this  

Now some people are very Rigid on Rules   and how to layer  however I am a bit laid back and I find that everyone is different so  do what feels right to you  

Layer the Bottle   Start first with a small layer of dirt at the bottom 
then layer in the herbs and  other materials  until you reach half full
then put in the personal object  Photo or object of Deceased  

continue to layer  with the rest of the  items  until you reach 1 inch from the top 
then add your personal touch   lock of your hair , finger nail   and few drops of blood 
( note  use a clean sterile needle to prick your finger )  
Skeleton key and candy should be at the top of the bottle

If you can not fit the photo inside the bottle then glue it to the outside of the bottle   

use a black candle  to seal the bottle with wax
( Burn the candle and let the wax drippings seal the top of the inside of the bottle  )


 Now it’s time to take your ancestor spirit bottle to your altar (preferably an ancestral altar) to consecrate it to its purpose.

Cleansing & consecrate Magickal Tools click here    

once you have Consecrated it properly    

Take a black candle and any protection crystals you wish and light a candle next to the bottle

for a Samhain Tradition   I have a Dumb Supper  and I leave a plate out and leave the jar next to the plate 
and burn a candle  so the dead can enjoy a meal with us 

After the meal then  ask 3 questions   write them down on a piece of paper and then ask your question
( Be VERY CLEAR on your INTENT never ask a spirit to do harm to someone ) 
  and burn each piece of paper in your Cauldron or candle

when you are done thank the spirits and Goddess and Gods you invoked 
thank your ancestors or loved ones you called to
keep the spirit bottle on your altar or in a protective spot to keep them near so they can speak to you from the other side and know they are honored and loved and missed  

                              This is my Spirit bottle on my Samhain Altar 2013  and my Wand

                                 Samhain altar 2013

                                    hmm a spirit  if you look  really close you can see several of them

                            I am not the best at taking photos  



Before any Spell or ritual is performed the magic spell should be read and understood completely. All items needed for the ritual should be on hand. Rituals should not be taken lightly. Rituals should always be done with respect. you are invoking real deities who will not be amused you conjured them for selfish requests.
you have been warned. ~ Daw~

Note: I have Turned Comments off on my Blog Due to Religious Zealots constantly posting hateful comments and Threats
but if anyone has Questions about this or other rituals or spells or just have Questions about Paganism or Wicca or Witchcraft Message us on our Facebook page ~Daw