Día de los Muertos Divination: Ancestor Oracle and Death Tarot Spreads

BY NICOLE LAU

Día de los Muertos is not only a time to honor the dead but also to hear from them. The thinned veil between worlds creates optimal conditions for divination—receiving messages, guidance, and wisdom from ancestral spirits. Whether through tarot, oracle cards, scrying, or other divinatory methods, this sacred time offers unprecedented access to ancestral knowledge.

Why Divination Works During Día de los Muertos

Several factors make Día de los Muertos an exceptionally powerful time for divination:

The Thinned Veil: The boundary between the physical and spiritual realms is at its most permeable, making spirit communication clearer and more direct.

Ancestral Presence: Your ancestors are actively present and seeking connection, making them more available to communicate through divinatory tools.

Scorpio Psychic Energy: The Sun in Scorpio enhances psychic sensitivity, intuition, and the ability to perceive hidden truths.

Cultural Container: The collective practice of Día de los Muertos creates a spiritual container that supports and amplifies individual divination work.

Intentional Invitation: By building ofrendas and performing rituals, you've already invited ancestral spirits to communicate—divination provides the method for receiving their messages.

Preparing for Ancestral Divination

Before engaging in divination during Día de los Muertos, proper preparation enhances clarity and connection:

Sacred Space Preparation

1. Cleanse Your Space: Use copal, sage, or palo santo to clear any stagnant or interfering energies.
2. Set Up Near Your Ofrenda: Conduct divination near your ancestor altar where their presence is strongest.
3. Create Ambiance: Dim lighting, candles (especially purple or white), and marigolds enhance the atmosphere.
4. Silence and Stillness: Turn off phones and minimize distractions to create receptive space.

Personal Preparation

1. Ground and Center: Take several deep breaths, feel your connection to the earth, and center your awareness in your body.
2. Set Clear Intention: State clearly (aloud or internally) that you seek guidance from your wise and healed ancestors for your highest good.
3. Open Your Psychic Channels: Visualize your third eye opening, your crown chakra receptive, and your heart open to ancestral love.
4. Invoke Protection: Call on your protective ancestors or spiritual guides to ensure only beneficial spirits communicate.

Opening Invocation for Ancestral Divination

"Beloved ancestors, wise ones of my lineage,
I open myself to receive your guidance.
Speak to me through these sacred tools,
Show me what I need to know,
Guide me toward my highest path.
I listen with an open heart and clear mind.
So it is."

The Death Card: Gateway to Ancestral Wisdom

In tarot, the Death card (XIII) is the perfect focal point for Día de los Muertos divination. Far from being ominous, Death represents transformation, endings that make space for beginnings, and the eternal cycle of life-death-rebirth—the very essence of this celebration.

Death Card Meditation

Before performing spreads, spend time meditating on the Death card:

1. Place the Death card from your tarot deck on your ofrenda.
2. Light a candle beside it.
3. Gaze at the card, noticing every detail—the skeleton, the rising sun, the fallen figures, the symbols of transformation.
4. Ask: "What death is necessary in my life right now? What needs to end so something new can begin?"
5. Journal any insights that arise.

Día de los Muertos Tarot Spreads

The Ancestor's Message Spread (3 Cards)

A simple but powerful spread for receiving direct ancestral guidance.

Card 1 - The Ancestor's Gift: What blessing or wisdom does this ancestor offer you?
Card 2 - The Ancestor's Warning: What do they caution you about or want you to be aware of?
Card 3 - The Ancestor's Guidance: What specific action or direction do they recommend?

How to Use: Before drawing, hold a photo of a specific ancestor or simply call on "my wise ancestors." Shuffle while focusing on your question or simply asking "What do you want me to know?" Draw three cards and interpret them as messages from the ancestral realm.

The Seven Levels Spread (7 Cards)

Based on the seven levels of the traditional ofrenda, this spread provides comprehensive ancestral guidance.

Card 1 - Divine Guidance: What spiritual truth or higher wisdom is available to you now?
Card 2 - What Needs Purification: What in your life needs cleansing or release?
Card 3 - Soul Nourishment: What feeds your soul and should be prioritized?
Card 4 - Earthly Matters: Practical guidance for your material life and responsibilities.
Card 5 - Personal Offerings: What unique gifts or talents should you be sharing with the world?
Card 6 - Ancestral Identity: What ancestral strength or quality lives within you?
Card 7 - Grounding Action: What concrete step should you take to ground this guidance?

The Death and Rebirth Spread (5 Cards)

Specifically designed for Scorpio season transformation work.

Card 1 - What is Dying: What aspect of your life, identity, or pattern is ending?
Card 2 - The Lesson of the Death: What is this ending teaching you?
Card 3 - The Transition: What supports you through this transformation?
Card 4 - What is Being Born: What new aspect of yourself or your life is emerging?
Card 5 - How to Nurture the Rebirth: How can you support this new beginning?

Special Instruction: Place the Death card (XIII) in the center of this spread as a significator, with the five cards arranged around it in a circle.

The Lineage Healing Spread (6 Cards)

For understanding and healing ancestral patterns.

Card 1 - The Ancestral Gift: What positive quality or strength did you inherit?
Card 2 - The Ancestral Wound: What pain or pattern was passed down?
Card 3 - The Root Cause: Where did this pattern originate in your lineage?
Card 4 - Your Role: What is your specific role in healing this pattern?
Card 5 - The Healing Path: How can you transform this wound into wisdom?
Card 6 - The Future Legacy: What healed pattern will you pass forward?

Oracle Card Divination for Ancestor Communication

Oracle cards can be more direct and accessible than tarot for receiving ancestral messages, especially for those new to divination.

Yes/No Ancestor Oracle

For simple, direct questions requiring yes/no answers:

1. Formulate a clear yes/no question for your ancestors.
2. Shuffle your oracle deck while holding the question.
3. Draw one card.
4. Interpret based on the card's energy: uplifting/positive imagery = yes, challenging/cautionary imagery = no, neutral/ambiguous = unclear/not the right question.

Daily Ancestor Guidance

Pull one oracle card each morning during Día de los Muertos (October 31-November 3) asking: "What guidance do my ancestors have for me today?"

Record the cards and your interpretations, noticing patterns or themes across the days.

Scrying for Ancestral Visions

Scrying—gazing into a reflective surface to receive visions—is particularly powerful during Día de los Muertos when the veil is thin.

Mirror Scrying for Ancestor Contact

Materials: Dark mirror or bowl of water, two candles, darkened room

Instructions:

1. In a darkened room, place two candles on either side of your mirror or water bowl.
2. Sit comfortably where you can gaze into the reflective surface without strain.
3. Light the candles and turn off all other lights.
4. Invoke your ancestors: "Ancestors, show yourselves to me. Let me see your faces, receive your messages."
5. Gaze softly into the mirror or water, not focusing hard but allowing your vision to blur slightly.
6. Remain open to images, faces, symbols, or feelings that arise.
7. You may see actual faces of ancestors, symbolic images, or simply feel their presence.
8. When the session feels complete (usually 10-20 minutes), thank your ancestors and record your experience.

Candle Flame Scrying

Instructions:

1. Light a candle on your ofrenda.
2. Gaze at the flame while asking a question or requesting ancestral guidance.
3. Notice how the flame moves:

- Strong, steady flame = yes, affirmation, strong ancestral support
- Flickering flame = uncertainty, multiple possibilities, need for more information
- Flame leans toward you = ancestors drawing near, positive sign
- Flame leans away = caution, reconsider, not the right time
- Flame goes out = strong no, or the question is not meant to be answered now
- Bright, tall flame = powerful yes, enthusiasm from ancestors
- Dim, low flame = weak energy, need to strengthen connection

Pendulum Divination with Ancestors

A pendulum can facilitate direct yes/no communication with ancestral spirits.

Setting Up Ancestral Pendulum Work

1. Choose a pendulum (crystal, metal, or even a ring on a string).
2. Hold it over your ofrenda to charge it with ancestral energy.
3. Establish your yes/no signals by asking: "Show me yes" (note the direction it swings), "Show me no" (note the different direction).
4. Ask clear yes/no questions, one at a time.
5. Thank your ancestors after each session.

Automatic Writing for Ancestral Messages

Automatic writing allows ancestors to communicate through your hand, bypassing your conscious mind.

Automatic Writing Session

Materials: Journal and pen, candle, comfortable seating

Instructions:

1. Light a candle and invoke your ancestors.
2. Hold your pen to paper and ask: "What do you want me to know?"
3. Begin writing without thinking, allowing your hand to move freely.
4. Don't edit, judge, or try to make sense of what's coming through—just write.
5. You may write words, draw symbols, or create patterns.
6. After 10-15 minutes, read what came through.
7. Often the messages become clearer upon reading than they felt during the writing.

Dream Divination During Día de los Muertos

Ancestors often communicate through dreams, especially during this sacred time.

Inviting Ancestral Dreams

Before sleep on November 1st or 2nd:

1. Place a photo of an ancestor under your pillow or on your nightstand.
2. Put marigold petals in a small sachet under your pillow.
3. Light a candle briefly and say: "Ancestors, visit me in my dreams tonight. Show me what I need to know."
4. Keep a dream journal by your bed and record any dreams immediately upon waking.
5. Pay special attention to dreams featuring deceased loved ones, unfamiliar people who might be ancestors, or symbolic imagery.

Interpreting Ancestral Messages

When receiving messages through divination, keep these principles in mind:

Trust Your First Impression: Your initial intuitive hit is often the most accurate.
Look for Patterns: If the same message comes through multiple methods, pay attention.
Consider the Source: Different ancestors may have different communication styles or areas of expertise.
Discernment: Not every message is from a wise ancestor. If something feels off, ask for clarification or protection.
Action Required: Ancestral guidance is meant to be applied. What action can you take based on what you've received?

Closing the Divination Session

Always properly close your divination sessions:

"Thank you, beloved ancestors, for your guidance and wisdom.
I honor your messages and will integrate them with discernment.
Return now to the realm of spirit in peace.
The veil closes gently between us until we meet again.
Blessings and gratitude."

Extinguish candles, cleanse your divination tools with smoke or sound, and ground yourself by eating something or touching the earth.

Conclusion: Divination as Sacred Dialogue

Divination during Día de los Muertos is not fortune-telling but sacred dialogue—a two-way conversation between the living and the dead. Your ancestors have wisdom earned through their lived experiences, perspective gained from the spirit realm, and deep love for your wellbeing.

When you engage in divination during this sacred time, you're not just receiving information—you're strengthening the bonds between worlds, honoring your lineage, and accessing a source of guidance that is uniquely attuned to your soul's journey.

The cards you draw, the visions you see, the words that flow through your pen—these are not random but the voices of those who came before, reaching across the veil to guide, protect, and love you still. Listen well, and let their wisdom illuminate your path.