Despite their stories unfolding about 600-700 years apart, Rachel from Genesis and the Trojan hero Aeneas share a fascinating connection.

In Genesis 31, Rachel steals her father Laban's household idols (called "teraphim" in Hebrew) as she and her husband Jacob prepare to leave. Thinking Jacob stole them, Laban pursues the couple and demands to know the idols’ whereabouts. Rachel hides the idols and deceives her father. The Bible doesn't clarify Rachel's intentions for stealing—or keeping—her father's household gods. However, some scholars suggest she may have done so to preserve her family's spiritual traditions as she moved to a new land or to ensure her family's prosperity and wealth through these sacred objects.

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Rachel’s act of her old household idols when fleeing her father’s home echoes a similar moment in the Aeneid, where Aeneas carries his father, Anchises, who holds the household gods (penates in Latin), as they escape Troy as it burns. These Penates, to the Ancient Romans, are thought to be the spirits of ancestors that guide, protect, and ensure prosperity in the family. The symbolism of Aeneas carrying his father and his ancestral gods on his back as he runs from destruction towards a new land is striking. Even as Troy burns to the ground, and the Greeks wreak havoc on the city, killing or assaulting everyone in sight, both Aeneas and Anchises realize the importance of continuing familial spiritual traditions, no matter where their physical home is.

Both stories highlight the role of family, inheritance, and divine protection during times of upheaval and migration. In these ancient texts, carrying divine objects or symbols isn’t just about survival—it reflects the deep need to bring spiritual continuity and familial legacy into uncertain futures.

Whether fleeing the wrath of Laban or the ruins of Troy, these characters carry the symbols of their past into their new homes, showing that faith and heritage remain central in times of great transition.

Ancestral Spiritual Traditions in the Modern Day

This reflection brings to mind my own ancestral spiritual traditions, prompting me to consider how I might incorporate them into my life in a way that aligns with my current values and beliefs.

For years, I was staunchly atheist after a traumatic childhood in the Christian Church. While I still have significant concerns about some Christians' attempts to blur the lines between the U.S. government and religious doctrine—and I remain fiercely opposed to dogmatic fundamentalism—I've recently felt part of myself longing to reconnect with a sense of spirituality.

Reflecting on the similar spiritual themes between two mythological figures as diverse as Rachel and Aeneas makes me ponder the other connections among my ancestors throughout history. This lineage spans from my mother, who dubbed herself a "Catholic Wiccan" and melded Catholicism with European nature-based spirituality through various Christian practices of my forebears, all the way back to ancient ancestors who likely engaged in polytheistic cult rituals.

Ancestral spiritual traditions weave a rich tapestry of past and present, offering fascinating insights into someone’s heritage. I’m curious: Have you considered what your ancestral spiritual tapestry looks like? If so, please leave a comment. I’d love to hear it!

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