Offerings at Sanctuary Villa

One evening we were surprised to see an unfamiliar elderly woman on the grounds of our villa.  She walked purposefully, but in a relaxed manner, past the glass walls of our living room.  She passed by without a word and without acknowledging our presence.  As she reached various spots in front of statues and other locations, she left offerings of flowers, rice and incense in a small bamboo leaf woven tray.  She sprinkled them with water.  She comes to leave these offerings three times a day.

At first, it was somewhat disconcerting to have someone wandering around outside our house at night whom we have never met, but we're now used to it.  And the incense smells good.

We've learned that the expat couple from whom we are renting in turn has a long-term lease with a Balinese family from the village.  The elderly woman is the matriarch of that family, leaving offerings to the spirits that reside on the property.  According to our driver, Dewa, who is instructing us on Balinese spiritual life, spirits like to congregate near rivers and around certain plants like the ancient Banyan tree on the property.  He explained that Sanctuary is home to an usually large number of spirits who should be propitiated through daily offerings. 

Here are some of tonight's offerings:

 

Posted by Nat & Lynn