a Creating a Sacred Altar
Have you ever walked into a church or temple where your eyes were immediately drawn to that sacred space or altar? Did it stir up feelings and emotions of awe and reverence when you saw that life size painting of Christ on the wall or a statue of the Buddha sitting on a beautiful silk cloth? Perhaps you've been a guest in someone's home and you felt that peaceful calmness as you noticed their lovely display of family photo's, candles and religious symbols, carefully layed out on the fireplace mantel or tabletop. This simple display encourages a gentle shift in your mental and emotional awareness, thus raising your vibrations to a higher state or way of 'being'. You feel softer somehow and notice a more loving and compassionate attitude is generating from deep inside yourself.
Creating a household altar is a simple way to invite Spirit into your home and surroundings. Your altar can be as simple or as ornate as you wish. Creating a focal point within your dwelling serves as a constant reminder of the holy and sacred in everyday life, and is a representation of your own personal view of the Divine. This centerpiece becomes an invitation to slow down, breathe deep and remember your own spirituality. Your altar may become a "shrine" for family members to use for any spiritual activity, meditation or prayer.
I have created an altar in almost every room of my home. I love coming home after a long day at work and seeing my altar as I walk through the door. It's symbolism is quite literally, a quiet place of refuge from the outside world. This moment feels reassuring to my soul that "I am home and I am safe. This is my place of refuge."
I suspect most people have an altar, even though it may not be designated as such. Where do you lay your keys and empty your pockets at night? On the desk or your dresser? You probably have photo's and keepsakes displayed on a table. These places are altars.
I encourage you to create an altar with intention, for use as a tool to connect with Spirit. This is a great meditative activity for yourself or to do as a couple or family. Here are some suggestions:
You can set up your altar anywhere in your home that you will treat as sacred space. Choose a location with a flat surface, free from clutter.
- This space can be small or large.
- Cover the area with an attractive cloth - a piece of fabric or special scarf.
- Choose your centerpiece - an object that has a particular spiritual or religious meaning for you. You may choose a cross, a Buddha or picture of a Divine God or Goddess. You might choose something from nature such as pine cones or dried flowers & herbs.
- Add to your altar any other special tokens or symbols, like prayers or mala beads. Add a candle and perhaps some incense with an incense burner.
- Consider a simple representation by using the four directions and four elements – Earth, Air, Fire and Water. The fifth element is Spirit. You can represent these elements by doing the following:
Facing North – Earth - Sensation - soil in a wooden bowl, stones, crystalsFacing East – Air - Thinking – incense, feathers, pin wheelsFacing South - Fire – Intuition – candle, flame, sparklersFacing West – Water – Feelings – water, seashells, starfishIn the center – Spirit – small statue or picture of Jesus, a cross, Buddha or Archangel
- Pay attention to what speaks to you - is there something in nature that calls out to you? Perhaps a pretty rock you found while hiking in the mountains or a beautiful sea shell from your visit to the ocean. You may also have some small keepsake that came from a child or a parent.
Dedicate your altar to what moves you - Dedication to the Light is a celebration! The Light-Beings that protect us and watch over us have been waiting for you to connect for a very long time. Do it with deep reverence and great joy!
