What is an Altar?

Creating a Sacred Space for Change

An Altar is a Sacred Space

that you set up, either in your home or when you are travelling or where you may be doing a ceremony. It helps us to focus on certain aspects of our lives such as peace, meditation, joy, inspiration and can also help with focusing when you want to create change.

Building Altars is a positive way to actually do something about those things in your life which may be negatively influencing you. You can learn new and creative ways to view situations in your life.

It helps you to have a Spiritual centre even if you don’t participate in any form of organised religion. However, you can still build Altars if you do. It will still enrich your life.

Creating these spaces can be an art form. Contrary to what some may thing, figuring out what to put on it in order to garner the results you want takes time, thought and a connection to your own form of symbolism.

LOCATION

Firstly decide where you want your Altar to be. You may want different ones in different areas of your home. They can be as small or as large as you want. I have one on my bedside table, which is a small space and also have others that are larger in other areas of my home.

Next establish if there is a specific direction you want it to face. In Wiccan tradition it can be the North for the connection to the Earth Element. In Eastern traditions it can be the East – the place of the rising sun.

You may change direction according to what you are working on at the time and corresponding with any other traditions that you work with like Feng Shui or the Medicine Wheel. There is no wrong way here, whatever feels right for you.

Make sure this area is not a dumping ground for keys and other items. It needs to be only for that purpose.

PURPOSE

Determine what items you will choose to best represent your altar purpose. Is it seasonal, for self-growth, to manifest something, to help someone or some place, or to create a positive environment?

You can have different Altars with different purposes, yet best not to have one Altar with multiple aspects, as this can be confusing to the energy and dilute the purpose.

You can also write out your intentions on a nice piece of paper and have that as part of your purpose to place on it.

SEASONAL ALTARS

Altars can also be created to represent the Seasons. Use items to represent what the Season means to you. You may choose to do Ceremony around the changing of the Seasons or the Equinox and Solstices. This is really great to connect with Nature and Mother Earth and your inner core.

BEGIN WITH A FOUNDATION

Using a tray or cloth as a foundation for your items, focuses the energy of the altar and can add colour or texture. This may set the tone for the energy. For instance you could have a red cloth and then work with the Fire Realm.

SACRED TOOLS

Pick items that will support the purpose and what feel right for you. This can be elements of Nature, photos, Spiritual Icons, Crystals, Essential Oils. The list is endless. Whatever feels right for you is a Sacred Tool.

BLESS & CLEANSE THE SPACE

Take time to be with the space and cleanse the area and the tools/items. Make sure the area is cleaned  and then smudge with Sage or incense or oils, to set its importance.

Ask the space and the items to help you with the purpose and give thanks. Then when you are ready place them on the Altar with care and gratitude. I like to talk to them as I am placing them, thanking them and stating my intentions.

BE WITH YOUR ALTAR DAILY

Be present with your Altar, thank it for how it is helping you. If it is left then it will not feel respected and the energy will dissipate. You are also not honouring yourself if you don’t spend time with it.

If you have written out your intentions, you may want to read them out and anchor them in,

RENEW YOUR ALTAR

Renew you Altar with the cycles of the Moon. I like to renew on every New Moon as it is the time of new beginnings. However, if the Full Moon resonates more with you with its fullness, then do it at this time. Whichever time feels right but make sure it is renewed each cycle.

Clean it regularly. Don’t let it get dusty. An Altar is a reflection of your life, so take good care of it.

Enjoy the ritual of this process and how you feel so much more connected to self and the Universe.