ALTARS ANYONE
Since childhood I created altars outside, inside, and wherever a surface surfaced and gave me a place to make a statement or pay homage to a person, group or place. Those altars created in my youth were made up of stones, sticks, sidewalk chalk, a tee shirt, my first Meet The Beatles album, patchouli oil bottles, troll dolls, Cracker Jack toys, Love’s Baby Soft products, pop art images, dandelions, pumpkin seeds, mood rings, and anything and everything else that spoke to me at the time. Hey it was the early 60’s, I was drawing peace signs on every surface including my hands. Weekend outings to shops that carried incense, candles, and peace sign jewelry were at the top of my weekend “To Do” list. To this very day I love the sign of peace and what it represents. I love the hope and potential in peace. Through meditation, prayer and mindfulness readings I can often achieve inner peace. Down the road I want to broaden my horizons and send it out there in a bigger way and see if the collective consciousness can shine some healing energy on this world. That is for the next blog.
Back to childhood, little did I know at a young age that I was learning to create sacred spaces in my life that would grow into soulful, mindful, prayerful places to pray, worship, heal, balance, and pay my respects and sincere gratitude for what has become a pretty good life. Those early seeds have helped me to bloom wherever I am planted. (Voltaire ish ) borrowed Thank you.
In my line of work as a distance healer and energy worker I often get called upon to meditate, pray or send healing to a loved one. My intuitive self usually goes straight to setting up an altar for that person and this gives me a place to visit daily and focus on communicating with a higher power. I ask for help, guidance and wisdom. I visualize the person in need, with me at the altar and together we are channeling the healing energy from above.
An altar can be set up on a dresser, a table, a desk, a chair, a bench, a cardboard box with a nice cloth over it. A shoebox makes a nice altar with a built- in lid for travel or safe keeping. You can choose a spot outside under a tree or on a step. Truly you can set up an altar anywhere you like and place whatever speaks to you on and around the altar. I’ll give you a list of ideas but truthfully you will know what to do .
Maybe you want to set up an altar just for you, to help you have a place and space to be quiet. A place to listen for the answers to the questions you are asking. Perhaps an altar to visit daily, get grounded and take in some healing breaths before you begin your day.
For me an altar is not so much about the amount of things on an altar but about the meaning behind what is on the altar. Often I will set my altars up…..burn incense and go over the surfaces and visualize my intentions for this altar. I will sit or stand near my altar, close my eyes, breathe in and out fully and get my grounding and balance. Often praying and giving thanks for the day or night ahead.
Remember an altar can be for you, for a loved one, for world peace or for whatever purpose you are being called to acknowledge in a sacred way.
Altars can be
Sacred
Holy
Revered
Thoughtful
Prayerful
Mindful
Places of Gratitude
Places where miracles occur
Your personal sanctuary
Altars can hold
Anything that speaks to you as you create your sacred space
Anything from nature
Candles
Crystals
Stones
Photos/Notes/Numbers/Wishes or intentions written on a piece of paper
Statues
Beads
Trinkets/Charms/Lucky Penny/ Etc.
Charms
Books
Poems
Clothing
Essential Oils or Herbs
Jewelry
Truth be told I have altars all over the place. Both inside and outside just like when I was a child making a statement or putting my thoughts in a 3-D format. Right now I’m paying homage to Autumn with pumpkins, gourds, and colorful mums on my outside steps. All items from a local Farmer’s Market. If your garden harvest gives you some of these wonderful Fall creations - even better and so rewarding. While this is not what you might visualize as a traditional altar it is my altar to visit everyday often many times a day. Here outside my door before walking inside is where I give thanks for all the goodness in the world. All the colors in the world. All the gratitude in my heart for just how absolutely blessed I am to be sitting here writing my feelings and sharing my experiences for anyone who might take an interest in creating their own altar.
Inside there are altars for a friend who’s child is going through a very difficult health issue.
I have altars with crystals that are being given intentions before they get passed on to do their work.
There’s a table with pottery and books that speaks to me of enrichment and is an altar for my literary work There are spaces where crystal angels and oracle cards beckon me to pick them up and I spend time clearing, cleansing and finding a card for myself or a card for someone who asks for a reading that day.
I think you are going to love thinking about your altar, planning and creating your altar. Choosing one piece at a time to place on your sacred space. Your love, attention, and intention will surround your altar and it will be just right. It should be noted that you always have the option to add pieces or take pieces off as situations change. Your altars will grow as your belief in sacred space grows. So peaceful.
I love the idea of anyone who has never created an altar before or has not created one in a very long time to follow their groove and let it flow.
Of course it would be wonderful to hear from you about anything related to altars or anything on your mind.
Email me at goodenergymatters28@gmail.com
I’ll be posting some of my altar photos on Instagram…….
goodenergymatters