Home altars have been used since ancient times throughout the world, by people from many backgrounds and traditions. They offer a place to pause and reflect, to breathe, to smile.
An altar can be as simple or intricate as you wish, holding momentos of loved people, pets, items from the natural world - rocks, a bowl of water, a candle, a plant or bouquet of flowers, some smudge or incense ... I have little altars on surfaces all around my Rose Cottage.
A couple of years ago, our creativity teacher shared her process of gathering and Blessing water for our altar. From Dr Maseru Emoto's work on water, we know that water responds to intention and spoken words, and can be patterned! My African teacher Eric Vormanns suggested we hold a cup of water, and beam imaginary rainbows into it, then use or drink it!
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| Altar with Magïc brushes and Holy Water |
💙 I may "charge" water by placing it in a bowl in the moonlight, sometimes with crystals in it.
The red altar cloth is a placemat my friend Martha brought back from France, and holds my Magïc paint brushes, crystals and coral, a carved red turtle (Kenya), reindeer antler from Alaska, a goddess of fossilized horn and silver, Hathor oil, rose beads (around the angel), a flower essence bouquet, smudge sticks, a Red Jar candle, and chocolate!
Some of my altars are set on cloths, others directly on a shelf. There may be crystals, feathers, shells, Oracle cards, a candle or olive oil lamp, tools of creativity, leaves, flowers, holy water, smudge sticks, figurines ...
Some are little arrangements on window sills - potted plants, blue bottlers, a little bowl, shells, beads, feathers, bells ...
Denise Linn wrote a lovely book on Altars and Shrines, and Zsuzsanna Budapest wrote a one on bringing altars and the Goddess into your workspace
Do you have a home altar?
Your altars are beautifully arranged, and I love how much thought and symbolism you put into each one. While I don’t have a home altar myself, I really appreciate how you describe creating intentional spaces for reflection and calm.
ReplyDeleteThank you.Tamara!
DeleteSince times they're more intentional, at others, they just 'make themselves,' i put down a pretty rock, add a feather ...
I love seeing your alters. I have an alter in my new townhouse. It gives me tremendous peace. I never thought of creating them every where even a window sill. You have give me some good ideas
ReplyDeleteThat some lovely, Cheryl!
DeleteWhen rose Cottage was being built, my Feng Shui consultant Gwynne's suggestions included setting up a temporary altar with specific items., and setting intentions for the space!
I do like little collections on the windowsills, and love that our builder offered wide sills so I could have plants in the windows! Each has at least a few rocks, and a little vase or a few feathers ...
Nadya
Such beautiful alters! I have made a few in memory of my husband using special things that he loved, photos, and other memories. I find it very calming and healing.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Martha!
DeleteThose honoring your husband sound so special! That's a common practice in Chicana communities, near Dios de Los Muertos/ day of the dead! The book on Altars has a chapter on honoring beloveds.
In my Atelier/ Library I have a favorite studio portrait with my parents when I was about 12 - what a good reminder to add a few treasures
Nadya