A Down to Earth Altar

I once believed -- and you may have, too -- that altars were only found in religious buildings. The word “altar” comes from the Latin words “altus,” meaning “high” and “adolere,” meaning “to adore.” Simply stated, an altar is used in a place of honor to draw on a higher power.
 
But an altar can also be located in a home as a sacred area set aside for devotion. It can be constructed for other intentional purposes, too, such as a focal point during meditation or to relax, a place to find inspiration, celebrate joy, or honor grief. An altar might purely be reminding you to take time for yourself for peace, healing, and serenity. 
 
Creating an altar doesn’t have to be complicated or based on any set of ideas that don’t particularly resonate with you, and there’s no need to follow complex instructions either!   
 
An altar is usually set up on a flat surface and prepared in such a way to receive meaningful items placed upon it that have symbolism: candles, flowers, stones, other elements of nature, books, quotes, photos, a decorative box, and various other important tangible items.  
 
Choosing what to put on an altar is a personal and intuitive process and is meant to inspire a connection with the theme of the altar. Altars can remain set up and added to periodically or taken down and a new one assembled at any time. 

---

The basic steps I use to make my own humble altar:
1.   I find a space where I can set up, somewhere my pets can’t get to it or is in a little to no traffic area. Since I’m not receiving visitors during the pandemic, I currently have an altar set up on a cabinet in my downstairs office which doubles as a yoga/meditation/tai chi space and is also our guest bedroom. 
​2.   Then I arrange a piece of cloth as a cover, a material that I think is beautiful to me or resonates with the theme of my altar.  I currently am using a blue scarf that has been “charged” outside in the wind.  But a piece of family lace, an article of clothing, an antique napkin, or any other fabric will serve nicely. 

3.   I place a candle in the center of the cloth and light the candle, first, to represent the element of fire, an element of nature, and also to illuminate the sacred space I am crafting. The candle holder I’ve chosen this month is made of wood that was given to me as a gift, which also is significant since I am not able to be with the friend who gave it to me because of COVID social distancing.
4.   Additionally, I add items to represent various elements of nature, for example:
             - Earth (stones, gems, rocks, shells, herbs, flowers)
             - Air (feathers, incense, bell)
             - Water (a beautiful dish or vessel of spring water, flower essences)
5.   This month I also pulled an oracle card to place on my altar.  In fact, I will draw a card every morning this month. 
6.   Once the basics of physically setting up the altar are in place, I’ll then start the creation process and add any sacred items that fit the theme of my altar. For instance, around this time of year some people honor their ancestors by placing items of remembrance or photos of loved ones on the altar. But for me, for this particular altar, my intent is to create a dedicated area where I can visit every morning to stay grounded during a time in our country and the world that I’m finding particularly chaotic.  

Remember, it’s not necessarily just about the items you place on your altar. It’s the time you spend with it,  In a sense, your body is a reflection of your altar, and your altar is a form of your art. 

I also like to keep a journal near my altar so I can write down my wishes, dreams, desires, thoughts and fears that come up when I’m taking the time  in quietness.   Using the dedicated time at the altar can be a new and creative way to look at situations in life and it allows me to connect with a divine higher power. 

In today’s modern age, we can become seduced by society and lose the connection we have with our ancestors and with the earth itself. An altar can create a spiritual center in your home and help to increase positive energy and flow throughout your home. 
 
Check back to my blog the first week of every month where I’ll be highlighting other "Down to Earth" Altars: some traditional, some non-traditional, some having to do with current events, and some to honor personal events that are coming up.