Getting Started
Creating/Building your Sacred Space
One thing
I stress when starting is to quiet and calm yourself. Becoming centered will
help you to be more intuitive and to recognize the sacredness of the task before
you. The important thing is to bring respect to the altar that it deserves.
Margaret
Keen a spiritual teacher to me taught me; “The way you clean your house is the
same way you approach spirituality. With that in mind clean the area you are
intending to be your Sacred Space. Then clear the areas by either sprinkling
water or smudge-burning your favorite incense over and around the Sacred Space.
I love to use Sweet grass and sage when I smudge and I use an abalone shell to
burn in, a turkey feather to move the smoke, and fan the space with smoke. As I
am doing this I honor the four directions as well as Father Sky and Mother
Earth. You may want to use your favorite incense, drumming, ringing bells,
chanting or your prayers.
Some believe that the way you build your scared space and the intention used
gives your altar the energy it needs. Other folks may perform a small or
elaborate ritual each time they approach their altar. What you feel comfortable
with is what will energize your scared space and make your connection to it.
Nothing is written in stone, (although there are stone altars) but I like a
definition of where the altar is, “boundaries”. To do this I use a cloth, box,
or a whole shelf of a bookcase to define the altars dedicated space. The idea
behind this is to separate the altar from your day to day items, like your car
keys. But do not forget the purpose of sacred space in your home or yard is to
bring the sacred into your daily activities.
With your area now dedicated you can start placing items on your altar. Another
thing I like to incorporate too many of my altars are the use of earth elements
and imagery. The four elements are fire, water, earth, and air (in China there
are five elements). Having these represented on your altar will tend to 'ground'
the sacred place, and show that your personal spirituality has a profound
relationship to the physical universe, and in particular to our home planet.
You might want to give some thought about a safe place to burn incense. The
power of scent to help set the intention as calm and loving has been used for
many generations and belief systems. It can represent air and the presence of
Spirit.
A candle on your altar can represent the element of fire, illumination,
grandfather sun, passion, or purification. Thinking this when lighting the
candle can set your intention. Remember to place the candle on a non-flammable
surface like a stone slab.
Oils,
candles, incense, and scents can have different effects on us, so take time to
find your choice depending on your needs. You might try some of these
suggestions; for cleansing try sage, sweet grass, or pine. For meditation,or
spiritual retreat try sandalwood, nag champa, frankincense or any temple
incense. For calming you mind and spirit rose, lavender or any floral scents can
be helpful. If you’re looking for more get up and go energy try lemon, lime,
spearmint or peppermint. All scents do not work the same for everyone but these
are just some simple suggestions. For more information we have a dear friend
that blends her own custom scents and sells most regular oils and herbs. You can
find her at; www.Hillwoman.com . Use
oils and incense to purify and cleanse your altar & sacred space to create an
atmosphere for prayer and meditation is your choice, but try not to use a scent
that is too overpowering, because that may become a distraction.
Stones, sand or dirt can represent mother earth, solid, grounding, strength and
help bring a balance to your sacred space. Many crystals and stones have a
variety of meanings and properties associated with each type and mineral family.
There are a number of good books with definitions for stones.
Water is the forth element many place on their altars, some may scent the water
with flowers or lemon peals. This can represent the purity of Spirit, our higher
spirituality, or God. Many think of water as the flow of life.
Those are some basic items you might consider, but you probably have some items
sitting in a drawer that you saved a long time ago that you couldn’t part with
that has a special meaning. Something from a trip or retreat, or a flower you
received at church or service that gives you peace. Maybe you were gifted with
something that represents unconditional love, photographs of loved ones, living
or departed; tokens that remind you of particular achievements or life events;
that carry for you messages of the spirit.
As you add to your altar over time you may need to increase its boundaries or
create other altars in your living space. We have many altars in our home that
have different meanings to each and relate to different aspects of life and
death.
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