Building an altar is a tangible way we can make space in our homes and our lives for Spirit. An altar need not be elaborate nor associated with any particular religion. It is simply a space you create to consciously welcome the sacred to your everday life.
The first step is to decide where in your home you would like to place the altar. Is there a spot where you regularly go to pray or meditate? Ideally, you will want your altar located in a quiet area of your home where you can sit undisturbed. You may also want your altar located where you pass by it or see it often, so that it becomes a visible reminder to you of your own commitment to a spiritual path. If you are shy about your spirituality, you will want the altar in a private part of your home. If you are exuberant and enjoy sharing your spiritual journey, then you may want to create your altar in a quiet corner of your main living area. Altars can be located on windowsills, in cupboards, on tables and shelves, under cloth-covered tables, inside closets... there are many possibilities.
Consider others who live in or regularly visit your home. Obviously you want your sacred items located out of the reach of toddlers and pets. Additionally, you will probably want your altar kept out of view of people who may be offended by your beliefs. Remember, this is about your personal and private practice.
Some people utilize the four directions and create an altar in the northern or eastern parts of their home, or so that they face north or east while sitting at their altars. In many traditions, north is the direction of spirit helpers and east is the traditional direction of new beginnings and enlightening thoughts.
Some people like to use the Feng Shui Bagua to site their altars. In the Feng Shui schools which use the compass points, the NW is the traditional area assigned to helpful beings and the NE is the area for inner knowledge and self realization. In the Feng Shui traditions which use the door as a reference point, the helpful beings area is to your right as you enter, and the self-cultivation area is to your left, both on the same wall as the door.
If you are unsure where to put your altar, write your question on a piece of paper and put it under your pillow. Literally, sleep on it. In the morning, you should have an image or impression of a good location in your home.
Now that you have a location in mind, ask yourself some questions to begin to define your altar's appearance:
Do I want my altar to be public or private?
Is there anyone who may come to my home whom I do not wish to see my altar?
Are there pets or children or others with whom I do not wish to share my altar?
If you decide you would like a private altar, but you live in a public space, there are many solutions. One is to create a portable altar. You can keep your altar items in a small box or bag and only bring them out for use when you are alone. A locking jewelry box with hinged doors is another option. You can keep the box doors closed when you're not using the altar. The same holds true for a cabinet. I made a portable travel altar from cloth that folds flat to fit in a suitcase or backpack and can be set up in any tent, tipi, hotel room or conference center.
If pets and children are not a consideration, but a frequent adult guest is, you can set up an altar underneath a cloth-covered accent table. Small, round particle board tables can be purchased for less than ten dollars at most chain stores. TV trays can also serve this purpose. Add a floor length cloth cover and voila - a lamp table on top, a concealed altar underneath.
Now that you've chosen the location, begin to gather items which have personal meaning and are sacred to you. I would not presume to tell you what's right for you, but here are some ideas to help you get started:
~ representations of deities or qualities you identify with / admire / feel connected to
~ a representation of you
~ items representing the four elelments
.....Earth - stones, sand, dirt from a site sacred to you, cornmeal, tobacco, a flower
.....AIr - incense, sage or sweetgrass, a feather
.....Fire - a candle (Be sensible. Use a fireproof container. Do not leave fire unattended), a representation of the sun, an electric lamp, a prism
.....Water - purified water, holy water, a seashell
~ A bell, chime, gong, bowl or other gentle soundmaker
~ Sacred texts which inspire you
~ a comfortable pillow or rug on which to sit or kneel
~ a notebook in which to record the insights you receive after meditating or praying
All sacredness begins within. Altars, or anything else in the physical, are simply tools to help us on our journey. As you grow and change, the items on your altar may change also. Have fun with this. Leave the dogma to the dour. This is your life, your home and your sacred space. Do it in a way that feels right to you.
Using your altar:
Humans tend to be creatures of habit. We can use this to our advantage. By consistently sitting or kneeling in front of our personal altar, we cultivate our relationship with the Divine. Regular use of your altar brings more sacredness to your life and your home. You may want to start by spending 5 or 10 minutes in front of your altar every morning right after you awaken. Before long, this quiet time in the morning will be so special to you, that you'll wonder how you ever lived without it. I can almost guarantee you that if you make a commitment to spend just 5 minutes meditating* in the morning every day for the next three weeks, you'll love the results!
Look around your home and see what is represented there. Perhaps you can see a computer or a refrigerator, or a stove, a bed, a radio or television. What kinds of thoughts and behaviours do these items evoke in you?
Seeing your altar in your home reminds you of your deeper values. The presence of a personal altar in your private dwelling can prompt you to tune into your own beauty and Divinity and your connection to All Life, Light and Love.
An altar reminds us to feed our souls.
If you already have an altar in your home, play with it. If you don't yet have an altar, I invite you to make one today, and experience the serenity it adds to your home and life.
Enjoy!
Eileen Lighthawk
www.centerforJOY.org
copyright 04, updated 08
(If this article is helpful to you, please refer others to this page. If you wish to reproduce this article, it may be reproduced in its entirety with written permission and proper credit and contact information given. Thank you. el)
*If you would like help with your meditation practice, Eileen Lighthawk has written a 53-page booklet entitled, "Meditation Made Easy." It can be yours for a contribution of $5 to cover printing and shipping costs.
