Do you have an altar?
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| Mon, 10-17-2005 - 11:17pm |
Here's an article about altars:
http://beliefnet.com/story/33/story_3301_1.html
"Spirit & Matter
Margot Adler
Altars All Around Us
An altar can be a place where you reflect on the things you truly value.
If you were to ask a randomly selected group of people if they have altars in their homes, most of them--at least here in the United States--would automatically say no. The word "altar" makes many people feel uncomfortable; it brings up associations with exotic religions and strange cults. Some recall the Ten Commandments' injunctions against "graven images" and the worship of "other" gods. For many, the word altar conjures those images and gods.
Altars carry a lot of historical baggage. With the exception of Roman Catholicism, most Western religions--Judaism, Islam, and many sects of Protestant Christianity--have equated religious imagery with idolatry. This heritage runs deep. At a gathering of religious women many years ago, I watched as observant Jews and Muslims walked through a Tibetan Buddhist temple, clearly feeling they were in an alien and dangerous world.
And yet most of us have altars in our homes--although often we don't know it. If you rephrase the question and ask: "Do you have a place, or several places, in your home where you put family photos and other mementos, like shells, a favorite rock, flowers, or other natural items?" most people would answer yes."
(continues...)
So, do you have one? Why or why not? What does it look like? What room is it in? Do you visit it often? What is its main function for you? If we put together a community altar for this board, what item would you bring to represent yourself?
Gypsy

the room. It had a few things that are important to me plus candles.
In my present condo, it is my loft. Sky light, futon, pillows on the floor, 2 glass tables,
3 small bookcases, some of my spiritual books, candles, tarot cards, ouija board,
angel cards, a funky clock. I big print of a ballet dancer.
It is all up there. ( it is also a guest bedroom) It has no clutter.
luckily I can devote a whole room that I can call my spiritual place.
love, Leila
let's see.
My answers. :D
"So, do you have one? Why or why not? What does it look like? What room is it in? Do you visit it often? What is its main function for you?
Yes, I have two altars. One on the mantlepiece in the living room. It has symbols of the Four Elements and my chosen totems of the Four Directions. In the center is a little figurine to represent the Goddess. She sits on a small cloth with the Pentagram symbol. I have different colored candles for different purposes. I also have a small Buddha figure and a small Celtic cross figurine. We just rearranged and replaced some big furniture items in the bedroom, but I have a very small area now, also, to represent the Goddess and Magick (a painting of a faerie). I look at my little altars often, and also cast a brief spell of protection in front of the living room one, whenever I leave the house, for protection of my animals, the house, property, etc. And I stand there to say "thank you" when I return home. It's main function is to keep me conscious of my spiritual path as I go about my daily life.
If we put together a community altar for this board, what item would you bring to represent yourself?"
I would put some redwood needles. Our redwood trees out back are a sacred place to me, a place to seek strength, solace and peace.
Gypsy
Blessings,
Gypsy
)O(
Forgot...
I'd bring the stones we gathered while in TN...some my hubby is using to make runes, others were not right. As well as the gemstone(raw) that we gathered in the Carolinas while Mining for Gems at Gem Mountain.
I had never thought of an altar in that way, so yes, I guess I do have one!
After reading this, Gypsy ..
I do.
I don't think of them as altars because the whole surface isn't dedicated to spirituality.
Yes, I have an altar. I have a pretty black box that I bought at Pier 1. I have inside some small candles, a couple of special small rocks that I've gathered, a feather, sea salt, specific essential oils that I like, a knife and skewer, a peice of crystal that my sister made into a wand for me, incense, a goddess statue, some shells, string, small bowls and mini candle holders, and some lavander buds. Oh, and matches/lighter.
I keep this box on my dresser and usually keep the area clear so when I open it for meditation or prayer, the space is free of clutter. It is not open all the time, as my 16dd would be in and out of it and items would not be well kept. When I use it, it's open. I usually add a small cup of water along with some sea salt, lay out a favorite rock or shell, along with my feather and light two candles, one for God and another for the Goddess. I may lay out the Goddess statue, etc., but not always. Most often I use the items in my box to create an altar that includes those closest to my heart so I can feel peace and meditate or pray. I do not place items in a particular order, however I do try to include one item for each element - Fire, Air, Water, Earth, & Spririt. It's important to me that when I'm in prayer or meditating that I feel connected as a whole.
If we had a community altar I would bring a crystal, my favorite heart shaped rock and a bowl of water.
I don't have an alter as such but do have many things scattered around my home - groups of crystals in each room, candles, photographs and other special items. I have a shelf in my bedroom that I have often thought of dedicating as an alter but have never gotten around to it though I do plan to one day.
I have just made an alchemy box following the steps described in Sonia Choquette's Your Heart's Desire book which has lots of different items I collected prior to performing the ceremony when I decorated the box and put everything into it. The box now is under my bed below where my head rests and the items in it are all representative of my heart's desires. It was a lot of fun collecting the items and deciding what I wanted to put in.
If I were to bring an item to our collective alter it would be my paperweight which has a lazered angel inside and a dedication inscribed on it. My dh bought it me for my birthday last year as he knows how much I love angels and I absolutely love it.
~Carol~