Creating a sacred space is a very personal journey. So, rather than tell you how to create your sacred place, I am going to share with you what I did to carve our a little place for my soul. My space is a work in progress, and I still have a long way to go, but I’m making it work. In any case, my hope is that this may help you on your journey to create your own special place! This isn’t going to be about the ritual side of a sacred space, but about the space specifically.
For me, having a space to decompress and reflect needed to be in a location that was primarily a private place. My studio is about the only place in my home where I find escape from everyone (except my dogs, who happily keep me company while I create). I suggest finding a place where you can have some quiet time and be comfortable. It needs to be free of distractions if only for a few minutes, whatever time you can devote completely to yourself.
Now, my space is small and needs to be multi-purpose since it is also my studio, so it took a little planning. It was a little tricky, but I have my studio benches and workstations set up on the perimeter and I keep a center space clear so I can throw down some pillows and get comfy when I meditate.
For me, it was important that I also have a little altar space. By creating this, even when I’m not meditating I have a great reminder to slow down and ground myself. Having it in a corner of my studio has been a wonderful addition for my creativity as well. I actually have several set up around my house, but this altar is specifically set up to help me to channel my creativity.
The altar is a place where I have placed items that are symbolic and sacred to me personally. In my opinion, an alter should be the most personal part of your space. Adding items that are special and sacred to you is vital. Also, my altar is ever-changing. There are some items that are permanent fixtures (at least for now) but others come and go depending upon what I need or want to focus on for an interval of time. Being connected to Earth is very important to me and since I find great peace when I am out in nature, I have taken care to place items that remind me to honor her. I also have tried to include something representative of the Elements. Fire, Water, Air, Earth, all these are essential, vital components to life. We can’t survive without all of the elements together and they all exist within us. Because of my special connection to Luna, I also have many items to remind me to pay close attention to the cycles of life. I have photos of my ancestors to remind me of those who came before me and paved the way for me to live this beautiful life. Color and scent are a vital part of my space and so candles and incense are a very important facet to my practice. I also keep matches right on the altar. I look for fancy boxed types that have a nice esthetic.
So, you may be wondering exactly what I chose to keep on my altar space. Here is how I have interpreted the Elemental items:
Earth ~ Since I use crystals and gemstones in my creative process, I have many of these on my altar. I also utilize the earth energy from these treasures, so having my own personal collection has helped my creative process tremendously. Because I connect strongly with nature, I also have a few items that I have collected from my favorite forests and beaches. These are great reminders to visit these places as often as possible, if not in the physical, for sure in spirit.
Air ~ For me this is where the incense and sage come into play. Scent has such significance in our well-being and can instantly alter our mood. I clear my space with sage often. I find it very beneficial to clearing my mind and have found that it helps my creativity flow much more intensely. I also keep a feather on the altar, they are a great representation of air and are also great to use while smudging!
Fire ~ Candles Candles Candles … Have you ever tried starting your meditation or ritual by first just concentrating on a flame? For me, this is where the magic begins. The ambiance created by candle light can’t be denied, and you can also use different colored candles for different rituals. Again, not what this little article is about, so I won’t go down that path quite yet.
Water ~ So this was probably my easiest addition ~ I ALWAYS keep a decanter of full moon water on my altar. Each full moon I cleanse the container, refill it with life-sustaining water and set it out to soak up all that full moon energy. Throughout the month I will use this water for different things, making a cup of tea, watering the plants in my studio, cleansing those crystals which need a fresh water soak from time to time and for other various reasons as the need arises.
The most important thing to remember about creating your own altar is to add items with meaning and personal significance to YOU! Be intentional and creative, there is no right or wrong way to create!
The only thing I think I haven’t touched on is sound. For some souls, music is a vital part of creating a sacred space. For me personally, because there is music playing non stop while I create in the studio, I am just the opposite. When it’s time for meditation, I need a quite place, so music is off for sure. But…. I do open up the window often. There are a couple of wind chimes just outside and a bush right under the window that the little birdies love to nest in ~ so many times my playlist is nature herself.
Let your space reflect who you are and you can’t go wrong.
Blessings ~
If you are looking for more ideas on creating your own sacred space or altar, you may want to check out our Sacred Spaces board on Pinterest.
Looking for some crystals for your sacred space? Be sure to check out the beauties in our Crystals & Stones Section or our Home Decor Section
