“Within you, there is a stillness and a sanctuary to which you can retreat and be yourself.” – Herman Hesse

Once you’ve found a space, and gathered and arranged beautiful objects – it’s time to use your sacred space.

Here are a few ideas on how you can make the most of your altar:

• Meditate!! One of the best ways to start the day.

• Yoga : you can do one down dog or a full 60-90 minute practice. I don’t quite have that time these days, so I squeeze in some cat/cows, down dogs, and general wiggling around to make my body feel good.

• Practice gratitude : a deceivingly simple yet powerful thing to do. Gets me every time.

• Read an uplifting passage from a book. I am currently loving everything Pema Chodron, Buddhist nun has to say.

• Make room for poetry : read or write.

• Light a candle and set an intention for the day.

Use your altar as a physical reminder to connect to yourself.

I can’t wait to hear what form your altar takes and what you do in its space.  And if you want to get into the whole meditation thing – I am working on a mini meditation bundle for you to enjoy anywhere and anytime! It will be ready soon and you can listen to a sample you here. I can’t wait to share!

Also, this post from Danielle LaPorte gives great instructions on how to energize and activate your sacred objects.

Once you have found a space, start to gather and arrange meaningful objects on your altar. Chose things that inspire you and lift you up.

Here are some options to get you started :

• A symbol of something that helps you feel guided and protected : Maybe it’s a statue or picture of a god, goddess, angel, saint, etc..  I have Mother Mary, Ganesh, and Shiva sprinkled on my altar.

• Pictures of loved ones that perhaps you don’t get to see anymore but feel a strong connection to. I have a picture of my grandma.

• Candles: Something light + bright that can symbolize your desires burning and forming into this world. I love my magic hour candle.

• A little bowl of water for fluidity and nourishment.

• Plants to purify, ground you, and watch grow. I love my air plants & succulents and although they aren’t on my altar, they are close by.

• Firefly lights : adds an element of magic.

• A salt lamp : purifies the air.

• Elements from nature : leaves, branches, flowers, fruits, rocks, shells, etc.

• Crystals : for added magic.

• Mala beads : to use for meditation or charge with positivity.

• Dried sage : To clear your space.

Here are some items you can keep nearby :

• Journal : help you connect to yourself
• Inspiring book : some of my favorites
• A meditation shawl : to keep you cozy
• Deck of intuitive cards : to play with and receive guidance from
• Your yoga mat /meditation cusion : to create a comfortable seat
• Essential oils : to energize and refresh

Whatever you decide to collect will be something that is in constant flux. This is what my altar looked like when we were living in Germany, and now it quite a bit different, but still feels right. So give yourself permission to let it evolve. And I can’t wait to hear what special things you gather!!

My altar is always changing even though I crave to get it ‘right’, so I can check it off the list.

My Shiva statue moves to greet me at the door.  My succulent found a sunnier spot. My rose petals eventually dried out.  I find new crystals to add.  I arrange my pictures in a new way.  And one day I may just start over.

It’s evolving…and so am I.

So as you build your little altar – let your treasures ebb and flow.  Let it represent the space you carve out for yourself.

#myaltarspace.

This is how my altar looks today:

a beautiful poem + mini malas

a bowl full of water (for movement & flow) + rocks & crystals (for charm & magic)

pictures of the people who I love & who I feel guide me

powerful symbols & figures: mother mary + ganesh + stunning om doodle by my cousin + golden heart + shiva

FUN! air plant + wooden hot pink feather

inspiring quote & hot pink lotus candle

All live together on my altar, along with some other treasures that provide a visual pep talk whenever I see it. Once you find + clear a space for your altar gather objects that are meaningful and uplifting and arrange them beautifully.

Here are some options:

fresh flowers . a beeswax candle . incense . a picture of your grandma . your vision board . a dream catcher . buddha . crystals . mala beads . a poem . plants . figurines of saints, gods, or goddesses . a sacred shell . a beautiful quote . a hot pink feather… whatever floats your boat.

I recently cleared off books to make space for my altar.  I especially love the bursts of hot pink.  They remind me to tap into my 7 year old self whenever I am feeling too serious.