How to make a personal altar

How to Create Your Personal Altar

A personal altar has several purposes: It dedicates a space to the things that are most important to you – a person, a goal, an ideal or focus in your life. It can add beauty to any space in your home; it provides a place to reflect on your personal or spiritual priorities. It fills a space with your unique, personal, creative and spiritual energy! It is a work that expresses your imagination and intuition.

Your altar may be large or small. A personal altar can be set up in a dedicated space where it is the center of focus for the room (such as a meditation room), it can be created outside in your garden, or it can be located in a small section of a room, such as a mantle top or a side table. No matter your religious beliefs, a personal altar will reflect your spirituality and give you a creative outlet to express your goals, beliefs and ideals.

Altar Theme

Your personal altar should have a theme. There are many types of personal altars. Use your imagination and your intuition to find a theme that expresses your intent. Here are only a few ideas for altar themes…

Elemental Altar

You can make an elemental altar that focuses on the four elements of nature – air, fire, water and earth. It is an ancient custom of many civilizations to pay homage to the elements. An elemental altar brings the power of these elements into your personal environment and brings you into harmony with the elements around you.

Meditation Altar

A meditation altar may contain crystals and gemstones chosen for their metaphysical properties to enhance your spiritual awakening. Read more about Meditation Altars here…

Goals or Crystal Grid Altar

This would be an altar where you keep a crystal grid or a medicine wheel that has been charged and programmed for a specific goal you are working toward. Perhaps you want to make a love altar, or a protection altar, or an altar to generate money and good fortune. Read more about making a crystal grid here.

Ritual Altar

Ritual Altar is an altar where you perform any kind of ritual – for example: cleansing stones, programming stones, dedicating stones, etc. can all be done as a ritual. Here you would keep and store items used in the ritual. Magic rituals would almost always be done at an altar…Read about a magic rituals altar here.

Remembrance Altar

This may have photos of loved ones that have passed on. Fresh flowers and personal mementos would pay homage to a life that you want to honor and remember. It may include a place for prayer and reflection. Get ideas for a remembrance altar here.

Seasonal Altar

I like to create a new altar for each season as it arrives. This helps me to celebrate the season and decorate my home at the same time. For example, during the Spring I may display gemstone eggs (for rebirth and fertility) along with crystals or gemstones in oranges and yellows (for creativity). I will add fresh flowers and a lovely silk scarf in a pastel color to complete the arrangement.

See ideas for seasonal stones here:

Choosing a Location for Your Altar

In choosing a spot to make your altar, consider whether you want your altar to be your personal retreat or you want to show it off for the enjoyment of others.

If you will be displaying delicate items, ensure the space is well protected from pets and small children. If you don’t want others handling the items on your altar, consider placing it in a cabinet where it will be protected by glass doors.

If you will be meditating or praying at the altar, you will need to create it in a quiet place where you will not be disturbed. There should be a space for a cushion or seat.

Create your altar in a place that is appropriate aesthetically – it can be used to enhance the beauty of any room by choosing colors and items that fit in with the theme of the room.

Decorating Your Altar

Depending on your theme, 1 or 2 items should be featured on your altar with additional items around the main focus. Fresh flowers or plants, candles, incense, silk or cotton scarves, rose petals, decorative stands, gemstone bowls, photos, written notes or affirmations, soft lighting, trinket boxes, totem animals the possibilities are endless.

Do create an altar with a central focus and keep it clean and uncluttered.

Change it when you achieve the goal or when your inspiration sparks a change. You can have as many altars as your space and imagination allows!

See some examples of personal altars here…


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