I wanna take a moment to write about altars
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While I don’t usually post personal photos, I wanted to share this image. This is a (heavily edited) altar I have set up in my home; I have removed certain objects and photographs for personal reasons, but you get the idea. This has been a work in progress and a long time coming.
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Actual altars, like the people who set them up, vary greatly. They can be as simple as a glass of water and a photograph, or as complex as you would like (items representing each element, personal belongings, alcohol, tobacco, fabric, blades, etc.
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A little over a decade ago, I placed a glass of water on my dresser before bed. It was a conscious decision, an act suggested to me by my best friend. I had recently lost someone very close to me and I felt compelled to do something for them.
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It wasn’t much, just a glass of water, but I had not been raised with the knowledge or familiarity that came with these spiritual practices. I was learning as I went, doing what felt right, listening to my gut and following my intuition more and more. I added and took away from this set up in a very trial-and-error manner. Eventually I learned that alcohol was a hard no, and spirit preferred ice in the water. More items were added, some with direct memories linked to them, others that served as mere representations. Some pieces served their purpose and were replaced after a time, some items have stayed through the years, it all depends.
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Sitting down and writing these words is difficult for me, even after all these years. To unpack the emotional ties that are connected to these memories still hurt sometimes but this work is a form of healing and growth. Making these offerings have become second nature to me. I tend to these altars regularly, without a second thought. They are a part of my home, thus they are a part of me.
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If you are unsure where to start, if you feel like you want to create a set-up but don’t know how, visualize it first. Start as I did, with something small. A glass of water, a flower in a vase, etc. Designate a small, clean area and start there.
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When I set up my first altar, I had one specific person in mind. It was tailored to him and afterwards he communicated his likes and dislikes with me, very clearly. I suggest starting there. If you are looking to create a safe space for someone’s spirit, keep them in mind. Start small and build little by little. They will relay messages to you about what they want and what they don’t. Keep your heart open and listen to your intuition. It will tell you everything you need to know 🖤
