Personal Altars

What is an altar? According to the Free Dictionary, it is a raised place or structure where sacrifices are offered, and religious rites performed. I used to be one of those people who thought that an altar only belonged in Churches, or places of worship. I was raised catholic and remained so for most of my life. I remember that on Thursdays my grand-mother and I would go to church to pray before the Blessed Sacrament. It would be the only thing on the altar at the front of the church. Not even a bible in sight. Just the Blessed Sacrament that was supposed to house the Body of Christ. I did not know that there were indeed different types of altars, used for different things, and that you can build or prepare your own, with your personal intentions and offerings. When I began really focusing on my spirituality, and less on religion, I found it more and more significant to prepare and maintain an altar of my own. I learned that it was perfectly fine to do so.

I recall seeing an African woman once, inside of the catholic church that I attended, setting up her own little altar at the back. She had her statue of Mary, and probably of a couple saints, a rosary, a tiny bottle of holy water, a small bible, and her own white cloth that she used to cover it. I remember feeling a bit repulsed while observing her and thinking to myself that she must be out of her mind to build her own altar in the house of God. When I understood the significance and power behind her actions, I called on the law of love to neutralize that entire event, to forgive my judgement and I sent love to her, wherever she might be, if she was alive.  As if by miracle, I havent seen her in many years, and did so today, while looking at funeral being carried live on the internet. Thank you to my spirit guides.

After much trial and error, and endless reading of articles that explained the different types and uses of altars, I settled on my own personal style of altar prep.

Where you set up your altar and what you put on there, in my opinion should be your choice and hold deep meaning to you. I would not place a crystal on mine just because an article said to do so. If the crystal holds no meaning to me, why would I let it take up precious space?

I would say though, ensure that where you place it is safe. You would not want just anyone having access to a place where you set your intentions and place personal items. People are energetic beings and so transfer that energy be it good or bad, whether or not they want to, to anything that they touch. The items on your altar are there because you want them to remind you of your mission. You may feel the need to hold them during your prayers, and by doing so, will receive any energy left there. For example, if you are praying for a house, you may want to place a key on your altar. It represents you having the key that gives and restricts access to your dream dwelling. You wouldn’t give just anybody the key to your house, would you?   

Here’s how I set up my altar and what I put on there. I hope it helps you to have some insight as to how your personal style and doctrines can be integrated into yours too.

• Because I travel a lot, my altar often changes shape. Sometimes I use a little table or stool if available. Other times I use a large plate or tray. I always ensure that it is not made of plastic, and if it’s made of wood, I am very careful as to what type of candles or oil burners I place on there. Safety first. Always. If you do not move about as much as I do, your altar can be built to your taste. A small table or the top of a dresser or something similar can serve pretty well. A flat surface is preferred to avoid any spills or tipping over of what you may want to place on there.

• Money. Money is always on my altar, regardless of currency. Of course, we know that some dollar bills are more valuable and powerful than others, but for me personally, it is the representation that counts. It’s also my belief that the varying values on money is simply to be ignored. I always thank the Universe that I have money to begin with, and see those few dollar coins or bills as my gateway to opening even more abundance. So I leave them on there, and it always calls to mind my affirmation influenced by Florence Scovel Shinn; “I bless the money that I now have, and watch it multiply, because I know that I have the magic purse of the spirit. It can never be depleted.” It is not praying TO the money or praying FOR money. It’s simply a visual representation to help remember your intentions and affirmations.

• Next to the money is always my Citrine Crystal. Citrine is widely known for its financial prosperity qualities so I thought why not just add a little extra when it comes to representation. Seeing my crystal reminds me of my faith that money and abundance is always on its way to me. I do not necessarily believe that the crystal holds power, although after reading up on them and understanding more that they are filled with Earth’s vibrations from hundreds years ago, I use it to remind me of why it is there in the first place, and that is to call all that belongs to me by divine right.

• Flowers. I absolutely love flowers. As mentioned in another one of my Blogs, I run a small business with my mother, selling flowering and non-flowering plants. My love for them grew slowly but is sure strong. I try not to pay too much attention to the type except when I need specific flowers because of their spiritual qualities.  Additionally, I do sometimes get picky or particular about the colour. I place a bouquet on my altar because of the energy it brings. Flowers have been used for centuries as a form of decoration and offering to Gods and Deities. For me, it is the beautification and the representation of life. It shows that the place where I leave my intentions and settle down to affirm and pray is special. Flower petals are also a nice addition. Some smell heavenly and can add some aromatherapy to your special time.

NB: Potted plants work just as well as flowers and some people often pour their blessed or purified water into their plants after finishing up their sessions. These plants are said to flourish beyond imagination. There are quite a few options of plants with special spiritual qualities that can be used for such. One great example is the Pothos. It is such a resilient plant and can survive the worst of conditions. Always shooting back up from the ashes like a phoenix. We sell them at my plant nursery and I make sure to inform customers of its amazing qualities.

• Water. Because I believe in the practice of speaking to and blessing my water, I leave a glass on my altar to add to the positive energy. I also recently learned about offering a glass to my family members who have transitioned and to my ancestors. I sometimes place a small net attached with a rubber band over the top so that it does not collect any foreign objects or even bugs that are attracted to the light of my candle. In fact, some people feel the need to have a representation of all the four elements on their altar.

• This brings us to the candle. I do not always have a candle on my altar. It is for special occasions like when I am actively saying psalms or when I have lit it to remind me of a special purpose or period. I am a December Sagittarius and discovered how important fire is to me. That was definitely a game changer in my use of candles. The colour of the candle can be taken into consideration but I usually just go with white. It is said that green is suitable for attracting abundance, Yellow for joy, Pink for love and red for passion. I choose the glass candles because they are safer to use and can stay burning for days on end.

• Palo Santo. You can always find at least one Palo Santo stick on my altar, simply because I like to cleanse the energy in the room before I do my dedications and prayers. Some people prefer Sage and Dragon’s Blood to be burnt and used for smudging, but I love the smell of Palo Santo, namely from Equador. If I have none at the time, I also have a bottle of spray that I use to bring about the familiar feeling of comfort just to smell it. Smudging to me is important because you never know what kind of energy has latched unto you while you perform your daily tasks and errands, or what has been purposefully sent to you. I therefore make sure to smudge before I open myself to receive my blessings and set my intentions.

• Brown paper. Maybe I am just on the Band Wagon here but I was taught that brown paper is better for writing down of intentions or the names of the people that I want to pray for. It is said to resemble the old parchment paper that important messages were written on in old times. Besides using them on the altar, I also use them to write the names of my loved ones that I then drop in a jar of money, or honey and cinnamon, or flowers or anything to make their earthly experiences more fun and sweet.

• Bay Leaves. I am from the Caribbean where Bay Trees are in serious abundance. I grew up using them in Cacao Tea (Natural Hot Chocolate, I’ve got a blog coming on how I prepare this delicious drink and its benefits and uses), or in baths where the muscles needed to be healed or relaxed. My father also used the wood and some leaves to build the fire under his self-made oven where he smoked various types of meat. This added spectacular flavour to the product. When I travelled to London in 2020, I learned that wishes were written on these leaves and burnt in order to have them manifest. Of course, I tried it and haven’t stopped since. 

• Incense or Oils. I am all for aromatherapy. Something is always burning on my altar. I usually get incense or oils of the same types and choose between the oil burner or lighting the sticks and sticking them in my special holder. Frankincense, Rose, Patchouli, Jasmine, White Musk, Lavender, and Dragon’s Blood are among my favourite and most used oils and incense sticks. Besides their spiritual uses, I absolutely adore their fragrances.

Like I said earlier, what goes on your altar is entirely up to you. Ive heard of fruit, cakes, bread, fish, sand, jewelry, feathers and the list goes on.

One thing I must add is that you keep it clean, always. If you put fruit or food offering on there, ensure to remove them and to properly dispose of them as to not have they decay or “go bad” on the altar or in your home. I am sure whatever Deity you are praying to would not appreciate it. Sweep or wipe up ashes left behind from incense, burnt match sticks, and candle wax that may have dropped. Always change stale oil before adding more and lighting up your burners. Cleanliness is said to be the first law of heaven.

So, my dear ones, feel free to let me know what you place on your altar in the comments below, or not, as I know it’s very sacred business. Love and Light always.

A Spiritual Island Girl.