The altar is a deeply private space that may be decorated however you feel guided. Personally, when I approach my altar, I want to feel connected to something larger than myself. For me, that something is Divine Love - an underlying cosmic intelligence that is benevolent and supports my highest evolution. What do you want to feel when you approach your altar? Perhaps you want to feel a deeper connection with Mother Earth. Or maybe you’d like to connect with your ancestors. There is no right or wrong answer here. There is only the path that is true for each of us.

Below I've listed a few objects you might consider placing on your altar, and how they could benefit you. As always, check in with your inner guidance when making adjustments. Ultimately, all healing work is a process of coming into deep trust with yourself and the Universe. You are your highest guide.

Visual Imagery

Because the unconscious mind is primed to work with imagery - especially imagery related to archetypes - consider which emotions you’d like to feel while sitting before your altar.

Which archetype you choose to work with is going to be specific to where you are on your personal journey. In my experience, many people like to work with the Lover archetype, in the hopes of feeling more intimacy and sensuality in their relationships. Then, as they dive deeper into their shadows, they discover the importance of working with their inner child, also known as the Magical Child archetype. From there, they may choose to explore the Mother or Father archetypes as they heal the wounds in their past.

For the unconditional loving compassion of the Mother archetype, you might want to call upon the Virgen de Guadalupe. Or, if you, like so many others, have experience the trauma of organized religion, consider printing out a copy of Gustav Klimt’s “Mother and Child,” Oberon Zell’s “The Millennial Gaia,” which is also available on Amazon, or the Goddess Isis, who nursed the god Horus.

Imagery connected with the Lover archetype might include Botticelli’s “Birth of Venus,” or Marilyn Monroe.

Joan of Arc, Ser Brienne of Tarth from Game of Thrones, and Wonder Woman all are fine embodiments of the Warrior archetype.

Before bringing in statues of deities, be sure that you are familiar with their associated religious and cultural practices. Many religions are considered "closed.” In those cases, you must be initiated before you practice. There are, of course, circumstances where someone outside a faith is called upon by the deity itself. This is usually made clear through a vision, or a dream. In those scenarios I highly encourage meeting practitioners in the affiliated spiritual communities in order to learn the most respectful way to share their faith.

Candles

In my own spiritual practice, candles feel necessary. Gazing into a flames allows me to feel anchored to both the Divine and the mundane, to the realms of Kether and Malkuth, as the Kabbalists call it. I personally believe that fire acts as a bridge between ourselves and Source energy. Since I enjoy the practice of candle meditation, one of those candles is always unsheathed, allowing me to gaze into the flame freely. This ancient yogic practice known as trataka is said to improve one’s concentration and memory. For more information on how to practice trataka, follow this link.

Crystals

I highly recommend bringing crystals into your altar space, even if you don’t feel attuned to their energies. Eventually, with daily attention, they will reveal themselves to you. I believe the purpose of the altar is for connection and empowerment. If a particular stone empowers you, bring it into your nightly ritual.

Pictures of Ancestors

I could devote a whole page to this, and likely will, but for now it is enough to say that images of the deceased are to be treated with the utmost respect, always. If you have a picture of a relative who has passed on, they might like it if you leave them fresh flowers every so often, or, in the case of my Jewish grandparents, a babka. Some ancestors might want liquor, or cigarettes. They will always let you know. Just be sure not to let food or flowers decay there, as that is a sign that you have forgotten them, and therefor disrespectful.

Ultimately, there is no one true way to build an altar. It is the ongoing practice of trusting in yourself that allows you to know which objects feel right, and which aren’t meant for your practice at that time. As always, let your intuition guide you.

How to Make a Home Altar

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