One of the things that accomplishes
spiritual growth more than anything else is to have a personal altar in your
home that allows you to pray, worship, and celebrate your own personal rituals
in private. Many people prefer to have these sacred spaces in an unused bedroom
or shed, where they can also retire to read, write, meditate, or listen to
music; in other words, to have some “me time.” However, not all living
arrangements allow for this. There are those who live either with others or in
very small accommodations, and this means that their altar must be situated in
an area that is used for other activities on a daily basis. Where the altar is
set up is not a matter of importance, as long as it is used for the purpose for
which it is intended.
On
a personal altar there should be at least three candles, a burner for incense,
and a goblet or small cauldron that can hold liquid. There should also be a
receptacle for spent matches from lighting the candles, as this is more
convenient than having to leave the altar to run to the garbage can at the
beginning of each ritual or prayer. My altar has three votive candles, an old
ashtray that serves as an incense burner, and a colored glass goblet that
serves to hold liquid when needed. I live in a small place, so my altar is
situated on top of a small bookcase with a picture of the Virgin Mary in the
guise of the Mother Goddess above it.
Of
course, this is the bare minimum for an altar. There can be more candles of
larger sizes, crosses, statues of various gods or goddesses, stones and
crystals, anything that is of personal relevance to the worshipper. In
addition, there may be items that can be added and removed from the altar as
deemed necessary. For holidays, items that are appropriate for that season may
be there, as well as a plate and cup that can hold food and drink for rituals
that may require them. Being of the Christian persuasion, I include a plate and
cup for communion, a cross for Easter, a picture of the Madonna and Child for
the Christmas season, and an American flag for the celebration of our
Independence Day. Also, it is not necessary to have real candles if this
presents a danger to your living conditions. I have a small battery operated
votive candle that I leave lit all night on Christmas Eve, allowing me to have
this tradition and not be afraid that a lit candle may be knocked over by my
cat in the middle of the night.
When
a prayer or ritual is begun, you should light each candle with a dedication to
the spirits or deities that it is being lit in honor of. For instance:
Light
the first candle while saying, “I light this candle in honor of Father God,
Creator of the universe, and Mother Earth, she who stands in unity with the
Creator.”
Light
the second candle while saying, “I light this candle in honor of the angels of
Heaven and Earth, who stand by the right hand of the Creator.”
Light
the third candle while saying, “I light this candle in honor of my own Guardian
Angels, whom the Creator has sent to guide, protect, and comfort me.”
If
you do not wish to use sulfur matches for this, you may use a butane lighter,
however, I prefer lighting the consequential matches from the flame of the
first candle and carrying it over to the others, thereby taking the flame that
has been consecrated in honor of the Creator to the others also.
At
the conclusion of each prayer or ritual, a benediction should be said, such as,
“In the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost, so mote it be,” before
the candles are blown out. I also enjoy lighting a candle on my altar each day,
dedicating it to the Creator, and letting it burn for at least 15 minutes. This
keeps the altar “warm” with spiritual energy, adds reverence to the day, and,
since my altar is in a public area, creates nice ambiance due to the scented
candles I use. In addition, I try to make a habit of lighting a stick of
incense and letting it burn until it goes out at least once a week. I believe that
this carries my prayers and intentions up to Heaven with the smoke, and also
scents my home.
Of
course, having a personal altar is not a requirement for spiritual growth, and
the dedications and benediction mentioned here are only suggestions. The rituals,
prayers, and words used should be up to the individual, and should reflect
their own personal belief system. However, a personal altar gives additional
meaning and beauty to any sacred act, and we highly recommend having one in
your home.
