Creating Sacred Space

Creating a potent space for a more magical and embodied life

Historically, sacred spaces and altars have been magical places for witches and lightworkers to tune in and harness the energy of the moment, gather and connect, and work their magic with intention, while harnessing the elements.

As you already know, we have changed the way we live and work. Most of our practices in everyday life have become less intentional; however, there is still plentiful potent magic to be found when we intentionally create spaces that are energetically and physically aligned with ourselves and others. To create these spaces doesn’t have to be hard. Creating your own magical haven in your home, room, or workspace can be a really beautiful way to develop and grow your rituals and practices.

Having a sacred space to come to can often be an essential tool for your daily Sadhana: something to focus on during meditation, a place where you read your spiritual books, do readings for yourself or others.

Why to setup a sacred space

Setting up an altar at the front of your practice space for yoga or movement can be a wonderful way to set the energy for the room or studio, and to encourage introspection and focus from your practice. The same guidelines apply for those setting up a space in their studio or shala at work, and for those setting up a space in their homes.

It could be a space you retreat to in times of anxiety or stress; it could be a place you go to for guidance or solitude; it could be where you meditate or practice yoga or journal. Your sacred space is there to nurture your practices and to encourage you to keep connected to your spiritual work, encouraging consistency and discipline in a non-authoritative way. How you build your space will depend on what you feel called to use it for. I loved having a sacred altar on a bedside table where I slept, as it was one of the first things I saw in the morning. My morning routine involved gentle movement, meditation and card pulling, so having it raised beside my bed made sense for me, as it supported this ritual. Think about where you’d like to practice or escape to, and build your space there. Imagine that this space is your office/desk space for any work you want to do- take it as seriously and treat it this way and you’ll begin to feel the benefits of it instantly.

Ancient traditions felt that North and East facing spaces were best, but this isn’t always easy to adhere to these days.

Where to setup

Avoid setting up the space near cables, plug points or chargers, and try to avoid spaces that are commonly used as transition areas such as spaces close to corridors or doorways. Facing, near or under a window is a beautiful way to use natural light and energy to charge your space. Avoid areas with a lot of clutter, or any surface where you or others are likely to place or store anything. Encourage respect from those you share spaces with; they may not share your desire to have a sacred space, but a mutual respect for your haven will support the energy of your altar.

Feel into the colours, the smells, the energy of the things you place onto your space, and feel into what works in a functional way, as well as what aligns with you energetically. Anything that takes its place in your sacred space must have the correct intention behind it: you must place them there as a way of enhancing the energy and vibration of the work you do in it. These additions to your sacred space must have a connection to you on a deep level; avoid placing anything on your altar or in your space purely for aesthetic reasons.

Inspiration for your sacred space:

·       A figure or a statue of a deity or a Buddha you particularly connect to (when using these, never have them on the floor, and never have the soles of your feet facing them as a sign of respect)

·       Photos of loved ones- especially those who have moved on to the next life (including pets)

·       Candles/tealights

·       Tarot or oracle cards

·       Any talismans that mean something to you

·       Natural objects: shells, stones, pebbles, leaves, flowers, feathers

·       Crystals or tumbled stones

·       Smudging tools: palo santo, resin, sage

·       Oils and sprays you use frequently

·       Your journal or a book of affirmations you use

·       A cloth to cover the table or stool

·       Cushions to sit on; your meditation seat

·       Artwork, quotes, affirmations you are working with

·       Beads for meditation

Or none of the above! Every space is uniquely beautiful and special, just as each being who creates them is. Get creative, tune into what calls to mind your magic and your power, and build yourself a haven for your magic-making. Once created, these spaces can really amp up your power and connection to your highest purpose.

Love,
Mihiqua Rao