How to Feng Shui: Create an Altar, Your Sacred Space - Part I

Yes. Absolutely. This entire beautiful, blue planet is our Sacred Space and we are taking steps (someday leaps) to treat it that way. While we each do our part to live in greater Green it will take some time for that willingness to flow over everyone. In the meantime though there is something we each can do. We can use the principles of the ancient Chinese art and science of Feng Shui to create and arrange an altar. Your very own Sacred Space – a benefit to you and our planet.

Instructions

Difficulty: Easy

Things You’ll Need:

• An intention to increase the vibration of your life and the planet

1. office.microsoft.com An altar? Is this a church, religious kind of thing? The word ‘altar’ conjures up images of church, robes, singing, kneeling - this is not the kind of Sacred Space these articles are about. This altar is less formal, more personal, and in your home. Actually, as I write this let me say: It is YOUR altar! If you desire something formal, so be it. There are some Feng Shui guidelines that I will share with you, but there are no rules. You are in charge and have the last word about what your Sacred Space will look and feel like.
2. office.microsoft.com Let me also point out that an altar arrangement using Feng Shui principles is not in conflict with religious beliefs you may subscribe to but rather a complement to that construct. Feng Shui is not a religion. In arranging an altar, and staying in your comfort zone, you may want to include only those items that are in alignment with your belief system.
   
   If your beliefs are not confined to one particular teaching, feel free to place on your altar whatever items and images inspire you. Place articles there that are an acknowledgement of your connection with the Divine. This is addressed in detail in How to Feng Shui: Create an Altar, Your Sacred Space – Part II.
   
   Regardless of how you decide to arrange and decorate your particular Sacred Space, if it honors your belief system, it will support you and your sacred journey.
3. office.microsoft.com Is it necessary to use Feng Shui principles to shape a Sacred Space? Golly, no! Arrange the items on your altar in any way that pleases you. However, if you place certain items in the Feng Shui life areas they support, you have added more energy (i.e. umph) to the intention you set with each item you use.
   
   Once my Sacred Space is arranged, what will I do with it? What’s it for? It will serve to lift up your spiritual focus and intention. You may meditate near it, stand there to pray, acknowledge it with gratitude as you walk by or enjoy the view of it as you relax in that space. Your altar will serve as a loving reminder of your connection to All That Is.
4. office.microsoft.com A personal Sacred Space is great fun to gather items for and set up. Before you begin that process, you must first determine the location within your home, or room. Where you decide to place your altar is important because the energy of it will energize, strengthen the Feng Shui life area it is in. This is a good thing. (Take a look at ‘How to Feng Shui: Nine Life Areas’ and ‘How to Feng Shui: The Bagua, a Feng Shui Map’ linked in Resources for more information about specific locations.)
   
   Because many of us do not have a separate room for a Sacred Space or altar we are open to smaller areas for placement. Look around your home for horizontal surfaces that are relatively undisturbed. Atop your dresser or nightstand in the bedroom? On part of the buffet in the dining room or a shelf on the hutch? On the fireplace mantle or a windowsill? On the potting bench near your garden? Not on top of the refrigerator. Unless you are quite tall, the top of your refrigerator is poor altar placement – out of sight, out of mind.
   
   One client of mine has a beautiful altar placed at the entry to her kitchen on top of a bookcase filled with cookbooks. She is passionate about cooking and entertaining around food – this was obvious altar placement for her. A teen client converted the wooden toy box in her room (long used for storage) to an altar draped with red silk. Her focal point is a peace symbol ala The Haight-Ashbury.
5. office.microsoft.com Look around your home for altar placement. If you live with family, you may want to arrange a household Sacred Space encouraging everyone to contribute an article they find personally uplifting. All that we see was created by the Energy of The Universe, so any space we choose is sacred if that is our intention.
   
   Have fun with this. The Universe listens for our laughter.
   
   In gratitude and with an intention to serve.

Tips & Warnings

• Visit my website to print a free Bagua map, your quick and easy guide to Feng Shui.
• Have fun!
• Always be mindful when using candles.