Altar-ations

Altars alter energy and empower people's lives. They are used by people of all faiths and may appear in permanent spaces or in temporary ones--including forest clearings and kitchen counter tops during the careful preparation of a delicious meal. Typical elements of altars include essential oil and incense burners, photographs and memorabilia of significant moments or people. Altars may also contain sculptures or artwork. Altars may be used as a focal point for meditation that is simply intended to clear the energy within a home, or altars may be places to center energy meant to manifest a specific purpose such as the release of negative relationships, success at new jobs, or passion in loving relationships.

As people change they may sometimes need to move or disassemble their altars. A friend of mine recently inquired about the proper procedure for doing this. As with most things, there is no set procedure. However, I have developed a few guidelines that may inspire you as you make altar-ations.

1. Light a white candle and anoint it with lavender oil to purify the environment. Give thanks to your altar for seeing you through the life experiences you've had so far.

2. State an intention for the future. It may go something like this: With a thankful heart, from this space I part. All are released to come with me or to stay and be free.

3. Gently wrap each element of your altar in cloth that has a special meaning for you. As you're doing this, burn sage and smudge each wrapped item.

4. Carefully pack up what you are taking with you. You may give away elements you don't wish to keep to people who may have some use for them. Alternatively, you may place the items that you are not keeping in a box and bury it in a place of personal significance. If you are moving to a new location, you may hide the box in a corner of your former home with a note blessing whomever finds it.

This post was written in response to a friend's question. Do you have any questions that I may be able to answer? Please send them to creativekelli@peacemail.com.

Guardians at the Gate

In keeping with my vision of the car on the hillside, staring down into a valley full of activity with green lights clearing the way, my card reading today tells me this  . . .

1) This is a time of transition and irrevocable change. The change should be approached carefully and prayerfully but with a trusting heart.
2) Energy needed to accept this change is blocked, but will inevitably clear.
3) The process of clearing will be enhanced by accepting this as a time of harvest, releasing the past, and taking strength from the present.
4) As for the process of release, the key to doing this in a way that is smooth for us is entirely personal. There is no right way. This is a moment in time at which we are confronting ourselves and learning from what we find.

Personally, I found this reading to be simultaneously accurate, comforting and jarring. Seeking peace, I pulled one more card and found it in the visage of my old pal Solus, who has been showing up very often these days. His message confirms that change is happening but assures me that it is a miraculous move toward the light and that all of us will do well to remain open, giving and strong.

Welcome Vision

In my dream I'm at the top of a hill. My car is stopped with my foot heavy on the break. Vehicles have begun to roll to life around me, and I am overcome by the sight of traffic and quantity of lanes in the distance. I fear becoming overwhelmed by it, lost in it, wrecked. Nonetheless, green lights shine before me, all the way down the hill and into the distance. A voice in my head says GO.