“There is a sacred place within you-the meeting place between you and the Divine. Many today find it meaningful to create a special place in their world that stands for this place of communion.” –Denise Linn

The altar has long been a symbol for spiritual connection in one way or another. People throughout history have created altars in their homes for many reasons. It was a focal point in connecting heaven and earth, celebrated moments of living, and served as a space for spiritual communion.

The tradition of building altars and shrines still exists in some present-day cultures. But most western people grow up without fully understanding that tradition. However, even as children, we seemed to allow the mystical part of us come through and we paid homage to the Creator by placing beautiful things there—our ‘treasures’: bunches of hand-picked flowers, colorful leaves, polished stones, little bits of moss, and bright pieces of broken glass.

And as we grew up, certain objects are still sacred. They each represent a hallowed aspect of life. Our altars serve as reminders of the profound mysteries of the universe and are places where we feel at peace.

The Subconscious Use of Altars

Sacred spaces are needed by the human psyche so deeply, that perhaps the voices of our ancestors speak to us in a subconscious remembrance with the power of ancient rites at hallowed altars. Conceivably, residing in the collective unconscious within us is the memory of those primitive altars which can be traced back thousands of years to pre-human times.

We often create altars subconsciously by the way we gather our photos on a piano, or by the way we carefully arrange objects on a desk or around a computer. This practice could easily be the descendant of the tradition of home altars. Artful arrangement of books, flowers, candles seen on coffee tables, fireplace mantels, and dresser tops are perhaps an ‘outer manifestation of an inner urge’ to establish hallowed and holy spaces in our environment.

By viewing carefully placing groups of photos or displays of trinkets, jewelry, books or inherited objects, the observer is magically allowed into a few of the values cherished by the home’s occupants. Without realizing it, each item we display in our homes makes a statement about the values and family traditions we wish to emphasize in our lives. For example, by grouping together old family photos in a niche in the wall, we may be unknowingly creating a memorial or ancestral altar which communicates the message that family is important to us. Or a shelf with animal figures on it could be a subconscious way of exhibiting the native custom of animal totem symbols on an altar. However, because this process of creating an altar is a subconscious one, many of the spiritual benefits derived from the deliberate creation of the home altar are lost.

But consciously creating an altar can be very valuable. A void can be filled in the human psyche that yearns for the mysterious and the wondrous. By bringing back some of the customs from the past that were so sustaining and fulfilling, such as the purposeful creation of home altars, we welcome mystical and spiritual experiences into our lives.

How Altars Work

The power of the altar lies in its visible appearance. The actual altar and the objects on the altar appeal to our psyche because they give form to the formless and provide a visual representation of the Divine. And they simultaneously express various levels of truth beyond the reality of surface appearances. This helps to create understanding out of the complexities of life.

The entire collection of altar items represents an ideal, belief, relationship, concept or idea, and this is what greatly impacts the subconscious mind. The various pieces on the altar are reflections of the spiritual side of our lives. Symbolic objects play a very important role in shaping our beliefs, which in turn can greatly determine the reality of life as we experience it. All the objects on an altar work as catalysts for the inner knowing places within us. Just a simple act like lighting a candle, ritual and ceremony are filled with the substance of life and carry us to the essence of being.

Altars and the Connection to Spirit

The altar can serve as a kind of reminder of our connection to spiritual realms. Creating and using an altar can be an effective means of forging a connection to higher powers. A home shrine can be a gateway between the seen and unseen realms which can connect us to the rhythms of nature and the universe. They help blend the most ordinary aspects of life with a divine sense of meaning. An altar can remind us of the importance of honoring the hallowed places within ourselves, or can be used as a focus for prayers to the spiritual forces that shape our lives.

By dedicating an altar to increasing your spiritual awareness, it can become an energetic point of convergence for symbols that propel the human spirit forward. It can bring a remarkable grace and beauty into your life.

Listening

Altars can be an excellent place for listening to our own intuition. The art of listening can be as profound as worship. An altar can provide a visible focus point where you can quiet your thoughts and listen to messages from your own inner knowing as well as from the spiritual realm.

After asking for help in our lives from the Creator, we have the opportunity to just be still and listen for the answers. The altar is an excellent place to tune in to the messages which are sent to us. Sometimes we pray for answers and help, and then, when they are sent, we are too busy to notice. Taking the time simply to wait with an attitude of receptivity is one of the most direct and powerful ways we can connect to the Divine and receive the answers we seek. An altar can provide a valuable and sacred place to do this.

Giving Thanks

Prayers of gratitude were among the most common and central functions of ancient altars. Appreciation for the bounty and blessings in life is one of the most effective ways of increasing these qualities. Being grateful for the goodness in your life creates a kind of magnetic attraction for even more blessings to come your way. Gratitude helps you be receptive to the life force of the universe.

Place symbols of your appreciation on your altar and you can increase your connection to the spiritual realm. The more thankful you are to the Creator, the more you will have to be thankful for. The altar reminds us of this truth. If you don’t express your gratitude, you lesson your life force. Being appreciative empowers and strengthens you, and an altar can help crystallize your thoughts toward gratitude, thus connecting you more deeply to spirit.

As we connect more with our true spiritual selves, using altars in our homes can be very satisfying as well as inspiring. And in doing so, we are honoring our ancestors on a very deep and loving level.

Renowned lecturer, author and visionary Denise Linn has researched spiritual practices from culture throughout the world for more than thirty-five years. Calling upon this wealth of knowledge, she is the founder of the International Institute of Soul Coaching® She is also the author of fifteen books, including Sacred Legacies, The Secret Language of Signs, Quest, and the international best-seller Sacred Space. You can reach her through her website www.deniselinn.com