I have an alter I am working on... and I need some ideas. Can you all post pictures of your nature tables and alters? I know many of us have them, and I love mine... but I am, well, what I call ZENing my house, and I just need some good ideas and energy clearers. Thanks!

TIA!!

Love Val

I haven't taken pictures of mine but will after this weekened (crazy weekend!)
Mine is a work in progress though I warn you :D My area is a meditation area/alter btw
I would love to see other's pictures!!

Aye aye aye, sorry, no pics either since I'm living with my parents temporarily, who kinda disapprove of a lot of the eastern philosophy, and meditation, unless it's meditation on christ's love. (I meditate on more than just christ, but only christ is welcome in their home)

My area always has a bell, or other thing that "tones". I have a little singing bowl I keep for now, but tuck it away, and only use it while I'm alone. A tone reminds me of the stillness, yet intensely vibratory nature of centered-ness. Usually if I hear a bell tone, I'll close my eyes, and center briefly, anywhere (except driving of course, LOL) so naturally, I make a bell part of my sacred area.

another thing I make part of my area is a deity. Any deity will do, whoever offers a lesson of particular value for the time. Often bhudda, sometimes ganesha, often krishna, jaganath, and often jesus. even people like ghandi, or my parents. Each has a lesson that is sacred to me. so that is included as well.

Another thing I include is nature. in any form possible. A plant, or some water, or rocks, whatever.

If I'm working on something to stick with me throughout the day, I'll make a trinket present, then carry the trinket with me, to remind me of my goals throughout the day/week, whatever.

Hope my no picture post is of some value. :)

I have made my whole home an altar. I don't get to sit still very often so I though it would be best to have reminders scattered throughout the house and gardens.

I have Quan Yin flying high above the livingroom watching over the children, Hotei sits atop the kitchen fridge and above the work station, along with mediation buddas. I have incense holders here and there.. a peace bell hanging from the bathroom door. There are numerous chimes hanging throughout the house, so the kids Dh and I can knock them reminding us all to take a breath. There are crystals and glass globs hanging from the windows to create rainbows ll around us.

My DS like to set giving bowls and light incense from time to time and meditate, in the kitchen..livingroom or loft. My haven is in my bedroom, it can be a quiet space with my window sil above my bed as an altar. It holds my miniature Buddha, some candles, stones, and incense

Here is mine:

http://www.amitymama.com/vb/attachment.php?s=&postid=890393

This is just the center with Their Lordship Venu Gopal (another name for Krishna) and His consort Radharani, in front of them is Shyam, my Shalagram Sila, a self manifested deity of Vishnu found in the Kali Gandaki river in India. I make Their clothes usually, and most of Their jewelry.

I need to clean and refinish my altar, and then I'll post pictures of the complete altar, I have a lot of deities on it, Shri Nathaji, Shri Lakshmi Nrisimhadeva, Gopal, Laddu Gopal, all are manifestations/incarnations of Krishna.

We also have Ganesh and Lord shiva.

And incense burner and four candles, peacock fan and camara (yak tail fan). It's usually covered with flowers but the season is not quite started for that ;)

Ys,
Radhanuga

I'm going to set up Vidura's "altar" soon too, he has beautiful stuffed Jagannath deities, and a nice Waldorf Krishna :)

*Gasp!!*

Where did he get a stuffed Jagannath?!?!?!

I have been keeping my eyes out for a relatively inexpensive one for Mikaela ever since we went to Rathayatra 2 years ago and she danced and danced for krishna! I have only found one in that entire length of time, and he was like $95.

Oh do let me know pretty please?!?! (OK, a little excited there, sorry)

ian.

I got our set from Murali (Chanting Mama here), we have Jagannath, Baladeva and Subhadra, I'll post a pic of Them tomorrow so you can see.

I traded her saris from these, but otherwise she makes and sells Them for about $100 per set, but pm me, I might have a plan for you ;)

I'm so glad this thread got started. We're moving soon and when we do I really want to set up a small sacred place for myself. so It great hearing about everyone elses.
Thanks Ladies

it's on a shelving unit in our bedroom. I've got a picture drawn and colored of Mother Earth from Sara aka Scottishthistle on the left, elemental playsilks, a small tree of beeswax (from Kristerae of Dreamseeds), a bracelet made by me with stone/beads of the birth month for me, my dh, my ds and my 2 lost babies (by Julie of Goddess Julery) on top of a purple glass ornament made by Nicole (harvestgirl)'s dh, Brody (brody shaw glass), and of course my pouch of stones and whatnot (my prayer pouch).

http://www.amitymama.com/vb/attachment.php?s=&postid=893815

PS- thanks for letting me share! We'll be having a downstairs family room nature table once we actually get a TABLE (lol) but this is my personal one. I see it when I wake up and go to sleep and it reminds me to focus on the positive. :)

Very inspiring! I'm looking around the house now to see where I will build mine! I can't wait for warmer weather now outside to make one!

Originally posted by Aggie
Very inspiring! I'm looking around the house now to see where I will build mine! I can't wait for warmer weather now outside to make one!


Hey Aggie, where "way down south" are you? I'm in Louisiana.

Originally posted by Shannon
Hey Aggie, where "way down south" are you? I'm in Louisiana.

Hi Shannon,
I'm in Mississippi.
Aggie

I just love this thread! So many great ideas and sacred spaces! I love it! Thank you all so much for sharing! These ideas will be a huge help...

Love Val

I try to make our whole house a sacred space. We do have a nature table that is set up, but I do not have an altar that is up all the time. When I feel the need for one, I'll set one up on the window sill and work on whatever it is that I need to.

I have a ton of plants all over the house. I feel more connected to nature having lots of them around.

In the main living room, I have nice wide shelves under every window. So, I have plants set out, and also tumbled and raw gemstones. I connect with the energy of crystals and stones, and love the way they catch the light. I also have many framed pictures of friends and family around, which also lend to the safe and sacred feeling.

I guess, because my spirituality is based on a strong reverence and respect for Nature, I make my whole house sacred by displaying things from Nature.

How do you get your cats not to eat the plants, Meeshi? George always chews on my plants unless they are hanging up.

Sara, our cats have never ever tried to eat our plants. :confused: Maybe because they're indoor/outdoor cats and can get out and eat grass if they want to?

hmmm. George has never been out and I'm afraid he'd get hit by a car, Nemo is an indoor/outdoor cat and doesn't eat plants so it DOES make sense. Mayve I'll have to take /george out with me in the garden (when the snow melts)

Or you could always plant a big pot of grass for George to eat, if you're worried he might run away! I have read that cats really need that roughage for digestion.