As I've posted in the past, periodically I like to create altars...usually for seasonal changes or for a particular Sabbath. This is not only a Spiritual exercise, but also an artistic one for me...it's a creative expression of how I view that particular season or Sabbath or theme...using the materials I have available to me at that time.
Creating an altar can take me anywhere from 30mins to up to two or three hours...depends on how involved I am and what my end-product goal is. Generally, I have a rough image in my mind as to how I want this altar to look, but as with any project I start, these things can take on a life of their own and turn out rather different from my intended idea.
*For those of you not in the know, here's a general description of the purpose of Samhain, generally pronounced: SAH-win
You can read about it, here: Samhain
This is, currently, my 2nd ever Samhain altar and I'm quite pleased with it.
Aside from the fun little Halloween elements such as the cob-webbing, the pumpkins, the gnarled tree in the background, and even the skulls; I brought in quite a few "Witchy" elements: the cauldrons, bundle of sage, labyrinth, Tarot cards and gazing-glass. I have a sea-shell full of sea salt and bay leaves as well as, incense sticks and quartz crystals.
For honoring the dead, I wanted to pay my respects to my kitty, Gizmo, who sadly passed away Dec. 2012 due to some recurring growths in her nasal passages. I have her ashes and her collar as well as, her favorite grooming brush beside her photo. In the small cauldron in front of her photo is a tea light candle sitting on top of a pile of catnip -which she loved.
The Obligatory 'lit altar' shot:
These next are detail shots from the altar:
And just briefly, I would like to share a couple photos of the last Samhain altar I did. This was created in Oct. of 2007 when I was living in MA.
)O( Blessed Samhain.
Creating an altar can take me anywhere from 30mins to up to two or three hours...depends on how involved I am and what my end-product goal is. Generally, I have a rough image in my mind as to how I want this altar to look, but as with any project I start, these things can take on a life of their own and turn out rather different from my intended idea.
*For those of you not in the know, here's a general description of the purpose of Samhain, generally pronounced: SAH-win
You can read about it, here: Samhain
This is, currently, my 2nd ever Samhain altar and I'm quite pleased with it.
Aside from the fun little Halloween elements such as the cob-webbing, the pumpkins, the gnarled tree in the background, and even the skulls; I brought in quite a few "Witchy" elements: the cauldrons, bundle of sage, labyrinth, Tarot cards and gazing-glass. I have a sea-shell full of sea salt and bay leaves as well as, incense sticks and quartz crystals.
For honoring the dead, I wanted to pay my respects to my kitty, Gizmo, who sadly passed away Dec. 2012 due to some recurring growths in her nasal passages. I have her ashes and her collar as well as, her favorite grooming brush beside her photo. In the small cauldron in front of her photo is a tea light candle sitting on top of a pile of catnip -which she loved.
The Obligatory 'lit altar' shot:
These next are detail shots from the altar:
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| My little girl, Gizmo. She passed away Dec. 2012, those are her ashes in the tin to the left of her photo. |
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| I like to have various items on my altar for symbolic purposes. Samhain is a good time for using divinatory tools, such as Tarot cards. |
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| Isis, the Egyptian Goddess, patroness of Magic and Protector of the Dead. She resides over many of my altars, but especially my Samhain altars. I like to place photos and trinkets of loved ones who have passed on near her, as though she is enfolding them in her protective embrace. |
And just briefly, I would like to share a couple photos of the last Samhain altar I did. This was created in Oct. of 2007 when I was living in MA.
And, the obligatory candle-lit shot:
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