Altar making is like art making, in that it brings me close to the center of creation, the living source of spontaneity and love that some call awake awareness—the light, pure love, joy, Buddha, Christ, the name-less.

Making an altar is simple and wonderful to have in your home, in your meditation space or work space, in your kitchen or outdoor space, near your door or close to where you eat. At the monastery where I lived for 12 years, we had altars in every room—including the bathroom, kitchen, bedrooms, garden. I have three altars in my room, one for Wisdom and my ancient ancestors, one for Compassion and my spiritual ancestors/spirit guides and one for Justice and my community/family ancestors. All of these altars could be combined (its not necessary to have 3 separate altars in one room), and what is on them changes, as I change and my appreciation of what they are changes/evolves.

An altar is a space that reminds us of our intention. We interact with an altar by making offerings of fire, water, food, incense, prayers. Altars are space holders, quite literally, they hold space and this space holds power. The power is often a transpersonal energy of compassion, love, kindness, wisdom, understanding, forgiveness, reconciliation, healing. The altar holds this presence for us and reminds us of our capacity to embody these qualities of the awakened heart. The altar is like a prayer, it carries intention that is greater than our egoic minds and self-centered actions.

To see our altar. To interact with its presence, invites us to take refuge in our awakened qualities. The altar becomes a symbol of our healing, transformation and awakening. A symbol of what we want to manifest in the world. It also represents the action of humility, calling on the help of protectors, guides, bodhisattvas, buddhas and ancestors to guide and aid us on this path through life.

Below I will provide some inspiration for creating an altar, like I said this is a creative act, one that is very intimate to you and/or your community (if you are creating an altar in a communal space or with family—which is a blessing to be able to do.)

Before creating the altar, reflect on what your intention is. What do you want this altar to represent, to remind you of? Where is the best place to put this kind of altar? For example, if you want to remember to be more mindful in your morning routines perhaps you will set up an altar near your bed or in your bathroom. If you are wanting an altar to remember family members who have died and to honor their qualities in your family home, perhaps you want to make this altar with your family in a more shared communal space or outside.

Once you have decided your intention and placement of the altar, begin to reflect on what represents or reminds you of this intention. What colors? What objects? What photos or images? What mythological figures? What elements (earth/stone, fire, water, air, space)?

Begin gathering objects, pictures, fabric, bowls, candles, etc. The objects may be found or gifts given by friends and loved ones. The objects may include art your have made or aspects of the natural world.

An altar can be as simple as a single candle on a table, that you light before you meditate, or right when you wake up, or when you eat breakfast. It can also include much more depending on the space you have and what you want to see. An altar will invoke a feeling in you, perhaps peace, inspiration, beauty, calm, presence, connection. So it’s ok to take time to bring it to life. There is no finished product. An altar is living and is meeting you, companioning you in your living.

You may wish to place a colorful cloth on the table. Colors have power and meaning, they invoke feelings in the imagination and the soma. Colors have unique associations for each of us individually and also carry collective strength. Trust the colors or patterns that speak to you. In different cultures colors represent different qualities and powers. 

In the Tibetan Buddhist mandala; blue is often associated with water/power/clarity/calm, white with spaciousness/inclusivity/sky, green with air/activity/intention, yellow with earth/abundance/generosity, red with fire/compassion/connection. Orange is often associated with creativity and personal power, purple with transcendence, black with mystery, birth and new life.

You may wish to have a central figure or figures, a protector deity, a family ancestor, a large stone, a mirror, a drawing or painting or another piece of art. This object usually embodies the quality or intention that you have in creating the altar.

You may wish to place fresh flowers in a vase, or have a bowl of fresh water, or a bit of bird seed in a small cup. You may also wish to have offerings that you like to burn or smell (incense, cedar, palo Santo, lavender, rose pedals or resins like copal, frankincense, etc.). These items are considered offerings, ways of remembering our inter-connection with the more-than-human community and the great Earth, and ways of interacting with the altar and with the intention the altar represents.

You can place as many things on your altar as you wish. You may find new objects as time goes by. Perhaps a feather gifted from a feathered friend, a stone or note written from a friend wish to spend some time on your altar. 

Consider how you want to interact with your altar. Is there a practice you would like to do whenever you see it? A mindful breath, a 10-second reflection on compassion/forgiveness? Or is your altar something you want to interact with at certain times, before meditation, upon waking, when you eat a meal together as a family? Do you want to sing or chant or pray or hold silence at this altar? Do you want to read from scripture or poetry or listen to a guided meditation when you interact with the altar?

Altars can also hold things for us. They can hold difficult emotions, pains, doubts and dreams. It is welcome to put the difficulties or challenges you are currently having in your life on the altar and let your altar hold these challenges with you
These are all questions and suggestions for getting started. Altars are both places of daily ritual as well as ceremony. These suggestions hint more at the ritual uses of a

Altar, and making an altar is in itself a ceremony—as you give birth to something new in your life. Please have fun, enjoy the process of making and maintaining an altar. I am happy to be a support/guide in the process if you wish.

Included are some images of altars I have made for myself and with others; and some that others have made in retreat settings together.