Shadow Altars

There are many different kind of altars. There are celebrational altars to honor the seasons, holidays or specific ceremonies or events (marriage, memorial, graduation, initiations, etc.) There are also home/family altars, ritual altars, garden altars, community altars and of course, one’s personal daily altar. There is every kind of altar you can imagine. However, a shadow altar is a specific type of altar aimed at transformation through the act of Sacred Intentional Creation. I also call these altars, Altars of Transformation or Theme Altars.

“Laying it Down” on the Altar

When I first stumbled on the idea of creating an altar to “The Things that Scared Me” or to the people, places and ideas that frustrated me and gave me grief (as opposed to making an altar to what I wanted to manifest) I thought it sounded weird and counter-intuitive. But, there was something in it that intrigued me. I asked myself the question, what if I externalized/brought out/looked at the things I most feared? What would happen to me? I decided to find out. And what I found out – surprised me!

In ritual, or when someone is truly struggling with something, we always say LAY IT DONE, meaning lay it on the altar ( = give it up to God, the Goddess, The Great Mystery, The Universe or the Unknown.) When you are ready to let it go, when you are ready to face your fear and stop struggling, when you are ready to stop trying to control and direct everything in your life, it’s possible for something magical to happen. As Caroline W. Casey likes to say, “The Gods and Goddesses would like to help, but spiritual etiquette requires that we ask.” So this is how we ask! We lay it down on our altar, asking for divine assistance. You must be willing to surprise yourself!

Inviting the Shadow to Play
Each Altarista will be creating an altar once a month for 13 moons based off a new theme each month. The themes will encompass a wide range of basic ideas. I encourage you to look at all the information that comes up for you when considering the theme. Instead of categorizing your thoughts, images and ideas into GOOD and BAD, just start with the first thing that comes up for you and start there. You will be lead in the right direction. Trust. Some people might be weary of inviting The Shadow onto their altars. (The Shadow being the part of ourselves that we don’t let come into the room, the part we don’t want others to see, the unlived, bad, neglected, scary, sad, lonely part of us that is forgotten.) But I dare you to take a risk in this project. Invite that part of yourself onto the playing field – for one never knows what role they are meant to take.

GETTING STARTED
I encourage you to look at all the information that comes up for you when considering the theme. Instead of categorizing your thoughts, images and ideas into GOOD and BAD, just start with the first thing that comes up for you and start there. You will be lead in the right direction. Trust. Some people might be weary of inviting The Shadow onto their altars. (The Shadow being the part of ourselves that we don’t let come into the room, the part we don’t bring to the Party, the unlived, bad, neglected, sad, lonely part of us that is forgotten.) But I dare you to take a risk in this project. Invite that part of yourself onto the playing field – for one never knows what role they are meant to take.

THEME IDEAS

  • Biggest Fear
  • Gratitdue
  • Forgiveness
  • People I hate
  • Secrets
  • Breakdowns

COMPLETION
Once you are done with your altar, EXPRESS. Sing, Dance, Praise, Cry, Laugh, Sit, Stretch, Love in front of your altar. Do what needs to be done. You will know what to do.