OnStarting an

AltarPractice…

A Blossom LetterBy Dr Amy Palko

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On Starting an Altar Practicewas created by Amy Palko of

amypalko.comamy@amypalko.comtwitter.com/amypalko

facebook.com/timetoblossom

2011 Amy PalkoAll Rights Reserved

Cover image by Amy Palko

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Hello there, Blossom…

I wanted to share my altar creation practice – apractice that is very close to my heart.

Altars have been something that I have beenpersonally creating and recreating for a numberof years now. In fact, if I’m honest, I don’tremember a time when I didn’t have an altar ofsome sort in my bedroom.

And with that admission, it’s probably best toclarify exactly what I mean by ‘altar’…

I’m aware that, for some, the word ‘altar’summons ideas of religion or some kind oforganized spirituality. That it refers to the areaat the front of a church or temple where the

Quick Altar TipsDesignate a space for your altarwhere it can be seen on a dailybasis. Hiding it away in a guestbedroom that you never go inwill not help you to connect tothis practice. Also, choose aspace where it can situndisturbed - you don't want tohave to keep moving it aroundyour home.

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priest, pastor, or minister preaches from. Eitherthat or it refers to a place where devotees maketheir sacrifices, say their prayers etc.

That is not how I will be using the word.

For me, the word ‘altar’ is synonymous with‘sacred space’: an area that I have chosensomewhere in my home that is specificallydesignated for my spiritual expression. A placewhere I can light my candles, say myaffirmations, display my dreamboard and gatherobjects, images, cards, quotes etc. that haveresonated with me for some reason or another.

So, what I want to invite you to do over thecoming months is create a space where you cangather and arrange these objects, images etc. as away of keeping your spiritual journey present –

Quick Altar TipsIf you choose not to practicealtar gathering and creation inrhythm with the moon, chooseanother schedule that worksfor you, e.g. every first andthird weekend of the month.

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kind of like a physical reminder in our everydayspace of what we’ve chosen to focus on.

Now, there are a few objects that remainconstant on my altar:

• A plant (normally my orchid or bonsai tree)• A mirror• Family photos• Candles• My full moon dreamboard

For the dreamboard, I participate every month inJamie Ridler’s online dreamboard circle, and Iwould recommend that you give this practice ago to see if it works for you. I, personally, havefound it to be incredibly effective and a beautifulway of connecting to my soul’s messages and

Quick Altar TipsTry creating altars for specificpurposes, for example aromance altar or a money altar.To see an example of this,check out my exclusive altartour (video) - details at the endof this letter!

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desires. Jamie is currently offering full moondreamboard telecircles, and you may want to trythis to give you a little extra guidance as youestablish this powerful practice.

You can find out more at her website:http://jamieridlerstudios.ca

Other objects find their way onto my altardependent upon whether or not I feel theybelong there that month. I have a collection ofcrystals, and so I usually choose a couple toplace on the altar. I also have a range of oraclecards, ornaments, goddess images, carvings,sculptures etc. which all make an appearance.

However, I also add objects that I find innature or which I’m drawn to over a specificlunar cycle. So, for example, I often have

Quick Altar TipsTrust your intuition. If it's tellingyou to put that penny youfound on the street on youraltar, do it!

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feathers that I’ve found, or pebbles that I’vepocketed. Sometimes, I’ll pick up an inspirationalpostcard at a local café, or a poem from thepoetry library, and I’ll add it to the altar too.Little gifts will also feature; for example, if oneof my children picks a flower for me, or abeautiful leaf, then that will be added too.

What I also do is, if a specific word keepsreappearing in various different mediums andsettings, then I’ll write it on a piece of paperand make sure it features in one way or another.Often, I’ll include this word on my dreamboard,so I’ll have a reminder of that word to ensure Istay alert to its lessons.

The way that I see this cycle of altar gathering,creation, gathering & recreation working is that

Quick Altar TipsTreat yourself to a reallybeautiful set of oracle cardslike Colette Baron Reid'sWisdom of the Hidden Realmscards, Brian Froud's TheFaeries Oracle or DoreenVirtue's Message From YourAngels cards. Choose a cardfor each recreation of youraltar.

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as of the new moon, you begin to collect itemsthat you are drawn to for whatever reason. Don’ttry and analyse what you are choosing. In thewords of Mary Oliver ‘let the soft animal ofyour body love what it loves’, and don’t questionit too closely. Go with what feels right.

Then, on the full moon, take some time toremove the items from the altar that you feelneed to be removed, and then start the processof arranging the items you’ve collected since thenew moon in their place. Not everything thatyou’ve chosen will make it into the sacred space– that’s perfectly all right. In fact, that’s justthe way it should be. Once again, go with theflow and don’t over-analyse your choices; youcan journal about the process later, but for themoment just let yourself choose and trust yourintuition.

Quick Altar TipsYour altar is a beautiful place toenjoy a guided visualization.Why not include this in yourregular altar practice!

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Once it’s all finished, and it looks just how youfeel in your heart it should, you may want totake some time sitting in your space and allowingyourself just to be there in that space, in thatmoment. Light your candles, and sit in thesilence. Notice how it makes you feel. Whateffect does it have on your body, on your breath,on your state of mind? Are you drawn to a fewelements in particular?

And as the moon wanes you may wish to usethis time to reflect on the gathering and creationprocess in your journal (scroll down for somejournal prompts to help you out!), before thenext new moon arrives, and you start theprocess all over again.

Quick Altar TipsIf you have candles on youraltar, which you probably do,then please please pleasealways remember never to leavenaked flames unattended. Snuffthem out before you leave yoursacred space.

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You may want to take a photograph to create arecord for yourself as a reminder of your altar’svarious incarnations. If you feel moved to shareyour photos, I would love it if you added themto my FaceBook page! Find me at: www.facebook.com/timetoblossom

Sending you much loveAmyxx

PS. I made this exclusive video tour of mycurrent altar especially for you –http://vimeo.com/28308236[Password: bloombymoon]

PPS. If you have any questions at all aboutaltars, moons, goddesses etc. please do get intouch with me at amy@amypalko.com

Here are 9 prompts for you to revisit each full moon…

Can I discern a theme in the items that I gathered for inclusion in myaltar?

Was I surprised by anything that I chose and why do I think that was?

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What did I choose to remove from my altar and why?

What did I choose to keep on my altar and why?

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What did I expect to include on my altar, but didn’t? Why do I think thatwas?

Do I feel that there’s anything missing from my altar?

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If I were to name this cycle’s altar, what name would I give it?

How do I feel sitting in my sacred space, and how does this differ fromlast cycle’s altar?

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What is my altar’s message to me for this cycle?

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And the day came when the risk to remain tightin a bud was more painful than the risk it took

to blossom. ~ Anais Nin

If you feel it’s your time to blossom join Bloom by Moon to receiveregular course material that invites you to center back in yourself by

journeying through the lunar cycles.

For more details, check out http://www.amypalko.com/sanctuary/