How To Create A Spiritual Temple
Sacred space
is perhaps something that few of us actually feel we have the area to
accommodate. We think in terms of a room or corner of a room that, once
cleansed, would feel perfect for our spiritual work. However, sacred
space is a “must have” for any who consider meditation or spiritual
work a part of daily life.
Life is busy,
home space is full or in short supply. So what do you do? Here are a few
unique types of temples, all workable and all designed for efficient use
of the space you have. Construct your temple, cleanse it and use the
power it will draw. Temples have a psychological effect as well as
energizing our soul. We let the mundane world drift into the background
as we reconnect with the power within us. Feed your soul. Give your soul
the space it needs to grow within you. Compliment your spiritual self by
setting up a sacred spot.
- The
Corner Temple - usually constructed in the corner of a room, using a
triangular shelf set up for efficient space. The main shelf should be
roomy enough to accommodate a bowl of some kind or chalice, a small
container of salt and perhaps an incense burner and pair of candles.
Make absolutely sure the candles have plenty of room above them for fire
safety. Use a smaller shelf, mounted much further up, for storage of
magical temple items that you don’t need to display on the main temple
altar, such as a bell, censor or herb/parchment/ink storage.
- The
Kitchen Temple - often if we try, we can make space in a kitchen, on
shelves, cabinets, microwave stands or windowsills. Placement of
candles, little pots of herbs, a cheer water container and perhaps a
small bouquet of fresh flowers can help convert a tired old spot into a
vibrant area of light and peace. Kitchens naturally lend themselves to
cheery and nature-based design. Make sure to incorporate herbs of your
choice, wheat as an earth representation and water or tea. I use the
most wonderful sun/moon tea pot for my water container. It lends itself
to my kitchen magical area.
- The
Temple Bath - nothing is such a treat as a long hot bath with all of
the surrounding atmospheric enhancements. To sink into the water
element, immerse yourself in the heat, inhale the lavender aromatherapy
candle and let your mind and soul relax entirely. Work out something
with the space around the tub itself. With a little ingenuity you can do
wonders with odd places. Incorporate hanging shelves and use the
three-tiered wire basket to place your sacred items. I use one that I
hang from the shower rod that surrounds our tub. In the small top
basket, I’ve placed a mesh pouch of herbs I like. The steam from the
bath rises and releases the herbs’ scents. In the second, I have bath
items such as aromatherapy packets, body washes and such. In the largest
basket, I have a stoppered bottle of purified water to rinse with, an
incense cone holder and cones and a spare unlit candle. The candles I do
light are well away from any material or overhead obstruction.
- The
Window Temple - one space often overlooked is the window sill. Along
with the sill, you get light, both sunlight and (usually at a specific
time of year) moonlight. If you are lucky enough to have four inch sills
or more, you can place an altar nicely there. Hang packets of herbs or
stones from the window frames, use a long narrow container to do a
crystal garden and grow a plant or two in that window. These lend the
earth element as well as fresh oxygen for maximum space cleansing. If
you really want to fancy it up, use stained glass or other
semi-transparent hanging decorations for your window. Prisms are
wonderful and draw light in through magical angles, creating rainbows in
your home.
As you can
see, temple space is not hard to achieve once you put your mind to it.
Using oddly shaped shelves, crates, nooks and crannies, you can create a
place of tranquility and escape for your head, your heart and your soul.
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Copyright 2000 |
