We are deeply affected by our environment.

Everything has energy - even the items in our space. When we have clutter and disorganization, it creates nervous, scattered energy that we begin to feel.

It is important to give mindful thought to the items in your space. Do they truly bring you joy, inspire you, create a calm and peaceful presence in your home? Or do they remind you of negative past times, create clutter, bring stress, and drain your energy?

You may not have given this much thought before, or have even realized your environment can play such a role in your overall mood and energy levels, so spend some time in your space and begin to bring more awareness to how being in each room makes you feel.

The practice of releasing stuff can help us release attachments that negatively affect us. As we get rid of what is no longer serving us, we make room for new things that will.

Letting go is harder for some people than others. For some, throwing something out with memory attached to it feels like erasing a part of their life. Another reason we tend to hold onto things is that we think it might come in handy one day - a fear of waste.

Giving your space room for energy to flow freely is important. It’s also important to open your windows on occasion to allow the air and energy to be released. It helps avoid stagnation in your environment.

I have come to realize that less is so much more. I have felt the difference in my energy when I have less stuff in my space and can feel the openness in a room. It makes me feel more calm, less stressed, and at peace.

Even the act of clearing and decluttering my space is like having a big weight lifted off my shoulders. It feels so good! Just be sure when letting go of items, you do so from a place of gratitude. Some of these items may have been with you for a long time and deserve a proper farewell, so tell it ‘thank you’ as you release it.

CREATING AN ALTER

The root of your wellbeing can be strengthened by creating an alter, a place where you can connect with yourself and Spirit.

Alters contain objects placed on a cloth for specific intent. Shamans believe an alter created with intention enhances connection with your soul-spirit and the Cosmic and Earthly worlds. It creates a central place for meditation and manifestation.

Oftentimes, we place items around our house that are sacred without even realizing it, such as crystals, stones, candles, feathers, etc. It is all that much more powerful when we bring these items together in one setting. When items are scattered around our home, it can create scattered energy within ourselves.

The most basic symbolism for your alter are the four elements combined with Spirit. The elements are Fire (South), Water (West), Air (East), and Earth (North). Spirit is the fifth element, and is the life force that animates all that is living. Your alter reflects back to you the harmony of the elements within your body. It creates balance and can serve as a place to recenter yourself. Just as we eat nourishing food for our bodies, your alter becomes a place that nourishes your soul.

5 ELEMENTS

FIRE

The symbol of fire is oftentimes represented by a candle. If you are unable to burn anything in your space, you can also use stones that represent the fire element, such as tiger eye, ruby, red garnet or jasper. You can also use spicy herbs, such as cinnamon or crushed red pepper.

WATER

Water is often symbolized by a small dish of water, or seashells, ocean coral, or a bowl of sand. You may also use a vase of fresh flowers.

AIR

For the element of air, you may include a feather from a bird or plant-based incense such as palo santo, white sage, copal, or sandalwood.

EARTH

Earth symbols on your alter may be fresh cut flowers, crystals or stones, a living plant. A small dish of beans, grains or dried herbs. If using crystals or stones, some good ones for grounding energy, healing heavy emotions, depression, and blocking negative energy are amethyst, citrine, carnelian, smoky quartz, rutilated quartz, tiger’s eye, rose quartz, selenite, and black tourmaline. Do your research and select which stones speak to you when choosing.

SPIRIT

Everyone has their own idea of what Spirit is to them. Whatever it means for you, you may place items that symbolize Spirit. For some, it may be photos or items of deities like Buddha, Kuan Yin, Isis, God, Ganesha, etc. Some may not be drawn to deities and instead may prefer to place photos of their ancestors. Whatever you feel called to do here.

OFFERINGS

Placing dried corn on your alter represents power. Fresh or dried flowers is placed for protection. Fresh fruit represents sweetness. Local currency, coins or bills brings prosperity. You may place any of these offerings on your alter daily or weekly, whenever you feel called to do so.

STEPS

Choose a quiet place in your home, such as your bedroom, meditation room, etc.

Place a cloth on a table or the ground to hold the four elements and create the boundary for your sacred space.

Place at least one object for each elemental category on your alter as you wish. Use your intention here with the placement of the items. You can’t do this wrong, so don’t overthink it. Trust yourself and the guidance coming through. The soul communicates with you through our feelings and intuition.

If you feel deeply connected to other forces, such as animals or herbs, you can even include items that represent any of these forces. If you feel deeply connected to one of the elements, you may end up with a lot of items on your alter representing that element, such as many stones and crystals for Earth.

Your alter is a place of great beauty, so make it as beautiful as you desire and keep it clean. Make it a place you want to come back to every day.

ACTIVATE

Every morning when you wake up, visit your alter. You can light some palo santo to clear your energy and the energy around you. Light a candle. Ask for guidance. Say a prayer for anyone that comes to mind - living or passed on. Ask to invite more love and light into your heart and being. Ask for heavy emotions to be lifted and transmuted. Take some moments to breathe deeply and energize your entire being.

Notice if you feel called to move objects on your alter around, or remove or add anything.

TIPS

If you’re working through moving out heavy, suppressed emotions, simply go to your alter and express them there. Know that you are supported and safe to do so. Anytime you need guidance or send energy to a loved one, you can do that here.

If you’re traveling, you can take a few key items from your personal alter with you to create a mini alter where you will be staying, just make sure you have the basics to represent all four elements and leave your main alter in tact.

As you grow, your alter may change. Your alter reflects the path of your soul, which is always evolving.

If you have children, you can include them in visits to your alter because perhaps one day they may be inspired to create one of their own.