How to Create a Sacred Space

“SACRED SPACE . A sacred space is first of all a defined place, a space distinguished from other spaces. ... the helpful metaphor of sacred space as a "focusing lens." A sacred place focuses attention on the forms, objects, and actions in it and reveals them as bearers of meaning.”

-encyclopedia .com

A sacred space is any safe spot that you have created for the care and keeping of your inner world and soul. It is a space to take time to go inward and reflect. It truly can include anything and everything that brings you happiness. It also is a place where you are in charge and control the environment, even just for a brief moment. This is a place that is yours.

When you hear the words “sacred space”. What do you think of? Maybe a church, a temple, Stonehenge, how about the forest behind your home or even your gym? I personally think of the beach and my home and seek to create a sacred space that elicits the feelings of both. This means that anywhere can be sacred if you place your intention on it.

An element that you can use in your sacred space decor is an altar. Dictionary.com defines an altar as “A table or flat-topped block used as the focus for a ritual”. Which allows you freedom to DIY altar ideas of your own in your home including anything you wish, pretty much anywhere!

Creating your own sacred space is all about setting up and using what brings you serenity and joy.

You can focus on the five senses and the elements when carving out your special spot or using your altar ideas to get started and to help you engage all parts of your consciousness.

Touch:

What do you want to be touching when you are interacting with your space? Do you love a fluffy knit blanket. Do you have your mothers favorite scarf as a tablecloth. Maybe you have a stone you found as a worry stone, or a strand of mala beads to help in your meditations. Lots of textures that help you connect back to your sense of touch will help to ground you in your body and in your sanctuary.

ex. I have seashells that remind me of my favorite beach back home that I pick up and play with feeling their textures, smooth on the inside, rough on the outside.

Smell:

What scents help you to relax and zen out? You could always light some incense or add your favorite essential oil to a diffuser to fill the space. Do you like floral, woodsy, sweet, smoky, herbaceous, bright, or clean scents? Maybe it is a bottle of your grandmothers perfume? What is your favorite flower and could you have it planted in a pot or in a vase in your space? Take time to experiment with smells and find some ways to incorporate them!

ex. I pick a gardenia (my favorite flower) from the bush in my front yard and place it in a small vase on my altar it always releases its beautiful scent into the room.

Sound:

What music brings you joy? Set up a playlist you can load up when you are settling down to take time for yourself. Intentional sounds help clear the air to make way for your higher vibrations. Some sounds that may be fun to explore for you are chanting, acoustic guitar, Native American flutes, and binaural tones.

ex. Some other fun elements that I have incorporated in my space are a singing bowl and bells that I ring to settle in.

Taste:

What can you taste that brings you happiness. This could be a delicious dark chocolate bar or your favorite smoothie. A beautiful taste that is fun to explore is brewing yourself a pot of tea. There are so many flavors to choose from like green tea, peppermint tea and camomile tea, and the act of slowly sipping really takes you into the present moment.

ex. When Im settling in to my special space I really enjoy bright fruit flavors like a ripe juicy nectarine!

Sight:

Gather all of the items and trinkets that have significant meaning for you and lay them out in a way that you can interact with them. Use colors and patterns that bring you joy. Gifts and items you have collected that spark joy for you should be included here for you to see in your sacred space. Statues that represent important ideas, sacred geometry forms, spirit animal totems are some things that could get you started.

ex. I have a crystal altar space as well as a small bowl of sea glass I’ve collected over the years that I love to look at.

Air:

Is your special spot set up by a window, if so opening up your space to the outdoors is a good way to incorporate air. Make sure your space has nice air flow to it to help clear you.

Ex. I have a large feather for wafting the palo santo wood I burn to clear my space

Fire:

Having a candle is always a nice way to incorporate fire energy into your space. Watching the flame flicker is a beautiful way to engage with the present moment.

ex. I always have a favorite color candle lit in a votive in my sacred space.

Water:

A small desktop fountain or a fish bowl are sweet ways to incorporate water energy into your space.

ex. I have a small statue of a mermaid that reminds me of my childhood at the ocean

Earth:

What earth elements bring you joy? Perhaps there are some plants that you love and wish to incorporate into your environment. Crystals, sand and earth collected from your favorite places also bring in the earth element. Anything that speaks to you that you have found in nature can represent earth.

ex. I have some sand collected from my favorite beach I have in a dish with which I lay out some of my trinkets.

Some other things to think about are activities and images.

Activities:

What will you be doing while engaging with your space. Do you need room to lay out your yoga mat to move freely and to practice. Or will you just be sitting on a pillow in front of your meditation altar. Or maybe this is the space for you to be creative and write in your journal or paint a piece of artwork or dance. Whatever it is that you need space for to be your best self allow space for that here in your sacred space.

ex. I keep my inner work journal in my space charged by all of my favorite things

Images:

Do you have a religious practice and want to incorporate images or objects of your faith?. Are you inspired by a particular artist? Do certain images illicit positive vibes for your spiritual altar? Do you want a beautiful photograph of your favorite place or person to be here with you in your environment? Include it!

ex. I have a statue of the Nike of Samothrace that inspires me on my altar.

These are all ways to help you get started creatively on creating a sacred space for yourself. But remember you do not have to incorporate any of these elements, you must only include objects and feelings that speak to you! Any space no matter how small can be set up as a sacred space for you. My current space is on the bottom level of my bookcase, but it could be a corner of a room, or your desk or even the inside of a drawer. Any place you take a moment to check in with yourself is sacred.

If you would like some more inspiration I’ve included a link to my pinterest board for more Sacred Space examples!

if you would like help from a designer in helping you to create your own sacred space in your home reach out to me I would love to hear from you! Contact me!

Thank you so much for taking the time to read this post! I wish you peace and serenity in your sacred space retreat, wherever that may be in this universe.

Love,

Catherine Rose