My year has included so much miraculous learning about how to let go and what to let go of. So, recently I was not surprised to find a desire to clear and cleanse my altar. I have the privilege of a space I can set up as a permanent altar. What this means- practically speaking- is that I don’t put everything away after ritual. I end ritual properly and release the circle, etc, but I leave my candles and bowls and such on the surface, indefinitely. After… I suppose it’s been 2 years… a whole lot of ‘me’ grew into a practically sculptural altar arrangement.
Sculptural 
see what I mean?
I marvel at the beauty of that; the treasure of self-expression fueled by recognition of the Divine in everyday life. And yet, clutter is still clutter, and clearing makes space for new expressions of Divine and Self. Who I am for the past two years may be a bit different than who I am now- in fact, I know her to be distinct. I love myself and encourage myself to step into the light. So, I cleared.
I still need to find a way to clean all the wax off my altar cloth (yeep, Imbolc two years ago was a definite learning experience about wax overflow!), but now at least the wood of the altar surface is clear and clean and polished. Everything has been removed, save
- My Goddess candle, which I’ve had since 2006 when I began practicing.
- A beautiful blue-green vase symbolizing Goddess, holding a tall peacock feather symbolizing God. I needed a way to keep the feather out of the mouth of my cat.
- A framed photograph of my grandmother, my mother, and myself. We are smiling widely, after a concert I took part in during high school.
- A framed photograph of my cat.
- A beautiful box from my parents.
- A mug made by a family-favorite potter, given to me by my mother, and picked out by me. It is glazed in Earth-tones: brown, gold, black, and is soooo beautiful. The tag Mom wrote said ‘Savor the Warmth.’ I can feel that statement every time I touch the mug.
As of Imbolc I will have set it up completely. I am leaning toward a traditional arrangement, with 4 elements and Spirit, Goddess and God symbols, and a patron Goddess symbol (I have a candle dedicated to Brigid). The rest (lighter, incense, offering) can be brought out for rituals. And I’m sure the ‘me’ that is me will add things ad infinitum until it sculpturizes again.
Maybe I’ll keep it clean, who knows. As long as I honor my inner goddess, it is what it is.
<3 Brigid Diana
I loved this post – it has reminded me of the need to sort out one of my own altars. It’s funny you should mention your cat and the peacock feather…I have the same trouble with the same trouble-making cat I was telling you about the other day!
But your altar sounds and looks beautiful – thank you for inspiring me yet again! Brightest Blessings
I’m grateful she didn’t destroy any more of my feathers.
Thanks for your kind compliments. Brightest blessings!