Home Shrine: Update

My Shrine/Altar use to be situated under my bedroom window, but 7-month old kittens wanting to hang out in the window sill, kept knocking everything off so I had to move it to a safer place.

My shrine has gone through several changes over the years.  I try to keep it simple because I can't stand clutter.  It's on top of a small dresser so my space is limited.  Eventually, I'd like to hang a couple of shelves above it so I will have more room to add pictures and other representations of the Kindred. 

Here is what I currently have on my altar:

1.  Altar cloth that I knitted with a multi-colored yarn.

2.  World Tree:  I printed out a beautiful Yggdrasil graphic onto a clear, full-page label and wrapped it around a white 7-day candle.

3.  Shed Deer Antler:  Found out in my woods (Freyr symbol)

4.  Memorial candle for the beloved pets I have lost.

5.  A vase that I keep full of fresh flowers that I pick from the wild and my gardens (for Freyja)

6.  Cat figurine I received as a Christmas present from my brother because  I rescue and foster cats for my local shelter (Also a Freyja symbol)

7.  Seasonal candle (Summer)

8.  Earth Mother:  A beautiful white rock mass of fossilized seashells that my husband found when he was working down south along the Gulf Coast a few years ago.

9.  Well:  Clear, blue bowl

10.  A glass candle holder for three tea candles (that also represent each of the three Kindred).

11.  Two decorative bottles (one clear and one pink) that I purchased as housewarming gifts for myself after I celebrated my divorce in 1998 and moved into my first apartment. 

12.  The Catholic rosary that belonged to my Grandfather who died when I was seven years old (Ancestors).  I have it hanging on the clear decorative bottle.

13.  Holder for incense sticks

14.  Jar with stones and feathers I have collected on my property (Nature/Land Spirits)

My Home Shrine Dressed for Autumn

I chose to set up my Home Shrine in my spare room that also serves as my piano/music/computer room...I spend A LOT of time in here. It's on a small dresser in front of the bedroom window that faces east.  I perform my morning prayers/devotionals with the rising sun streaming through and when the moon is full, I have the best seat in the house when it's time to say good-night.  

My altar/shrine is nothing fancy and I'm sure I'll make changes as time goes on. I already had everything I needed for the altar (except a bowl for the well) and each item has special meaning for me:

1. World-Center Symbol - A beautiful white rock mass of fossilized seashells that my husband found when he was working down south along the Gulf Coast a few years ago.

2. Fire - A glass candle holder with 3 tea candles (that also represent each of the three Kindred).

3. A tall blue candle that I light in memory of loved ones who have died.

4. A seasonal candle holder (Autumn) with oak and maple leaves on it...temporary tree symbol.

5. A little silver dish that a man I knew through work sent me from Scotland. It's gorgeous and has a Celtic design inside.

6. A clear decorated glass bottle that I bought years ago for my first apartment. I will keep Lake Superior and rain water in it.

7.  A blue bowl with dried autumn leaves from some of my favorite trees on our property and a dried bouquet of flower blossoms from my Hydrangea bush.  

8.  A small, pretty blue glass jar that I bought at the Marquette Co-op.

9.  A porcelain tea-cup with an arrangement of white and burgundy silk flowers.  A Christmas present from my sister.

As for the bowl for the well...nothing I have here at the house felt right, so I'm going to check out a few second hand stores and try to find one that belongs on my altar.