Meditation with a Fresh New Dimension: OUTDOOR ALTAR

You don't have to be involved with Pagan Witchcraft to have an outdoor altar. Garden altars and outdoor wall altars are becoming quite popular. The personal daily practice of meditation or prayer is very important to many people and having a special place outdoors where you can sit quietly with Nature can be a very important part of this practice. Quiet, peaceful time spent at an outdoor altar space enhances the process of devotion and meditation with a fresh, new dimension. It can renew your entire outlook on life.

Many people enjoy outdoor rituals like celebrations of Solstice, ritual circles, and Native American ceremonies as well as prayer and meditation. Nature has no 'off limits' places and only safety and nearby shelter from a sudden rain shower should limit your choices for choosing a location for your outdoor altar. Perhaps your altar will be incorporated in an outdoor wedding ceremony or a renewal of vows celebration. There are endless possibilities.

Your own garden is a wonderful natural backdrop for meditation and spiritual revival. Being surrounded by beautiful flowers, shrubs and trees, birds and butterflies can only heighten the peacefulness and renewal of life you are bound to experience.

A quiet spot is all one needs for an outdoor altar. Using objects from nature that you have gathered yourself would be much more meaningful than a synthetic altar, purchased from a store. The choice is yours. If the altar is natural and not exactly 'perfect' it will blend in and be more in tune with Nature as a sacred place.

Search in the woods for a piece of wood suitable for an altar top. Large rocks can be placed under each end for legs. You can leave the altar top natural or paint designs, symbols or pictures to personalize it. Let it age naturally in the weather or, if you prefer, use a water-based, environmentally-friendly sealer for protection. A large, flat rock could also serve as an altar top.

There is no limit to what you might want to include. You may want to adorn your altar with candles incense, statues, hand bells, and other objects of meaning. However you choose to decorate your altar is entirely a personal choice,

Your outdoor altar will be infused with your personal energy. Enjoy.