Why do I Need a Personal Sacred Space?

What is sacred space? The image that comes to mind most often is of a beautiful church or temple. Alternately, it is a majestic place in nature. Sacred space is a place where you feel safe, where you can transcend the mundane, commune with the Divine, be at peace, heal and so much more. This space can occur naturally or by design. Most belief systems consider that everywhere can be sacred space. To me, nature is sacred space. Have you ever been someplace, perhaps someplace unexpected, and felt a hushed, tranquil feeling come over you? This is sacred space.

You may wonder why, if sacred space can be anywhere or everywhere, it is necessary to create one personally. The easy answer is that is isn’t necessary. Many people have a perfectly fulfilling spiritual practice without a personal sacred space. It is, however, an enhancement. It helps to keep you connected to your spiritual side on a daily basis.

Being in a space that you have set aside for this purpose should be like entering a peaceful temple. It should signal to your mind that you are about to leave behind whatever may be bothering you. It should feed your soul.

A sacred space need not be grand. The corner of a room or even a shelf on a bookcase can be converted into a sacred space. The important thing is that it contain things that make you happy. If you have nothing else, an old shoebox with spiritual or uplifting pictures and a crystal or two is good. Entering or approaching your sacred space should trigger the feeling of transcending time and space, a place where you can find a connection to all that is. Over time, it will become imprinted with your energy. If I am feeling unwell, I go to my sacred space to heal. It is so imbibed with my energy that it helps restore my strength. Find a place where you already feel comfortable and work with it. I have a sacred space indoors and one outdoors. The outdoor space is an area in my yard where I do meditations, yoga and devotions. I have a wind chime, a statue and some stones by a tree. I leave offerings in this area, food that can be eaten by wildlife.

Decorate it with things that inspire you. This can be pictures, quotes, candles, statues - whatever you like (Take precautions if you will be burning candles or incense in a small area).

Take your time. You don’t have to throw it together in a day. Add to it over time with things that enter your life; that interesting rock, a pressed flower from a special occasion bouquet, a pinecone that caught your fancy. You may wish to change it seasonally as well. It is your space, do whatever you feel inspired to do. The only thing to remember is to only place things here that make you fee happy and feel good. Don’t keep something here that makes you feel sad, angry, guilty, etc.

Once you have found and set up your sacred space, you will want to keep it tidy. In addition to routine cleaning, you may wish to do a spiritual cleaning as well. If you have a cleansing method that you use normally, use whatever works for you. If not, you can do one or more of the following.

• Smudge with sage or other herb. Rosemary also works well for cleansing
• Sprinkle lightly salted water, blessed water, Florida water or the like around the area using a sprig of rosemary or other herb
• Use a bell, drum or Tibetan Tingsha cymbals and/or chant
• Simply say a prayer and ask that the area be blessed and consecrated
• Ask for Angels or other Light Beings to watch over the area
• If you are attuned to Reiki, trace your symbols in the air around the room

Clutter and dust is distracting and takes away from the beauty of your space. It is also a magnet for negative energy.

Once you have it set up the way you like it - use it! Spend some time there each day, even if it is only briefly to light a candle, say a prayer or collect your thoughts. Ideally, you want to create an atmosphere where you feel instantly calm and centered when you enter it. Some ideas for what to do in your sacred space:

• Meditate
• Pray
• Light candles for special intentions or events (i.e. healing or the anniversary of a loved one’s passing)
• Divination (Tarot, scrying, etc)
• Listen to uplifting music
• Soak in the energy of your sacred space when you feel depleted
• Connect to Spirit in whatever way is meaningful to you

Again, this should be an area that upon entering signals a movement from the mundane to the sacred.

Sacred space is all around us, whether it be the natural energy of the earth or a human made temple. There is a connection that runs through them all. You will find, however, that the sacred space you set for yourself, pulsing with your energy, is like a warm embrace. It will comfort you. It will heal you. Most importantly, it will connect you. Have fun with it and let it enrich your spiritual practice.