trinity
Altar, Harvest Moon & Mercury Retrograde
Altars. What a magickal* and intimidating thing. Altars can help us to feel more connected (in whatever way that means to you), to help us channel energy and intentions, and to help us follow the changing of the seasons.
Altars have a long and sacred history of honoring Saints, Saviors, Deities, Bodhisattvas, and Ancestors. But for so many of us, we find ourselves overwhelmed and confused; what are the “rules” of building an Altar? How does one do it properly? When, where, why do we build an Altar?
Did you ever build Faerie houses as a child? What about set up some of your favorite photos and items on dressers/ night stands? What about collecting favorite rocks, shells, or other small items and set them out on windowsills or tables? These are all examples of Altars!
Altars can be as simple or as complex as you want them to be! Here are a few general tips to help you get started:
Set an intention. What or Who is this Altar for? (PS! you can have more than one Altar for more than one intention!)
What items do you feel are associated with this intention? Candles, Crystals,Pictures, Food, Incense, Trinkets, Bits and Bobs… Gadgets & Gizmos, Who’s-It’s & What's-It’s galore…
Where do you feel this Altar would best fit? Think of your intention… should it go in your bedroom? On a favorite window or table? Maybe it belongs outside? Never discount the bathroom ;) (PS! Did you know you can make an Altar in a box? That way you can take it down and set it up whenever or wherever you feel is right!)
How big do you want your Altar to be? Bigger is not always better. In this instance, size truly doesn’t matter — it’s how you use it;)
For the next three days, September 9th, 10th, & 11th, the skies will glow with the light of the Harvest Moon. They are the first Full Moon of the Autumn Season and get their name from back in the days when farmers relied on the Sun and Moon to light the fields during the Autumn Harvest. Like the beautiful burnt oranges that the trees and leaves begin to shed with the changing of the season, so too does the Harvest Moon appear to us in a beautiful shade of Orange.
This is a wonderful time to celebrate the rewards of the work you have put in throughout the year, just as the farmers reap the rewards and bring in their bountiful harvest. Full Moons are the perfect time to give thanks, take a deep breath, and breathe out a big sigh of relief; now is the time to relax & recharge. Now is also a good time to set an intention for the following cycle (Moon cycles are 28 days between Full Moons). You also may have heard of people creating “Moon Water” and “charging their crystals”. During this Harvest Moon, now is the perfect time to build an Altar and “charge two birds with one stone” if you will ;)
to build an Altar and “charge two birds with one stone” if you will ;)
This Harvest Moon also begins on the same day as Mercury Retrograde. For more information about Mercury Retrograde, you can see my previous post : Who’s Mercury and Why Does Everyone Care that He’s in Retrograde?!
Take a few moments to Re-flect on everything that has happened this last Summer. What are you grateful for? What are you proud of yourself for? What brought you happiness? What is a fond memory you’ll always carry with you? What would you like to carry with you as we transition over into the colder months? What negative habits can you Re-form (or outright get rid of)? What things in your life can you RE-examine and Re-imagine? Now is a good time for journaling as well. I find putting pen to paper can be very cathartic.
Once you’ve found these answers, collect a few (or as many) items you feel encompass your new intentions. I always like to have at least one small candle on my Altars. Find a space in your home that you would like to have an Altar up for either the duration of the Harvest Moon (ends September 11th) or until the end of Mercury Retrograde (end October 1st-2nd).
There’s truly no right or wrong way to do this. You can look up examples and inspiration on the internet! You can buy a book on Altar building! What’s most important is to do what feels right, not what you think looks right. It can be strange at first, if you’ve never done it before. I personally need to set aside at least 2 hours when I decide to redecorate my big Seasonal Altar, but just as easily can put together a small Altar in 10 minutes. There is no set time you need to spend, the important thing is to give yourself the space and grace to take as much or as little time as you need. Ultimately, this Altar is for you, and therefore, only you can be the judge of it.
Small Authors side note: When building an Altar to/for a Deity, I highly recommend including a small offering in the form of food, milk, wine, or other edible thing. This is primarily based off of long standing traditions across all cultures. After all, when you invite a guest into your home, you offer them something to eat or drink, right?
Well! What are you waiting for? You’ve got this.
Blessed Harvest Moon,
~Bijan
