Whether you’re a proud, science-loving sceptic or a fully paid up embracer of all things esoteric in life, knowing how to create a sacred space at home is one of the most important steps you can take towards success.
It’s easy to get caught up in the multiple roles you play in the world: Parent, partner, independent woman, sister, leader, and so on.
A sacred space is one where you leave those roles behind and really connect to who you are at a deep level, beneath the various responsibilities to others.
Taking the time and putting in the effort to make a special area of your home that’s just for you can, in my experience:
- Help you connect to yourself and hear your “inner wisdom” guiding you
- Give you a reminder to focus on what really matters in life, and allow you to create success with more ease
- Allow you to notice and be receptive to unexpected opportunities – hidden miracles you might not otherwise have seen
What exactly is a sacred space?
When I talk about a “sacred space” what I mean is a space that’s just for you. Its purpose is to be a place where you can pause, and reconnect to the bigger picture.
Now, this doesn’t have to be a religious space – you may already have a place in your house that’s designated for religious purposes.
But it should be somewhere you can feel a connection to something much bigger than you, whatever your name for that is: God, goddess, the universe, nature, creativity, or your own highest self.
You could call it an altar, a meditation spot, or a writing chair. I like to think of it as a little corner of your world that when you see it, walk past it, or spend time in it, your soul says “yes”.
What does a sacred space look like?
Everyone’s sacred space will be different. Just how yours looks will be partly shaped by how much physical space you’re able to set aside.
You might be lucky enough to be able to designate a whole room, or perhaps the very best you can do is to clear a few inches on a bookshelf or windowsill.
Personally, I always aim to set aside at least a desk and chair to use as my sacred space. To have somewhere I can sit and write my morning pages every day.
(If I’m travelling, I’ll find a corner of the hotel room – a bedside table even – where I can place some objects and continue my practice.)
Find something that works for you, and don’t get caught up on trying to create the “perfect” setting. What matters is that you use this place as a way to set your intention, and connect more deeply to who you are.
What should I put in my sacred space?
The short answer is, whatever you like!
Choose objects which are meaningful to you and which have a resonance or an inspiring quality to them.
My own sacred space includes some beautiful crystals I’ve been given; candles; the goddess cards I use to draw inspiration each morning, and a salt lamp.
You could think about including:
- Plants or natural objects – found leaves, shells, or twigs
- Photographs of loved ones or ancestors
- Cards with images that speak to you
- Souvenirs from meaningful trips, or found items from your travels
- Quotes or poetry
- Favourite jewellery
- Fabric with beautiful texture or patterns
What matters is that every object in your space is one that has meaning for you. That doesn’t mean it needs to be valuable – a hand-scribbled scrap of paper can be worth more than an expensive antique.
If you’re creating a space for the first time, you might want to leave space for objects to gradually be added, rather than trying to “fill” it.
Or why not take yourself on an adventure to find those special things – a nature walk, a trip to an art shop, a visit to a church… the possibilities are endless.
What to do in your sacred space
This space is yours – it’s a physical reminder of your connection to the bigger picture; to Source, or the divine.
So, the activities you do there will naturally be ones which foster that connection.
You may wish, like I do, to sit and write your morning pages there.
Or perhaps you choose to pause, and take a few deep breaths when you walk past it.
It might be a place for prayer or meditation, or perhaps your space is one where you dance with joy, shaking off the weight of the world and remembering how glorious it is to be alive.
Maintaining your space
Keeping your space clean and clear is an ongoing practice. Cultivating a greater connection to your intuition means taking the care of your sacred space seriously, and honouring the intention with which you created it.
If you have an existing space, take a few minutes to think about what objects are in it. Do they still speak to you? Or are you ready to let go of them and move on?
Do you need to dust, clean, or refresh the objects on it for a new season?
A final note
My final tip for you is to make the space easy.
Let me explain: a while back, I used a corner of our attic guest room as my sacred space. It housed my desk, where I thought I’d sit to write my morning pages, and the meaningful objects I’ve gathered over the years.
Only somehow, resistance crept in. I found myself finding excuses not to go up there in the mornings as I’d intended – I was too tired, too busy, it was too cold…
Aha! Finally, I realised the problem. The attic room was chilly in the mornings. And making my usual morning tea before I began writing meant padding down to the kitchen, from which I had to climb two flights of stairs to get up to the cold room. No wonder my sleepy morning mind was coming up with excuses not to go!
The solution was simple. I popped an electric kettle, a stash of tea, and a heater set on a timer to start just before my alarm went off. Now, I could leave the bedroom, tiptoe upstairs to a welcoming, warm room with the refreshment I needed to start the day.
So if you can make your space even more easy to use, do it.
That might mean rearranging things so you have a comfy chair, better lighting, or a cosy blanket.
Perhaps you need to be stricter about not dumping laundry to fold on the chair you’d like to sit on, or just give everything a freshen up with some essential oils.
Make your sacred space a place that feels joyful to be in, and you might be surprised at the gifts it can bring you.
What’s in your space?
Share your tips and tricks for connecting to yourself in the comments below.
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