Pat Taub
Archaeologists have found traces of women’s home altars as early as 8000 BC. They pop up in the goddess civilization of Minoan Crete, during the Roman Empire, and sporadically in European, African, and Asian history. But in the US, the popularity of women’s home altars is a recent development.
Women’s Altar from Africa, 17th Century, Metropolitan Museum of Art
The women’s spirituality movement, which flourished in the ‘90’s, sparked the development of American women’s home altars.
When feminists took a fresh look at the major religions, they found them seriously lacking in sacred female imagery. To fill this gap, women began making altars in their homes and in women’s circles, honoring the Divine Feminine. Altars, showcasing goddesses and meaningful personal items, became a source of empowerment and inspiration.
A home altar creates a sacred space in one’s living quarters, showcasing personal objects and photos that inspire and serve as reminders of what one values.
My altar is in my study, which is my writing space, reminding me to get down to business. Objects I have chosen are a photo of my deceased mother, another of my grandkids, a Buddha, enscribed stones, a Mother’s Day card with a feisty Susan B, Anthony quote, a votive candle, and a changing arrangement of fresh flowers.
Other altars have crystals with energetic properties like, rose quartz, amethyst, and selenite. Many women periodically burn a stick of incense on their altars to clear and purify the space.
In choosing objects for your altar, it can be helpful to set the intention for your altar by asking yourself: “What’s sacred to me? What do I want to honor? How do I want my altar to influence me?” Then the adventure of selecting objects begins. Some women change their altars to reflect the seasons, important events in their life, or to honor a deceased relative or friend.
Women on the WOW Facebook page were invited to share descriptions and photos of their home altars. I’ve selected a few here to inspire both new altarees and experienced ones:
Emma Macaillen: My Buddhist altar with Avalokiteshvara, feminine Bodhisattva.
Isabelle Eberhardt: This was for my friend, Jeannette circa 2013. She was dying. We met, smoking cigarettes on neighboring back porches in the dead of winter. She reminded me of my Mom, who had died not so long before. Pretty much each object in this photo has a story/significance to it.
Caroline Patrick BorNei: Altar to my grandmother:
Francine Apollo has created garden altars in her homes, adding aromatic plants with healing properties, like lavender.
Women’s gatherings frequently create group altars, where each participant brings a sacred object and places it on the communal altar.
A group altar for a full moon ceremony
Sometimes a special event altar is created, like one to honor a recently deceased relative, providing a sacred focus for the family. When my ex-husband suffered a sudden death from drowning, I helped my young grandkids make an altar for him. Next to his photo, among the objects they placed where an orange, his favorite fruit, and a copy of The New York Times, his daily read.
Max and Jane in front of their altar for their grandfather
Alternatively, a special event altar can be celebratory, honoring a personal achievement or a milestone birthday.
In today’s troubled world, we can all use more sacred reminders in our lives. What could be a better time to make a home altar, refresh your existing one, or create one in your garden to honor the earth?
