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Altars As A Spiritual Practice |
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| Making personal altars has become a regular spiritual practice for me. Several times a month I start thinking about someone or remember a birth date or special event that I want to honor. Before I buy a card or present, I create an altar and watch how the universe assists in the celebration process. |
| Several weeks before my granddaughter Alexis’ 14th. birthday, I decided to make her a birthday altar. I started with photographs to celebrate the 14 years of her life. It was important to use a doll as she collects dolls from around the world, including dolls from Cambodia where her father and grandparents were born. I used a sweet Japanese cherry blossom doll on a red flower fabric from Hawaii and added a playful woven toy from Japan. After hanging a rainbow fan above the altar, I placed a smiling photo of Alexis and small candle. The last step was to say a prayer to activate the altar. Then I watched as the altar began its magical “work.” |
| The magic came in the form of synchronicities. Soon after making the altar I went to my local library and brought home a stack of books recommended by the librarian. The first one I read was Snow Flower and the Secret Fan, by Lisa See. I learned about rural Chinese girls who meet through a matchmaker to become laatongs, the Chinese word for “best friends for life”. They wrote a secret language called nu shu on the folds of a special fan and passed the fan back and forth with messages about their lives. They did this their whole lives, until they were old ladies. I told Alexis about the fan language and we had a good conversation about “best friends”. Asking how she communicated with her “best” friend, I was not surprised when she said, “By text messages, not fan writing!” |
| One day I will pass on my doll and fan collection to Alexis. In the meantime, she understands about the power of altars. Since she was a baby, she has had her own Kwan Yin altar, honoring the Goddess of Compassion, and who in all Asian cultures, is also considered the Protector of Mothers and Children. Alexis’ altar is on her bedside table. Throughout her 14 years, she has added special stones and treasures to her altar. I pray Alexis will continue to create altars, passing on a simple family tradition of Altars Everywhere and remembering her grateful Grandmother, Maxine. |
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Maxine Shivaya Manning |
P.O. Box 612 |
Edmonds, WA 98020 |
Telephone: 206-371-7763 |
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Copyright © 2008 - 2011 by Maxine Shivaya Manning - All Rights Reserved |
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