[Lady Valkyrie]

So it was Imbolc, or Candlemas if you prefer, a few days ago...and whether you're Pagan or not it means that spring is approaching and it's a great time to be doing cleansing, clearing and refreshing spiritual altars.

I didn't do anything ON Imbolc because it was one of the worst two days of this icky cold, along with yesterday - today I'm starting to feel "on the mend". But I plan to treat myself to a few new bits and candles for my altar at the garden centre over the weekend, and re-arrange things. It doesn't feel right particularly to have a high and low one anymore - I'd rather sort out one space and get everything together.

Anyone else doing this? What are you doing? Care to share before and after pics?

[Shades of Grey]

I need to do this. Its been nagging at me for a few weeks. I have a few things in a lot of places and more things in a couple places. I feel they need to all be gathered, cleansed, redistributed through the house, and rearranged. I would like to actually create some sort of alter, may be a good distracting project to do by the full moon next week. I'll take a few pictures now for the before and post them together with some after photos

[Lady Valkyrie]

I've probably still got pictures from LAST Imbolc which will serve as my "before" pics, since I haven't changed anything (apart from the colour of pot pourri and swapping shells for pine cones in its bowl) since then!! Will have to check in my PB.

[NatureLovinMama]

I have NO WHERE to put an altar. It's killing me

[Lady Valkyrie]

You could have a mobile altar in a box. With one thing to represent each element, one thing to represent the spring, and anything which is a specific favourite tool, plus a spring-like coloured cloth to lay it all on. Then, whenever you're out somewhere glorious and you have space to lay it all out, you can have an altar. And even when you don't, you could hold the box and/or take out the relevant tool during any magick work so you at least have a focus.

[mindy scott]

I wish I could do an alter . I did have a few things on a table but nobody will leave the stuff alone and it keeps getting messed up .

[Lady Lotus]

My altar items are in a box below my feet. There is no place to put one even to bring out and put somewhere...just nowhere.

So, we had an awesome Brigit dinner last night and tonight we'll do a small candle ritual and silently make plans for renewing things in our lives that we feel need to be tended to.

My focus is on renewing and invigorating my spiritual side cuz Ive let it lay dormant for a while and thats where my focus wants to be right now. I know the more I put towards it the stronger I feel in all life aspects.

[Lady Valkyrie]

Sounds very powerful Hillarie.

[Lady Valkyrie]

I did finally get it done today.

This is how it was before:

"High altar" as of Imbolc 2011



"Low altar" as of Mabon 2011



(Except it was dustier, less organised and the purple candles were all melted over and ruined when I came to tackle it today. )

So I combined the two altars so that all the really important tools I have were together on the windowsill. I love the backdrop of our bird feeding station in the garden behind the windowsill. Besides, when I swap rooms with my mum ready for baby coming, I think the windowsill will be all I have in there.

My large crystals, fairy ornaments and pillar candles have all gone up on top of the bookshelf, which used to be the high altar. I am keeping the pillar candles up there so they don't melt in the sun, but I have placed out dishes on the altar with easily-removed items so that when I want to light all the candles there is space for them to go out there.









I was going to light all the candles for Imbolc and for my dad's anniversary tonight, but Shaun is really sick with the nasty cold I had this week and has gone to bed, so will have to do that another night now.

[Lady Lotus]

Pretty Sharron.