Creating a sacred space is a very personal experience.  Your sacred space can be as small as a corner in your bedroom, as large as a monument or as expansive as an ocean view.  Perhaps you already have a special peaceful place set up in your home, but if not, consider challenging yourself to create one.  If you are fortunate enough to have an extra room, you can use this space to retreat to when you need some solitude.

Please don't feel as if you must wait until you have a spare room before you can begin to create your sacred space. You can open up any corner and build an altar there, or you can clean out a closet, set up an alter, put in a rug along with a couple of pillows and you can have your own personal space for use in quiet prayer or meditation.

Once you have chosen the space, clear the entire area where your sacred space will exist -- it doesn't matter if it is only a corner is being used or a full room.  If you're feeling handy and inspired, a fresh coat of paint on the walls might be a nice touch.  Also, be sure to take time to incorporate household rules as to who is and is not allowed into this space.  Is this to be your space alone, or can other family members use it?   Finally, have some fun selecting pleasing visuals, sounds, and scents for your sacred space surroundings.

Ideas for Creating An Indoor Sanctuary

If you are ready to create a sacred space inside your home that you can retreat to and spend time alone in quiet meditation or retrospection, here are some ideas for a little added inspiration.

1. Location: Choose an area within the interior of your home for your sacred space. Use a spare bedroom, a revamped pantry area, a closet or a tucked away corner space that sits apart from the main traffic areas.
2. Sweep clean: Clear this space of stagnant energies by performing a smudging ritual where you cleanse with smoke from burning a sage wand.  Open the windows and let some fresh air come in to get some good chi flowing.  Cleansing should be repeated periodically after you begin using your sacred space.  If needed, give the walls in your space a fresh coat of paint.
3. Meditate: After your space is cleared and free of "stuff" spend some time there in solitude before you begin introducing your new furnishings.  Get in touch with each of your senses in choosing the furnishings and decorative items to fill the space.  Choose things you cherish!
4. Comfortable seating: Choose from floor cushions or a comfy chair, a gentle swaying rocker, a recliner, or a plush chaise to stretch out in.
5. Calming sounds: Introduce some wind chimes, water fountains, CDs, or a hand-carved wooden flute to play.
6. Taste: Peppermints for mental clarity, calming herbal tea blends, cinnamon red hot candies to awaken the taste buds.
7. Smells: Light scented candles, burn incense, keep a supply of freshly cut sprigs of lavender.
8. Visual: Decorate with mirrors, posters, paintings, art sculptures, altars.
9. Touch: Display several objects offering a variety of textures such as crystals, feathers, sea shells, woven cloths, a huggable teddy bear, etc.
10. Fresh air: Having a window opening in your sacred place is especially welcome to allow fresh air and sunshine for healing and happiness.  If there is no window available, an air purifier is a good substitute.

Sacred Space Rituals

Once your space has been chosen, you will likely want to initiate it by performing some type of ritual, be it Native American, giving a prayer of gratitude or blessing it in; whatever way best aligns with your belief system.  Honor yourself and your sacred space by making your presence there regularly.  You will soon find yourself drawn to this sacred space more and more as you continually seek the solace and restfulness it provides.  You may begin to wonder how you ever lived without this sacred space that offers much healing, comfort, and warmth.

Filling Your Space with Personal Items

Personal items you have been gifted from loving friends and family members are ideal decor, such as that clay hand impression your child made in kindergarten, your grandmother's china doll, or a river clamshell from a close friend.  Smaller items (such as seashells, arrowheads, coins for promised prosperity, healing stones) can be placed into a ceramic bowl meant for such treasures.

Favorite Items to Import into Your Sacred Space

Periodically, switch out the items that fill your sacred space.  You may like to keep a treasure chest filled with your favorite things to store items to be used in rotation when you change things up to match your moods.  Here are some inspirational ideas for things you might to keep in your space.

• Healing artwork
• Plants and flowers
• Colorful scarves
• Feathers
• Crystals and gemstones
• Seashells
• Tarot deck
• Wind chimes
• Water fountains
• Drums
• Harps or rattles
• Candles and incense
• Photographs
• Teddy bear
• Inspirational books
• Mirrors
• Pillows
• Sofa or favorite chair
• Grandma's quilt or other comfortable cover for warmth
• Journal and colored ink pens

Once you take the time to create your space and put your personal touches into it, you will find that you are drawn to your space more and more and that your introspective moments become much more rewarding.  By creating a sacred space, you are creating a safe and healthy environment to bring forth and manifest your dreams and solidify your intentions.