From examiner.com, By Cathy A. Montville
The perfect time to relocate the spiritual altar from the home to the great outdoors is of course in summer. Peaceful time spent in prayer and meditation at an outside altar space will enhance the process of devotion with a fresh, new dimension. Here are some ideas to consider when planning your outdoor spiritual altar.
Location of the outdoor altar
When it comes to prayer or meditation, no place in nature is off limits really. However, keeping safe should be a priority and being able to seek shelter from a sudden thunderstorm is critical. One of the obvious and best places to set up an altar is in a mid-sized garden, especially a cottage garden.
The garden is a peaceful, natural backdrop for spiritual revival. Surrounded by brightly colored flowers, plants and shrubs, which are sure to draw auspicious butterflies, peaceful renewal of the soul is inevitable.
The backyard will work just as well. A quiet spot in a corner is all one needs when it comes to spiritual meditation or prayer. If home is in a big city and a garden or yard is not available, a rooftop or balcony will more than suffice. A spiritual altar itself is not the main objective; the sacredness of the space is the important factor.
Natural or synthetic altar?
An altar made of nature's bounty is especially appealing when it comes to heightening the spiritual aspect of the altar. A nice piece of hardwood, purchased from the lumberyard or local Home Depot, makes a wonderful altar. Searching the woods for an altar top makes it a bit more special for many.
Large rocks placed under each end of the hardwood make the legs on which the altar will rest. The altar does not need to be exactly level. In fact, if it is less than perfect, it appears more natural and in tune with nature as a sacred place.
If rocks are not readily available, plastic milk crates are more than OK. Sometime the milk crates are free at grocery stores and marts, which is always a nice bonus. Local department stores like Wal-Mart also sell these crates as storage bins.
The hardwood can be weather protected with a water-based sealer. Water-based is nontoxic and earth-friendly. For creative people, they can decorate the altar with a painting of a favorite deity or symbols, which hold meaning for the person who will be using the altar. Initials done in Calligraphy are a nice addition as well.
A fabricated altar is perfectly acceptable, too. Scour flea markets and yard sales for old tables with a cheap price tag. Do not worry about the height of the table; someone handy with a saw can shorten the legs.
The outdoor altar needs very little on top of it. Less is better when it comes to adorning the space. A container candle, some incense, a statue or maybe hand bells are some nice ideas for decorating the altar.
The outdoor altar need not be fancy by any standard. It also does not have to be situated in an elaborate feng shui inspired garden. The altar becomes infused with the energy of the maker, who puts whatever they want into their outdoor spiritual altar overall.
http://www.examiner.com/x-8514-Boston-ParanormalAlternative-Spiritualities-Examiner~y2009m6d23-Outdoor-spiritual-altars
