How To Turn Your Home Into A Sacred Space

In paganism, when we speak of a ‘sacred space’, this is often a space in which we perform ritual, meditation, divination, etc. It is a space which is dedicated to these activities, which provides us with a safe, relaxing place where we can perform these. It is a reflection of our spiritual selves, where we can manifest our intentions and feel at one with our higher selves. But this doesn’t have to be just one corner of our room, or a singular table with an altar. If a sacred space is one which provides us with this sense of comfort and safety, a reflection of our spiritual nature, then why not turn the entire home into a sacred space?


I appreciate that it is quite privileged to be able to do so. Many people live with parents or partners, or have to share space with housemates and others, or have to be secret in their practices. I personally consider myself one of the lucky ones. I have a one bedroom flat which I live in alone, so the space is mine to do what I want with. However, it is a small flat; my living room triples as my living space, my work space, and my ritual space. So rather than just carve out one tiny corner of my room to dedicate to my spiritual self, I decided to make the whole flat my ‘sacred space’. 


So, what does this look like? First off, as we have mentioned, this is a space which you should feel safe and comfortable in. What that means to me could be completely different to what it means to you! I personally am a big fan of maximalism. I love every space being filled, I love a mish-mash of colours and textures, of every surface being filled with stuff. However, you may feel more comfortable in a more minimalist space, with light colours and plenty of space. The first thing you need to determine is your preferred style, the environment which makes you feel cosiest. 


Otherwise, below are some tips to help bring your spirituality into every space in your home.


Incorporate colour magic: Colour can have a huge impact on our mood. So reflect on the energy you would like to bring to each space, and use colour accordingly. I see the bedroom as a space of relaxation and rest, so I tend to go for light, pastel colours. However, if you see the bedroom as a place of passion and romance, you may go for dark reds or purples, or pinks. I see the living room as a place of liveliness and entertainment, where I often knit or ‘create’ things, so I have a patchwork sofa and art on the walls in different colour frames. 


Scents: Different scents have also been proven to impact our mood and how we feel. You can use diffusers, or burn incense and oils, to help bring a certain energy to your space. For example, in Feng Shui, the front door is often seen as the mouth of Chi, as it is here where energy enters the home. So I keep a diffuser by the front door with a welcoming scent such as vanilla. I will often burn lavender oil in the bedroom as it promotes peace and calmness.


Place crystals around the home: Even if you don’t believe in the metaphysical properties of crystals, they also make great decorations! I have them on my altar, I keep them by the TV, I even have several placed around the bathtub.


Lighting: Consider the lighting in a space. I keep the lights on when I’m working as it helps me feel alert, but if I’m chilling in bed I prefer a himalayan salt lamp to cast a softer glow.


Artwork: As mentioned, I have art on the wall in several different coloured frames - I have an entire gallery wall in the living room above the sofa! Here I’ve placed several witchy artworks - just postcards I received over several witchbox subscriptions - as well as some posters and medals and other things that bring me joy. You could try displaying tarot cards which speak to you, artworks of deities and spirits, ancestors, or anything else which speaks to your spiritual side.


Bring the natural world in: Unfortunately living in a flat in a large city, I don’t have a garden. As someone who feels very connected to the environment and nature, I have filled my space with a lot of plants! There is a wide variety of plants which are suitable for indoor environments, and are easy to look after. I also have a few jars of shells, and wall hangings made from branches/leaves/fruit around the place to help strengthen my connection to nature.


Mini Altars: Rather than having one large altar, consider having several mini altars around. You may have one dedicated to a specific deity, or spirit you work with, your ancestors, etc. Bookshelves, the edge of the TV cabinet, windowsills and the like are ideal to house these mini altars, and bring a bit more spiritual decoration to your space. 


Don’t forget the little things: Even the smallest of decorations and such can help bring that spiritual flare to your living space! I have a small cauldron mug I use to drink tea for example, and some small crystal-topped teaspoons, and the herbs I use regularly are all stored in glass jars with ‘potion’ style labels.


Feng Shui: You can use elements of feng shui to help build your space. Feng Shui teaches that our external energy can impact our internal energy, and so it teaches us how to harmonize the energies of our external space. Some basic tips include:

• You should be able to see your bedroom door from the bed, but the foot of your bed should not be opposite the door
  

• The bedroom is a place of romance and relaxation, so avoid anything which is mentally stimulating being on show (such as books) or artwork which may be dark or dreary
  

• The front door is known as the mouth of Chi (Chi = energy), as this is where Chi enters the property. If you have stairs directly in front of the doorway, this will cause the Chi to rush upstairs before it has had a chance to spread downstairs. Therefore, place a rug at the base of the stairs, an ornament, or a chandelier type light above it to slow the Chi down
  

• If you have a dining room table, avoid a rectangular shape; a circle is preferred so that the people on the ends do not feel left out
  

• Similarly, do not hang mirrors where people can see themselves when they're eating, etc.
  

• Fireplaces and windows provide places for Chi to escape, so put a couple of plants or decorations in these spaces to trap the Chi in

These are just a few ideas as to how you can bring your spiritual side out and reflect it throughout the home. A sacred space is so much more than just a place to read tarot or perform rituals; it is a temple, a sanctuary, one which you should feel at peace in. What better place to express your spirituality than your home!