Your Mental Sacred Space

I've had real trouble getting to sleep this week; I'll be tired all day, and then the minute I decide it's time to go to sleep, my brain goes 'hey, I wonder how many t-shirts you own? Let's list them all!' Which has meant for the first part of the week, I have had zero motivation for anything - I was just so tired!


The 'mental sacred space' was a meditation I performed whilst falling asleep for quite a while a few months ago (as well as at other points), but I had kind of neglected it recently. This seemed like the ideal time to bring it back, and see if it would help again.


You could call it your mental sacred space, or your internal sacred space; I've heard to it referred as an 'astral sacred space', which I think depends on what your view of the astral is. Whatever you want to call it, building up this sacred space has many benefits; it can help relax and calm you, can help you focus, will help you practice your meditation and visualisation - once you have become proficient in it, you can even use it to cast little spells, which is great if you struggle for physical space or privacy!


In witchcraft we talk about our sacred space quite often; it is an area in which you practice your magick, meditation, deity worship, etc. It is quite literally a sacred space. However, we often mean physical space. Here, we are creating and visualising this space in our minds, as opposed to a physical space.

Think of an environment where you feel safe and relaxed. Mine is a secluded space within a forest with a large pond in the centre, underneath some cliffs and surrounded by trees. Yours might be a mountain, a beach, or even a small townhouse in the middle of a busy city! There is no wrong or right way to do it; it should be personal to you.


You should start small. When I first started, I visualised myself sat on a large rock that overlooked the waters of the pond. The rock was large and flat, so that I could sit on it, lie on it, and also use it as an altar. Focus on your immediate surroundings; once you have these built up in your mind, you can start adding details. Candles on the altar, representations of the elements, etc. Once you have your immediate surroundings built, you can start to expand it; what can you see in the distance? You may wish to go for a walk, and see what else you find in your own mental space.


Over time, my space has really grown; not only is there the pond and this large altar stone, but trees, a waterfall, and a cave up in the cliff face which acts as an 'inside' space, with a bed, wood stove, etc. When I go to my internal sacred space, sometimes I will visualise it as if I'm sat on the stone, staring across the pond or up at the stars in the nights sky, and sometimes I will visualise it as if I'm curled up in my cave, covered in blankets next to the warmth of the fire, cup of tea in hand.


Remember, this space is fluid, and can change as and when you need it. For example, if you are looking for comfort, you may find yourself sat in front of a warming fire. If it is sleep, you may find yourself there at night, staring up at the starry sky. When you visit, you may find elements that you weren't expecting. Pay attention to these; they could provide an insight as to how your subconscious is doing, or it could be sending you a  message.


Try to visit your space regularly. The more you visit, the more 'real' it will become, and the more you will be able to do with it. As I said, it can be a great place to work magick if you are struggling for physical space. Simply, do everything you would do physically, but in your mental space. Light your candles, pray to your deities, raise energy by chanting in your head, and release that magick into the universe.


It sounds like such a simple thing, and something which many may not consider 'magickal' (the concept of a 'happy place' isn't exactly a new one). However, practicing it regularly is quick, easy, and can have a great impact on our magickal abilities and mental health (which in turn can improve our practices).