Alters, shrines and sacred spaces

I found an interesting book in my local thrift shop some time ago. It's called "Alters and Icons, Sacred Spaces in Everyday Life" by Jean McMann. It's basically a collection of photographs of the sacred spaces people create in their homes. It could be a proper relious alter or shrine, or a simple collection of treasured objects and photo's on a table or shelf. Here are some images from the book.

Step-ladder shrine

Table top sacred space

Kitchen shelf collection

A simple arrangement of objects along a window sill

A car shrine

A garden shrine

Well, I got so inspired after going through the book that I had to rush off and start working on something of my own. I found the ideal space in a little alcove off my bedroom. It's a work in constant progress, and gets changed around and added to whenever the mood takes me.

This is a little jewellery box, a bit water stained now and worse for wear. It was a gift from my uncle who lives in Canada when I was about eleven years old. I loved it immedietely and it became one of my most prized possessions - I had always wanted one of those jewellery boxes with the ballerinas that rotate to music, and to me at the time, this was perfection in every way. Straight away I used it to store keepsakes - and I have to admit that there are a couple of things inside it that I have no idea why I kept, or why they were special to me at the time. Here are some of the things in the box:

These objects I do remember, most notably the Cinderella watch. It came with a white strap, it was my first watch when I learned to tell the time at about six years old and it was my pride and joy.

Some seashells from a family holiday in Umhlanga rocks, I was about thirteen at the time.

A collection of bangles from various times of childhood and adolescence, now very much worn and faded.