Sacred Space, Sacred Time

We all need space, we all need time to ourselves.In Exodus3:15- Word of God:When the Lord saw that Moses was coming closer, he called him from the middle of the bush and said:

"Moses, Moses", he answered, "Yes, here I am"God said, " Do not come any closer. Take off your sandals because you are standing on holy ground."

Indeed, one little corner, a fraction of time that you allow yourself can do wonders to your being, to get in touch with your inner self and give expression to your faith. A space that allows you to reflect onyour life, on your day, on what tomorrow may bring. A small place where you can shed a tear, or breathe a sigh of relief, quieten a troubled mind or savor a few victories.

Sacred Space

It is a place to reflect and contemplate on what is important to you, to allow you to connect with your inner self , without interference, and in solitude.It could be as simple as a table top, a corner of the bedroom, a place just for you to enjoy few precious moments alone. No, it does not require a whole room, or many hours. Is there a small table top, a spot on the dresser, an isolated corner , an idle spot that collects clutter and dust? If you are on the road a lot, would you not want to carry something to evoke that feeling of connectedness?

Joseph Campbell has this to say about sacred time, sacred space:You must have room or a certain hour of the day or so where you do not know what is in the morning paper. A place where you can simply experience and bring forth what you are or might be.

At first you might think nothing is happening. But,if you have a sacred space and take advantage of it and use it everyday, something will happen.Where to begin? The word "sacred," evokes a feeling of something holy, serene,worthy of reverence.Any space can be a sacred space, prepare yourselfas you stand on Holy ground!

The Elements

Consider incorporating the elements when creating a sacred space.What thoughts , what feelings, what sensations do the four elements evoke in your being?

Earth represents foundation, stability, feel the power and beauty of nature, of Mother Earth, the physical world. Clear the debris and clutter of the chosen area , thus removing negative energies that come with clutter and dirt. A small potted plant would be a nice touch.

Water influences our conscious and sub-conscious forces that act on our lives. Water seeks to heal and nurture those around it. Consider a goblet or a crystal bowl filled with water. Remember to keep this fresh.This also gives a mild humidifying effect on the room. Or, a water fountain would be an asset for this element.

Fire is the element that projects self-expression, creativity and enthusiasm. Without fire, there can be no radiance, no conviction, no passion nor expression. A glowing candle fulfills this element, a white candle represents all the colors, the color of the candle reflects the energy created in the sacred space. Green candle for luck and finance, red for passion and courage, and so forth.

Air this element establishes itself in the realm of the intellect. It is through the process of thinking that ideas develop, it is a means of communication. Knowledge is gained and shared through this element. It enables one to reach out to the mental self.Enjoy the gentle breeze, winter, spring, summer or fall.

Open a window to let some air in, if this is not possible, a mechanical fan would do.The elements is just one aspect of enhancing your sacred space. No matter how limited the space is, you can make room for an altar, incorporating the four elements with it.

The surface need not be elaborate, it is the intention that counts. Others will require enough room to draw a sacred " circle", but this is not the intent of this article.

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Gathering Materials:

Thorough planning to incorporate all the materials needed is important and worth the effort. A small table top covered with an elegant lace, add votive candles, a goblet filled with water and the bottom lined with stones or crystals, fresh flowers, a potted plant, a gentle breeze from a window or electric fan, a statue of your God/dess, or whatever deity you believe in. Picture frames depicting what is precious to you, the smell of burning incense, a water fountain( if there is enough room) This is your sacred space, you can add or remove objects as you see fit.

Try to consider the seasons and celebrations that come your way. Pussy willows mark the coming of Spring, fresh flowers of the season are inviting. A bowl of fresh fruits bring These gestures mean paying homage to the beauty and bounty of Mother Earth.

Do you follow the cycles of the Moon? Offerings vary as the moon waxes and wanes, an added touch as you try to connect with the Universe . Do you travel often? If there is room for cosmetics, there is certainly room for items to set up a "sacred" space. A votive candle, your favorite crystal, picture of loved ones, prayer beads , your favorite incense , or a bottle of aromatic oil. How much room would this take?

Christmas would a colorful theme for the altar, enhance your altar with objects that define what Christmas means to you.

What next?

After setting up the altar, make the dedication of this sacred space, start using this at a set time ,to start the day, to make daily affirmations. Spending time in this space raisesthe vibration of the area, the energy around it. What thoughts come to your family and friends when they look at your altar?

Excerpt:

Make your space very special, a place where you are reminded ofyour Divinity, your connection to Spirit.Whenever you see it, you will know it is your temple, your sanctuary,where you can relax and take care of yourself. Each of us carries our sacred space within us and our challenge is to live from it throughout our life's journey, throughout our earth walk.

Twylah Nitsch

�Sacred Time

Time- the most precious commodity available to man, yet, many of us forget that time lost is gone forever."I don't have time " is a very common excuse Allow yourself sacred time- a moment of no pressure, no rules,no obligations. A time to yourself, to discover something rare and beautiful. Listen to your Inner self, this takes time, but eventually,you will feel connected to your deepest awareness.

Thomas Moore in his book Re-Enchantment of Everyday Life writes:

A few moments of silence may be all the meditation we need at times.Our homes could have a little space for withdrawal and quiet?A cluttered mind has trouble sorting out priorities, tends to be careless,throws caution to the wind, it operates on a "crisis" mode. It is difficult to get it to slow down, much less, quieten it.Take a moment each day, in your sacred space and pamper yourself with sacred time. a time to meditate, a time to reflect, a time to contemplate. This is a moment of peace and quiet.

Take a moment to reflect on your life, what makes you happy? What inspires you? Give yourself a pat on the backfor all your achievements. Do not forget to give thanks to your God/ess for all the blessings in your life.Make time, allow yourself this luxury of a time to yourself.

You hear these words a lot :Take a deep breathe " Why not add to this, take the time to enjoy the process of deep breathing,a few seconds, a minute or longer. Fill your lungs with fresh air,enjoy a burst of energy and as you exhale, let go of the negative feeling that is draining you.

Sacred time is flexible .A walk down the street, in the woods, down the country road, a brief moment in a quiet corner of the garden, or as you take your first sip of coffee in the morning- simple activities that add up to precious time with yourself.

As you allow yourself this sacred time, you will gradually feel calmness, peace and happiness. These are very welcome quests, I assure you.Hopefully, this will help you from feeling edgy sometimes over trifles.Yes, trivial things, events get magnified in a mind that has not experienced a "sacred" time.Do not feel you are being selfish when you allow yourself preciousfew minutes. Think of it as a time to rejuvenate sagging energy and a time to calm down, time to relieve stress and time to get centered and focused. You will end up offering those around you a more relaxed and calmer person,even insightful, ready to look at things from a different perspective, a more positive one. Sacred space and sacred time is within us, it is with us wherever we go.

Creating space and making time highlights the importance of sacred space and sacred time, to sanctify ,to bring out the core of the inner self.

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About the author:
Bonnie Moss is enjoying retirement and spends her time� pursueing
her dreams and other interests, especially writing. She writes inspirational
topics on spirituality with the use of tarot cards, aura, and
highlights the inspiration from within oneself by listening to
intuition and that "Inner Voice" we are all endowed with.
�Visit her website: http://goldencupcafe.tripod.com

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