So I'd been wanting to set up a Santa Muerte altar for six weeks or so. I'd ordered some pieces from Etsy that I thought would be appropriate for my set up. I had to wait and wait for the main skeleton figurine to be shipped. It's essentially a Barbie that has been painted black and then a skeleton painted on it. Not that I'm big into Barbies or anything, but the "grim reaper" look didn't seem to fit the Bony Lady... it wasn't feminine enough in my mind. The plus side to her being a repurposed Barbie is that I can dress her in Barbie clothes! (My mom says she has a box of Barbie clothes in the attic). If you've seen any images of Santa Muerte altars you know that people go to all kinds of lengths to dress these figures in color appropriate regalia.



The White Sister as represented by the taller figure (the Barbie one) came to me pretty upset. I had set her on a shelf in my hallway the day I got her in the mail until I had the time to put the altar together. In the middle of the night some items that were on the shelf beside her got knocked down and really freaked out my husband and I. I took it to mean that I needed to set this altar up immediately. She came to me naked, and I think was pissed about it, and she was hungry too, and I didn't have my shit together to give her a proper welcome, not knowing exactly when she would arrive.

So the next day I smudged the whole house, the main figure in particular, releasing it of any negativity, and also blessing the hands that made it. I anointed both figures (got them both on Etsy) with ylang ylang oil. The taller figure is dressed in a piece of crochet (for the time being).

The painting in the background was a gift from a friend which reads, "Life is simple, but we insist on making it complicated." You'll also observe a dainty shotglass of tequila, a small crystal glass of water, some apples and graham crackers, a bit to smoke, some owls, a tiny crystal skull, two red bird skulls, and a feathery skull hairclip up in the corner. I've got one candle going in the middle

This altar space is created in the niche of my grandmother's old china cabinet, which I use as a liquor cabinet. I was going to place her altar in the hallway, but I don't think she wanted to be there. I think she likes being more out in the open as part of our family space. I feel very good about this new altar in my home. I'm not asking any favors of her or anything like that, just wanted to offer her a place of refuge and welcome.



Please let me know if you cant see the images! Let me know what you think or if you have any questions!

Hello internet, have you missed me? Yeah, I didn't miss you either, pssssh.

I've recently moved back into the 'rents house after graduation while I search for jobs and shit, so my altars are finally back to the proper way I like them. My first thought was to share them.

( Yo, check out the pictures. )

Hello
Long time lurker and commenter 1st time poster.
I’ve been thinking of setting up a healing altar, for my inner child.
I was wondering if anyone had any suggestions, as I have never set up a healing altar before...
And would like some ideas.
Many thanks in advance.
Ivy



x-posted.

Okay, so here's the situation. I've been a Hellenic Polytheist for.. some time now, and just as I finished collecting all of The Olympian Gods in statue form a few years ago, my husband and I moved across country.
I packed them carefully away, wrapped in bubble wrap, and nice soft things. Imagine my angst when I arrived at our new home and found them all smashed to bits. (Save for Artemis and Gaia, because I took them in the car with me and not in a uhaul truck)

Over the past two and a half years I've been slowly recollecting them when I have the extra cash.
My most recent replacement was Dionysus, and I'm actually much more pleased with the new one than the original. 
My husband is a Catholic so of course,he's in a perpetual state of sloshed (Take that any way you wish..) so as you can imagine, Dionysus has a very special place in our home.


Here he is the day we cracked him out of the box and made a temporary home for him on the shelf above the altar.
Enjoy!

A while ago, someone posted a pic of their altar here where the 4 elements were represented by different coloured dragon statues. I was really inspired by it, and soon afterwards I bought some teeny-tiny dragon figures from a discount store. I have been able to incorporate these into a miniature travel altar in a small wooden box. I went to a local park today and took some photos...
( Read more... )
Thanks for letting me share! Many blessings to you all.

Ostara 2012



Posting late, as usual. ( Image heavy under the cut )

Here is my pic as promised. http://C:\Users\Cockmaster\Pictures\2012-04-21 altar table\altar table 001.JPG

I have the gold version (intended for prosperity) so I have some gold/silver ornaments, jewelry bits, gold painted vessel. The dried/dead looking flowers and leaves seemed appropriate and they are edged in gold. I know she is tough but I just can't see myself putting tequila and tobacco up there. I offer chocolates, flowers, incense.
I also got a very awesome Santa Muerte windchime. One large figure at top with 4 teeny ones hanging among the chimes. It was an ebay find under "grim reaper" if anyone is shopping.

A bit about me and my altars: my patron deity is Artemis (and she's the only one I have according to my spirit guide), and my spirit animals are predominately Bear and Butterfly, but Cat also creeps around sometimes, too. I collect things with fairies (I have since I was a child), and my paw-paw (the man in the portrait) has always been around as a guide since I was a child (he passed before I was born). Also, please ignore my little mirror that holds my lotion and perfumes, I have nowhere else to put it. I'm sure Artemis loves the fragrances, though :p

In the little wooden box is my taper candles, and the top three drawers of my altar are filled with my candles, books, tarot cards, runes, etc. The little mound shrine is for my fairy and sprite friends.

( Pictures of All 3 Behind the Cut )