Altars for Children from Sit-A-Spell
We all have our altars, whether they are formal tabletop altars,
talismans hung on a doorknob, Medicine pouches, or a subtle arrangement
of crystals and feathers on a shelf somewhere. Altars serve as focal
points for magic and as physical anchors for our deities and spirit
allies. They are the places we go to meditate and to make offerings to
our gods. But where do our children go for these things? Do they even
need them?
Certainly, our children are protected by their spirit allies and the
guardians of the family from the day they are born. But as they grow up,
they deserve a concrete means of working with and honoring these beings.
The creation and maintenance of personal altars provide the opportunity
for our children to fully experience open communication from spirit
guides and begin to integrate those energies. Through this process, they
develop the abilities they need to become healthy, happy people and
create magic in their own lives.
Furthermore, a parent’s ability to recognize a child’s altars increases
the understanding and bonding between parent and child. When we can
perceive those objects that are truly special to our children, we come
to more deeply understand who they are and how they interact with the
Other worlds. We also reduce the risk that we will inadvertently
disrespect a child’s sacred objects.
It is important to understand that children view the world in a much
different manner than most adults do. A stuffed lion or toy Pokamon may
bring through the same energies for a child that a Thor’s Hammer or
statue of Cernunnos may for an adult. Similarly, a picture of a parent
or a favorite doll may symbolize love and safety much like an adult may
use a statue of a Mother Goddess. These may become particularly
important to the younger child at bedtime and this is when many children
need to have their special stuffed animals and dolls present on their beds.
These objects resonate with our children. They may embody the energy of
a spirit guide, providing a physical anchor for that guide in a child’s
presence. They may become friends and allies on their own and offer the
child a healthy outlet with which to work through dramas and
difficulties. These objects are our children’s first recognizable
friends and protectors, other than family members. As such, they deserve
a place of honor. For a child, the place of honor is often the place of
closeness at night. Therefore, parents should be encouraged to view a
child’s bed as a type of early altar.
Most pagan parents will initially create altars for their infants.
Again, these may not fit into a limited view of what an altar is. We
will hang amulets on doorknobs and bedposts. We put up specific posters
and decorations in our children’s rooms. We also may place special
stones or sacred objects in the room of a young child. Each of these is
a form of altar and should be respected as such.
Children tend to require far less "stuff" on their formal altars than
adults do. That is, until they get the idea of what an altar can be and
want to put all of their favorite things on top of them. Children’s
altars are frequently more freeform than those of adults. Furthermore,
children are often more likely to be willing to change the objects on
their altars as needed, depending wholly on what feels right at the time.
This flexibility is particularly important in the altars of children
simply because they change so quickly. Experiences like learning
language, increased physical control, school, and puberty alter their
personal energy. Therefore, their spiritual needs are also changing.
While they may be aware of a lifelong spirit ally, they may go through a
series of spirit guides or deities over the course of several years.
As parents, it is in everyone’s best interests to go with the flow in
this area. Allow their innate creativity to spring forth and you give
them a great gift. You offer them the ability to trust in themselves and
to maintain that instinctive access we are all born with that connects
us to something greater than this current identity.
Many families have a special home altar to honor each family member as
well as the guardians of the place and the family. It is important that
this family altar not be off-limits to any member of the family. In
doing so, you chance blocking a connection to the altar and the energies
it can bring through. With young children, this may require some
flexibility and the creative use of non-breakable objects.
As your children get older, a personal altar can become a very special
part of their lives. Not only does it allow them a sacred space to
communicate with their own guides, but it also allows for the early
development of responsibility and self-confidence. This is where your
child will learn to take care of very special things and, in turn, to
respect other people’s belongings.
Altars can be a very beneficial part of a pagan upbringing. Through the
utilization of personal and family altars, we teach our children that
they need not go through another person to access the Divine. They can
function as priests and priestesses themselves, in a way, by
communicating directly with the gods, fairies, and other spirits.
As these altars become more complex, the element of responsibility is
more intricately involved. A three-year old may have a special feather
or stone on his altar, while a ten-year old may have a breakable statue
or smudge fan. A teen or pre-teen may be trusted with candles and
incense on their own. This gradual increase in trust and responsibility
parallels the formal and informal training our children receive in many
areas of life. If handled with honor and respect, this can contribute
significantly to their self-esteem and the maintenance of innate magical
abilities.
Children tend to learn best through example. When they see us walking in
balance and honor, they generally do the same. When ritual or other
actions create an energy that they can recognize as special and
powerful, they like to attempt to recreate that. This includes
everything from casting a circle to meditating before an altar. It may
be enacted as part game but on some level it is very serious. While we
may keep it light-hearted and play along, it is important that we
acknowledge the experimentation and desire behind the fun.
Fun is a vital element in life, not only for our children, but also for
us if we are honest about it. Pagans are not big on repression and
limitation. We are extremely serious about our spirituality but it also
needs to make us happy. We deserve to feel fulfilled and joyful in our
rites. So do our children, and encouraging the fun associated with
learning the spiritual path of their families can strengthen their bonds
to us and to our chosen path. It also makes learning easier for everyone.
Trust in yourself and your kids and you may be surprised at the deeply
intuitive and truly magical things your children will come up with. In
the process, you are likely to gain a whole new understanding of
yourself, your children, and your religion through this exploration. The
creation of altars for children and families is a great way to begin
this journey.
