Above Installation by Owen Tuff and Ali Rabjohns, as part of an International Textiles Triennale 2013 at the Moonrain centre in Val Des Monts, Quebec.
Earth Rituals and Outside Altars
We all have our daily rituals and routines – but one of my favourite things to do is to set up an outside altar on a walk or when I have some time outside in the garden.
I think it appeals to my artist’s side and hopefully it can inspire you to do this in your own way, as of course- there are no rules!.
Over the last few years, as a textile artist, I was fortunate enough to be asked to go to Canada to participate in a textiles exhibition on a beautiful piece of land which included a waterfall, woodland and a stream. There were also sightings of bears, hummingbirds and dragonflies.
Altars for the Heart
My artist partner Owen Tuff, started making these little outdoor altars and I realised that I’d also been doing a similar thing without realising it since my early childhood.
Between the years of 3 and 18, I grew up in North Wales and Dorset. I had a beautiful piece of land to rom around in, this is where I discovered the beauty of ripe, juicy elderberries and how to build a dry stone wall.
At the moment, I’m staying in Suffolk, Walberswick and I thought it would be a nice thing to show you some easy ways of creating an outside altar on the beach. I also made some simple boats with the students and we let these go to the sea, with their intentions for the future.
Earth Mandala by Ali Walters
Three Simple Steps:
- Open sacred space
- Collect your materials for honouring and showing your gratitude.
- Place in a constellation that’s happy and satisfying to you.
Materials can connect to each of the elements: earth, fire, air and water. Use these elements or weather around you to inform your practice. Look at what you’re being told by the wind and the sky. Notice what birds or animals come to visit. Listen to the whispers of the ancestors in the wind while you work.
Here , I simply drew a labyrinth in the sand. But you could create mermaids out of natural materials or balance stones upon each other.
Mama Cocha the ocean and Pachamama are incredibly soothing and grounding beings to be with.
One of the nicest things to do is to have a fire ceremony outside and share some of the Munay Ki rites as a group with an outside altar to honour the ancestors. I hope this has inspired you in some way. If you have any further questions please get in touch.
May you fly with beauty
For all our relations
