A Book of Women's Altars: How to Create Sacred Spaces for Art, Worship, Solace, Celebration

By Denise Geddes and Nancy Brady Cunningham

Book Overview

Altar (noun): an elevated surface upon which one displays meaningful objects. Any surface can become an altar. Geddes and Cunningham, with beautiful, inspirational photos and text that's both instructive and poetic, show us how. For women, they say, an altar can become a sacred space upon which to place symbols of her true self. Whether indoors or out, permanent or fleeting, an altar helps you to quickly focus on the spirituality inherent in common things the flicker of a candle flame, the heady scent of freshly picked lilacs. Part One of A Book of Women's Altars explains the cultural and historical background of the altar and why to create one. Making and using an altar literally clears a path for a woman through the clutter of her world. She creates a place where she is free to make her inner journey, where healing is abundant. Cunningham describes the process of selecting a theme, choosing a place, finding the right objects, and knowing when to change the altar. Part Two focuses on what to do with altars on special occasions. The author and photographer have created and illustrated with photographs and stories sixteen special altars. There are altars for the seasons of the year and the seasons of our lives including loss, remembrance, celebration of new life, and many more. Each has its own purpose, story, and ritual.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1590030117
• ISBN13: 9781590030110
• Release Date: September 2002
• Publisher: Red Wheel
• Length: 176 Pages
• Weight: 1.17 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.5" x 8.0" x 8.0"

Customer Reviews

This book was very helpful to me

The authors of this book have put together many good suggestions to assist women in putting together simple, meaningful altars that could help them meditate, think deeply, or simply enjoy daily life. I like the photographs and the fact that the altars are created from common, everyday items that most women, whether in urban areas or rural, could easily find. I also like the fact that suggestions are given for constructing altars both inside the home and outside in all kinds of natural places. The book has given me many ideas for creating meditation centers, and I enjoy just leafing through the pages and looking at the pictures. I recommend this book for anyone who likes to meditate, comtemplate, or just plain sit quietly and think.

A Book for Every Woman

I found this to be a beautiful book that inspires the reader to create places for everyday reverence and meditation to enjoy within and around the home. An ideal gift for daughters, sisters, mothers, friends. Highly recommended.