| How to Make Your Own Kuan Yin Altar |
| It's very simple to make your own Kuan Yin Altar. You want the Altar to be respectful and honour Kuan Yin, and you want it to reflect you in some ways too.. An altar is not just Pagan, Buddhist, or religious it is a way to help you focus your attention. A small shelf or small coffee table is all you need. A small framed picture of Kuan Yin or a Kuan Yin Statue. The statue or the picture is so you can look at her, and feel you are with her. Or simply they are another way to focus. Cover the table or shelf with a lovely doily, mat, throw rug, table cloth or placemat. The colour of the mat is your decision. They say bright blue and purple are Goddess colours. You might prefer black to make it different from all else. Or lean towards maroon as in church. My mat is bright blue, for it's my favourite colour, a Goddess colour and a happy colour. You should add a candle in a safe candle holder. A GOLD candle is a good choice as it is the corresponding colour of the Goddess. A WHITE candle is also a good choice as it is the colour to use when giving thanks. You might wish to add an insence holder so you can always burn insence when at the altar. Burning Insence is also an offering to Kuan Yin. In my opinion you should always have a small offering of a candle burning, insence or bowl of water. I have found the more ceremony you put into the Altar and Invocations the more special the whole ceremony feels. You may prefer to burn aramotherapy oils. A small vase of fresh flowers is always welcome. As Kuan Yin is indeed a nature lover. Sea shells, seed pods or pretty pebbles and other natural objects express our connection with the world of nature. A bowl of water, as an offering or honouring the Mistress of the Southern Seas. A small tree branch symbolizing the willow branch. A vase symbolizing the nectar of wisdom and compassion. A feather symbolizing a dove to bring you peace. A book symbolizing all the teachings you wish to receive. A Crystal/Gemstone to help you attune yourself or for empowerment. Also objects that you treasure will connect you strongly to your altar. Some also choose to put photos of their ancestors there, but you need not do this if it does not feel comfortable to you. Place the altar somewhere within your home, where it will not be disturbed. Then, when you want to be with Kuan Yin or meditate, you can sit down before your altar and find Kuan Yin's presence already there. Please Note - It is strongly recommended that you always start your time with Kuan Yin with a thanking. You can use the thankings I have listed on my PRAYERS page, or say what comes naturally from your own heart. We must remember not just to ASK for things from Kuan Yin, but also to THANK her for all that we always receive And never leave a burning candle or insence unattended. |