Laurel Alexander

Inspiring Wellbeing, Resilience, and Imagination

Years back, when someone said “sacred space” to me, it conjured up images of lofty churches, swinging incense or a temple. Over time, I reflected on it.  Space is all around us, I thought.  It can be full of things or empty of things.  A garden, for example, is a space for nature.  A kitchen is a space for food and drink.   We have space in our minds for thoughts.  We have space within our psyche for dynamic movement.  We occupy our own physical space with our bodies.  We talk about “needing our personal space”.  This might mean physical space or head space.  Our minds aren’t always full of our thoughts; it’s often full of other people’s poop.

As I gathered knowledge and experience, I understood sacred space as indoors or outdoors.  It could be for meditation, thinking or daydreaming. My next thought.  What is sacred?  Does it mean holy?  What does holy mean?  Religious?  Spiritual?  Sacred means notable, a communion with myself and the one true God and Goddess.  Respect.  Dedication.  To be treated with reverence.  To be set apart from the mundane.  There are sacred places on this planet, natural and man-made.  We can create sacred space anywhere we choose.

As I developed as a therapist, I started to create and use sacred space to heal others.  I create a sacred space for prayer and cleansing of magickal items, e.g. crystals or a room. Sacred space has become a place of stillness where I am, either with another or by myself.  This space is made sacred by my intent, e.g. to heal, know, and be.  Recently my understanding of sacred space has moved yet again.  It’s not only an external state but, more profoundly, an internal state.  Who do I allow into my sacred space, e.g. my home, my mind?  And with what intent do I invite them in?  To what extent do I allow them to influence me?  I am becoming more mindful of what happens and who I allow into my sacred space.

We need to develop an awareness of our sacred space; by not knowing who and what is in our space, psychologically or physically, we cannot truly engage on a profound level.  We need to become familiar with the energies of our sacred space, physical clutter, and mind chatter, potentially through journaling.  We need to experience space and become comfortable with it, and as we integrate with our space, we allow into our space what can grow for our nourishment.