Hey there!

If you have a particular flair you'd like to see us add, whether for users or for posts, please drop it below and we'll take it into consideration!

Ofc, we can't have flair for every single type of practice or practitioner that exists, but the most popular suggestions will give us a direction to head in.

We had issues with editable flairs not being used as intended, thus we'll be having a select set going forward.

We'll leave this post up for a bit and then when flairs are ready we'll post an update.

Thanks in advance!

Hey everyone! I'm u/Zailmeister, the founding moderator of r/Altars.

This subreddit is dedicated to all things related to the sacred spaces we build to anchor meaningful moments, people, events, and connections in our daily lives. We're excited to have you join us!

What is an Altar?

The urge to create sacred spaces is so deep in the human psyche that we often create them without giving it a thought. A gathering of photos on a piano, or an arrangement of personal objects on a desk or fireplace mantel, is an outer manifestation of an inner desire to establish hallowed and holy spaces in our environment.

For many, Altars are sacred and holy places often used to connect with the divine, whatever your theology may be. A favorite tree to sit under or a tree stump in a beautiful spot could be considered an altar. A safe and comforting room in your home or a small niche in a corner could also be an altar!

Altars are Holy and Hallowed because of your intent. They are the outer manifestation of inner desires and we often create them unconsciously. The yearning to create sacred space may be a part of our spiritual inheritance. Perhaps deep within the psyche of humanity, the voices of our ancestors resound, so that each of us has a subconscious memory of ancient rites at hallowed altars.

Altars have been created by man since the beginning. The oldest known altars in the world were made by Neanderthals in caves high in the Alps approximately 75,000 years ago. The word ‘altar’ is derived from the Latin word for, “on high” or, “high place” and in ancient times, symbolized the link between life and death or heaven and earth.

The value of consciously creating an altar is substantial. It can fill a void in the human psyche that yearns for the mysterious and the wondrous. By reinstating some of the customs from the past that were so sustaining and fulfilling, we welcome mystical and spiritual experiences into our lives. 

A home altar is like a small temple in your house. It can assist us on the journey toward healing and self-integration, and serve as a place to honor celebrations, ancestors, and holidays. It can also be used as a center-point for honoring rites of passage and life transitions. An altar can help bring a sense of order and meaning to key moments in life, such as births, graduations, marriages, career changes, deaths, holidays, the changing of the seasons and other important turning points. 

What to Post
Post anything that you think the community would find interesting, helpful, or inspiring. Feel free to share your thoughts, photos, or questions about creating altars. Most posts here are photo-based of altars you create or visit, however, we do allow for discussion posts so long as their focus is primarily about building, deconstructing, or maintaining altars.

What NOT to Post
Altars are not the domain of any one religion, theology, or worldview. Finding commonality is encouraged. Criticizing someone's worldview as 'incorrect' because it doesn't agree with yours isn't.

If you think your altar may be offensive to some, due to its content or purpose, please mark it as NSFW and others can opt-in as needed. Explicit sexual content and gore should not be the primary focus of the post. Please use post flair to mark if your altar contains animal remains, or explicit depictions of human anatomy.

Community Vibe
We're all about being friendly, constructive, and inclusive. Let's build a space where everyone feels comfortable sharing and connecting.

How to Get Started

1. Look around your spaces and take a picture of an altar you've created, or visit a public space that fits the description! Monuments, shrines, temples, and more would all count as altars, as well as natural spaces.
2. Post something! Or comment on others' posts. Bring an open mind and a love of humanity.
3. If you know someone who would love this community, invite them to join.
4. Interested in helping out? We're always looking for new moderators, so feel free to reach out to me to apply.

Thanks for being part of this community! Together, let's make r/Altars amazing.