My dream altar attracts small elements like a magnet. The beeswax candle, stamped with a drone, for Fear. The two prayer cards, one anchoring each side, for Anxiety. The chipped metal tag, engraved with a Chinese character, for Happiness. They come as gifts, hidden in pockets, tied around a bar of homemade soap, spelling out the riddle.
This altar glows in the moonlight next to my bed, spinning and catching whatever stardust seeps through the cracks in my mind.
And when I wake, sometimes one of these tiny objects catches a little more of the sun than the others. More often than not, it’s whatever challenge I have been chasing down that week with my binoculars and tranquilizer dart.
This post is inspired by the #365Altars Project from @whollyjeanne.
Hm! So many images...I want a draem altar. I liked your image of chasing down challenges. I feel I dread them more than chase them.
Posted by: Abigail | January 17, 2012 at 11:02 AM
I too like the idea of chasing down challenges... Great imagery.
Posted by: Tracy Mangold | January 17, 2012 at 09:57 PM
This piece weaves so many different symbols as you chase your dreams!
Posted by: Dragonfly | January 18, 2012 at 06:37 PM
I love this post. Such gorgeous imagery of moonlight and stardust! Tomorrow I may create a dream alter too. My recall has been poor lately, but perhaps this will help me to remember.
Thanks also for spreading the word about 365 alters! Lovely idea.
Posted by: Robin | January 21, 2012 at 04:55 PM
@Abigail--I dread them too! I just try to ignore that part of the equation. ;)
@Tracy and Dragonfly-Thanks!
@Robin--I LOVE the days I can recall my dreams. I often have this moment of perfect clarity about their meaning just before I wake up, which slips away as the day wears on.
Posted by: Noel | January 23, 2012 at 08:00 PM
every word in this post reads like an altar to me. every single word. captivating. personal. meaningful. what is real, what is wanted. what just is. i am captivated by this post, by this altar of which you speak.
Posted by: wholly jeanne | January 24, 2012 at 05:00 PM
I love this! Such beautiful imagery: the moonlight shining on your altar, stardust seeping.
Beautiful. Thank you for sharing this.
Posted by: Sera Bishop | January 24, 2012 at 05:17 PM
PS -- Sera, do you have a blog also? I was looking for it but didn't see it on your typepad profile?
Posted by: Noel | January 29, 2012 at 03:46 PM
This is fascinating to me. And the post is, of course, so beautiful.
Posted by: Kimsamsin | February 09, 2012 at 12:49 PM