Creating Creating Sacred Sacred

Space for Space for the Sacred the Sacred Feminine Feminine

with with AmalyaAmalya

For our 1 For our 1 ½½

hr session we will:hr session we will:

Explore questions about Sacred Space for the Sacred Explore questions about Sacred Space for the Sacred Feminine with a little Feminine with a little ““Show & TellShow & Tell”…”…plusplus……

CoCo--create a Sacred Ritual Space with a theme and create a Sacred Ritual Space with a theme and intention of honoring the 7 CHAKRAS symbolized by intention of honoring the 7 CHAKRAS symbolized by the 7 VEILS as our focal point for the altars and as the 7 VEILS as our focal point for the altars and as a conduit for blessing our inner energy centersa conduit for blessing our inner energy centers……andand……

Participate in a Guided Movement ceremony, with Participate in a Guided Movement ceremony, with dances to the 7 Chakras to empower our Sacred dances to the 7 Chakras to empower our Sacred Space Without and Within.Space Without and Within.

Conclude our time together in a final circleConclude our time together in a final circle

Intentions for todayIntentions for todayInspire you to have a deeper awareness of Inspire you to have a deeper awareness of creating sacred space for the Sacred creating sacred space for the Sacred Feminine, for yourself and your community.Feminine, for yourself and your community.

Inspire you with visual ideas from other Inspire you with visual ideas from other sacred spaces.sacred spaces.

Share a step by step method of Setting Share a step by step method of Setting Sacred Space & making altars for a ritual.Sacred Space & making altars for a ritual.

CoCo--create a ceremony.create a ceremony.

Dance and lift our spirits!Dance and lift our spirits!

What is Sacred Space ~ What is Sacred Space ~

““WithoutWithout””

& & ““Within"?Within"?Sacred space Sacred space ““WITHOUTWITHOUT””

is an environment is an environment

that feels safe, nurturing, peaceful and holy. that feels safe, nurturing, peaceful and holy. It is any awe inspiring time and place that It is any awe inspiring time and place that encourages us to suspend our mundane encourages us to suspend our mundane thinking and reflect on the spiritual, divine thinking and reflect on the spiritual, divine and magical mysteries of life. and magical mysteries of life.

Location: Nature, home, dedicated placeLocation: Nature, home, dedicated place

““WITHINWITHIN””

The most sacred space is within The most sacred space is within your Heart and your Inner sense of Divine your Heart and your Inner sense of Divine Self. The Chakras can also be a conduit to Self. The Chakras can also be a conduit to commune with your inner energy centers as commune with your inner energy centers as well. well.

How does Sacred Space for the Sacred How does Sacred Space for the Sacred

Feminine differ from current Feminine differ from current

traditional religious spaces?traditional religious spaces?

Circles Circles vsvs

Rows AND Sharing Rows AND Sharing vsvs

SermonSermonFemale ImageryFemale ImageryAltars & Icons & Celebrations that honor Altars & Icons & Celebrations that honor Goddesses or the Earth and her elements, Goddesses or the Earth and her elements, seasons & cycles & womenseasons & cycles & women’’s passages s passages ------

vsvs

icons icons

& holy days that honor prophets, their & holy days that honor prophets, their persecution & their relics; or scripture or other persecution & their relics; or scripture or other dogmadogmaWelcomes dance & personal creative expression Welcomes dance & personal creative expression & sensuality as a form of spiritual devotion& sensuality as a form of spiritual devotion

Photos of Goddess Temples Photos of Goddess Temples

and Other Sacred Feminine Spacesand Other Sacred Feminine Spaces……

Glastonbury Goddess Temple, UK Glastonbury Goddess Temple, UK ……

SekhmetSekhmet

Temple Las Vegas Temple Las Vegas ……

Karen TateKaren Tate’’s private temple space s private temple space ……

Goddess Temple of Orange County, CA Goddess Temple of Orange County, CA ……

The Goddess Studio of Escondido, CAThe Goddess Studio of Escondido, CA

Sacred Feminine Spaces ~ OutsideSacred Feminine Spaces ~ Outside……

Altars ~ The best ingredient for Altars ~ The best ingredient for

creating sacred spacecreating sacred space……

ALTARS ~ Why & HowALTARS ~ Why & How……WHY set up an altar, what is itWHY set up an altar, what is it’’s purpose?s purpose?Creating an altar is an act of DEVOTIONCreating an altar is an act of DEVOTION

and a way to and a way to

HONOR the HONOR the ““ESSENCEESSENCE””

of what or whom the altar is for. of what or whom the altar is for. An altar is the best vessel for setting sacred space.An altar is the best vessel for setting sacred space.Creating an altar is a symbolic actCreating an altar is a symbolic act

that helps awaken that helps awaken

the intuitive connection to your subconscious and spiritual the intuitive connection to your subconscious and spiritual guidance. The ACT of setting up an altar is therapeutic guidance. The ACT of setting up an altar is therapeutic and healing: it takes you out of the mundane and gets you and healing: it takes you out of the mundane and gets you into a into a ““playplay””

and creative mindset as it works on the and creative mindset as it works on the

symbolic and intuitive level of consciousness.symbolic and intuitive level of consciousness.Viewing an altar: REMINDS you of your divinity,Viewing an altar: REMINDS you of your divinity,

reminds you of beauty and peace; reminds you that you reminds you of beauty and peace; reminds you that you are not alone. Viewing an altar gives you a are not alone. Viewing an altar gives you a focal pointfocal point

to to

help you meditate and quite your mind. Also, viewing an help you meditate and quite your mind. Also, viewing an altar is a way to honor and express gratitude and devotion altar is a way to honor and express gratitude and devotion to the essences it represents.to the essences it represents.

Create an AltarCreate an Altar

a) Start by physically cleaning outa) Start by physically cleaning out

a special spot, a special spot, corner, or mantlecorner, or mantle

b) Energetically clear a spaceb) Energetically clear a space

with your intention perhaps with your intention perhaps augmented by burning sage, lighting candles, ringing bells or draugmented by burning sage, lighting candles, ringing bells or drumming; umming; reciting a prayer or affirmation or chanting; or reciting a prayer or affirmation or chanting; or spritzingspritzing

aromatic aromatic hydrosols; or using hydrosols; or using FengFeng

ShuiShui

principles.principles.

c) Pick a c) Pick a ““THEMETHEME””

or INTENTION: or INTENTION: ieie: : SabbatsSabbats

~ ~ Honor Divine BEINGS ~ Honor PASSAGES ~ Special Occasions ~ Honor Divine BEINGS ~ Honor PASSAGES ~ Special Occasions ~ Healing. Or just to create something fun, playful, beautiful andHealing. Or just to create something fun, playful, beautiful and

inspirational! Or a personal altar to honor YOU!inspirational! Or a personal altar to honor YOU!

d) Decorate! ~d) Decorate! ~

ideas: small table or mantle with beautiful ideas: small table or mantle with beautiful cloth over it, candles, flowers, pictures or figurines of Goddescloth over it, candles, flowers, pictures or figurines of Goddesses ses or Deities, something to symbolize the 5 cardinal directions andor Deities, something to symbolize the 5 cardinal directions and

5 5 elements perhaps; crystals, a vision board, poems or affirmationelements perhaps; crystals, a vision board, poems or affirmations, s, or any objects of special meaning to you, things youor any objects of special meaning to you, things you’’ve made, ve made, photos of yourself and those who need prayers.photos of yourself and those who need prayers.

Altars ~ Inside & OutsideAltars ~ Inside & Outside……

Personal Personal

AltarAltar

HonoringHonoring ISISISIS

ImbolcImbolc

OstaraOstara

Beltane Beltane

LithaLitha

LammasLammas

MabonMabon

SamhainSamhain

YuleYule

Outside Outside

AltarsAltars

How do we How do we ““HoldHold””

sacred space?sacred space?

For Leaders/Priestesses For Leaders/Priestesses ““HoldingHolding””

space space means means 1.1. Leaders/Priestess must know how to set the example Leaders/Priestess must know how to set the example of the of the moodmood for the gathering with their own for the gathering with their own demeanordemeanor, and an , and an hold an attitude of compassionate guidance hold an attitude of compassionate guidance ––good boundaries yet good boundaries yet flexibility. flexibility. 22. and maintain constant . and maintain constant observationobservation of the group of the group energy, feelings and dynamics, and step in as needed to balance energy, feelings and dynamics, and step in as needed to balance the the needs of the group and the individual to maintain physical and needs of the group and the individual to maintain physical and emotional safety. emotional safety. 33. Keep . Keep CommitmentsCommitments!!

For Participants: For Participants: ““HoldingHolding””

Space means Space means 1.1. arriving on timearriving on time and not leaving in the middle of the ceremonyand not leaving in the middle of the ceremony

to honor to honor youryour’’ss

and the groupand the group’’s intentions and time commitments. s intentions and time commitments. 22. . It means to show respect for the intention of the gathering by nIt means to show respect for the intention of the gathering by not ot sliding into socializing/ cross talk and sliding into socializing/ cross talk and chit chatchit chat which is physically which is physically a distraction for all and energetically it diffuses and siphons a distraction for all and energetically it diffuses and siphons away away the energy the group is building. the energy the group is building. 3.3. Being Open & PresentBeing Open & Present..

What is What is ““SAFETYSAFETY””

in a gathering?in a gathering?

SAFETY FIRST! Physical safety and body SAFETY FIRST! Physical safety and body needs must be met. needs must be met.

Emotional Safety: Emotional Safety: be clear with group on ways to be clear with group on ways to honor peoplehonor people’’s emotional needs especially concerning s emotional needs especially concerning touch, asking for what you need, honoring a need for touch, asking for what you need, honoring a need for privacy; and how to handle emotional catharsisprivacy; and how to handle emotional catharsis

Council Sharing & Talking Stick: Council Sharing & Talking Stick: have a clear have a clear method for sharing thoughts and feelings in a group method for sharing thoughts and feelings in a group that is honoring of an individualthat is honoring of an individual’’s expression as well as s expression as well as honors the needs of the group and the time allottedhonors the needs of the group and the time allotted. .

How do we SET a sacred space for a How do we SET a sacred space for a

Group Ceremony? Group Ceremony? ((AmalyaAmalya’’ss

12 step outline12 step outline……))

1) Clarify INTENTION & Objective & Theme1) Clarify INTENTION & Objective & Theme

for gathering: Keep a constant for gathering: Keep a constant ““THRUTHRU--LINELINE””

through all activities and segments of the ritual.through all activities and segments of the ritual.(For more complex rituals, write up an outline/chart or agenda t(For more complex rituals, write up an outline/chart or agenda to clarify the o clarify the activities and the timing each activity segment will take.)activities and the timing each activity segment will take.)

2) set up a ritual space ENVIRONMENT to honor that theme/intenti2) set up a ritual space ENVIRONMENT to honor that theme/intentionon. Start . Start with an energetic space clearing; then decorate as desired in alwith an energetic space clearing; then decorate as desired in alignment with ignment with intention and physical and emotional safety considerations. Makeintention and physical and emotional safety considerations. Make

Altars to help Altars to help focus the intention for the gathering.focus the intention for the gathering.

3) set an appropriate 3) set an appropriate ““MOODMOOD””

of reverence by music, lighting, chanting, drumming of reverence by music, lighting, chanting, drumming and most importantly maintain the appropriate attitude of leaderand most importantly maintain the appropriate attitude of leaderss

4) PURIFICATION of participants4) PURIFICATION of participants

(a symbolic act like (a symbolic act like sagingsaging

or or spritzingspritzing

or sound or sound healing of the body of the participant, or do some visualizationhealing of the body of the participant, or do some visualization

to focus the to focus the intention for release of unsupportive energies thoughts, attitudintention for release of unsupportive energies thoughts, attitudes or feelings.es or feelings.——ieie

the the ““white sheetwhite sheet””

visualization.)visualization.)

5) GROUNDING & CENTERING5) GROUNDING & CENTERING. (To focus intention to be present and relaxed.) A . (To focus intention to be present and relaxed.) A short guided meditation to anchor your roots to the earth and brshort guided meditation to anchor your roots to the earth and breathe and center eathe and center your awareness in your heart. Chanting Ma or Om is effective, oryour awareness in your heart. Chanting Ma or Om is effective, or

drum or sing !drum or sing !

How do we set a sacred space for Ceremony? Steps 6How do we set a sacred space for Ceremony? Steps 6--1212……

6) Acknowledge the Cardinal DIRECTIONS & ELEMENTS (Air, Fire, Wa6) Acknowledge the Cardinal DIRECTIONS & ELEMENTS (Air, Fire, Water, ter, Earth, Energy)Earth, Energy)

or do some symbolic gesture that affirms our interconnectednesor do some symbolic gesture that affirms our interconnectedness to s to all planes & substances of existence and the cycle of life (all planes & substances of existence and the cycle of life (ieie

the physical, elemental, the physical, elemental, emotional, mental, emotional, mental, ethericetheric, and spiritual planes of existence and the seasonal and , and spiritual planes of existence and the seasonal and cyclical changes of Nature) cyclical changes of Nature)

7) INVOKE7) INVOKE

Goddesses & Divine Beings & Ancestors as desired.Goddesses & Divine Beings & Ancestors as desired.

8) CAST CIRCLE or affirm energetic container8) CAST CIRCLE or affirm energetic container. (. (ieie

close the circle of sacred space close the circle of sacred space around participants through statement and visualization. IE Visuaround participants through statement and visualization. IE Visualize an orb of light alize an orb of light or rings or a grid around the entire space)or rings or a grid around the entire space)

9) DO CEREMONY: 9) DO CEREMONY: ((ieie: our : our SamhainSamhain

Shadow Ceremony)Shadow Ceremony)

10) CONCLUDE CEREMONY10) CONCLUDE CEREMONY

with summary of intention as fulfilledwith summary of intention as fulfilled

11) 11) ““RELEASERELEASE””

the Directionsthe Directions----

Acknowledge and express gratitude for the Acknowledge and express gratitude for the Directions/Elements and Divine Beings you invoked. Directions/Elements and Divine Beings you invoked.

12) 12) ““OPENOPEN””

the circlethe circle

with song, chant, sound or simple statement like with song, chant, sound or simple statement like ““So it is! It is So it is! It is Done! Done! AhoAho! Namaste! YES! Etc.! Namaste! YES! Etc.

7 Chakras 7 Chakras

& Veils& Veils

7 Chakras 7 Chakras 77

CrownCrown

6 Third Eye6 Third Eye

55

ThroatThroat

44

HeartHeart

33

Solar PlexusSolar Plexus

22

SacrumSacrum

1 Root1 Root

LetLet’’s Create and Dance! Honoring our 7 Chakras / Veilss Create and Dance! Honoring our 7 Chakras / Veils

Now that we have satisfied our mental Left Brain curiosity aboutNow that we have satisfied our mental Left Brain curiosity about

Sacred Space ~ LetSacred Space ~ Let’’s s move into our Right Brain and shift into our intuitive experiencmove into our Right Brain and shift into our intuitive experience and coe and co--create a simple create a simple sacred space and short ceremony here togethersacred space and short ceremony here together. .

Using the general outline of Setting Sacred Space as I suggestedUsing the general outline of Setting Sacred Space as I suggested

previously, I have chosen previously, I have chosen a THEME / INTENT/ OBJECTIVE of Honoring the 7 Chakras as a symboa THEME / INTENT/ OBJECTIVE of Honoring the 7 Chakras as a symbolic process to lic process to empower our inner Sacred Space.empower our inner Sacred Space.

1) INTENT: to lift the veils and empower through movement our i1) INTENT: to lift the veils and empower through movement our inner sacred spaces of our nner sacred spaces of our energy centers or Chakras.energy centers or Chakras.

2) CREATE SACRED SPACE ENVIRONMENT & ALTARS:2) CREATE SACRED SPACE ENVIRONMENT & ALTARS:Take a few moments to add any items or (Affirmations on paper) tTake a few moments to add any items or (Affirmations on paper) to the chakras altar.o the chakras altar.

3) SET MOOD: put on music, light candles3) SET MOOD: put on music, light candles

4) PURIFICATION 4) PURIFICATION

5) GROUND & CENTER5) GROUND & CENTER

6) Acknowledge DIRECTIONS & ELEMENTS6) Acknowledge DIRECTIONS & ELEMENTS

7) INVOCATION7) INVOCATION

8) CAST CIRCLE8) CAST CIRCLE

9) CEREMONY: Dance the 7 Chakras (30 min *3min song/chakra, veil9) CEREMONY: Dance the 7 Chakras (30 min *3min song/chakra, veils, or meditate)s, or meditate)

1010--12) CONCLUDE / RELEASE DIRECTIONS / OPEN CIRCLE12) CONCLUDE / RELEASE DIRECTIONS / OPEN CIRCLE

Blessed Be!Blessed Be!

It is time to create sacred It is time to create sacred spaces for the Sacred spaces for the Sacred FeminineFeminine……to honor Her within to honor Her within oneself as well as without. oneself as well as without.

Nurture your inner temple Nurture your inner temple space through meditation, space through meditation, ceremony, art, dance, and ceremony, art, dance, and create an outward physical create an outward physical sacred space to remind you sacred space to remind you daily of the beauty, power, daily of the beauty, power, wisdom and love of the Divine wisdom and love of the Divine Mother and Her Mother and Her HERitageHERitage..

Connect with me & Blessed Be! Connect with me & Blessed Be!

Website: Website: www.Goddesswww.Goddess--Studio.comStudio.com

MeetupMeetup

Clan: Clan: www.meetup.comwww.meetup.com/goddess/goddess--studiostudio

FacebookFacebook: : www.facebook.com/GoddessStudiowww.facebook.com/GoddessStudio

Email: Email: AmalyaGoddess@aol.comAmalyaGoddess@aol.com

This presentation written & produced by This presentation written & produced by AmalyaAmalya (Amy Peck) 9/3/13(Amy Peck) 9/3/13