CENTRAL ALTAR

Altar is an important place of harmony at your home. The word altar comes from the latin ‘altus’ which means elevated. It is a space that represents the acknowledgment of the elevated relationship between you and the sacred forces. An Altar in alignment is a Point of Spiritual Light that anchors and irradiate naturally divine goodness. It is a space of love and hope.

The Central Altar is arranged to anchor your personal relationship with the divine-settle-angelic forces at home. It will hold elements of your Guardian Angel and all divine vibrations that are meaningful and personal connected to you, even beyond the Orishas. In Umbanda, we represent this universal elements with Oshala. The White Light of this Orisha contain all colors of all Orishas. You can always light a white candle representing Oshala or any divine forces you want.

CANDLES
It is important to spend some time tuning and praying to light a ritualistic Candle. The mouth vibrates the positive words and sacred knowledge of the prayer through the flame. You can face the palm of your hands towards the candle to irradiate the intention directly from the heart.

Candles are sacred keepers of divine Fire element.   The divine fire element is essential inside of ritualistic practices because it has the power to: 

..send our prayers and intentions up to the sky to reach the divine forces; 

..amplify our prayers like the wood that expands when it is closer to the fire; 

..provide energetic transmutation of aspects that do not serve us anymore; 

..brings clarity and increases internal vision power.

The FLAME is a reminder of positive thoughts and source of good energy in your home.

It is absolutely necessary to protect the Candle with metal, stone or proper glass to avoid any fire hazard. If you will leave the Candle, you can with all reverence blow it out and lite again when you are back around.

ANCHORING THE CENTRAL ALTAR AT HOME
Find a special place in your house to place the central Altar according the directions below that should be adapted in any way that works according your living situation.

STEP 1: CARDINAL DIRECTIONS
The ideal is to set up your central Altar facing East direction where Sun rises. If you can’t set up a central Altar facing East, you can put a stone pointing out to East.

STEP 2: FINDING SPACE
The ideal is to have a special extra room for spiritual practices to place your central Altar. The second option could be in your living room to irradiate peaceful energy for those who enter in your house. If you need more privacy, you can set up your central Altar in your bedroom.

STEP 3: CENTRAL ALTAR TABLE
After finding a space, you will need to find a beautiful table for your central Altar. If your table is not that great, you can put a beautiful cloth over. You can choose any height you want. If you would prefer to sit on front the Altar for a meditation practice, you can choose a table 1-2 feet tall.

STEP 4: CANDLE HOLDER
You can start to decorate your central Altar with a metal, stone or proper glass candle holder, preferably in the center. You can use different kinds of candles as: 7-day, stick or tea candle. Remember to have a proper holder for each kind of candle you would prefer. It seems like a 7-day candle is a long lasting and safer candle.

STEP 5: SACRED OBJECTS
Decorate your Altar with meaningful objects and instruments as: crystals, stones, feathers, animals, deities statues, etc. You could put any kind of object that has a positive spiritual value for yourself.

You must show respect when you light a candle and make any practice on front of your Altar.
Remember to always keep your Altar clean and smudged.