A Step-by-Step Guide to Creating Your Life-Altering Sacred Space
My sacred life-altering space: This is the inspiring painting that stands before me when I meditate to call in abundance, love, and joy. I also get organized and plan out my day after getting into the zen mode.
“If you really want to alter, you should create an altar.” - Shiva Rose, author of Whole Beauty
In the intro of Radical Radiance, I share a “pro-tip” on how to set up your sacred space from Rebecca Casciano, founder of The Sacred Beauty Collective and one of my favorite makeup-artist gurus in the natural beauty space.
Rebecca + Me
Circa 2015: Rebecca was our Makeup Director at Savor Beauty! She used to do my makeup every Wednesday before date night in the West Village.
Your sacred space does not have to be grandiose. It can be a simple beauty altar or meditation corner; the important thing is that this special area should feel inspiring, uplifting, and healing.
Here is Rebecca’s step-by-step guide to creating your sacred space:
Gather the essentials:
“To set up a beauty altar, you need a mirror, tabletop area, and decent lighting,” says Rebecca. You can also add comfy cushions, blankets, and even a soft, fluffy rug (all my friends fall in love with it when they come over because it’s SO luxurious and reasonably priced!)
Add fave photos!
A peek into Rebecca’s beauty altar: a childhood photo is a fun way to remember the inner child in you.
Add loved objects:
The fun part is choosing special “sacred objects, such as crystals, shells, and favorite photos of yourself, a family member, and/or your beauty muse” to add to your space. “I like to have candles and incense on the altar or nearby,” Rebecca adds.
Spiritual Scents
A candle, incense, or diffuser with aromatherapy essential oils keep you grounded, inspired, present, and remind you to breathe in and exhale.
Make it seasonal:
”It’s summertime now, and that’s a perfect time to refresh your altar with a new plant and/or crystal that reminds you of your inherent ability to shine. Think bold, warm-weather plants like succulents and crystals such as citrine, which not only look cheerful but are believed to inspire confidence. I also have the Savor Beauty Toning Mists as a longtime staple, which I use to refresh my skin and mood,” says Rebecca.
Elevate Your Rituals
I love to say affirmations at my beauty/meditation altar, and I keep my planner next to me to write down any sparks of inspiration so I don’t forget!
Set intentions:
Rebecca believes that we can elevate everything “from a mundane beauty routine to a gorgeous self-love ritual” by stating an intention or saying an affirmation. I like to keep my planner next to me because inspiring ideas and thoughts always flow; I write them down to not forget because brilliance is always sparked from the energy of our sacred spaces.
Edited excerpt from RADICAL RADIANCE: by Angela Jia Kim.
Copyright © 2022 by the author and reprinted with permission of St. Martin's Publishing Group.
