A Kitchen Alter

The kitchen alter is a must for every wild woman. By wild woman I mean any woman who is born of nature. Ahem. That’s all of us. I’m not gonna lie, when I freshen my kitchen alter I feel especially wild. What is a kitchen alter you ask? Let me explain.

When I was in High School I used to go over to one of my Besties house a couple times a week. The thing I loved most about her house was her Mom kept a small vintage table in the kitchen that functioned as a catch all for anything magical and good. That thing was loaded up. It had a fruit basket, a rotating inventory of tarot cards, angel cards or nods to different yogis or gurus. It was an ever changing display of found objects. A bird feather, some fresh flowers. You name it. This table was overflowing with goodness.

My Auntie has a windowsill that is lined with little doo dads. Figurines, vases, shells. If she has found it, and it has been given a place of honor, it’s on the windowsill. She fills the vases with whatever is blooming in the yard and it’s a constant source of joy when she’s closing up the kitchen in the evenings.

My cousin has a spice rack that she hangs recent mail on, stashes her best salt and cocoa powder on and sometimes even grows succulents on. It’s an inadvertent place for special things in the kitchen.

So many kitchens have what I’d call a Kitchen Alter that just pops up organically. Maybe it starts with a photo and then the photo attracts some extra doo dads. A rock. A shell. A dish with some earrings. It just happens.

If you’re like me, you love the Kitchen Alter and want to build one with a little intentionalism. Let me help get you started! Here’s my recipe…

A Candle

The candle is the centerpiece. It’s what you’ll come back to over and over again to light. It’s what will draw you to your alter to look at all your special things. Choose your candle wisely so that you’ll want to light it. I’m not a fan of smelly candles so, I know I need to choose something that I’m happy is burning. Maybe you’re into seasonal candles. That’s perfect. Whatever you want to have burning and scenting your home. This candle was a gift from my cousin and is a signature scent from a project she works on. Added love and light.

Something Fresh

For me, the something fresh component is so incredibly important. It is the element that makes your alter come alive. Fresh flowers are great. Something green is great. Maybe a little succulent? For me, I like to use fresh herbs. They’re another way that my alter draws me back as I go through the week of cooking. I touch on herbs again in a different category.

Something to Remember

I love this element. I normally put photos or a quote. Something that brings me a little warmth when I look at it or read it. I love having photos of my friends or family up.

Something Special

I love adding in something that is calling to me. On my current alter I have some crystals that were gifted to me by a good friend and some black pearls that I want to incorporate into some new jewelry. I think there is something powerful about looking at your own things and regarding them through a new lens. When I ask myself ‘is this special?’ it helps me remember that things don’t need to be fancy or cost money to be considered ‘special’ in my home.

Something Found

Feathers. Shells. Rocks. These things come to me. Do they come to you too? If they do, I think the alter is a perfect place to pay homage to the things that make their way home with you. I always find that they encourage me back into nature.

Something Spiritual

Whatever feels spiritual to you. Bring it forward! For me, I love pulling a tarot or angel card and carrying a word or a message with me through the week. Last week I pulled the Nalu card out of my Mana Deck and the message was to deep dive when emotions feel like an all consuming wave. It was the perfect message and I’ve been thinking about it all week.

Something Useful

Lots of times I double up the something fresh and the something useful and I keep fresh herbs in a little vase. I’m ten times more likely to cut up some fresh basil if it’s handy and visible. This could be anything! Maybe it’s some special salt for the perfect dinner or, maybe it’s cinnamon for your morning coffee. Honey or dried herbs would be other excellent contenders for this category! This week I have some Calamansi. I loooove squeezing some into cold water for an extra pop of flavor.

I find the kitchen alter brings the perfect amount of intention into the heart of my home. I have a tiny little kitchen and yet, I spend an inordinate amount of time there!

One thing I started doing a few weeks ago was to not turn any lights on when I wake up. Instead, I head into the kitchen and light my candle while I do my coffee routine. Its a bonafide delight.

If you have a kitchen alter let me know what you love to add and, if you make a kitchen alter let me know how it goes!

With Wild Aloha,

Megan