What is your opinion on altars doubling as something else?

[miss_mc]

What do you think about altars preforming double duty, so to speak, and also being things like coffee tables when not in use? Not altars to Deity but altars you do work at? I have a very nice travel trunk that I use as a bedside table and I was thinking of making it my altar once I feel like im ready for one. Is it disrespectful to use it as something other than an altar, or are there respectful ways to do it? Is it perfectly okay?

[Heka]

What do you think about altars preforming double duty, so to speak, and also being things like coffee tables when not in use? Not altars to Deity but altars you do work at? I have a very nice travel trunk that I use as a bedside table and I was thinking of making it my altar once I feel like im ready for one. Is it disrespectful to use it as something other than an altar, or are there respectful ways to do it? Is it perfectly okay?

Perfectly ok lots of people have temporary working altars.

[Torey]

Re: What is your opinion on altars doubling as something else?

I personally view a working altar as something quite different to a devotional altar. In my thoughts, a devotional altar is a surface which makes up part of a sacred space specific to a deity, spirit, ancestor, etc. - and I would not use that surface for anything "mundane" if I had dedicated it to said deity, spirit, ancestor, etc.

But, IMHO, a working altar is just a surface. I have used the bare floor as an "altar".

[Ophidia]

Re: What is your opinion on altars doubling as something else?

Sometimes, due to space constraints or living conditions, you have to make do with what you have available. Not being able to set up a dedicated room or altar shouldn't stop you from practicing. The spirits or Gods are generally understanding and will not smite you if your altar doubles as a countertop or has to be tucked away when not in use.

[thalassa]

Re: What is your opinion on altars doubling as something else?

I think its perfectly okay.

[anubisa]

Re: What is your opinion on altars doubling as something else?

Well currently my altar does double duty. It's the top of my bookcase. I put some of my stuff on top of my bookcase and take it off when I need to perform a spell or ritual. I wish I could have a separate altar, but I live in a tight space and have to use my bookcase for double duty.

[Carlin]

Re: What is your opinion on altars doubling as something else?

Mine is devotional and also gets used for spell work. It's permanent and is never used for anything else (apart from when one particular person keeps putting their coffee mugs down on it which makes my blood boil!). I couldn't use it for anything else, it wouldn't feel right. That doesn't mean that anyone else shouldn't do as they see fit though!

[miss_mc]

Re: What is your opinion on altars doubling as something else?

apart from when one particular person keeps putting their coffee mugs down on it which makes my blood boil!

See, i don't much mind the idea of my altar being used TEMPORARILY for setting drinks down or whatever, but I just don't want to see stuff left all over it. Its not much of a big deal to me now, since its not really an altar yet, but I'm trying to get my friends + girlfriend into the habit of not leaving things there once they're done with them. Fat chance!

[anubisa]

Re: What is your opinion on altars doubling as something else?

I think when you have a permanent altar, then sitting a drink or something else on it would be disrespectful. Simply because the altar is set up for worship to your gods and goddesses and to perform rituals/spells etc...

[miss_mc]

Re: What is your opinion on altars doubling as something else?

I think when you have a permanent altar, then sitting a drink or something else on it would be disrespectful. Simply because the altar is set up for worship to your gods and goddesses and to perform rituals/spells etc...

Lets say someone isn't working with/doesn't worship deity, would you still find it disrespectful? Not like attacking you btw, just genuinely curious of your opinion.

[Ophidia]

Re: What is your opinion on altars doubling as something else?

Lets say someone isn't working with/doesn't worship deity, would you still find it disrespectful? Not like attacking you btw, just genuinely curious of your opinion.

I know for me it shows a disregard for another person's space. It doesn't matter if it's an altar or a desk or what - if you're in someone else's home be polite & respectful. Most people wouldn't leave empty dishes or trash on a person's shrine to a saint or deceased loved one, and a permanent, dedicated altar (or even a temporary one) is no different.

[Rae'ya]

Re: What is your opinion on altars doubling as something else?

What do you think about altars preforming double duty, so to speak, and also being things like coffee tables when not in use? Not altars to Deity but altars you do work at? I have a very nice travel trunk that I use as a bedside table and I was thinking of making it my altar once I feel like im ready for one. Is it disrespectful to use it as something other than an altar, or are there respectful ways to do it? Is it perfectly okay?

I think it depends on the altar. As this question is specifically related to working altars, I would say that it's fine for a working altar to double as something else.

Lets say someone isn't working with/doesn't worship deity, would you still find it disrespectful? Not like attacking you btw, just genuinely curious of your opinion.

Personally, I would. But then I think it's disrespectful to put your empty coffee cup ANYWHERE and leave it there. Empty cups go in the kitchen, not on random furniture or the closest flat surface.

To broaden that away from the specific coffee cup example... I still think that it's disrespectful for people (not yourself) to use a surface for an intent which it was not originally intended. You don't just put random items on people's carefully arranged surfaces. If it's clear that someone allows random clutter, that's different. But an arranged space is an arranged space and should not be cluttered up unnecessarily.

I think that it all comes down to the attitude of the person who owns the surface. When you go into someone else's space, I think you should abide by THEIR rules and attitudes towards surfaces and furniture. And this is completely separate to any spiritual context. If a surface has family photos or knick knacks on it, there's a possibility that it has significance to them. In that case it should be respected.

[thalassa]

Re: What is your opinion on altars doubling as something else?

Lets say someone isn't working with/doesn't worship deity, would you still find it disrespectful? Not like attacking you btw, just genuinely curious of your opinion.

It think it depends of one'S living arrangements and the obviousness of one's altar, and how the altar is used. On one hand, if its in a shared space of a shared surface, I'm not6 sure that I'd see it as disrespectful (or no more disrespecful than, say, coming home one day and declaring the coffee table an altar). Or if you stick it in a high traffic area of the home...or with small children... in these cases, if its something bothersome, a portable altar is probably best.

But there is nothing wrong with saying "hey, this is what this is, and I feel its disrespectful to...".

Personally, our altars are usually in places that are out of the way enough that no one feels compelled to use it (tho the kids have their own, very kid accessible and touchable, altars). I've also heard of people that stuff their altar so full that there is nowhere to put anything!

[Threshold]

Re: What is your opinion on altars doubling as something else?

For me, reality has dictated. I am lucky enough now to live in a situation where I can have a dedicated altar. That has not always been the case.

I have found the use of altar cloths helpful in the situation where I cannot have a full time dedicated altar (I use altar cloths on my permanent altar as well). Meaning when I was using the space as a temporary altar, I had the dedicated cloths which were never used for any other purpose. And I would put those on the altar, so the "working surface" was dedicated even if the support system was not.

[anubisa]

Re: What is your opinion on altars doubling as something else?

Lets say someone isn't working with/doesn't worship deity, would you still find it disrespectful? Not like attacking you btw, just genuinely curious of your opinion.

I guess not. I think it depends on the person and their intentions with the altar.