A look at my current altar.
(Image description: A photo of a light skinned hand with a long strand of yellow prayer beads is coiled around it. A yellow tassel hangs off the end, with a dark background behind both.) Credit: Photo by Nilantha Ilangamuwa on Unsplash
I’m away from my usual Brighid shrine while visiting a loved one. I opted to limit how much I could pack, due to my own chronic health issues and as a challenge. There’s often an abundance of “stuff” seen within Paganism/Polytheism, and I thought it would be better to see how I could adapt with the limited number of spiritual items I had with me.
This might not be a preferred approach, but it should be interesting to explore during my visit. For privacy purposes, I will only describe the items in the travel altar, but they won’t be directly shown.
The first item I wanted to include in my travel altar is a prayer scarf. This idea was inspired by a presentation during Toutâ Galation’s 2022 Comreton Calleios. A light green scarf was thrifted, but it has never actually been worn outside my home. However, by my increased usage of it, I strengthen the bond between it and myself. The light green color reminds me of the of the colors ascribed to Brighid’s mantle and a color that could be associated with water, which are affiliated with Brighid and Nodens.
The veil can function as a focus to align myself with the three realms and the World Tree/axis mundi. Rituals, practices, and even offerings would be envisioned, depending on what’s available to me.
The next two items are prayer beads that could represent the deities in question, but they also function as tools for connecting with the divine. The Brighid bracelet includes nine star beads and four oak leaf charms, representing Brighid’s (or Brigantia’s) celestial ties and the seasons/ festivals (Brighid of the Seasons). The star beads are meant to represent nine epithets for Her, each used for a prayer. Different colored glass beads serve as reminders of what each bead stands for each prayer.
The prayer beads for Nodens are actually intended for Nuada, but with strong likelihood that He was imported from Ireland (or vice versa), I think there’s some leeway for the prayer beads’ use. Additionally, the craftsperson, Hearthfire Handiworks, mentions they can be used for any deity of your choice. A prayer card was also included. The beads feature silver beads that remind me of water, which reflects His ties to mist, rivers, and other aspects of the weather. A triskele, Celtic knots, and a silver hand also feature in the prayer beads.
Some other tools I have included are a journal, a couple pencils, and the Brighid oracle deck I have mentioned in previous posts. Another aspect I considered while packing these items was that I might find or buy holy items during the time I’m gone. There might not be anything I find that serves a purpose, but life has a way of surprising you occasionally. Additionally, Nodens’ shrine is still a work in progress, so I’ll see what He will want me to incorporate into His space. Art for both deities may shed some light on what They would like to have me dedicate to Them.
For the next few months, many of the posts on here will be about adapting to using my travel altar away from my usual sacred space.
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