EntertainingDec 15, 2021

Creating a Sacred Space at Home with Kristine Lo

Written by All Sorts Of
Photographed by Kristine Lo

Now that the holiday decorations have come down, we’re shifting our focus to re-organizing our homes and creating a calm environment to relax and reflect in. Our friend KRISTINE LO is a big advocate of taking this a step further by creating a unique, sacred place within your home just for you. A special place to step away from the chaos of life and back into the present moment. Our goal is to navigate through 2022 with peace and ease, and lucky for us, KRISTINE is here to help us get there. Read on to gather her steps to creating a sacred space in your home. 

Our home is our sanctuary. 

Creating a sacred space in your home is a visual and sensual reminder to pause and be in the present moment.

Creating your sacred space not only creates beauty but can be a place to rest, meditate, practice your rituals, and feel more grounded. 

As someone who moved more times than I can count by the time I turned 21, decorating and styling my home did not come naturally. It wasn’t until I started practicing meditation and Cha Dao Tea Ceremony that I learned the ritual of creating your sacred space. The practice is in itself like a meditation. Even if you are not an avid meditator or subscribe to a specific spiritual tradition, I invite you to create your sacred space or nook in your home. It’s a ritual to create beauty at home and a way to cultivate mindfulness – the practice of being in the present moment. In the present moment is where we can feel more calm and creative.

In many traditions, cleaning and cleansing is the first step to create your sacred space.

Kristine Lo

Burning ‘Palo Santo’, meaning ‘Sacred Wood’, has been practiced for centuries in South America for spiritual and healing ceremonies. Burning Sage is also known as ‘smudging’ and has been practiced by Native American peoples for ceremonies. Smudging is a practice that I have incorporated to energetically cleanse and clear my space before I meditate. The act of inhaling the sacred smoke also tunes out the mental chatter and anchors me in the present moment.

I’ve outlined simple steps to start cultivating this ritual at home.

Steps to Create your Sacred Space:

 

  1. Find a space in your home – an empty room, wall, corner, or nook.
  2. Clean the area by sweeping the floors and wiping down the surface. 
  3. Pick a sacred smoke like Palo Santo or Sage. I recommend the Palo Santo Stick Bundle or Smudge Set. Before you light this up, share gratitude to the plant, its indigenous origins, and those who’ve prepared and packaged these for you to use in your space. This practice connects you to the collective and imprints the energy of gratitude.
  4. Smudge your space and make sure you have a door or window open to allow the smoke to clear away.
  5. Set your intention for the space. Say this out loud or in your head.
  6. Place a meditation cushion or sheepskin if this will be a place for your meditation.
  7. Place a tray to hold your sacred smoke and ritual items. I recommend the White Round Marble Tray. As you place your objects in your tray, become visually aware of the arrangement of each item. Touching each object is itself a mindfulness practice of connecting to your felt sense. Notice the shapes, colors, and negative space. Rearrange as you wish to create a visually inspiring tray while exercising your creativity.
  8. Add in elements from nature like flowers or a plant. I recommend incorporating vintage or mixed vases. Enjoy your sacred space while connecting to the experience of being. Through your senses, you can appreciate each moment and enjoy this ritual even if you don’t have a traditional meditation practice.
Tools for Setting Your Space

Eucalyptus & Lavender Bundle

$18

White Stone Round Tray

$58

Palo Santo Stick Bundle

$13

Agate Vase

$46

Selenite Palo Santo Bundle II

$18

Half Dozen Palo Santo Incense Bundle

$20.99

Sayer Tray

$167

Travertine Rectangle Platter

$45

Meet Kristine Lo

Kristine Lo (She/Her) is a Creative Director and Mindfulness Guide based in Ojai, California. Her passion is creating beauty, community, and immersing in experiences that connect to nature and the divine. Through her Conscious Creative Studio, NATURE AND INTENT, she works with healers, wellness brands, and conscious beings to elevate their authentic essence and online presence.

You can find more about her creative and mindfulness offerings at kristinelo.com and on Instagram @kristine.lo.

Disclaimer: As a non-native person, I acknowledge that Sage and Palo Santo have been culturally appropriated and commodified. I honor the people and cultures who’ve practiced these rituals mentioned and hold reverence to the essence of these plant spirits. Although I’m no expert in the indigenous practice of smudging, I share how I incorporate this into creating your space to find your calm and creativity.

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