“This Tree Altar was made in honor of the ephemeral nature of the November Full Frost Moon. We chose a native ficus tree adorned with a carpet of golden pothos vines that also hang from the branches to celebrate the delicate balance between the Heavens and Earth. A bouquet of vines hangs in the center of a circle made of upright conch shells allowing the Earths spirit to funnel energy towards the sky. A cauldron found at sea burns brightly with white dessert sage, cypress, palo santo, and mugwort. A second circle made of carrot + beet pulp is left behind as an offering to the forest creatures. The key deer skull decorated with black plastic roses as well as real flowers serves as a reminder of the ephemeral nature of our cosmology despite the artifacts we create to immortalize our souls.”
“Tree altars may be constructed at any time or in any place. The intention is to pay homage utilizing the tree as a vehicle to the spirit world. Tree altars appear recurrently through-out history. An obvious example is found in the decoration of the Christmas tree, which originated in Livonia in the 16th century. The tree as a vehicle to the spirit world can be seen in Shamanic mythologies in the World Tree; The World Tree having roots in the underworld and branches that reach to the heavens.
The selection and decoration of the tree is purely intuitive, and varies based on the individual’s intention. The Church of Anthrax would very much like to encourage others to build their own tree altar. The tree altars may be constructed on any tree, whether it is in your favorite park, in your backyard or even on the side of the road. The symbols utilized vary depending on the altar and it’s creator. Incorporating objects and symbols which are sacred to the individual.
This may be performed on one’s own. However, I have found that the building of an outdoor altar in a group of close friends to be preferable. The experience of honoring and decorating the tree is a ritual which is enhanced when shared with persons with whom you share a spiritual connection.”
This is a new altar independently created in response to a project started by Jacqueline Elaine Gomez under the auspices of Church of Anthrax to encourage others to create their own tree altars.
You can check out her own personal Tree Altars photo set, and from there contact her directly if you want to find out more. Of course, you could just go ahead and make one either way. But, consider sharing some images of your altars with her project, and also with the Hermetic Library visual pool.
“The Church of Anthrax (or COA) is both a collective and an individual. Self and other reflecting ad infintum. COA is a religion as art performance collective founded by Jacqueline Elaine Gomez.” [via]
The Hermetic Library visual pool is a visual scavenger hunt for images of a living Western Esoteric Tradition.
Images of your ritual or ritual space, images of sigils or tools, showing off your own library or special volume from the restricted stacks, sacred spaces and places, esoteric artefacts and installations, inspired paintings and people – these and much more are part of the culture and practice of magick.