Altar

The Altar

Five little practices for the five places

The Centre

The centre is for the stone you reach for most — the one you'd notice if it went missing.

Pick it up in the morning before the day starts. Hold it for a minute. Notice the weight and the temperature of it, nothing more than that.

Do the same last thing at night, then set it back in the middle.

If a week goes by and you haven't reached for it, swap it for one you would.

North is for steadiness. Something solid and dark suits it well.

When the day gets loud, come to the altar and put both feet flat on the floor.

Rest a hand on the north stone. Breathe in slowly, out more slowly. Three times is plenty.

Then go back to whatever you were doing.

South is for warmth — a stone with a bit of colour and fire in it.

Once a day, stop at the south place and name one thing you're looking forward to.

It can be small. A walk, a bath, a coffee outside, someone coming over.

Say it out loud if there's nobody about.

If it's one worth keeping, put it in Little Thoughts.

East is where the light comes from, so it's the one for beginnings.

In the morning, open the curtains and turn the east stone so the light catches it.

Then give yourself one line for the day. Just one.

For example

You don't have to do anything else with it.

West is where the day ends, so this one is for the evening.

Before bed, stand at the altar for a moment and let the day go.

Think of one thing from the day you're happy to leave behind, and leave it there.

Turn off the lamp. Put the phone down. Read a book. Meditate. Whatever feels right.