AltarLand Podcast

About AltarLand Podcast

All things relating to the creation of altars by land-based artists, witches and altar-inspired people. altarland.substack.com (https://altarland.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast)

Publisher

Janet Nicol

Category

arts · society & culture

Language

en

Explicit

No

First episode

22 Aug 2024

Latest episode

16 Nov 2024

Latest episodes

6 episodes in the feed.

1. 

   16 Nov 2024

   Julia Siporin

   In this podcast, I speak with Julia Siporin, a meditation and yoga teacher, eairth artist, and bird guide. Julia shares her journey into creating sacred spaces, her unique perspective on the term “altar,” and what fuels her deep connection and communion with nature. Our lively conversation explores her inspirations, practices, and so much more. She’s a force of nature full of insight and curiosity, and her love for our earth is contagious! To learn more about Julia and what she is up to in Oregon, where she lives, visit her website, Eairth Offerings, (https://eairthofferings.co) Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/juliasiporin/?hl=en) or Facebook (http://facebook.com/julia.siporin). As so many of my guests have been inspired by Morning Altars (https://www.morningaltars.com/) by Day Schildkret (https://www.dayschildkret.com/), I thought it was time to summarize and share Day’s his 7-step process to creating Morning Altars: * Wander – Begin by wandering outdoors with an open mind, gathering natural materials like leaves, stones, flowers, and sticks. This step is about slowing down, being curious, and noticing what nature offers. * Place – Find a location where you feel drawn to create your altar. This place should feel safe, sacred, and conducive to quiet focus. * Clear – Clear the space where you’ll work physically (by removing debris) and mentally (by setting intentions and creating a sense of purpose). * Create – Arrange your materials in patterns, letting intuition and creativity guide you. There’s no right or wrong—just let the materials come together meaningfully. * Gift – Dedicate your altar to something or someone, imbuing it with intention, gratitude, or a message. This could be a wish, a prayer, or an offering. * Share – Share your altar by photographing it or showing it to others. Sharing can be a way to celebrate the moment, spread beauty, and inspire others to connect with nature. * Release—Let go of your creation, embracing the altar's impermanence. Acknowledge that it is a temporary piece of art, honouring its beauty and eventual return to nature. “Creativity itself doesn’t care about results—the only thing it craves is the process.” -Liz Gilbert Creating your first altar—and releasing attachment to the outcome—can feel challenging, especially if you envision Day’s inspiring altars. Whether it’s your first time or you’re a seasoned practitioner, let’s keep that creative flow alive as we journey outdoors. Begin by revisiting Day’s 7-step process, head to a local park, forest, or meadow, and take a few deep breaths to center yourself. As you wander, gather materials that speak to you, pausing to ask permission from nature before taking and only collecting what you need. Find a comfortable spot, lower yourself to the earth, and clear a small, circular space with your hand. Our brains naturally create patterns, shapes, and rhythms, so trust your body to guide the process—step back, and allow your imagination to take over. Don’t stop, analyze, or overthink; play/work for about 10-15 minutes. When you’re done, take a moment to admire your creation—without judgment. Celebrate yourself for engaging in this beautiful, personal practice. Repeat as needed You can always skip Step 6; I usually do. Thanks for being here. -Janet This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit altarland.substack.com (https://altarland.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1)

2. 

   30 Oct 2024

   Anywhere

   In this week's podcast, I speak with Alexandra Raquel Hughes, born in Peru and raised in Canada. She hosts the Witchhunt Podcast, (https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/the-witchhunt-podcast/id1597331749) is a Priestess and Ceremonilastist of Andean matrilineal lineage, and hosts sacred circle ceremonies online, internationally, and in Toronto, where she resides with her husband and three children. @Alex_inessence (https://www.instagram.com/alex_inessence/?hl=en) This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit altarland.substack.com (https://altarland.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1)

3. 

   2 Oct 2024

   Barbara Nelson: Creativity with Love

   When I encounter someone who embodies a deep passion for creating beauty with grace and authenticity, I stop what I’m doing to look, listen and feel. Barbara Nelson is this woman. Born in France but raised in the U.S., Barbara has expressed herself through various mediums, from printmaking to jewellery and, more recently, through altars. An artist with a vision to help others see the tremendous healing potential and joy in creating altars, she can be found in her hometown of Richmond, Virginia, inspiring others through her incredible work. I hope you enjoy our conversation about what inspires her and what brought her to make altars. To see some of her beautiful jewellery (http://www.bnelsondesigns.com) - or to learn more about her workshops, Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/bboshdesigns/). A special thanks to our introduction music to our conversation composed by Theo Davis (https://open.spotify.com/artist/0MZiovGWkFb7YQiaQAbDul) As I’m writing today from Italy, it’s hard not to notice altars everywhere now that I’m “altar-aware.” They are not just in every cathedral, basilica, church, and chapel I’ve wandered into but also on the outside buildings, hidden in the tiniest nooks and crannies. While they aren’t witchy or earth-based, nor does religiousness speak to me, they are still magical to see, especially when remembering that in the 1700s, altars with candles provided the street lighting here. But altars aren’t without controversy! Commissioned by the Archbishop of Milan, Mario Delpini, during a re-design of the Basilica S. Maria Assunta in Gallarate, artist Claudio Parmiggiani scandalized many for his altar of 120 severed ancient heads compressed between two marble slabs. As you can imagine, the community went wild. Art! Religion! Macabre! Tradition! For our altar creation exploration this week, consider where you could designate a shelf, ledge or table just for you (and communicate this to family members/roommates to respect this space).  Over the next few days, place objects of significance on it. A photo, a poem, a rock, flowers, unique candles, a feather, a piece of jewellery, anything goes. Take your time, arranging things as if making a 3-D collage. What feels balanced? What objects want to be close together based on colour, size and meaning? Should the overall shape be a circle or square? When you are done, light a candle and gaze at your beautiful creation. Do you want a scent in the air? Burn some incense or herbs. How about some gentle music or ringing a bell? Do you want to give thanks or remember someone or something? How about a little whisper or hum? Sway or dance? When it feels like the time is up, say ciao, and move on to the rest of your day. The beauty of having it in your home is that you can always pause when strolling past and give it (and you) some love. Here’s a peek inside my summer cabin altar space in the Gatineau Hills. Thanks for being here. Until next time! Janet This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit altarland.substack.com (https://altarland.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1)

4. 

   20 Sept 2024

   A Therapist and her Altars

   This week, I’m excited to share my conversation with Julie Cardoza, a Therapist out of California. Julie and I were in the same cohort for our Morning Altars training, and when she spoke and shared her work, we all stopped, listened, and learned. Not only is she leading the way for other therapists to integrate altar creation into their work, but she embodies creativity, healing and beauty. In our conversation, she shares why she creates altars inside and outside her home and how she integrates them into her private practice. Her website (http://www.juliecardoza.com) has amazing resources, from experience with sharing EMDR and polyvagal theory to trauma-informed yoga. She is a master of Canva; you will find the world’s best visual description of ideas. She’s also a sister on Substack (https://juliecardozalmftryt.substack.com/)! She was a joy to study with and a delight to chat with. I hope you enjoy our conversation as much as I did. Thanks to Sofia Pasquinelli's introductory music and the glorious birds, wherever you may be. This is a short and beautiful portrait of master craftsman Guillermo Martinez (https://www.quetzalcoatlmusic.org/) using altars to care for his handmade instruments. Without pretension, he answers the why. September is a time of change for many of us (more than January), so after my kids returned to university, I had some quiet time to meander and tidy our home. I was drawn to a collection of dried flowers, many in red, purple, and pink, and I decided to take them back outside, where they began life! I wandered through fields and forests for the right colour, shape and company for their return. I arranged my offering so the dried and the fresh could rejoin and rejoice in a celebration of unity and colour. For this week’s altar creation invitation, start with one object you are drawn to in your home and take it outside. What does this object mean to you? What might complement it? The beauty of altar creation is that there are no altar police. There are no rules of thirds or correct ways to arrange things. Let your creativity flow, find your object and some friends, and see what unfolds. Are you curious about more altar information than this amazing Substack? Morning Altars (https://www.morningaltars.com/teachertraining24?utm_campaign=griefbecamewonder&utm_medium=fulllist&utm_source=newsletter&ck_subscriber_id=2165810155), created by Day Schildkret, offers online training if you like earth art, beauty, and community building. Earth Altaring, (https://www.earthaltering.com.au/) based in Australia, offers a few online courses too. I’ve done one, which was good, but know beforehand that it’s heavy on the woo-woo. The Book of Altars and Sacred Spaces by Anjou Kiernan is a visually powerful book on witch-inspired altars. You can get a sneak peek of her aesthetic on Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/anjoukiernan). If you are more of a visual person, you can watch Julie and I converse in our homes! Thanks for being here! Janet This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit altarland.substack.com (https://altarland.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1)

5. 

   8 Sept 2024

   In Conversation with Kiki Keskinen

   Join me as I chat with Kiki Keskinen, the founder of WitchSchool, based in Chelsea, Quebec. She shares how she uses the four elements and directions in creating her altars, how most of us are probably already building altars (but didn’t call it that) and how the power of building relationships with objects and assigning meaning to them helps create magic and healing. To learn more about Kiki and her incredible school, visit: Instagram @witchschoolcanada (https://www.instagram.com/witchschoolcanada/) Website www.witchschool.ca (https://www.instagram.com/witchschoolcanada/) Special thanks to the glorious intro music by Craig Cardiff (https://linktr.ee/craigcardiff)and to the birds that graced our background soundscape. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit altarland.substack.com (https://altarland.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1)

6. 

   22 Aug 2024

   Welcome

   Founder of AltarLand Janet NIcol's introduction to the Podcast series. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit altarland.substack.com (https://altarland.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1)

Contact AltarLand Podcast

Guest appearances

Books guests

Based on episode analysis; this does not confirm that the show is currently accepting guests.