Everything Under the Moon

Merry meet, everyone. I was wondering if anyone has ever had a problem with the location of their sacred space. Where I live, the lease specifically states that "fire hazards," including candles and incense, are absolutely not allowed in any of the apartments. I know there are a lot of spells and rituals which require you to be indoors with candles, but I cannot do any of them. I spoke to a fellow Wiccan who works at an occult store near where I live and she said that a permanent outdoor altar is perfectly acceptable. Luckily the sacred space that 'called' to me is right under a hackberry tree in my backyard, so I feel blessed to have followed my friend's advice.

I believe you might be able to legally fight your landlord in regard to burning candles/incense on grounds of religious freedom. But I'm certainly not a lawyer, so take that with a healthy dose of salt. Anyways, I have plenty of indoor altars, as most folks do, but I also have an altar located deep within a local nature sanctuary. It sits atop a fallen, long-dead tree that was pointed out to me by the elementary spirits. I go there once every few months to conduct miscellaneous rituals, i.e. Samhain rituals.

@Oakheart: I love your Samhain altar!

Woah, no candles or incense? I'm sorry to hear that Glad you found an outdoor altar

If you need to cleanse your living space maybe try a diffuser. I like to diffuse oils instead of lighting incense from time to time. Incense sometimes make my allergies go crazy.

Here is a link to a conversation about replacing candles in your spells to
http://www.spellsofmagic.com/read_post.html?post=447067

There are alternatives, as usual. I keep a vigil light in a small cauldron, which is a battery powered candle. It represents fire in the center, to keep fueling my purpose. I wouldn't dare leave a flame unattended with cats in the house, and my intention requires 24/7 light. The one I have looks very realistic 6" taper, and a single AA battery lasts over a month. Try that with a votive! Another has a timer so it will shut off after six hours, and come back on at the same time every day. The timer kind batteries last only a week or so. Pillars and tea lights in all colors are available.

I have also used an electric warming pot and diffuser with water and scented oil for setting moods because indoor incense smoke makes me tear-up, sneeze or cough which kills meditation. Or substitute an aerosol mist for incense ... mist reps Air, as does scent. Make your own herbal brews and decant to a spray bottle.

When the weather's good, I like to be outside. There's nothing like a starlit night to sit and reflect. If there's a wind, an outdoor candle is hopeless, even in a jar...but a tea light in a jar works. And a battery powered candle can't blow out. Any kind of open fire in a BBQ at night attracts neighbors if they smell smoke. Nosey Parkersburg. I do have a permanent outdoor shrine in my little garden area. You use what you've got.