I am a fan of small altars when you don’t have a lot of space or need something that you can carry with you. Almost all of my altars are either small or have a portable component of sorts. Recently, I was inspired to create one for Eir, Norse Goddess of Healing and Handmaiden to Our Lady Frigga. My Portable Eir Altar was born from an old box and a random desire to play with paints and collage.
As you can, hopefully, see in the photo – the box I used began life as a box for my Green Witch tarot deck. I love some of the images on it and wanted to keep them. I used black acrylic paint to cover the words and designs I didn’t want and give a rougher foundation for my later gluing.
It took a few layers of the black paint and a while for me to decide to go ahead and paint everything but a few images. I also took my time going through my bags of collage bits (papers, loose tarot cards, broken jewelry) to plot what I wanted this altar to look like. I knew I wanted garnets and some sword imagery early on as Eir is a healer but more of a surgeon or triage doctor than a soothing herbalist. She is also a valkyrie and I honor Her as such.
I had a hell of a time with the glue I chose for the tarot card and paper pieces. I ended up having to go back and paint around them as the glue took off those layers of paint there.
I finished the outside and put my Eir novena book by Galina Krasskoca, prayer card, and few other bobbles I have for Her inside. The box now resides on my Frigga and Her Handmaidens altar above my dresser next to a mortar and pestle I only use for Them and Their work.
Just found your blog – very nice! I love Eir, she was the first Freya sent to guide me after my husband’s cancer (he’s fine).
I’m glad to hear he is fine. Thank you for your comment, it is very appreciated. May your Gods bless you.