We hosted a collective virtual altar building space for Black parents to reaffirm the ways that we care for ourselves and our babies. Especially when systems fail us, is when we need one another. Our altar building space was held by B. Anderson.
We were so honored to be in partnership with B. to hold space for Black parents. B. Anderson, (they/them), is somatic music therapy practitioner, plant medicine stewart/herbalist, mediation teacher, mediator, ritual leader and community organizer. B. calls up the traditions, legacies and medicine of their southern Black American, Jamaican Maroon and Choctaw ancestry as their healing arts praxis. B. Anderson is the founder and steward of Song of the Spirit (@songofthespiritinstitute), a community based institute in service of keeping alive the wisdom traditions of the African and Indigenous diaspora.
An altar is a sacred space in a home where one returns to their own breath, peace and life inspirations as a vehicle for mental clarity, transformation and release. An altar can reflect who we are, what we believe in and what we are envisioning for the health and wellbeing of ourselves and our loved ones.
Our altar invitation was for folks to do the following:
- Gather your three objects. Bring an object that represents each theme: Resilience, Strength, Courage (more image below)
- Identify a space for your altar: Seek a place in your home where you can clear some space for your altar. Perhaps this is a place you already visit for reflection, or set up special objects. Maybe it’s a windowsill, or your bedside table. It doesn’t have to be big, and it’s helpful if it’s central where you’ll see it often.
- Set aside some time for you: Come prepared to be in self-determination around your time and energy. We’ll be offering many different things, and totally trust you to manage your own engagement and what you need. Take breaks, opt in and out. We love when you take care of yourself!