My Handbag Altar
A tiny pouch of hope
I carry an altar with me filled with objects sacred to me, tucked safely in my bag.
My pouch contains a tiny Hindu statuette I found years ago in an antiques shop, gently rubbed smooth by its previous owner. I have a meditation bracelet I made, a small chunk of moldavite, a piece of Libyan desert glass, a handmade pendulum, and a tiny hag stone. I also added a mandrake root charm (think Harry Potter), just because it tickles me.
Since my husband’s stroke a couple years ago, I carry my pouch everywhere. Some things barely fit now, such as my bottle of Frankincense essential oil. I need a bigger pouch.
When I was exploring portable altar ideas, I came across instructions I felt drawn to share with you, while putting my own slant on it!
Creating your own purse-size altar is a beautiful way to carry sacred energy with you wherever you go.
I think of it as a tiny, intentional space for grounding, reflection, and connection that fits neatly in a small pouch, tin, or compact case.
Creating Your Purse-Size Altar
Choose a Container: I use a little coin purse.
o A small tin (like an Altoids tin)
o A fabric pouch
o A tiny wooden or metal box
o A compact jewelry case
Select Meaningful Items:
I prefer to keep it simple, but intentional. Choose items that carry meaning for you and align with your spiritual practice and the energy you want to carry.
Here are some ideas:
o A Tiny Candle or LED Tea Light: For illumination, meditation, or setting sacred space. Yes, this requires a larger pouch than the one I carry.
o Crystals or Stones: Small ones that fit easily, like amethyst for intuition, rose quartz for love, or black tourmaline for protection.
o A Mini Tarot or Oracle Card: Draw one for guidance and keep it in your altar. Some decks come in mini sizes, or you can write affirmations on small paper slips.
o A Small Vial of Essential Oil: Choose a grounding scent like lavender, frankincense, or sandalwood. I’m going to transfer some frankincense into a smaller bottle.
o A Tiny Feather or Shell: Representing air or water elements, for intuition and flow.
o A Folded Cloth or Small Paper Altar Mat: This can create a defined sacred space wherever you go.
o A Symbol or Charm: Such as a small sigil, a tiny deity statue, or an item that represents your spiritual path. Want to learn about sigil making?
o Dried Herbs or Flowers: Such as lavender for peace or sage for cleansing (placed in a small bag).
o A Small Bell or Chime: If sound is part of your practice, even a tiny charm that makes a noise can be symbolic.
Bless it and make it yours:
Before using your new altar, cleanse your items (with smoke, sound, moonlight, or intention—all of these are great!).
Charge them with your energy and set an intention for your mobile altar—whether it’s for protection, peace, empowerment, or guidance.
How to Use It:
Open your purse altar whenever you need a moment of reflection. Arrange the items on a table, your lap, or the palm of your hand to create a sacred space and focus on your intention.
Say a quick prayer, or affirmation, or whatever way you practice your own spirituality.
In this small ritual, you remember: you are held, you are seen, you are enough.
Hello, I’m Michelle, a writer, published author of four books, and spiritual life coach living in Northern California with my husband and three dogs. Subscribers can enjoy posts about women in this last phase of our lives, how we view the world, how we share ourselves with our world, and the many ways we still love this adventure.
I love writing about exploring life, nature, and loving the animals and people who make our lives brighter.
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