Decades ago, I learned about the Thai custom of
building spirit houses. After a house is built, families traditionally create a san phra phum, or guardian spirit house. During a
Buddhist ceremony, family members invite a protective spirit to inhabit the
small house believing that it will bring luck, happiness, success and security
against mean spirits who could potentially threaten their home.
In the past, I’ve made a spirit house for
each of my homes. For each new place, I smudge; I place elephants with their trunks up, a customary good luck charm to Puerto Ricans; I have small chairs facing entrances which apparently is a Wiccan practice one of my friends follows; I invite priests to bless the home; and, I never hang a mirror toward the door (a feng shui no-no). I'm not overly superstitious, it's just that over the years I have picked up cultural, spiritual and religious practices from my loved ones. Respectfully, I embrace them and follow them in my own way. For my current house, I *found* my spirit house in
my favorite antique shop. Sometimes I leave my spirit houses empty and
sometimes I fill them with offerings (to who really depends).
The Curious Professor Z inspired me to make my own Good
Things 2015 jar to kick off Bat Fit. I went to Michaels and picked up a
small jar (for only $1.50!!!). My fella teased that it was a wee bit small for
all the good things that I should anticipate so I decided to FINALLY use my
tiny strips of paper that my mother gifted me (maybe 20) years ago (yeah, yeah,
yeah so I keep things *shrug*) to make Wishing Stars. I’m including the
instructions in case you’d also like to make your own little origami stars. I
already added ONE GOOD THING to my jar (see the tiny hot pink star!) and then
placed my jar inside of my spirit house. It seems like the perfect place. 
Oh cool! I always wanted to make one of those spirit houses! I also love the origami stars, what a great idea!
ReplyDeleteThanks! As a mom you're probably much more craft than I am... origami has always been tricky for me because I always want my pieces to be perfect. Let Go Sharon... Let Go! Sigh :p
DeleteI've not heard of the custom of having spirit houses but I really love the idea and might have to find a way of making one for our flat. Also going to start my Good Things jar. I meant to do this last night when I read the professors post and forgot.
ReplyDeleteI've used a shadow box which I've hung on the wall in the past when space was an issue.
DeleteWhat a nice idea, that jar is going to look really pretty when it is filled with little stars! I also adore your bat-shaped bowls. :)
ReplyDelete***figures crossed*** the down side is that I'll have to unwrap them to read the messages inside but I guess I can always fold them back into stars.
DeleteThat's cute!! I made star-garlands out of metallic papers for my christmas tree once. I hope your jar will be brimfull by the end of this year :-)
ReplyDeleteMetallic paper stars would be much more amazing! Hmmm, I may have to look into that. Or at least scatter a few throughout the jar.
DeleteI really like the idea of a spirit house! Where do you find them (other than an antique store), and what kind of things should I look for in one?
ReplyDeleteAn actual Spirit House requires a Buddhist priest to bless it and some serious knowledge of feng shui but if ya want to know MY version.... I've used bird houses and even shadow boxes in the past. Really it's whatever speaks to me. I haven't historically gone out to look for them; they've usually called to me while I was in their presence.
DeleteMy main rule is that I can't take the house with me and since I was an apartment dweller prior and didn't make a great deal of money, I never wanted to invest too much money in them. There are traditional offerings associated with them but I usually include flowers, garlands, candles, incense, post cards (for specific loved ones) etc. Some folks have food offerings but I have never followed that. I leave the inside somewhat empty so that there's room for my dead. I also place it where I can see it daily so that it's a reminder to me to consider those on the other side.
Thanks for the info! The one you have there looks rather like the top of a street lantern, VERY cool... I'm going to look for one for our apartment. I've got an altar dedicated to the Ancient Mothers and ancestors, but this is a bit different. I could probably make room on that altar for the spirit house. :-)
DeleteAnd may I ask what that coffin-shaped black book in front of the spirit house is? I assume it's a book and not a box...
It may be part of an old lantern. It was in a pile of amazing *junk* :D Would love to see your alter if it's something you're willing to share. I completely get that it might be private.
DeleteIt's a journal from https://www.etsy.com/shop/aLexLibris The craftsmanship is like no other.
I'd LOVE to share my altar, but unfortunately I can't scan any pics as our home computer is still down and we can't attach it to our laptop as far as I know. :-(
DeleteThat journal is AWESOME!! A little over my price range right now, but thanks for the link, I will definitely favorite it!
I love the spirit house idea! Do you bring them with you when you move or leave them in the house?
ReplyDelete