Creating Sacred Spaces
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Each Spring, Juanita Johnson, a certified grief therapist and a certified death educator, creates a sacred space in her home to remember the women in her woman line: her daughter, her mother, her grandmothers, her great grandmothers, and her other women ancestors. In this space, she places items including diaries, books, pictures, a handkerchief, flowers, and a candle.
Then in June, she clears the space and creates another area filled with the reminders of the men in her family: her son, husband, father, as well as her grandfathers, great-grandfathers and other male ancestors. She displays fishing flies, pictures, books, an old box, handmade tools and a family bible.
In the fall she creates a space to honor the dead- similar to the Mexican practice of "The Day of the Dead".
As she has helped others think about being intentional in creating places in their own environment to remember home and loved ones, she has found some people reluctant to create such a space. Sacred spaces can evoke feelings of sadness and regret as well as sweetness and connection. The space helps her stay centered and allows her to reflect on the importance of slowing down and remembering. She encourages you to consider creating spaces in your home for remembering. You may find, as she does, that you feel more connected to your lineage, your home and yourself through these spaces.
HALos's is deeply grateful to Juanita Johnson, M. A., C.G.T., D.D.E./ The Eaton Center/ 15 Eaton Avenue/ Norwich, NY 13815/ Norwich, NY 13815/ 607-336-8457/ Email: juanita@juanitajohnson.com/ Website: http://www.juanitajohnson.com
Additional Information From HALos:
Rituals will always play a part in our lives. Some family traditions and celebrations become buried by tragedy and loss and can either resurface in time or remain lost forever. New rituals are often created as a result of death in an attempt to provide comfort and solace.
"I was first introduced to sacred space several years ago while studying with Juanita. Since then I create a sacred space in my home each December to remember my son's birth and his life. In this space I have included such things as a candle, some of his baseball cards, his guitar pick, sheet music, pictures and something that has his handwriting on it. This ritual has allowed me to commemorate his life, acknowledge and celebrate my life long bonds with my son.
Joyce Humphrey-Founder
