Forever, Light

In 2008, I was inspired by a Bathtub Madonna, which are shrines created for the Madonna out of old clawfoot tubs. I went to the thrift store and bought a small TV for five dollars. I hollowed it out, gilded it, and fitted it with a small Jesus night-light on the inside that was given to me by my artist friend Mario, who was also experimenting with reclaimed art themes.

A few years went by, and my old Mitsubishi TV stopped working. After the enjoyable experience of making my first TV shrine, I couldn't pass up the opportunity to create a bigger and more beautiful version. So I held onto that old TV, in hopes of finding the time to work with it.

Then in 2014, I wanted to expand my spiritual landscape. The term "spirit guide" had filtered into my awareness, and I became curious about my personal spiritual helpers. So I enrolled in a class from The Aspen Program for Psychic Development called "Got Guides?" taught by Marcia Stanfield.

During a classroom meditation, we were prompted to ask about the best way to honor our spirit guides. I reached for an available oracle deck and asked the question. Upon turning over the reply, the words "Make an Altar" appeared face up. This was the encouragement I needed to formally begin my next TV shrine.

The symbolism for my TV shrine is of the sacred feminine. The interior is beautifully bedazzled and sparkling with rhinestones and glitter paper. On the left is the crescent moon, symbol of reflection and transformation. On the right is the mandorla or almond shape, symbol of creativity and of the Great Mother. Gilded oyster shells adorn the walls and symbolize Venus Aphrodite, goddess of love and beauty. The shrine would be nothing without the illuminating red light in the center. Red is the color of incarnation, blood, and passion. Light is symbolic of the Divine. As the TV is Japanese, the bejeweled kanji characters mean "Forever" and "Light."

When I began making an altar for my spirit guides, I didn't think it would take me a decade to finish. I have realized that I will probably never be done with it. As I have grown and changed, so has my TV shrine. Nevertheless, it feels good to make art that is spiritual. I encourage everyone to make shrines out of reclaimed objects. It's fun.