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I dusted and rearranged my altar today. On it are rocks, plant bundles, seeds, carved peach pits, candles, and a big stack of books. Those are new to it. I have a question for you--feathers that I pick up disintegrate over time. Do you do anything to preserve yours? Do you ever have to throw things out?

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Good question, Janisse! Feathers do tend to die a "second death" over time. And I've had dried insects that turned to dust eventually. My earth altar gets a good cleaning/clearing/rearrangement every few months. There are usually a few things that get discarded, but I always return them to the earth.

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Jan 9, 2023Liked by Jeanne Malmgren

Love this! I have multiple earth altars as well!!! What a treasure you just found! 🥰 I like to move my nature collections all over the house, gathering their energy in different places.

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Great idea to have nature all over the house, Rebecca! Spread the joy!

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I love this post! Ha- I didn’t realize earth alters were a “thing,” it just feels like the natural thing to do! I have a small one filled with feathers and heart-shaped leaves, a few rocks, oyster shells, a bird skull. And a tiny portrait of Frida khalo I found on a walk.

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Love that you have Frida on your earth altar, Katie! That's very special.

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Jan 9, 2023Liked by Jeanne Malmgren

Oh, I love this! I have them everywhere!!! I never really thought of a name for them or the idea that having them was something people did. It's just always been part of where I live. I will say that one of the best things about having small persons is that it's constantly added to.

This is just the loveliest thing and literally made my day.

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Thanks so much, Renna! I love that your small person helps you add to yours; that makes it even more special and family-created.

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Love this idea! Im going to start my own nature alter today! I like to go out in the woods and pickup stuff while drinking my nightly PBR. Have a bunch of pines cones, feathers, and an ole horse skull already! Keep up the good work!

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Jan 9, 2023Liked by Jeanne Malmgren

Deer, opossum, rats, coyotes and more chew on and eat bones. It’s believed they obtain minerals such as phosphorus and calcium from them. An important diet supplement even for wild critters.

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Jan 9, 2023Liked by Jeanne Malmgren

I have several of these both on my porch and inside. I was glad to see you cautioned folks about what they take. A bird nest that has fallen out of a tree? Yes. One still in place may provide shelter. Even bones are used by critters.

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That's so interesting, Betsy. Do they use bones for nourishment? Or ...?

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