Altars are mirrors, reflecting the illumination hidden in the unseen regions of the human psyche. They reflect the nature and source of our enlightenment, while revealing the shadow side of our beliefs. As external expressions of internal experience, altars make visible our relationship with the source of our being, how we approach that relationship, our understanding of the nature of the creation, and our inner vision of the face of our creator.
— Debra D. Carroll, Dialogues with the Living Earth by James Swan, editor, Roberta Swan, editor