How to Make a Lararium

Last Updated: June 27, 2021

The lararium (plural form: lararia) is a shrine to the spirits that protect the Roman household. In some ways it is similar to a Shinto kamidana. A daily ritual is performed at the lararium to ensure that the domestic spirits, especially the Lares, continue to protect the household.

Steps

1
Select a location. A good place for your lararium is in a front room or near the kitchen area as was done in antiquity, but this is not essential. The important thing is that the lararium be placed somewhere that isn't so remote that it will be ignored or forgotten, or in a place so obtrusive it gets bumped into and knocked about during the course of the day.
2
The easiest way to set up a lararium is to reserve a small one-tier wall shelf, or a table or cabinet as an altar. A trip to a hardware store, a department store or an antique shop will usually yield something workable. A lararium may be decorated to taste in classical style if one wishes, but it need not be any special style or color.
3
Equip your lararium with these essential tools:
- Incense, an offering to the gods.
- Acerra—a container for incense. It should close tightly.
- Turibulum—an incense burner.
- Salinum—a container for salt.
- 'Gutus—a container for milk or wine.
- Patera—a small, shallow offering dish.
- 'Lucerna—a sacred lamp. An oil lamp or a candle is fine.
4
A lararium traditionally includes a representation of a snake, considered to represent a guardian spirit. A simple painting or good quality photo of a snake is fine.
5
After it is set up, you have a duty, as an ongoing act of devotion to the deities, to keep your lararium clean. Just dust it and wash objects within and around the lararium, and properly dispose of food offerings.

Community Q&A

Question

I don't think my parents would let me create this, even if it's in my room. Is there anything smaller than a lararium?

Community Answer

You can have a tiny altar in a hidden place in your room, like your closet, consisting of smaller versions of what you would put on the lararium. Skip the incense, though, since the smell and the smoke will give you away. You can just put some salt in one small pot, and some milk/wine in a different small pot. A small piece of flat wood can be used as a tiny offering dish. Use fake candles or some type of small oil lamp. Store these things in a small box and hide it somewhere where you can pull it out when you want to use it.
Question

How do I hide my pagan lifestyle from my parents if I'm a teenager?

Community Answer

I've been practicing witchcraft since I was 10, and my parents still haven't found out. Use normal items that are easy to get your hands on, and when not in use hide them somewhere safe (after saying a prayer over them). Set up your altar in a drawer that’s never used in your room. Don’t use an oil burning lantern, use an electronic one. Don't burn incense unless you have a reasonable excuse. You can use Febreeze, or water with sage oil or extract in a squirt bottle instead. Don't use enormous glass jars, use little dollar store mini mason jars. You can use a coffee cream packet instead of a glass of milk. As long as the effort is there, everything should work out.

Warnings

Always be careful when using open flames and when burning charcoal in your turibulum.

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The lararium should be kept clean. The acerra, the salinum and the gutus can be stored near or under your lararium depending on its design, and need only be present before the gods during the rites.

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