Liminal Spaces.

Liminal Spaces. 

One thing that seems to keep recurring during research is the term liminal space. It occurs when looking to work with certain deities, ancestors and others, especially this time of year.

So, I went down a rabbit hole, and I hope this post can help answer any questions you may have, because I know that I had plenty!

(One thing to note here is that, to me, time and space are pretty much the same thing, and those words will be used interchangeably throughout this post. As such, if I use one word and it does not sit right with you, change it for the other.)

So, what is a liminal space?

Sacred in Druidic practices, essentially, liminality is a point or spot where one thing becomes another, and the feelings that this evokes. It is the space and time between what is and what is yet to become. It is that split second between anticipation and potential in an action.

    -    the edges of things

    -    moving from one space to another

    -    boundaries

I have seen it described as: the very second BEFORE the penny drops.

You yourself enter and leave liminal states every single day when both falling asleep and when waking up.as you are passing from one state to another. Although it is possible to have a liminal dream during these times, REM sleep is not considered liminal as it is a deep sleep state with specific brainwaves present, whereas during a liminal phase, ALL brain waves may be present as has been witnessed on an MRI.

Every time you enter a room or leave your house, you also access liminal spaces. I will list a few examples below.

Liminal Spaces:

Some examples of liminal spaces are:

• doorways;
• windows;
• gateways;
• porch;
• thresholds;
• staircases/stairwells;
• cemeteries;
• beach;
• riverbank;
• ford;
• stone circles;
• mushroom circles;
• crossroads;
• bridges;
• doorsteps;
• groves/clearings in wooded areas;
• hallways;
• any empty space that would normally be full, such as a closed school or hospital, or a car park that is totally empty, backstage at a closed theatre, etc.

Quite often spaces that evokes certain feelings when in an altered state, such as when it is abandoned or shrouded in fog, for example. Some of these feelings can be described as nostalgic or eerie, evoking tranquillity or unease or even loneliness. 

As you can tell from the list above, most of these places are transitional areas that generally connect two physical places. 

Interestingly enough, a fence is NOT considered a liminal space, unless it is totally out of place, as in, there is one panel randomly in the middle of nowhere, or if it is separating a lived-in space from an abandoned or wild one.

In witchcraft practices, calling or casting a circle is said to create a liminal space.

Mirrors are considered a liminal space, as are photographs, especially if evoking the feelings outlined above. 

Randomly, the space in between starting an action and completing it, such as turning on a light switch, is also considered a liminal time. This is often described as a period of anticipation

Speaking of liminal times, dawn and dusk are prime examples, as are eclipses and retrogrades. Some argue that equinoxes and solstices are also liminal times.

I also argue that the night when clocks change would also be a liminal time, but I may be wrong on this. Feel free to have your say on this in the comments.

Animals:

Animals that are considered liminal are those that are neither truly domesticated nor entirely wild, such as:

• pigeons;
• rats;
• foxes;
• squirrels;
• racoons;
• feral dogs and cats.

In addition to these, animals that shed skins are said to be liminal during shed times, think spiders and snakes, etc.

Crystals:

Crystals for working in liminal spaces are:

• Moonstone;
• Danburite;
• Larimar;
• Silver Sheen Obsidian;
• Herkimer Diamond;
• Apophyllite;
• Hag/Odin/Fairy Stone;
• Ajoite;
• Obsidian (especially as a mirror).

Deities:

Deities of liminal spaces include:

• Hekate;
• Janus; 
• Hermes;
• Persephone;
• Enodia;
• Dionysus;
• Cerridwen;
• Cernonnus;
• Brigid;
• Nemetona;
• Heimdall;
• Odin;
• Hermodr;
• Papa Legba;
• Osiris;Ganesha;
• Inanna;
• Ishtar;
• Cardea;
• Culsans;
• Menshen.

I didn't know where else to put this into the text, but those wearing a veil are considered liminal, too. Most people probably think of a bride at this point, after all, it is the transition between maidenhood and womanhood traditionally, but my thoughts immediately went to the ancient Norse Volva, who are often depicted as wearing veils or similar attire.

And while many would argue that doorways and stairs in the woods would also be liminal spaces, while I tentatively agree, I would still suggest avoiding these areas at all costs!

This is just a brief overview, so we may do more on this in the future. Let us know if that is something you would like to see.

K x