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Rebel Post letters paste up design like an old Punk-zine

The Rebel Altar

a digi zine from Rebel-Pause.Guide subtitle designed with Punk-zine inspired fonts.
The first Rebel Altar with two art post cards with two figures standing on its head, a dragon eye card, a Stay Punk Patch, a unicorn, a golden statue of Egyptian cat Bastet, a rebellious LEGO figure.

We actually don’t quite remembered why we made that altar for the first Anti-Retreat, but it happened and there it was.

An altar exists to focus your thoughts on. Or… as we experienced it, as the perfect excuse to not do the real work and get creative 😉

A naked figure with yellow socks and sandals standing on its head and next to it a photograph of Jobbe holding his phone to photograph the first rebel altar.
A lighter with fire and hearts

We started by asking: “What is a rebel?”
And how could an object possibly reflect rebellion?

We talked to many people, posing them the question: “What is a rebel according to you?”
And guess what? Everyone had a different take.

Here’s a few:

  • A rebel questions the status quo
  • A rebel changes the perspective
  • A rebel is loud. And sometimes annoying
  • The inner rebel is that voice urging you forward
  • Rebellion is the energy that breaks what’s in it’s way
  • And sometimes… rebellion IS the thing in our own way.

Make it your-self

So… how do you capture rebellion in an altar? You make one yourself. Obviously.

A Rebel Altar helps you connect with that fiery rebel energy. Invite more of it into your life. Let it speak to you.

With this altar you’re crafting a space that stands up for your needs, breaks down barricades and questions your status quo’s.

Make it cheeky. Let it challenge you and/or others.

Ready to stir things up?

A figure with its two hands up flipping the finger and its face is a skull

Here’s what helped us get started:

  • We searched for elements from nature and burned some. So new things could rise from the ashes.
  • We used symbols, words and images that radiate fierceness.
  • We found objects that hold tention or duality (yes, even the ones that annoyed us).
  • Rebellion pairs surprisingly well with creativity. So we places things that tickled our imagination and invites us to play.
  • We looked for anything that changes perspective and nudges you towards seeing things differently.

Tips to build your own Rebel Altar:

  • Trust the process. The right objects will find you. Or you’ll find them.

  • Ask yourself: what kind of rebel energy am I inviting?
    > Do I need my inner rebel to speak louder?
    Or
    > Do I want to shake up the outside world?

  • Pick a location that feels right. Where will this altar thrive?

  • Place everything with intention. Don’t rush. Let each item find its way.

  • Let it shift. Add, remove, rearrange. This isn’t a monument. It’s a living thing.

This illustration of a rebel altar includes two figures standing on their head, a skull with brains and horns, a cat with a third eye a portal to liminal space an all seeing eye with love and a middle finger with a candle on it.

No time or inspiration to start making your own altar?
Buy ours!

Inspired by our own Rebel Altar, we illustrated a version that looks good on a poster, a mug, a t-shirt. Isn’t that rebellious?

A naked figure with yellow shoes and an eye-shaped head is standing on its head.

The Ripple effect

Right after our first Anti-Retreat we got a message from our fellow rebel Jack. First thing he did when he got home? Made his own Rebel Altar!

It helped him focus on what really matters, to invite his rebel spirit back into his life. He started mapping out his future, with his inner rebel as his guide.

The inspiration of our rebellious weekend also made another rebel decide to see things from a different angle on a daily basis. He’s standing on his head every morning now.

How cool is this?!

That we started to see the rebel energy as a gift and inspiration and others made it their own. Honestly? We feel super proud! 🙂

a spilled ink bottle with the word rebel next to it

Spil it out

So now we’ve told you how the Rebel Altar helped us create, move, inspire and focus our thoughts.

And sure, this new Rebel-Pause.Guide adventure isn’t all smooth sailing. There are still hiccups, annoyances, even disappointments. But still, it brings us energy. It helps us to get focus. And it keeps us moving, one step at a time.

We believe the world needs more rebel spirit!

We are curious about your findings too. And we’d love to keep exploring the question “What is a rebel?”

  • Got a story to share?
  • A ritual to use your inner rebel as a guide?
  • An altar made by you?

Let us know!

Meet your rebel

and…

If you want to figure out what a rebel is, with a pack of like-minded people, consider signing up for our next ‘Anti-Retreat‘ in Groningen, NL (Feb 7 & 8, 2026). Click on the ‘I want a ticket’ in the sidebar or follow this link for signup. Read more info about the Anti-Retreat here.

This Rebel Post is created with a big heap of rebellion against our own inner-saboteurs and perfection-brutalists. We thank ourselves for the perseverence and celebrate we finished this edition of the Rebel Post!

Sign up here for the next Rebel Post

Rebel-pause.guide | The Anti-Retreat
Co-creations of Tussenruimte What if we… © 2024-2025