The Altar
The altar? How about....YOUR altar, because, afterall, it is up to you how you will worship, and an altar is a focal point for worship. So let us say, "your altar". What does it look like if you have one? What will it look like if you do not yet have one? Will you have one at all? Because, as I hope you realize by now, there are no rules in this beautiful religion save the ONE rule; "and ye harm none, do as ye will."
The picture above is of our sister Moondance's altar, and her familiar, Jinx. I chose this particular picture since it is rather difficult to see the specific set up in this picture! I figured it would leave more to your imagination! Many people like to change their altar's colors and what they put on them according to the Wheel of The Year, choosing colors and items appropriate to each passing season and Sabbat. Some people enjoy formality on their altars, and some a very rustic, natural look. The variety is as endless as are the number of pagan practitioners who set up altars.
Some people do not have the space to keep a permanent altar set up, and keep instead a box or drawer with their ritual items and just set up a table or dresser-top as they have need or opportunity. For many, it is necessary to set up make-shift altars on bathroom floors, or in closets. Then there are those who have the priviledge to set up outdoor altars!
(Oooooooo! Aaahhh!)
So what is/will be on your altar? Do you like the idea of having a representation of the God and a representation of the Goddess on your altar? Some people use statues, others like to use symbols or candles. One way to use symbols is to choose things from nature that are symbolic of the Goddess or God. Round, or hollow things, and things having to do with birth/mothering are nice choices for Goddess symbols. Elongated or pointy things or things having to do with seeds or even horns of male animals are all appropriate for God symbols. See what comes your way!
Most traditions place ritual items and symbols that are associated with the Goddess on the left side of the altar and ritual items and symbols associated with the God on the right. Often, a penticle is placed in the center of the altar. This might be in the form of a plate or trivet, or even on the fabric in the center of your altar cloth. Some things that are associated with the Goddess that one might find on a wiccan altar include such items as bowls, cups, bells, round plates, bird's nests, round stones and round or hollow sea shells, eggs, etc. Things that might be found on a wiccan altar that are associated with the God include knives, athames, wands, swords, pine cones, elongated stones, crystal points, horns, etc.
You don't have to follow any specifics when deciding about your own altar set-up. Most likely your altar will not be stagnant, but something that evolves and changes, not just day by day with the passing seasons, but also throughout your years as a wiccan as you grow and evolve in your practice.
Blessed Be! |
