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| Basic Altar Set Up
This file is about altars and how to set them up for Rituals. This is by no means the ONLY way to set up an altar but it is a 'basic' set up. One may prefer to add more items to their altar where as one may not, the choice is up to the indivual. Also, there are no hard and fast rules for setting up an altar. You work with the items you have and what makes you feel comfortable. Some Wiccan/Witches/Practitioners like to keep it simple, where as some may 'go to town'. The best advise thatI can give on this subject is to use what 'feels right' for you. ~ Finding The Right Place ~ Anything will do for the actual Altar such as your coffee table, kitchen table, a tree stump outside, a board sitting on bricks. The important thing its that your space is quiet and free from distractions. Put it in a place you enjoy being where you will be most relaxed and comfortable. ~ Items that you will need for your altar ~ Here is a brief list: Candleholders ~ If you are using taper candles you will need anywhere between two to six candle holders. Incense Burner/Censor ~ This can be elaborate or as simple as you want it to be, { or can afford }. I have seen quite a varity from huge gothic incense burners to tuna fish cans being used. A ceramic or metal bowl with sand in it works great too. I do recommed to put it on a hotpad though, one does NOT need a house fire! Salted Water/Holy Water {?} Wiccans/Witches/Practitioners generally use Holy Water when charging amulets or casting spells. If you do not like the idea of using Holy Water or none is available, you may use some distilled water into which you have stirred Sea Salt into. Bowl of Earth ~ A pretty bowl with dirt is all you need, a plant will also do. Altar Cloth/Cover ~ If you would like you may cover your altar with a pleasing fabric or cloth. This however is not necessary. ~ Cleansing and Purifying ~ Recommend is to do a thorough cleansing all of your utensils and the Altar itself with Salt Water prior to conducting a ritual. In the South, it is common to add Rose Water to this cleaning mixture. Once you have everything clean and dry, go ahead and set up your Altar. This graphic depicts a very popular layout, but feel free to set up your space to your own liking. Once you are set up you should burn some 'Blessing' or 'High Altar' incense. This will give you Altar a high vibration level and help aid in the ritual's success. ~ Anointing Your Candles ~ Now you will need to dress your candles before lighting them. Take some appropriate oil for the intent of your workings and start at the center of the candle. Rub the oil upward to the wick. Keep turning the candle and working from center to wick until the top half of the candle is anointed. Now do the opposite by rubbing the oil from the center to the bottom of the candle. The important thing here is to concentrate on the task at hand while oiling your candles. This will help you in your ritual. ~ Beginning the Ritual ~ At this point you are ready to begin. If you would like to add a special intent or power candle to your ritual, dress it also and place it to the right of the incense burner. You may also want to anoint yourself with a special intention oil. Turn out the lights. Start in the left hand corner of your altar and light your candles in a clockwise formation. Starting at the top left candle and ending at the bottom left candle in the second row. Take your Holy/Salt water and sprinkle the four corners of your altar saying these words { or somethng simular }: 'Be cleansed!' 'Cast out all that is harmful! Take in all that is good and healing! Where falls this water that I cast, No spell or thing of darkness lasts!' You are now ready to begin. |
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