| Altar Basics |
| There is no right or wrong way of setting up an altar. Ask 10 Witches what's on their altar, and you'll get 10 different answers. There is a general structure to follow, but there's much room for creativity and individuality. Your magickal tools represent the elements. The candle and wand are for Fire, the incense and dagger are for Air, the chalice or goblet for Water, and the pentacle for Earth. In addition to the tools, some like to include things from nature that represent the elements. Some possibilities are: a red stone or lava rock for Fire; a feather or flowers for Air; a seashell or bowl of water for Water; a pinecone or herbs for Earth. The incense and dagger are placed on the east side of the altar, candle and wand on the south side, chalice on the west side, pentacle on the north side. The left side is for tools sacred to the Goddess (chalice, bell, pentacle, cauldron) and the right is for tools sacred to the God (incense, dagger, candle, wand). The Goddess/God figure are optional, but they do make the altar more uniquely your own. They can be anything you like; anything that reminds you of your own Dieties. The candles should change with the seasons and/or Sabbat. I put a single candle to represent the season/Sabbat in the middle of my altar. Or, they can be more explicitly representing Goddess/God by choosing Silver and gold candles: Silver for Goddess, Gold for God. That is how my altar is set up. The Pentacle should be the centerpiece of the altar. It represents the Earth, from which all our powers flow. The cauldron is a Goddess symbol (receptive). The athame (ritual knife) is a God symbol (penetrating). Look around your home and see what you can find that speaks to you in a certain way that might dress up your altar. Then decide if it is a Goddess symbol or God symbol and put it on the appropriate side of you altar. If it is neither, but you want it on your altar anyway, stick it in the middle somewhere. Some flowers are always a nice touch. The most important thing about the altar is this: It is YOURS! You can fix it up anyway you like. It must speak to you. The altar cloth really can be made of whatever material you like and color or pattern you like. Plain colored cloths seem to work the best for most occasions. Black is a popular choice. Mine is a black sheer material that has glittery stars on it with a piece of colored fabric below that corresponds to the season. You could use colors that correspond to your interests or specialties in the Craft, such as a green cloth if you're interested in herbal magick, or purple for religion and spirituality. Patterned cloths are nice for Sabbats. The altar typically stands in the center of your circle (however, you do what feels right for you) and is set to face either north for the Goddess and the Earth, or east, the place of fresh beginnings, where the Sun and Moon rise. This isn't meant to be an all-encompassing list of altar items used to represent the elements and deities. Rather this is to give you an idea of the structure and creativeness involved, and to spark up your imagination. If some of these ideas don't appeal to you, look for items by taking a walk in a natural environment, or even your own home. Chances are you will stumble across something that speaks to you, that "tells" you it is meant to be a part of your altar. For more detailed information on the tools that go on your altar, please CLICK HERE! Brightest Blessings HPs Lady Raven |
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