The Witch's Altar

Altars

An Altar plays an important part in the life of most Pagans. It is something that is extremely important to the Witch, be they Wiccan or following a more Traditional path.

Most Witches have a sacred space, corner or even room set up for performing "Rituals", "Spells" and for acknowledging special times of the Month for example the Full Moon, or of the Year, especially the Solstices.

The simplest and probably best Altar of all, would be outside where you can touch, hear, see, smell and feel the Earth. Being outside at one with the Goddess, is by far the best way of connecting. For all intents and purposes, to acknowledge the power of the Moon and to connect with her, requires nothing more than standing in the Moonlight. Similary at Summer Solstice watching the sunrise  in a magical place which is special to you, is complete in itself.

If you were able to conduct Rituals and Spells in the outdoors, something I strongly advise you to try, keep your "tools" to a minimum, using a stone or the ground as your Altar.

  I do advocate collecting together items which feel just right for you, this is so very important. Do not just rush out to buy an item, just because you think you should have it, and without it you are not a "proper" witch. Look about you, see what you already own or have in the house. Scour second hand shops etc, it is amazing what you might be able to find. Your Altar tools do not have to be bought from a "Witchy store.

Most of my tools and items on my own Altar have been collected over many years. My Chalice, a friend found in a Charity shop, it is glass and a wonderful shape, but most importantly it felt just right. In the olde days a Witch's Athame would be the knife that she used for everything. As much as I would have always loved the idea of a special symbolic Athame, I continue to use my favourite kitchen knife. No one else uses it, they cannot see why I favour it so much, but I use it for chopping vegetables, cutting herbs and even mixing incense. It is washed very well in between I hasten to add. Plus being a vegetarian my Athame never touches meat, so for me it retains its purity. I love the Laburnum Athame that we have on the website, it has a fabulous feel to it.

Funnily enough until recently I never had any shells on my Altar, now thanks to a customer who sent me some I do. I do not sell sea shells on the website, as my view is that it is much better to pick a few up yourself, after asking permission of course. I also wonder whether the shells for sae have ever really seen the sea!

However many people do like to be able to purchase all that they need in one go, and this is absolutely fine too, this is why I have produced "Ready made" Altar sets, varying in size, design and price. Its also why I sell a selection of carefully chosen Altar Ware. So what do you require for an Altar if you are thinking of buying or collecting items.

Basics for an Altar

The following is by no means a set in stone list, nor is it a totally comprehensive list.

You might like to have

• A cloth of some kind to place your Altar items on.

•  A tall candlestick, plus a couple of smaller ones
  It is a good idea to arrange your candles at different heights

• Candles of different colours and sizes. 
  A pillar Candle,
  1 or 2 ritual or dinner candles,
  Several smaller candles..spell candles.
  Tea lights either white or in a range of colours are always useful
  Colours corresponds to different times of the year and to specific Spells. When in doubt white may always be used.
  Candles also represent Fire
  

• Bowls
  To contain Water,  Salt and  Herbs

• A Chalice, cup or Glass

• Incense Holder and Incense
  This may be a Charcoal burner and Incense Resin or even a wooden holder plus incense sticks or cones.
  The choice is yours. You may have one or both  alternating or using them together.
  

• You may also like a Pentagram symbol, either made of metal, wood or painted onto a stone.
  

• An Athame.
  As mentioned this could even be a favourite knife.
  

• A Wand
  A truly symbolic tool, which many witches have, some have a collection of wands to use not only at different times of the year, but depending on which   spells  or  rituals they are working on at the time.

• Tumblestones and/or Crystals
  There are lots of tumblestones and what each one represents is easily found. You may like to have a collection of them, or you place different tumblestones on your Altar at varying times of the year, or corresponding to your workings.
  Crystals could be placed on your Altar as in the large crystalline rocks, or you coud hang crystals above your Altar.
  A Crystal Ball is also a very good divination tool should you want to use one.

• Miscellaneous Items you might like.
  Sea shells to represent Water
  Feathers to represent Air
  Rocks or stones to represent the Earth
  A mirror either on your Altar or behind it.
  Many Witches use Tarot cards in their Rituals and Spells, either the whole set, as in a spread, or selecting certain relevant cards from the Major Acana.
  An oil burner is another item that many Witches do have on or about their Altar. If you do have an oil burner do follow safety guides.
  Essential Oils to use in the Oil Burner. Use essential oils as oppose to fragrance oils or wax tarts. Essential oils are natural not made from artificial perfumes, and are therapeutic whereas fragrance oils are not. For choices about Essential Oils check out the information page on this topic.
  

Remember that the Altar is personal to you, and whilst there may be items that are common to all practicioner, it is really up to you to decide on what feels right.