The altar is our most sacred of places.
Here is where we honor the God/Goddess and perform our rituals
and spells and conjure up our ingredients for a happy, healthy
life that harms none. (Wiccan Rede)
An altar can be constructed to your needs. This could be
an elaborate set-up or merely a small table that you prefer
for reasons of your own. Space limiting to many, a small coffee
table or a bookshelf. Whatever your choice always remember it
is what feels right for you. You are the witch and it is your
altar.
I guess this brings us to the topic of permanent
altar or just temp. Have altar will travel? Depending on the
number of people residing in your domain, the children with the
need to touch as a means to see, this is some what of an awkward
means to setting up a permanent. Also, the need for quiet
and noise invasion. Think, discuss, and go for it.
I find my yard is a perfect solitude peace to me. Yes, it is
temp and my Boston home does have all seasons. Someday, maybe a
very simple gazebo. Oh, to dream the dream. Now, I am content
to just set up my needed tools and stare at the moon and my
guiding star. Indoors as less as possible. I have what might
be considered a train station with people coming and going at
any given time. So, my bedroom has my indoor altar. Not an
elaborate set up at all. I have the necessary for ME tools and
yes, they are still stored away from the reach of children and
curious adults. Have I rambled long enough you say? Should I
get to the actual contents on my altar. Take my hand and walk
with me as I give a very exclusive view of my altar.
I have nothing elaborate here at all. I have a work bench
type table that measures from about three feet tall to three
feet in length. The width is only 18 inches. Sounds awful you
say? Not for me!! When dressed for the Lady and the Lord how
could it not be beautiful? First lets start with the altar cloth. I have just a plain simple piece of material. I guess
you would say it could be construed as velvet. I have one that
is black and one that is red. I am working on a cloth to go
on top of this, as a working area. I have taken a pretty lace
doiley or placemat as some say and I am embrodiering a pentacle
on it. I have decided to do the actual stitching of the
diagram as the four colors of the tribes and the points of
the earth. Red, White, Black and Yellow. Are we not all
brothers? This can easily be put in the delicate cycle and
presto no more spillage or candle wax. Still sounds boring?
Let me add some candles. I have a white candle for the Lady
and I have a black candle for the Lord.
I am taking the time here to list what should be on your altar.
Keep in mind, we all have our own symbols.
1. A Goddess symbol (can be a candle, statue or stone
2. A God symbol (can be a candle, horn, acorn or statue)
3. Knife (athame)
4. Wand
5. Censer
6. Pentacle
7. A bowl of water (any kind rain, spring or tap)
8. A bowl of salt
9. Incense
10. Greens or flowers
11. One red candle
12. any other tools used in the spells, rituals, or magick.
13. DO NOT FORGET MATCHES OR LIGHTER
14. A small heat proof container
15. A charcoal block or its' likeness is used to burn incense
Much controversy has been placed on the arrangement of our
tools. But, I tend to go with a tradition..The left hand side
of the altar is dedicated to the Goddess and is the right side
to the God. The middle being used for items such as: censer,
red candle, pentacle and cauldron or tools used for the spell
or ritual being performed.
The tools most representative of the Lady are: the cup,
pentacle, bell and crystal. Having a broom (besome) it is also
placed on the left side. This I would either put on the wall
or on the floor leaning against the atlar. The cauldron may
be placed on the floor if to large for our altar but again
it is placed on the left hand side.
Tools associated with the God are as follows: censer, wand, athame, and the white handled knife. (bolline)
Candles are of your choosing. They do sell ones shaped as
to the Lady and the Lord. Some use simply a stone with a hole
placed in it for the Lady. While the Lord is represented by
a rock or pine cones or acorns. Colors of candles used are
also different than my own. Our Lady would be a green, silver
or white one. While our Lord would be of red, yellow or gold.
Again our own preference is at hand. We must remember here
that these are not idols used as our Gods. THEY simply enhance
our energy and take us to a deep appreciation of that which
has been given us..earth...nature...trees..and the like.
The middle of the altar is sort of a catch all for us.
We could put the censer here as the scent would be equally
shared by both God/ess. The pentacle would be placed in front
of this. I REPEAT AGAIN AS A SOLITARY, the altar is yours and
yours alone. Being just that, my own, I have a vase of roses
now, the end of the season here. Prety pink Irish roses, called
the roses of Erin....Also, one small figurine representing one
of my totems. I have a cast iron owl. Behind my altar and
handing up I do have a mandala, dream catcher, a mojo of my
own personal stones and a wreath and horn. This is my altar
and I do honor both Lord and Lady.
