- Find a spot for your altar inside or outside your home that is relaxing and comfortable. Then, face your altar to the north, south, east, or west.
- Place a statue, animal, or candle representing the Goddess on the left side of your altar and an object, animal, or candle representing the God on the right side.
- Set an object, image, or candle representing earth on the north edge of your altar, fire on the south, air on the east, and water on the west.
Finding a Place for Your Altar
Choose a spot inside or outside that is peaceful and comforting. There’s no right or wrong place to set up your altar. The place you choose just needs to feel good to you, so find somewhere that puts you at ease and feels sacred. That spot might be private, such as in the corner of your bedroom, in a closet, or in your garden. Or, it might be in the center of your home, like your dining room, kitchen, or living room. An altar is a sacred space that’s used as a focal point for your practice, whether that’s meditating, casting spells, or channeling your energy. You don’t have to have an altar to be a Wiccan, as many Wiccans don’t have one. Paganism is a general name for religions that revere nature. Some Pagans worship many nature-based deities while others believe in a general God and Goddess. Wicca is a subsect of Paganism that follows Pagan traditions.
Select a surface to set your altar items on. Again, there’s no perfect place for your altar, just make sure it’s somewhere convenient for you to access. You might choose a permanent setup on your dresser or nightstand in your room. Or, you might make your altar on a windowsill, your kitchen table, a shelf on a bookcase, a coffee table, a tree stump, or a plastic crate. Your altar doesn’t have to be permanent, especially if you’re not comfortable with it out in the open. It’s perfectly fine to keep your items tucked in a box and bring them out when you’re practicing. There are a lot of basic tools that Pagans and Wiccans use, so choose a surface that gives you space to spread out and neatly organize your supplies.
Face your altar towards the north, south, east, or west. Most Pagans and Wiccans decide to face their altar towards the north, south, east, or west to help focus their energy. So, choose a direction that feels powerful and sacred to you. Lots of Wiccans face their altar to the east, which is where the sun rises. Another popular choice is north, as many rituals tend to start in this direction. Use a compass to help you identify the direction of your altar. If you’re drawn to a particular element, face your altar towards it. Air represents the east, fire the south, water the west, and earth the north. When you face your altar in the direction you like, you’re really facing the back of your altar towards it. This way, you’re pointed in that direction when you’re at your altar. In Christian churches and masonic temples, it’s traditional to face altars to the east.
Arranging Your Altar
Worship entities and deities that are important to your spiritual practice. Your altar is your space to channel your energy and deepen your spirituality, so there are no set rules on who or what you worship. We’ll share the basic ceremonial tools that lots of Pagans and Wiccans use, but know that this is only a guideline. Just consider your personal spiritual practice and how your altar reflects you and your spirituality. It’s perfectly fine to wait for your tools to call out to you so they’re meaningful to you, or to get your practice started with a basic altar kit. Only include items on your altar that make you feel good. If there are any items below that you don’t like or don’t feel significant to you, don’t include them. For example, if you like Celtic paganism, set up your altar to worship Celtic deities. If you revere Native American beliefs, use those symbols on your altar.
Place an altar cloth on top of your workspace. Many Pagans and Wiccans like to place a cloth on top of their altar to designate their space and make the cleanup of any potential messes easier. The type of cloth you use or the color you choose is completely up to you. You might select a shade that corresponds to your favorite element or matches the energy of the God or Goddess.
Set an object representing the Goddess on the left side of your altar. In Pagan and Wiccan beliefs, the Goddess represents the divine feminine and symbolizes objects like the moon, the right brain (or the left half of the body), the unconscious, and the night. Just choose an item that symbolizes the Goddess and place it to the left of your altar. Some common representations for the Goddess are: A candle in a cool-toned color like silver, blue, green, or purple. A statue that represents the Goddess that calls to you, whether that’s the Egyptian goddess Isis or the Greek goddess Hestia. This might be a figure of the Goddess herself, or her totem animal, such as a hare, cat, or owl. The feminine element of water. You might place a chalice or bowl of water, a seashell, a cauldron, or a piece of sea glass. The feminine element of earth. Represent it with stones, plants, leaves, flowers, salt, soil, bones, a pentagram, or any green or brown-colored object. A crystal ball or divination tool. Any object that is sacred and special to you.
Place an object representing the God on the right side. The God is symbolic of the divine masculine and typically represents objects like the sun, the elements of fire and air, the day, the conscious, and the left brain (or the right half of the body). Like the Goddess, choose an object that represents the God to you. Many Pagans and Wiccans choose objects like: A candle in a warm-toned color like gold, yellow, red, or orange. A statue of a representation of the God, such as Lugh, Osiris, or Herne. Some people use a statue of the sun or a masculine totem animal like a stag or goat. The masculine element of fire. You might set out a candle, teeth, claws, ash, an oil burner, an athame, or any red or orange-colored object. The masculine element of air. Represent it with a wand, incense, feathers, or any yellow, white, or silver-colored object. A divination tool. Any object that is sacred and special to you.
Add objects for the elements on the north, south, east, and west edges. Most Wiccan practices use the elements to channel energy or cast spells. Just place your representation of earth at the north end of your altar, fire in the south, air in the east, and water in the west. There are lots of items you can use to symbolize the elements, such as: Earth: stones, soil, a plant, a branch, or a green candle. Fire: a sun, an image of fire, or a red candle. Air: incense, feather, bird, or a yellow candle. Water: a bowl of water, a seashell, a mirror, an aquatic animal, or a blue candle.
Place a pentacle in the center of your altar. A pentacle is a 5-pointed star that is spiritually significant for many Pagans and Wiccans. The points of the star represent the 4 Earth elements as well as the element of spirit. If you like working with candles on your altar, add a white one on top of the pentacle to represent spirit.
Put tools like an athame, wand, and chalice towards the middle. A basic altar typically includes items that help you cast spells or complete rituals. These are usually placed towards the middle of the altar and on the masculine or feminine side of your altar. Some tools you might include are: Athame: this is a symbolic knife that you use to direct energy and cast a circle. Place it on the God’s side, towards the element of fire. Wand: this helps you channel energy and cast spells. Set it on the God’s side, near the element of fire. Bell: this clears energy, so you typically use it at the end of your ritual. Place it on the God’s side, towards the element of air. Chalice: you use this to hold a ceremonial drink or to offer libations. It is a feminine tool, so place it near the element of water. Bowl of salt: this purifies and consecrates your circle. It’s a masculine tool that you place by the element of earth. Libation bowl: this is your offering to the God or Goddess, which usually contains juice, wine, or a piece of cake. You put it in the middle of the altar.
Add crystals, pictures, and other items that are important to you. Your altar is personal to you, so finish it off with objects and keepsakes that speak to you and bring you joy. These might be family heirlooms, pictures with friends, or seasonal items for a Pagan holiday. You might also add: Crystals to channel your energy, like rose quartz for love or amethyst for protection. Loose herbs for a fresh element to your altar. Or, make your own potpourri. A statue or representation of the deity you work with the most. A Book of Shadows, which is your collection of spells and experiences with magick. If you don’t already have one, it’s easy to create your own. Tarot cards or oracle cards for divination practices or meditation. Witches ladders and bottles to help you cast certain spells. Magickal jewelry, like special talismans and amulets.
Using Your Altar
Perform rituals and traditions at your altar. Depending on your practice, intentions, and the type of Wicca you are, you might use your altar to celebrate Pagan or Wiccan Sabbats, or holidays. These holidays typically follow the Wheel of the Year and deepen your connection with nature and your spirituality. You usually set up your altar in a specific way, cast your circle, then recite an intention or goal related to the holiday.
Cast spells and practice magick at your altar. Your altar is the best place to do magickal work and communicate with the divine. Most spells start with cleansing yourself and your altar, lighting your candles, and calling on your deities and the elements. Then, visualize your desire, recite your incantation, and give thanks to the forces you called on. Cleanse your altar tools after you cast spells to protect your space against negative energy. Bury them in salt or pass them over incense or sage smoke. Hanging a charm, dreamcatcher, or witches ladder over your altar is a great way to capture good energy and protect you from negative energy.
Meditate and set intentions at your altar. The calming, safe space of an altar makes it the perfect place to ground yourself and get in tune with your spirituality. You might cast your circle, light your candles, and use the tools on your altar to focus and channel your energy as you meditate or manifest.
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