Moving An Altar

[AmbivalentMirage]

I am going to be reorganizing and rearranging my bedroom in the next couple days. Is there any specific method one should use to move their altar? I would leave it where it is, but my room is exceptionally small and if one piece of furniture moves, they all must. :dis:

[st0rm]

do what u think feels right and it would be just fine...

[ankhesen Sekhmet]

Nope, doesn't matter at all. Some people have their altar facing east (with the rising sun and where things are said to begin) and some north, but whatever works in your room will work.

[Mareth]

I've had mine in both the North and the East and I haven't noticed any distinct difference in my workings depending on the positioning of the Altar.

I read somewhere that people can reorient the directions within the Circle when performing ritual if they can't get things arranged to face their preferred direction, but I've never tried it.

B*B,

-Mareth

[Morrighana]

I don't have a permanent altar...I've got all of my Witchy supplies on a big wooden bookshelf...so whenever I do ritual I set up a makeshift altar wherever I feel I should. I don't pay much attention to direction, I just put it in the direction I feel like facing. It's never hindered me once, so I don't think changing the direction of yours would have a negative impact on your work...when you think about it, it's always east of SOMETHING...lol

[tarotbear]

I don't think you have anything to worry about. Simply dismantle and pack (or whatever you have to do while moving things) with respect. Once you get it all together, set up your new altar, cast a circle, and everything will be fine.

Hey- I refer to the case with all my stuff as 'Port-a-witch'!

[Flar's Freyja]

Originally posted by Mareth
I've had mine in both the North and the East and I haven't noticed any distinct difference in my workings depending on the positioning of the Altar.

I read somewhere that people can reorient the directions within the Circle when performing ritual if they can't get things arranged to face their preferred direction, but I've never tried it.

B*B,

-Mareth

*nods* I haven't tried to reorient the directions either but it IS possible. I'd just look at this is a good opportunity to give your sacred space a really good cleaning!

I also have a very small house and my permanent altar actually faces South. I have a portable altar that I keep under my bed which I usually face to the East when I set it up.

Tarotbear, I like your "port-a-witch" idea. Was it you who posted that they use a large shoe or boot box covered in nice paper that flips upside down to double as an altar table or did I read that somewhere else?

[tarotbear]

Nope-- I like the idea, but I did a posting (was it this forum?) about having a whole room ( now long gone) for doing my tarot in. 'Port-a-witch' is an old sound system cabinet with some shelves. I found a set of storage boxes that happened to fit in it perfectly and have everything sorted by colors so the red altar clothes, candles, and anything red is in one box. I was able to buy some wines that came in lovely wooden boxes ( it's that time of year, folks) to also store things in. It all stood in the corner of the room with all my magical stuff right at hand. Keeps it all dust-free, too!

[Flar's Freyja]

Originally posted by tarotbear
Nope-- I like the idea, but I did a posting (was it this forum?) about having a whole room ( now long gone) for doing my tarot in. 'Port-a-witch' is an old sound system cabinet with some shelves. I found a set of storage boxes that happened to fit in it perfectly and have everything sorted by colors so the red altar clothes, candles, and anything red is in one box. I was able to buy some wines that came in lovely wooden boxes ( it's that time of year, folks) to also store things in. It all stood in the corner of the room with all my magical stuff right at hand. Keeps it all dust-free, too!

That's very similar to the idea I saw, and the writer mentioned that they could bring it to the park, etc. I have a friend who just got a job in a liquor store, so I just might ask her to help me find one of those wooden wine boxes!

[AmbivalentMirage]

Well, my altar is "up and running" now! ^.^ (I'm very addicted to that face right now.) I made the mistake of not planning my altar into my bedroom setup and just assuming that I'd find a good place for it. Unfortunately, when I finished rearranging furniture, I found that there was no room for my altar!! I was horrified at the prospect of changing every ALL OVER. Thankfully, a solution came to me! My bed has a large headboard with shelves and a nice surface. So, I covered the top and back of the headboard (it sits away from the wall) with an altar cover and placed my candles, incense, etc on it! I keep my supplies, notes, and Torah on a small CD tower adjacent to my "altar". I'm very happy with the arrangement, as it adds functionality to my bed, beyond its normalcy. :)