Do you feel comfortable buying used altar items?

[Astucity]

I know this is going to make me sound possibly crackpot-ish but, I have a problem with it.

I need a new either cauldron or censer with a lid. My cauldron is currently housing my sage wand because it had a lid. Burnt sage smells ashy and gross, and I don't want my bedroom smelling like that 24/7, so, that's where it stays.

The problem is, now I need another one.

If you needed to replace or buy a tool, would you consider a used and cheaper version?

I am not a follower of the more er .. darker side. Or someone who was trying to call up things they had no understanding of and it just got out of control in regards of how the tool was used.

I am just of the thought that I have enough problems of my own without inviting something into my home that is dark and possibly chaotic. I could be buying something from someone who did who knows what with it, and that's the type of energy it has to it. I don't want stuff like that in my home. Some things you can't just sage away. More trouble than it's worth.

Am I being absolutely ridiculous? Lol.

I thought this was a general discussion that someone would possibly have viewpoints on. :)

[Gaudior]

Yes, I would. Though personally, I would probably cleanse it and consecrate it; just to get any energies that may be left behind out of there so it can hold my own.

[RoseKitten]

I get most of my most wonderful altar items from thrift shops. I've never really thought too much about it, great items for a great price.

[Astucity]

I was thinking that to.

A good new one will cost you at least 30-40 bucks and even then it's small.

I do my practicing on a budget. The real money usually goes to stuff the family needs.

I will buy used furniture, used everything else, but, I have always had a problem with that.

[Devo]

I have bought plenty of things used. I feel that if I found something used, it came to me for a reason.

If I'm worried about whether the item is 'clean' enough for my use, I'll cleanse it. Normally leaving it outside in the open air for a while. Sometimes using water/incense/whatever on it. Clean it up. I feel that excess energies on items are a bit of a mental thing- if you let things in, things will get in. That sort of deal. I've never had an issue with buying used.

My .02

-Devo

[Astucity]

I have bought plenty of things used. I feel that if I found something used, it came to me for a reason.

If I'm worried about whether the item is 'clean' enough for my use, I'll cleanse it. Normally leaving it outside in the open air for a while. Sometimes using water/incense/whatever on it. Clean it up. I feel that excess energies on items are a bit of a mental thing- if you let things in, things will get in. That sort of deal. I've never had an issue with buying used.

My .02

-Devo

Yeah, I pretty much left it open to opinion I am a spazz. Honestly, I am.

I went and had mom buy the one from the auction sale down the road. It was a censer from Japan that mysteriously looks exactly like a cauldron. It's 8 inches, I don't need more, and it was a couple of bucks. It looks pretty old. Most importantly though it's brass and I love brass things for my altar.

I was there earlier looking at it and decided against it. I left but mom was still there so I had her grab it.

Now I am going to sage it and consecrate it. Sage works best for me. I used to do elaborate rituals but after I was finished it didn't really "feel" like I accomplished much. Smudging feels like I have.

[)O( ~ Khara~ )O(]

For some things used is your only option. I've never had a problem with buying used. In fact for some of my altar items that is the only way I was able to afford them.

[Astucity]

I agree.

Like I said, my spirituality is done on a tight budget. Some people have to have the setup that broke the bank, I don't. If I can't find it or make it, I buy it, and only if it's cheap.

My cauldron I have now with the sage in it was actually inherited from my grandmother who bought it years ago. It's original making wasn't to be used as a cauldron, but, it's design is perfect for it and no one else wanted it. It was going to be donated to charity so I picked it up and ran.

I was comfortable with that because I know what she used it for; something pretty to put on top of the curio cabinet.

[Gaudior]

That's very smart and practical that you would do that. I applaud you, as I know some items are just overpriced and for show only.

[mercurialmaven]

Most of my altar items are used or found with non-pagan retailers. My candlesticks were purchased from TJ Maxx. I think as long as you cleanse/consecrate your altar items you should be fine.

Side not: If you're looking for a new cauldron, I advise looking for "potjes." I bought my cauldron through African Trading Company (http://www.africantradingco.com/castironpots.html).I refuse to buy from pagan suppliers as I feel they play off of the ignorance of their consumers and charge outrageous prices for things you can find easily, and cheaply, elsewhere.

Happy Hunting!

[Shanti]

If the item doesnt give me bad vibes, why not get used?
Just make it your own in whatever way/s you like that cleans it and creates a bond with it.
I cleanse in various ways to get rid of past influences. Then I change something, be it a little paint design on it or a hand polishing with pumice or something to put my energy in it to create that bond with the item.

[Chaos Hawk]

I know this is going to make me sound possibly crackpot-ish but, I have a problem with it.

I need a new either cauldron or censer with a lid. My cauldron is currently housing my sage wand because it had a lid. Burnt sage smells ashy and gross, and I don't want my bedroom smelling like that 24/7, so, that's where it stays.

The problem is, now I need another one.

If you needed to replace or buy a tool, would you consider a used and cheaper version?

I am not a follower of the more er .. darker side. Or someone who was trying to call up things they had no understanding of and it just got out of control in regards of how the tool was used.

I am just of the thought that I have enough problems of my own without inviting something into my home that is dark and possibly chaotic. I could be buying something from someone who did who knows what with it, and that's the type of energy it has to it. I don't want stuff like that in my home. Some things you can't just sage away. More trouble than it's worth.

Am I being absolutely ridiculous? Lol.

I thought this was a general discussion that someone would possibly have viewpoints on. :)


Personally I don't care if things are used or not. I think it's better to reuse/recycle things then to always by new. I am pretty confidant that I would be able to identify an energy that I didn't want around and just buy a used object that I connected with *shrugs*

[Astucity]

Personally I don't care if things are used or not. I think it's better to reuse/recycle things then to always by new. I am pretty confidant that I would be able to identify an energy that I didn't want around and just buy a used object that I connected with *shrugs*

My other cauldron I got from my grandmother when she died. I was comfortable with that. It was hers and I like that on my altar. It's actually just a brass bowl with a lid.

The cauldron in question was from today at an auction sale where they had the things sitting out but the auction company would only let us look, not touch it. I saw the old Japanese censer there (at least I think it was, my mother said it could even be an antique sugar bowl) and I was leery and didn't buy it.

I came home, made the post, and then decided I was being ridiculous and had her pick it up. I got the thing for 4 bucks. It's 8 inches in diameter and that's perfect.

I have it, the energy feels alright, it feels like it hasn't been touched or meddled with in awhile.

I have cleansed the crap out of it just in case, I do with any tool or material I plan on using for spiritual purposes, and then I will consecrate it.

[aluokaloo]

buying one used or cheap? sure why not.

you'd be surprised at all the amazing stuff you can find at garage sales, swap meets, dollar stores and the like. example, i found a tea cup with apollo driving his sun chariot on it and a little black saucer with a gold, greek-ish style design on it for 3 bucks! how awesome is that? and i have even recieved magical items as gifts. one a used tarot deck which was very heavy and full of earthyness, an element i have difficulty connecting too. and it's a real good one too.

they may not have been altar tools before and you may want to clean and cleanse them before hand. it's all up to personal preference though i always say. whatever speaks to you and what you can afford.

why did you feel uncomfortable about buying stuffed used if you already do? i'm confused and curious (and a lil sleepy)

[Umbress]

Some of my things are used others are new depends on the item where is came from ect . .. I believe in recycling so used is always an option - The only way "bad energy" is going to influence me is through my own mind - and that same mind can detect any energies that don't "gel well" with me.

I am not into a lot of ritual stuff therefore I only use simply basic things several of which can be found in nature or easily made.

[Adelphos]

I make most of my own stuff, from things gathered in nature. For example, for smudging, I use a large shell and a feather fan made from feathers I collected myself. I like the way it incorporates the elements together for one purpose. (Earth, the sage, Air, the fan, water, the shell, and fire, the fire.)

As a side note, in my tradition mugwort is used for purification. You burn it just like white sage. Just thought I'd throw that out as another option.

[patch]

The energies of my altar items don't really factor in for me. But if I or my tradition worried about such things, I'd just cleanse the item. Either just enough to get rid of anything negative or with something a little stronger to completely 'wipe' the energy and start a fresh.

I try and buy as many things as I can second hand. Better for both my budget AND the environment!:thumbsup: