Alters

[Kaylana]

I'm considering making my own alter. I know they can be any size or shape. I like rectangle. Does anyone have any recommendations on what size is good to use?

[Rain Gnosis]

Whatever size is big enough to suit your tools. I use an end table :)

[Erincelt]

Yeah, what she said. :) Try to find something about waist high if you're the standing type... believe me, its important! And.. usually about a foot and a half to two foot can be wide enough, when using a rectangular altar, assuming you don't have a whole lot of "stuff" to fit on there. :) good luck! I've been considering making my own as well for a while now, so let me know anything special/important you discover, eh? ;)

[Xander67]

your altar is your workbench, ive seen some pretty ellaborate ones that look like shrines... you want it to be practical,

even your coffee table, or end table,
your kitchen table for that matter

try not to copy anyone else's altar as that will not help you at all, remember, Magic involves the use of the mind, and the tools you use, the candles, the symbols are only powerful in that they help you focus... color is important, your altar cloth should be of the color that best fits the energy you are working with, so you may want to buy a few inexpensive pieces of felt to start with, of varying colors...

you subconscience mind is the workhorse, and it does not know good or evil, it does not know any lauguage other than SYMBOLISM... your rational mind is the one that does all the cognitive work,

when you set out the tools on your altar, remember that it isnt what you say, it is the symbols you use and the emotion you put into it that will help communicate your intent to the devine mind,

(scientifically speaking )

the ideal size is 18x18 inches square, remember the altar is placed within your magic circle, its purpose is primarily to place your tools and things, (it is uncomfortable to place them on the floor, but some do it)

[Rain Gnosis]

how'd you come to that # (18"x18") ?

[Xander67]

how'd you come to that # (18"x18") ?

that is a foot and a half, square,
its big enough to hold the incense, any notes, and a few candles, and small enough to fit within a circle,

I have a small wooden table that doubles as a printer stand when it isnt being my altar lol

edited to add:
my current living arangement doesnt provide for the 4 quarter stands that i like to use, (i put the candles at each direction) so i use colored votives (non scented)

[Rain Gnosis]

I suppose that depends on your definition of circle :) Traditionally I believe the circle was 9 feet :)

[Xander67]

ive read that, but I dont think it matters much. To me a circle is simply a space set aside to do work... the real magic is in the mind, the communicating of ideas via symbols to the higher self... when you put the red candle in the southern quarter stand, your higher self understands that..

and when you get into the more esoteric work, like pathworking, for example, Chesed to Netzach you would use a blue candle for chesed and green for Netzach, and as an option you can use a white one to symbolise the path between the 2 kingdoms...

the more advanced the work, the more important the colors and symbolism is, but as for the space and the tools, the real power is in the users heart and how much he understands what he or she is doing,

ok i know that was a bit of a side trip, but yeah 9 feet is about the norm LOL

[Kaylana]

Thank you all for your suggestions.