Altars

[Faolan]

could someone tell me what exactly goes on a 'basic' altar? please, I never understood this.. any help would be greatly appreciated.. :)

[Myst]

Usually the most basic I can think of would be a representation for each element, and one for the God and Goddess, and any other decoration you like.

For example incense and a wand in the east for air, a candle and athame in the south for fire, water and a chalice in the west for water, a quartz stone, salt, and a pentagram in the north for earth. Also a white and black candle for the God and Goddess. Possibly corn as a decoration for Lammas or something similar.

That's what I would do anyway :)

[MistOfTheSea86]

That info is useful. I never knew how to do this Thanx Will.

[Rick]

...in our home, the most basic of altars is a small "corner" table with a candle on it.

An altar is what you want it to be. It doesn't have to be obvious to anyone else that that's what you intend it to be.

As far as a ritual altar, I basically agree with WillowRaven. You can even make it simpler, with a little imagination. Say, use a feather for air, a lighted incense for fire, a shell for water, a small pinecone for earth. Be creative.

[Myst]

Yeah, altars are as personal as you want them to be.

If you want to go simple and basic you might try what I suggested. Or you can make an altar that isn't obvious (if some people visit your house and you don't want them to know what it is, for example) by using shells, gemstones, pictures, statues, candles, flowers, or whatever you like on your altar :)

Like most things in Paganism you can do pretty much anything you want :)

[silvrsnstr]

Heres wondering what you put on your altar, why, and how you are restricted to what it can countain by others views on Paganism.

[Mariposa De La Luna]

You may have altars and not know you have one.

You know that spot where you keep all your old ticket stubs or your family and friends' pictures? That's an altar. You can have more than one too.

I've been gathering things for my Pagan altar and all i have is a chalice and a couple of candle holders. I want to get a small table to put it on still.

Even my computer monitor is somewhat of an altar. It has a dragon on it, to keep out unwanted things, and a couple of momentos.

They can be anywhere and anything. Just make sure you take care of it. :)

[loopy]

What I consider my altar is my vanity dresser. I don't have a lot of space at ALL in my room, so I converted it. The top has a large piece of glass in the middle, slightly below the two pieces that surround it.

What I have on it right now:

little fountain
cauldron (it's small)
candles
two matching candleholders that double as Goddess/angel statues
silk butterflies
clear dish with water
incense burner & holder
bell
aromatherapy oils
stones
little faery and gypsy bear figurines
owl statue-type thing

Why? Hrm. Candles, well, you know, they're candles. <shrug> I like them. They're there. Butterflies to represent air, stones for earth.. the rest are pretty random. The aromatherapy bottles looked kinda pretty, so I threw 'em all on there. :D

[Mairwen]

Well, as a Gwyddon, I have a certain way to keep an altar. Here's a picture.

[Shy Hawk]

I have several altars...my main two are on opposite sides of my room, North and South. It just happened that way, it wasn't on purpose. lol
The north one is all in white...again, not on purpose. It has my representations of dieties (candles and incense) and a place for offerings. Oh, as well as a lava lamp....don't ask.
My South one is all purple/red (not on purpose), it has my dragon Wharf on it, aswell as my tarot cards, candles (God representations), symbol of the season, a bell and a crystal...oh and some incense.
I have other altars, but these are my important ones.
I keep all my Pagan related books together on a specific shelf...hmm...I have diety images other places..but these are the main ones.

By the way, I don't really feel limited in what I can put on it...I can do anything, no law restricts me. I go by what I am comfortable, and that is what I did.

:D :D

[Myst]

Check the thread at
http://www.mysticwicks.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=4454
to see submitted pics of altars! :)

[Xois]

thanks willowraven, i was just about to do that...

now i have to get my digital camera from work...

[Danustouch]

Wow...gotta get my digital camera out one of these days, too.

My altar is an old wooden antiquey looking desk. With two drawers. I found it in the basement of my old house. Someone had left it there. It had been written on countless times, so I had to sand it down, and refinish it. I keep all of my candles, in one drawer, my B.O.S and Incense, in the other. Under the altar, I have two baskets, one of which is filled with candleholders, charcoal, and magickal odds and ends. And the other, is where I keep some of my bagged herbs.

The altar is covered with a tapestry. And on it, I have a Vase in the middle, filled with seasonal flowers (usually). On either side of the vase, are my God and Goddess Candles. And on either side of that, are my God and Goddess Statues. (Really cool ones. The Goddess is a depiction of Cerridwen, and the God, of Cernunnos)
In the Center, I have a pentacle carved out of stone (my hubby made it) And my Chalice is above the pentacle (toward the vase).
My cauldron is also on the altar (a little iron cauldron...i think it's SO cute). I have Star shaped dishes for my salt and water, made of chrystal. I have a big piece of quartz on my altar, my offering bowl...and my hubby's and my athame's. I also have a wand I made out of a branch of a sycamore tree, with a piece of quartz fastened to the end, and draped with feathers. And a piece of Amethyst that my friend brought back from her trip to Ireland. She got it at Tara. Oh..and a heart shaped piece of hematite (it's HUGE) that I found at a Flea Market one day.

A REALLY nice book on Altars, is called "Altars" (duh) by Denise Lynn. She gives advice about how to construct altars, and explains the background of people using altars, and what purposes they can be used for, even for those not following a magickal path. And the pictures are STUNNING.

[themerlster]

Hi Guy
i have been reading so much about candle rituals but i dont have a place to practice, does an alter have to be a permanate fixture ? or can this be removed.
Also i have to be very careful as my family is of a strict religion and would be hurt to find out and very worried although i am 21 i feel it would be hurtful to them does anyone have any idears on how to do this ?

[Silver Venus]

Hiya themerlster ~ Merry Meet! :D
I believe that you dont really need an altar to do working with ~ just a scared place, tools and to protect yourself by casting a circle. I have just recently made my first altar for prayers which stands in my bedroom with candles and crystals on but have worked for a long time without one ~ and still do work with a scared space. Lots like to build and keep altars for workings and daily prayers for consistancy and belief, and I totally understand why you would want one....and of your difficulties
So ~ What you need is a portable altar! Maybe a shoe box with a lid, but which is quite big in surface area for you to put your candles and objects on and inside you can keep all your magical objects and your BOS in. You can decorate the outside with fabric, glitter, magical symbols, runes, words, your magical name, a pentacle, everything you feel for.. and even decorate the inside too! Then when you want to do your working all you have to do is take out the box from its hiding place, take out your tools, cover the box with a special cloth of fabric (or dont?) set up your altar and begin your workings! Hey-presto! :D

[clef0628]

When, I use to live with my parents I had a box with all my stuff, in it and I take it out and set it up when they went away, and take it down before they came back. Worked just fine for me. Glad I'm on my own know and have an alter.

[themerlster]

Those are supurb suggestion thankyou so much

blessed be
Tracy

[Silver Venus]

Thats cool, good luck with your box!! :D
Can I ask what your name stands for or represents?

[Emerald Sky]

Just wondering if anyone has an outdoor altar?

[Xois]

yes...I have an outdoor shring

Its in a patch of vine an d it a rock with a flat slab of slate with a shell on top...very small... 10x10 inches...

[Shy Hawk]

I do not....not much outdoor property at the moment. Aswell as no boundries to our property....so the neighbors as well as my parents have a pretty good view of all that goes on outside our doors. Neither would appreciate it. :(
But we are looking in to buying a secluded home on 2 acres of land only a mile or two from here....hope the Gods help us out there...

[Myst]

I live in an apartment complex so the only thing close to an outside altar is our little window boxes of (growing) cosmos...

As far as my inside altar - there's a pic at the link I suggested if anyone's interested. I think all the elements of the altar probably describe themselves :)

[Sowelu]

I want (need) to set up my alter, but...I don't have much room in my bedroom. And, if I set it up in the frontroom, I don't want to have to take it down if a neighbor or someone comes over....does anyone have any suggestions?:) ....Please share them with me:)

[bluebear]

My first altar was a chest of drawers with a piece of marble for the top. I stored all my tools and paraphenalia in the drawers out of the sight of prying eyes but could be set up and ready to work in a couple of minutes. That was many years ago. I now have an entire room upstairs dedicated to ritual.
Blessings
Bluebear

[manstranger]

Good idea .. i bet Magick and Rituals has alot more.

[Flaire-FireStar]

:D What I'm using right now is a wooden trunk and I keep all my stuff inside...That way that when we have guests over I can keep all my stuff in my trunk and have some other meaningful things on top of it. ;)

[Arduinna]

I set up my spare bedroom as a meditation ect room. I have my alter in there.

[Myst]

Hiya :wave: This belongs in Magick & Rituals so I moved it - let me know if this is a problem by private messaging me, k?

Otherwise, there's a billion threads on setting up altars here, and actually a few of them are very recent. If you need help finding some I can dig 'em up, or you can use the search function to find lots of info. There's even a thread or two on making "un witchy" altars that you might find useful.

[Sowelu]

Thank You Myst...:)

[Lavender]

There are so many ways of making an altar inconspicious. At work, I have a little mini one set up on a shelf behind my desk. I have a little tiny Goddess figurine, some seeds, a small braid of sweet grass & a few other things. People just think it's a collection of odds & ends.

[Ball-Bhreac Ròn]

Yehy, one of my friends who was still 'in the closet' had just bits and bobs...she told everyone it was a still life for an art project :rolleyes:

[Flar's Freyja]

My permanent altar is a chest of drawers that's in my hallway. My goddess representation is a hand-cast and painted statue of the Blessed Virgin that my aunt made for my mother, so no one is the wiser! My ritual altar is a small wooden folding table that slides under my bed. It can be set up and taken down easily when I do a more formal ritual in my bedroom. I also have a Hestia altar set up in my kitchen, a shelf near the stove with a female figurine that I found at a thrift shop that represents Hestia, herb jars and candles. No one thinks anything of this either.

[Flar's Freyja]

Originally posted by Emerald Sky
Just wondering if anyone has an outdoor altar?

I'm working on that right now. I live in a mobile home community where the houses are close together and can't be too obvious either. I have one large flat rock that I've placed to the north of my favorite tree. I'm plannng on getting more rocks and building it up little by little.

I have three altars in my home currently. The central altar is actually a dresser that I decorate according to the sabbats. I keep a candle lit to honor the Mother whenever I am at home. In the kitchen, I have a Hestia altar. It's basically just a figurine that I found that reminds me of the goddess and jars of the herbs that I've grown, harvested and dried. I light a cancle and ask for Her blessings whenever I make a meal and meals seem to be especially enjoyable when I follow this practice. The third is a shelf in my bedroom and it is my ancestor altar. There are pictures of my mother and grandmothers and special items handed down to me by them. I also use this one to honor Hecate. All of these are my permanent altars and no one can tell by looking at them that they are actually altars. For special solitary rituals, I set up a specific altar, which is a small wooden folding table that I found at a junk shop. Most people use them for picnics and camping. This one is great because it folds flat and slides under my bed.

[Skye]

Nature is my alter:D

[Witchy Cowgirl]

Originally posted by Emerald Sky
Just wondering if anyone has an outdoor altar?

I have 2 outdoor altars.
The one I use most often is in the farie garden. This is the one I use most often. It is made from a log. I go there in the morning while the kids are still asleep and Hubby has left for work to prayer and mediate. The other one is down in the woods. Hubby found the spot for me. Again the altar is made from a log. This is the spot I use for magickal workings. Neither alter stays "set-up" with items.
I set each up as to how I'm feeling at the time.
Usually on the "morning" altar I use a stone, insence, a candle or two, and a itty bitty bottle of water. Also there is a big round wooden disk that was taken from the altar log. I intend to burn a pentagram into it. Right now that altar holds several items I've found at yard sales. I'm using the full moon to cleanse them. Chalise, jars, candle holders and such.
The one in the woods is set up to suit the need of the moment.
I have one in my house (my night stand) which usually stays set up with feathers, rocks and a seed pod, insence burner, itty bitty bottle of water, a sea shell and rocks from the creek, and candles.


But I love Skye's reply!
;)

[Witchy Cowgirl]

Just realized that sometime I have a 4th altar.
When the weather is bad and hubby is already asleep my kitchen counter has been transformed into an altar!

[Skye]

Originally posted by Witchy Cowgirl
Just realized that sometime I have a 4th altar.
When the weather is bad and hubby is already asleep my kitchen counter has been transformed into an altar!

I think (just my opinion) people can have alters everywhere. Sometimes it is even necessary to create a space in your mind when the outside world is to hectic for a suitable altar

[Witchy Cowgirl]

How true!

[Flaire-FireStar]

My "indoor" altar is a box that my brother made for me in woodworking last year - it contains all my 'stuff'. On it, I usually have a bunch of candles, my tarot cards and incense. I also decorate it according to the seasons.

My "outdoor" one, however, is a slab of flat stone. I was walking in the middle of no where once and came upon this spot (I was just looking for a tree to sit under, to tell the truth). :)

[CalliopeHellice]

I have 3 Altars and 1 Shrine in my bedroom. I had lived on my own (with my ex) for 5 years, and have since moved back into my parents' house until I can finish school. Luckily, my parents are very supportive of the fact that I'm Wiccan and my sister is Pagan.

My "main" altar (working altar), is about 4 feet long, and 2 1/2 feet deep. It's dark cherry wood, with a large drawer in it, and is ornately carved. This always holds God/dess candles and representations, offering dish, salt and dish, water and dish, incense and censer, athame, bolline, brass gong, silver bell, fire candle, wand, altar paten, and any specific tools/decor needed for the Sabbat and/or Esbat and/or working.

I also have an altar to Hekate, with an altar paten painted with the Wheel of Hekate, a crow feather, black widow athame, antique handcuff key, apache tear, onyx, hematite, a cauldron with herbs sacred to Her, a small frog statue, a black votive candle in a frosted glass holder, a picture of Hekate Triformis, a stone with a raven painted on it, and a dragon statue.

Then there's my altar to Pan, with a plaque of Pan, two faerie statues who are Pan-like and holding Pan Pipes, a green candle, a wooden dish with a pine needles and crystals, a goat figure, a tin whistle, and a fake fern.

I also have a shrine to the Virgin Mary. It is a small cubby-like shelf I made in middle school, holding a statue of the Virgin, my wood-bead rosary, a tiny clay angel (made by missionaries in Mexico), a metal and wood cross a friend gave me, and a votive in a glass holder.

I am also plannin on making a small Muse altar on my desk.

Remember, all these are in one small bedroom. It's all in the placement and size of the tables (my small Altars are almost like low, square stools, and the shrine hangs on the wall).

I would love to make an outdoor altar or shrine next spring.

BB,
Calliope

[Crystal_Raye]

All I have on my altar is a statue of the Virgin Mary (to represent the Goddess), a sea shell (for water), a few candles (for fire), an inscent burner (for air), a stone (for earth), my pentacle necklace, my ankh necklace, a lava lamp, a feather, a small bone I found in the woods, my bamboo plant, both my crystal, my pedulum, and a bell.

[Shadowolff]

I have a low, round coffeetable (passed on to me by a friend). I didn't think of it as an altar at first, it just evolved into one.

On it is a large set of deer antlers (11 points); the curve of the antlers flows nicely with the table. The antlers were another gift, found in our old garage when we had to tear it down, origin unknown. Beautifully weathered into gray, one piece. Behind them are a set of 12 brass candlesticks in tapering heights -- two sets of 6, actually.

In the middle is a flat round clear glass oil lamp I like to keep burning when I'm at home. It's not as dangerous as a candle when I'm sleeping The flame is my focal point for prayer/meditation.

In front are various items of personal significance -- an eagle feather I was given by a Seneca woman (an honor that brought tears to my eyes, most unexpected), some of my Stone People (found items with naturally occurring faces or whatever if you look carefully), several Rune Stones (not part of a set, but again, that I found with the rune naturally occurring -- and just the right one for the time of finding, I might add), green bottles of water that I carried to the hilltop to be charged by the rising sun and setting full moon, some of my crystals and other stones. I have a simple brass burner for frankincense -- a scent used in worship for thousands of years, that I never use casually. Love it!

The exact items are subject to change as from time to time some things don't seem to belong there for now or others want to be added. Life Lesson: everything is subject to change. Be open.

I no longer practice ritual Magick (a very long story), if you do, your sacred items would likely include things others have discussed in this thread. My devotion is to the Great Mother, who nourishes and sustains me, whose loving presence is closer to me than I am to myself, whom I seek to serve in loving compassion to all, and whom I see reflected everywhere I look.

Bottom line: an altar is your own sacred space, there's no one right way to arrange it. Approach it with a reverent and loving heart and over time, if you listen, the Spirit will guide you into what is best for you.

Walk with light -- blessed be!

[LadyCelt]

I've got down what I"m gorna do for air and water. I think I'll do a little tree like a bonzai for earth.

but, I don't knwo what to do for fire. maybe candles or incense? but I don't really burn them due to not wanting the cat to knock them over.

[HMoonwolf]

My very first alter was an unused coffee table kept in a storage room covered with a black alter cloth. A letter opener with a wooden handle was my athame. I used a wine glass for a chalice, The Goddess and God were represented by black and white candles. My incense stick represented air, and a rock represented earth. It was simple but very meaningful.
Now I have an alter room with an alter in each of the four directions for each element in its respective direction and a center alter. The center alter holds the Goddess and God statues 3 candles white, red, and black, a carved stone pentacle, and my book of shadows. This is where all Esbats and Sabats are performed.
There is also a small alter next to my bed where I do morning and evening meditations, My wife also keeps an alter dedicated to animal spirits in the alter room on a chest of draws. it's covered woth animal figures and has a pillar candle.
These are all in places guests wouldn't go unless we invited them to see them. My wife and I mostly out of the broom closet now anyway. :achug:

[WildWitch]

I completely redecorated my altar recently, and I'm quite content with it. I have a bonzi tree and a stone from my ancestral home for Earth. Incense and an eagle feather that I found in the woods for Air. Sea shell and coral that I found on the beach in Hawaii for Water. A candle and new lava rock from Kilauea (Pele gave me permission!) for Fire. I put my God and Goddess statue in the center, plus a candle representing the Sun, and a crystal ball representing the Moon. I also have figurines of my animal totems, a set of deer antlers, and fallen leaves to represent the current season.

It sounds like a lot of clutter, but it's really not so bad. I like it because it represents my path and my experiences more than other altar setups I've had in the past.

[Anais Star]

Im working on collecting items to set up my first altar. I dont have the actual "altar"yet, but remembered that I had three items given to me by my grandmother that would work well.

An Egyptian Style Bell with Egyptian figure as the handle
A metal bowl that was from a company she worked at that will work as a small cauldron
An ornate metal bottom and lid that I have burned incense in, to work as a censer

I love that these will work well on the altar, and will be a way to remember my grandmother (as she has passed on)

I'll have to post a pic of my altar once it's finished in the altar pic thread

[EntwinedScylla]

Seeing that not every Tradition or personal practice follows the Wiccan model of elements and tools, the most "basic" altar is likely going to be a surface upon which you can place a bowl, or plate (offering dish) and some container for fire. Nearly every tradition I've run across involves fire, and an offering dish on it's altar, so those are safe bets for simplicity.

For example: A very pretty bowl and a tea lite holder.

My own Tradition's rules demand only "Enough space for flame and blade." So one of our adherants used a little decorative shelf upon which she could juuuuust perch a candle-holder and her knife.

[~Belladonna~]

At the end of the day it's totally up to you. What type of Altar is it? There are certain ways to set-up certain Altars e.g. a Wiccan Altar. Saying that though, if you're solitary and/or eclectic then it's pretty much up to you.
I'm not Wiccan and my Altar is simply a Pagan one :) I have the basic such as the Elements represented but from there on it's pretty much whatever takes my fancy and what feels sacred and special to me.
I've had an Athame on my Altar from day one (when I first started out as a Wiccan) but recently I've not felt the need for it. In fact I've gone off my Athame and I'm using my Wand instead. I'm still undecided whether or not I just want a new one or whether I've gone off the idea of an Athame all together. Things change as you grow, especially your Altar and all the items on it. I just go with the flow now :D

[Anais Star]

Would it be okay to set up an altar in one room with everything on it (censer, candles, etc) as a more permanent altar for everyday meditation, honoring, etc, but move the items needed to another room (coffee table) for magical workings???

I want to put a permanent altar in one room, but it would have to be against the wall, and I like using the living room (since its bigger) for casting cirlces and then use my coffee table as the magical workings altar.

I guess I could cast the circle through the wall of the other room (casting outside basically??) and there for encompass the altar against the wall.

Yes????

[Caelestis ♥ Raven]

Would it be okay to set up an altar in one room with everything on it (censer, candles, etc) as a more permanent altar for everyday meditation, honoring, etc, but move the items needed to another room (coffee table) for magical workings???

I want to put a permanent altar in one room, but it would have to be against the wall, and I like using the living room (since its bigger) for casting cirlces and then use my coffee table as the magical workings altar.

I guess I could cast the circle through the wall of the other room (casting outside basically??) and there for encompass the altar against the wall.

Yes????

I think that would be more then fine :) Alot of people have like an altar set up in their home and then sometimes go like outside or in a bigger room to do rituals.

Some people even have a bunch of different altars all over the place.

Having a permanent altar set up in the middle of a room to give you lots of space to work would be lovely but I doubt many people can have it set up like that all the time :)

[Newbieoffractals]

Depends. My altar is a copper bowl, with a stone in the center(That I found outdoors, it's a lovely pink L shape!), and I put offerings on that stone. Occasionally, I'll take the stone off to light a taper with a pretty candle stick holder I have. I'll put tealights and such on the stone as well.