How big should an altar be?

[OpheliaDrowns]

Does an altar have to be a certain size? Cos my room is quite small, plus, does anyone know any good pagan/wiccan shops in Liverpool?

Blessed Be
Sia

[Kaylara]

Moved to New Pagans. Altar of the Ancients is for prayers.

[Faeawyn]

Your altar can be any size you want. I don't have one that stays set up....I have a large trunk in my room filled with supplies, and when I want to do magick, I just pull out what I need and set it up on the chest. I also have a tall jewelry chest in my bathroom, so sometimes, I'll set up an altar on the jewelry chest and work there.....I've worked at the kitchen table, bathroom counter...anywhere I'm comfortable and its quiet and private. I guess if you want to keep one set up all the time, it would depend on how much stuff you want to put on it :)

[Mithrea]

There is no size requirement for an altar. It can be as small as shoebox or as big as a house. I have several different altars of all shapes and sizes. :)

[Sylvan]

If your room is that small, you could put your altar on top of furniture you already have in there. On a bookcase, or a shelf, or a trunk, or on your bureau, or you can even put your tools on your bed or the floor for a temporary altar when you need it.

One thing to keep in mind is that it's often a good idea to be able to see the top of your altar if you're sitting on the floor. Makes it easier when doing meditation and the like. Both my altars are the perfect height when standing, but are too tall to sit in front of properly. :)

[RubyRose]

As I'm also in the same boat, of having a rather small bedroom, my altar takes up 3/4 of the surface on my dresser. The remainder has a porcelain doll sitting on it. I did what you'd call a consecration ceremony, and defined my altar space also.

[Ceffyl]

Does an altar have to be a certain size? Cos my room is quite small, plus, does anyone know any good pagan/wiccan shops in Liverpool?

Blessed Be
Sia
A friend of mine used to make a large candle stand that looked like a chalice with four leaves coming off of it in each direction. It was about 10 inches high. She called it a compact altar and sold them at local ren faires in North Carolina. (Unfortunately, Googling didn't turn up anything similar.)

It was basically one large candle stand with a pillar candle holder on top, and four pedestals for quarter candles and symbols coming off of the base. Maybe you could find something similar that might work? What about a small plant stand?

Blessings,

Ceffyl

[ArKane]

I have a fairly nice size one. Not to big, not to small.

[blueangel]

If space is tight why not just have a temporary alter? You could put articles from your alter around your room so you can see them but you wouldn't have to give up all that space on your dresser!

[simskathouse]

Your altar can be any size you want. I don't have one that stays set up....I have a large trunk in my room filled with supplies, and when I want to do magick, I just pull out what I need and set it up on the chest. I also have a tall jewelry chest in my bathroom, so sometimes, I'll set up an altar on the jewelry chest and work there.....I've worked at the kitchen table, bathroom counter...anywhere I'm comfortable and its quiet and private. I guess if you want to keep one set up all the time, it would depend on how much stuff you want to put on it :)

This is exactly what I plan to do once I start learning the rituals and spells. I have an old cedar trunk and I was going to use that as my alter and put all my tools and Book of Shadows in that. I was told though that an alter should me made of all natural stuff, will hinges on the trunk lid cause any problems? My room is small too and even though my husband supports my beliefs I would rather keep it private. So the trunk would be ideal if the metal hinges won't cause interferance.

Blessed be!
Kat

[Dusk]

This is exactly what I plan to do once I start learning the rituals and spells. I have an old cedar trunk and I was going to use that as my alter and put all my tools and Book of Shadows in that. I was told though that an alter should me made of all natural stuff, will hinges on the trunk lid cause any problems? My room is small too and even though my husband supports my beliefs I would rather keep it private. So the trunk would be ideal if the metal hinges won't cause interferance.

Blessed be!
Kat

Don't believe anyone who tells you your altar or BOS or anything else has to be a certain way. I think your idea is fabulous.

My alter is made of resin (it is really a garden bench) and I love it.

[Tigerlily]

My altar is on top of a little night stand. :)

[Avalon]

My altar is the top of a small 2-tier bookcase. I keep all my grimoires and other magickal books in it.

I agree wholeheartedly with Dusk. Unless you are part of a specific coven / tradition, feel free to create your altar however you like. :smile:

[Prudence Rose]

as long as it's big enough for your supplies its big enough

[Moon Momma]

Mine is just a small end table. Not very big at all.

[Nantonos]

This is exactly what I plan to do once I start learning the rituals and spells. I have an old cedar trunk and I was going to use that as my alter and put all my tools and Book of Shadows in that.

Sounds great!


I was told though that an alter should me made of all natural stuff, will hinges on the trunk lid cause any problems? My room is small too and even though my husband supports my beliefs I would rather keep it private. So the trunk would be ideal if the metal hinges won't cause interferance.

Well that depends on your own beliefs. Does your athame have any metal? Is that a problem?

I would say that hinges and clasps have been on chests for a long time, and hollow altars that you store stuff in are very practical.

[Ravensnest]

Just like everyone else has stated..as big as small or not at all as you want it. It just depends on you. I have had large altars, small altars, multiple little altars all over the house and no altars at all and everything still works just as well.