I need some help!

[Memory's Flame]

Ok; as you may have noticed I've posted a few altar related posts today! (I am constructing my first altar!!)

I built and painted the shelves today, all is left is to hang them! But I'm having some problems...

Which Direction should they face? My West and North walls are open... West would be most convenient, however I could make the North Wall Work if need be.

Here is the layout where I intend to lay them
http://www.jacqueandryan.com/altarshelf.gif
Each of the black shelves are six inches long and will be elemental, the long blue will be work space, and the shorter blue will be kind of a catch all. (Or so is my plan)

My questions are

Is there a better way I could set up my shelves? If so, How?
Which shelves should be which elements?
Thank you for ANY help in advance!

[violet rain]

Well I personally think that your layout is good :)

[MorningDove030202]

If you are going to have elemental candles on the shelves then I would put them on the wall that relates to the element. Like for me earth is north, so I would put it on the northern most wall. That way when you cast a circle all the candles are up on the wall, and kids, pets, and clothing will be out of the way of the fire.

As for the main part of the Altar, I'd put it in the east because that's where the sun rises......

Dove

[Memory's Flame]

The East wall is the only one that really won't work *lol* My front door and a large picture window take up all but 2 feet of the wall...

[mucgwyrt]

North was always considered good for the heathen anglo-saxons and bad by christianity, so I personally would go for that :D

[Mòrag Elasaid Ní Dhòmhnaill]

I think your layout looks great. Just make sure the shelves are spaced far enough that the candle flames won't be burning the surrounding shelves.

As for walls to place on, it really depends on a few things.

1) Personal Preference
2) The dictates of your path and spiritual beliefs (Celtic, Egyptian, Wiccan, eclectic)
3) The type of altar (for example if it were an ancestral altar and you followed a Celtic or Celtic inspired path it should be placed on the west wall. To this day in Ireland those who still have ancestral altars place them on the west wall or have what is called a western room dedicated entirely to their ancestors)

[mucgwyrt]

I think your layout looks great. Just make sure the shelves are spaced far enough that the candle flames won't be burning the surrounding shelves.

As for walls to place on, it really depends on a few things.

1) Personal Preference
2) The dictates of your path and spiritual beliefs (Celtic, Egyptian, Wiccan, eclectic)
3) The type of altar (for example if it were an ancestral altar and you followed a Celtic or Celtic inspired path it should be placed on the west wall. To this day in Ireland those who still have ancestral altars place them on the west wall or have what is called a western room dedicated entirely to their ancestors)
Why's that then? :)

[Mòrag Elasaid Ní Dhòmhnaill]

Why, because to the west is the direction where the land of the dead is located.

[mucgwyrt]

*duh* :lol:

[Memory's Flame]

So if I am eclectic, does it really matter which direction??

I'd really love to place it on the north wall; just where it would look best and feel the best to me :D

[Pan]

No problem at all putting it on the north wall. North, to many, represents earth. It would be very grounding, which is a good thing in spell and ritual work.

I prefer to have my altar in the north.

[KaliGiri5]

Some go by who they worship..
say you follow a fire goddess...then you'd put it in the south part of the room so you face the south when you're at the altar.

I have mine on the east but light my candles in different places depending on what elemental power I use.

I think you should go by what feels right for you.
no need in going by the book for everything.

[Amadore]

In one of Buckland's books, I read that altars should always be on the East side. Please correct me if I/Buckland are wrong.

I think your altar set up is VERY effective. I can totally visualize exactly how it's going to look. Kudos to you!!

As for elements,
EARTH: north
AIR: south
FIRE: east
WATER: west

[indigo rain]

how funny. that's exactly how i was going to do an altar not too long ago. :) i ended up finding my trunk at pier one though first and fell in love with it. it's now my altar. just be careful that the shelves aren't very close together. i have burned candles on shelves a foot and a half apart thinking it wouldn't hurt the shelves, and the candle flame heats up and marrs the finish on the wood of the shelf above and leaves this round lighter colored patch. :/

[SamTheBlob]

i like the layout. Im having problems with my alter too. I dont know where ill put it. I want a more floor thing but i donno if thats good or not

[BrigidMoon]

I think it's a great layout! :)

[blackcatwiccan01090]

shelf arrangements?

[MorningDove030202]

shelf arrangements?

Ya, shelves are great when you have kids and furry animals that like to take things off your altar and play with them.

Dove
:reindeer: