Rosewicket Wicca Coven

Creating an Altar is not as difficult as it sounds, some witches may not even have one. It is more of a personal preference, and there are many kinds of altars besides those not mentioned here. However, for the sake of keeping this semi short, we’ll assume that you have some private flat surface to use. This could be an inverted box, a bookshelf, a desk, a coffee table, a dresser or what have you. It may be a tree stump in the back yard if you wish, and it may even all be in your mind. Be Creative.

There is some controversy over which way your altar should face and where should it be located. Generally, people debate whether it should face East of North. Generally, I think this is up to you. You may want to look to nature for this one. Perhaps east, because it is where the sun and moon rise? Or west, because it is where they set? You can also look to the elements and their directions; for example, earth is usually north and fire is usually south (though you may change these if it fits best). Do a little playing around with it and see what works for you.

Now, for what to put on your altar. People seem to get hung up on this more than they should, but it really is a matter of personal preference. To start, do you want natural wood, cloth, glass or some other surface? Perhaps if you don’t like the surface you are using, you can put a nice altar cloth over it. Just be aware of how flammable your surface is, so that you can place objects such that they are less of a hazard.

The objects that you have on your altar are very personal, and nothing is set in stone. These are only some ideas, so do what speaks to you.

If you are very interested in the natural or earthy side of Wicca, try decorating your altar with leaves, flowers and branches. These should go with the season and can represent of the cycles of life, death, and rebirth. Perhaps you would like to collect some forest stone or river rocks to go with it.

Perhaps, if you are more interested in the spell-crafting side of Wicca, you may like to decorate your altar with anointed candles and magical symbols.

On the other hand, if you like to work with healing, you might have some dried herbs, a pestle and mortar, some essential oils, or dried flowers.

If you are interested in mythology, you might like to have some offerings to your Gods or Goddesses atop the altar, or some poems in their honor. You may also with to purchase or make some statues of them (I always like have my Bast statue on my nightstand and my Anubis statue on my desk, guarding the window).

Generally, it is accepted that you should have something for the God and Goddess on your altar. This is not necessary but it is generally accepted and very useful. The most common method is to have a candle for the God and a candle for the Goddess. Traditionally, the God candle would be black and the Goddess candle would be white. You may also have statues for them if you like, or whatever feels right to you.

Usually, you would also have something for the elements. You might have these facing their respective directions or you might not (for me, it would be very impractical). In ceremonial magic, that would be a Chalice (goblet) for water, a pentacle for earth, a wand for air (or fire, depending on your path), and an athame for fire (or air, depending on your path). Incense for air and candles for fire are also common.

However, you may world around these. Most witches like to have a dish of salt or crystals for earth, whether or not they have a pentacle. There are many substitutions. You may use a dish of water or a seashell for water, or crystals that correspond to the element. Some stones work great if you can’t have an athame or candle for fire.

And sometimes, objects of sentimental value are great for altars. I have a hearts shaped dish of crystals that my mom gave me, and some stones my sister bought for my birthday.

Do what works for you.

I'v always wanted an alter, but unfourtantly, due to wanting to keep my religion un obvious, i have nowhere to put it. "my" space consists of a very small room which oftens gets cluttered up. No good place for a holy alter. So i satisfy myself with some posters of pretty animals, and a billboard with chakra diagrams etc, and my witchy coboard. Any serious rituals, i do in my "dream world" temple. No limits in the subconscious, folks, i have an alter made of cyrstal

Victoria, if you have trouble making a space, you might take a look at this witchvox article I posted on the subject.

But of course, do whatever works for you.

Thanks, i found your article quite informative. I am fine how i am, but i would like to have a space if possible, prehaps when i become more practised

Your article is going to help me alot, i'm in the processe of cleaning up my bedroom and needed a guiding line so to speak.

yes it is!!!

my pic of my alter im no expert but willing to help others blessed be x

I am in the process of setting up an altar, but I kind of have to keep it secret. My mom doesn't like Wicca, and tells me she doesn't want me to talk about it with her. I don't have a closet, since ourhouse is pretty old. I just have a rack on one wall, so I can't set up an altar in the closet, which is something I would do. It's weird, but in my old house, I would sit, read and think, all in my closet. It's a good space for me to get away from prying eyes. Now, I set it up in the corner of my room. It is a little chest, and I have things to represent the elements, except for air. Does anyone have a good suggestion of a more common item that can represent air? Anyways, awesome post, as usual!

Blessed Be

heloo i am new to this site but i suppose not as new to my beliefs..i'm struggling to tell my husband and babies father about my beliefs b/c he has a firm christin belief..so i sneak out in the middle of the night in my back yard to meditate and perform my circles and anything magical ...how do i tell him this?it's becoming very hard to be secretive ..and outside is getting dangerous with my location...the city that is ....

Hmm well thisisme: something you could do for air is some incense sticks, lit or unlit is fine just so long as they are there.

As for Layla my advice to you is to talk to your hubby upfront, nothing can be better for a relationship but open honesty. But if your husband wants you to stop, try pointing out to him, that what if you werent ok with christianity would you tell him to stop praying?

Now as for your kids. If your Hubby asks you not to share your beliefs with your children, I would respect his wish. Remember christians believe in heaven and hell so if you are a witch the bible basically tells you to go to hell. So as a result your husband doesnt want his kids to go to 'hell' so its better to not cross that line with him.

I hope my information is good enough for you to use, Merry Meet, Merry Part, and Merry Meet again. Blessed BE!