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Your Altar
The first thing you need to decide is if you can have a permanent altar or if you will have to put it away each time. The kinds of things you use for your altar are very much up to your own personal taste and preferences. It's important that your altar be a reflection of your own spirituality.
The first item of a permanent altar is the table. Some people prefer round tables as they are easier to get around in the midst of a ritual circle. Others like a square table that fits easily into a corner when not in circle. I personally like having storage space under my table in the form of a cabinet or shelves so I can store some of my ritual items. Some people use a large wooden chest. They can store everything inside and then use the top of the chest as an altar when in use. Many think wood is the best medium for an altar since it's from the earth. But I think metal or stone work just as well. I personally wouldn't use plastic or some man-made material, but that's just me. Whatever you decide on it's a good practice to cleanse and consecrate it before use. Wiping it down with saltwater or smudging it with sage are quick ways to do this. Also exposure to the sun or moon will work equally well.
After selecting and cleansing a table or area for your altar, you should think about an altar cloth. These are usually decorated with symbols or images that add to your sense of magic or spirituality. Some people use different cloths depending on the season or sabbat which is approaching.
Some suggested altar layouts are shown below along with pictures
of various different altars.
This altar setup below is a common
one for northern hemisphere altars. It divides the Altar in half
with the Left side being related to the Goddess and feminine tools
associated with the elements of Earth and Water. The Right side is
related to the God and the masculine tools associated with the
elements of Air and Fire.
Left Side of the Altar
(Goddess)
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Right Side of the Altar
(God)
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Goddess Candle (White or
Silver)
Goddess Statue
Chalice of wine (or water)
Bowl of Water
Cauldron
Pentacle
Bell
Crystals or Stones
Libations Dish
Wand |
God Candle (White, Gold
or Yellow)
God Statue
Censor or incense burner with Incense
Bowl of Salt
Athame (Magickal Knife)
Boline (curved knife used to cut herbs)
Lighter or Matches
Censor
Smudge Fan or feather |
Oils, Herbs and other Candles can be placed
anywhere convenient. You may also want to include your Book of
Shadows and Ritual Pen for inscribing spells.
Another popular altar set up is based on the
Elements and their associated tools and directions. This is the
setup I prefer to use.
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North
(Earth) Pentacle, Bowl of
Salt, Stones, Plants, Flowers, Green Candle, Offering
Cakes
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West (Water)
Bowl of Water, Seashell, Chalice with
Wine, Blue Candle, Cauldron
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Center
(Spirit)
Goddess and God Candles or Statues
Book of Shadows
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East (Air)
Incense, Feather or Smudge Fan, Bell,
Censor, Wand, Yellow Candle
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South (Fire)
Red
Candle,
Athame, Boline, Anointing Oil, Candle Snuffer
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One more popular layout:
Lighting
Candle
Goddess Statue and Candle
Bowl of Water |
North (Earth)
Bowl of Salt, Stones, Plants, Flowers, Green Candle,
Offering Cakes
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Lighting
Candle
God Statue and Candle |
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West (Water)
Seashell, Chalice with Wine, Blue
Candle
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Center (Spirit)
Pentacle, Altar tile
Book of Shadows
Cauldron
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East (Air)
Incense, Feather or Smudge Fan, Bell,
Censor, Wand, Yellow Candle
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South (Fire)
Red Candle,
Athame, Boline, Anointing Oil, Candle Snuffer
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Here are some pics of my own personal Altar, feel free to re-use them.
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