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Wicca! A Way to Life!
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Brief History of Wicca

Modern Witches

Principals of Wicca

The Wiccan Rede Explained

Deities
-Celtic
-Greek

Your Power

Invoking the Goddess

The Goddess in Daily life

Wiccan lifestyle

Word List

Tools

Your Altar

Correspondances

Sabbats
-Samhain
-Yule
-Imbolc
-Ostara
-Beltain
-Litha
-Lammas
-Mabon

Values

Crafts

Earth Spirits and Faeries

Rituals

Spells

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)
Right Side of the Altar (God)
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.

North (Earth)

Pentacle, Bowl of Salt, Stones, Plants, Flowers, Green Candle, Offering Cakes

West (Water)

Bowl of Water, Seashell, Chalice with Wine, Blue Candle, Cauldron

Center (Spirit)
Goddess and God Candles or Statues

Book of Shadows

East (Air)

Incense, Feather or Smudge Fan, Bell, Censor, Wand, Yellow Candle

South (Fire)

Red Candle, Athame, Boline, Anointing Oil, Candle Snuffer

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

Lighting Candle

God Statue and Candle
West (Water)

Seashell, Chalice with Wine, Blue Candle

Center (Spirit)

Pentacle, Altar tile
Book of Shadows
Cauldron
East (Air)

Incense, Feather or Smudge Fan, Bell, Censor, Wand, Yellow Candle

  South (Fire)

Red Candle, Athame, Boline, Anointing Oil, Candle Snuffer

 

Here are some pics of my own personal Altar, feel free to re-use them.