An altar is integral to the practice of Wicca, paganism or witchcraft.
When someone is new to the path, they might be tempted to buy a special table for an altar. Yet, you don’t have to. If you’re on a budget, there’s no reason why you can’t create an altar for your sacred space.
If you’re unsure where to start or what to use, you’re in luck. We’re going to show you how to create a Wiccan altar.
Your Wiccan Altar
A Wiccan altar can be created from a TV tray to a tree stump in the middle of a forest.
It’s also your decision whether to display the altar out in the open or to enjoy some discretion. For instance, you can place an altar in an armoire with doors. This will allow you to close the doors to respect the ritual supplies and tools from prying eyes. You could even create a Wiccan altar from a normal table in the home. All you need to do is add an altar cloth.
It doesn’t matter how small or big your altar is. It only matters that you have a place to place any Wicca supplies, so they’re close at hand.
You can either choose the altar first, or you can choose the ritual tools beforehand. That way, you can find an altar that will fit all your tools.
Don’t worry about setting aside a room to embrace your new faith. This isn’t always practical in many homes. You simply need a sacred space that’s free from children or animals.
The Altar Cloth
It’s often wise not to invest too much money into an altar cloth.
The last thing you will want is for the wax to destroy an expensive cloth, especially if you’re a bit of a clumsy witch. The cloth is used to protect the altar. We suggest that you pick up a functional, affordable cloth.
A Statue
A statue isn’t always necessary, but you might like to include one on a Wiccan altar during a ritual.
You can choose to place a statue of the Matron Goddess, depending on the ritual. You can even include a patron God. If you don’t have a Matron or Patron, you could also use a generic Spiral Goddess or Spiral God.
It’s also your decision to determine the best place for a statue during a ritual.
Altar Items
It’s not only statues you can add to your altar.
Some witches and pagans choose to place crystals, swords, wands, staffs and bells. Yet, none of the items are essential for the practice of your spirituality/faith.
Beginners should start off by adding items that represent the four classical elements:
- Earth
- Fire
- Air
- Water
Most of these items can be found in your own home.
If you don’t have any items in the home that represent Earth, Fire, Water and Air, you could always step into nature.
There are many items you can use that can signify the elements during a ritual. You could even visit a thrift store for bowls, cups, candles, and clothes. Embracing your new faith/spirituality doesn’t have to be expensive.
Candles (Fire)
Candles are a great way to embrace a ritual and signify fire.
Many use three candles in three different colors: red, white and black.Each one represents the Goddess during her maiden, mother and crone phases.
You can choose to place the candles in front of the statues. Yet, it’s recommended to keep them away from the statues to avoid dripping wax or a fire hazard.
A Cast Iron Cauldron (Air)
The cauldron you choose will depend on your preference.
For instance, you may prefer to use cast iron cauldrons for charcoal or cone incense to signify air. Yet, you may prefer a pottery cauldron. There’s no set area to place your cauldron, either. You can decide the place it wherever works best for you.
As well as incense, you can use feathers, images of birds that fly, or a representation of clouds or the sky.
An Offering Bowl (Earth)
You will have your Fire (the candles) and your air (the incense), so how do you incorporate Earth?
Well, you could place some sea salt into an offering bowl. The sea salt represents Earth. Not only that, but it can represent water, too – as it combines with water from the sea.
There are other Earth options to choose from, though. For example, you could place dirt into an offering bowl.
Chalice (Water)
Anything that can hold water can be used as a chalice on a Wiccan altar.
Of course, the chalice will have water to signify the element during a ritual. You can even add a touch of salt to purify it, but this is up to you. If you prefer, you can place the chalice in the center of the altar. That way, it’s standing in front of the candles and statues.
Other water items to choose include driftwood, seashells, water fountains, sand or seaweed.
Athame
Last and certainly not least is athame or a wand. You can also use both during a ritual.
For instance, the athame can be used to cast a circle. This will cut out a sacred space that is beyond time. The wand can direct power.
You can choose to place the athame in front of the chalice on a Wiccan altar. It might also be helpful to place the wand next to it, so it’s close to hand.
Be Open to Change
You don’t have to create an altar and stick with it. The great thing about a Wiccan altar is that is can be changed at any point. You’ll begin to see positive changes in your life no matter what your altar looks like.
For instance, some pagans or witches change an altar to match seasons, holidays or preferences. Others may change it to complement lunar phases.
Conclusion
Setting up a Wiccan altar is easy and it doesn’t have to be expensive, either.
You can position all the items listed above wherever you like. Yet, it’s vital you know why you are placing them in a certain position. If the locations have no meaning to you, you can trust the ritual will fail to be as powerful or meaningful.
Wicca is becoming a popular faith for people across the world. Find out more about the rising popularity of Wicca.
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