The altar is a very important aspect of Wiccan ritual. An altar, put simply, is a place to put you tools and the focal point for ritual, worship, or magick, and the place to do honor to the Goddess and God. Altars come in many sizes and varieties of setup, depending on use, space, and location.
Anything will do for an altar, like a shelf, top of a dresser, etc. The altar can be any size and shape. Coffee tables, mantles, specially created wooden structures, all are valid altar materials. The altar can be on any wall or in the center of the ritual area. If you wish an outside alter, a permanent stone or a tree stump works fine. Your altar can hold your magical tools, sculpture of the god/dess (if you use one), seasonal greens or flowers, stones, tarot cards, etc. (If the altar is located in a specific location or in a specific quarter, you can add the symbols for that quarter on your altar in addition to your altar or holiday decorations. ) For most people, things of non-magical nature are not placed on it (like your mail, house keys, etc.). Altars are a sacred place of prayer, ritual, and offering.
Creating an altar is one of the first ways you can begin to feel the Pagan 'you' manifest. It is something which will grow with you; change as you change. And it is something you will learn to construct to enhance your spells and rituals. Learning to create symbolically powerful altars, will really make your magic more meaningful.
Your altar is a symbol. It comes to be a microcosm of your Universe, using art and nature to signify all that is important in terms of your spirituality. Many people already have altars without even knowing it. How many people have a corner of their dresser laden with stones, rocks, feathers, flower petals, pictures, etc.? Why do we collect the things we do?, and then put those collections in places of prominence. Most of us will find that in times of crisis, stress, or just during a time in which we feel the need to be quiet and reflective, this 'altar' can be a haven. A Wiccan altar is also a haven. It is carefully thought out and put together like a piece of spiritual artwork.
Altars can be permanent or temporary. Permanent alters are great for witches who have the space and don't worry about privacy (or have enough 'private' space that no-one will see it). The altar will require a certain amount of "psychic cleansing." Stagnant altars get stagnant results. Transform your altar with a variety of decorations or statuary for each holiday, moon phase, whatever feels right.
Temporary alters are used when no permanent alter is available and a witch needs to cast a circle during magick or ritual. Temporary alters can also be as simple as how they arrange the flowers on their coffee table, laying out Tarot cards during a reading, or setting out a statue on the dash of their vehicle. After all, it is not necessarily 'what' comprises an altar, but what meanings are attached to each item you place there.
Setting up an alter: You need a space! How much space depends on the alters contents and how much space you have in the first place. Alters tend to grow fast (as you grow) so plan ahead. Next you need the physical alter, usually of wood (oak is good), but use your own judgment. There are a few ways to actually organize the altar. Some people divide the altar into sections, one area for each of the elements, and areas for symbols of the God/dess. (see the examples below or look for illustrations in books). The basic setup is: left side for the Goddess, right side for the God, Northern side for Earth, Eastern side for Air, etc. Again, do what feels most right to you.
Your altar is a place to honor the God/dess within yourself. Use it as a place of strength and fulfillment, and don't be afraid to change it at any time. We grow and learn everyday, and if your altar mirrors your self, then so too should your altar grow and change daily. You might reorganize and redecorate at each Full Moon, or at each Holy Day, or maybe just when it needs dusting. Whatever you do, take good care of it, and treat it with love and kindness.
The following are a description of the `ingredients' that can be displayed and used on an altar.
Certain tools are used in Wicca for ritual purposes, such as to invoke the God or Goddess, banish negative influences and cast circles. While these tools are not necessary to practice Wicca, I find they are helpful in increasing concentration and directing energy. Most tools correspond to certain elements of nature, such as Earth, Air, Fire and Water, and are particularly helpful when performing rituals centering around that particular element.
Some of these tools may be difficult to find, but don't worry - the right one eventually will come to you.
These are just a few of the basics - you can certainly improvise and add different items to represent different elements. Or, like some Wiccans I know, you can simply use candles and incense during rituals. Either way, it's the energy YOU put into it that makes the ritual powerful and successful, not the tools you use. Tools are simply a way to direct and focus energy for magickal workings. They have no power except for what we give them.
Tools should be consecrated, or cleansed, before use in a circle, to clear them of any negative energies.
Altar Cloth
Although the altar can be bare, an altar cloth is useful for several reasons: it transforms an everyday item into sacred space, protects an object's finish from wax and accidents, and can focus the purpose of ritual by its color or texture, for example. A white linen cloth for Ostara, black silk for Samhain.
Athame :
The Athame is a ritual knife. The blade, which may be engraved with various magickal symbols, is often dull and double-edged and the handle is black or some other dark color to absorb power.
It is used by Witches during rituals. It is used to define the ritual circle as it is carried around at the start of ritual, to store and direct energy during magickal rituals, to direct energy, to "cut" a doorway if it is necessary to leave during ritual, to exorcise negative forces, to control and banish elemental spirits, and as an instrument of power and manipulation.
Most Witches do not use it for cutting purposes, or for any purposes outside the circle. Some say cakes can be sliced with the knife. But a word of caution, don't slice anything in your hand (I've tried it and they laugh at you in the emergency room).
The athame is sacred to the God. What it represents seems to draw some disagreement. The magick knife is commonly linked with the element of Fire. Some say it represents a connection to Earth, by the steel within; to Fire, by the heat by which it is forged; and to Air, by the way it cuts through the air as it is passed. The most popular ritual use appears to be as a symbol of Fire.
The sword is simply an elongated knife, and its use is primarily for the ritual circle, but it can be impractical in a small space.
Bell :
The bell has been used for many different purposes for ancient peoples; as an oath taker, a lie detector, or as a cure-all for illness. The bell was used by the Welsh to drive away evil spirits, and it still serves in this today. It represents the element of air. In ritual, a bell can be rung to signal a spell's beginning or ending, as a call to the coven or as a marker for the start of ritual. The shimmering tones cleanse the ritual space. The bell is thought to be sacred to the Goddess and many types of bells can be found from delicate tinkling glass bells to clanging cowbells. Use what feels right.
The phrase "Bell, Book, and Candle" derive from the Church of England. The Prayer of Excommunication or Anathema was read before an assembly of priests, holding tall wax candles in their hands; immediately after the prayer, they cast these candles to the floor, the book was closed, and a bell was rung.
A bell is used by many Witches to summon spirits or deities or to signal the beginning or ending of a ritual. Oftentimes bells are rung at Wiccan funeral rites to bless the soul of the Witch who has crossed over.
Obtain any type with pleasing sound.
Bolline :
The bolline is a white-handled knife with a curved, sickle shaped blade, which is used for practical magickal purposes such as harvesting herbs, cutting a branch for a wand, inscribing a candle, etc.
Book Of Shadows :
The Book of Shadows is your personal collection of rituals, information on spells, recipes, invocations, dreams, ideas and thoughts about Wicca, etc. kept for a Witch's reference. Many covens have a group BOS, while solitaries keep one for themselves. Traditionally, it's supposed to be handwritten and many Wiccans may suggest strict adherence to that. I, however, keep most of my BOS on my hard drive on my computer and know several others who do the same thing. You can also use a blank book, 3 ring binder, or a notebook. Again, whatever is most comfortable for you is what you should use. Another name for the Book of Shadows is the grimoire.
Broom :
The broom is an ancient tool, and sacred to both the Goddess and the God . The broom has been used in the past as a ward against curses and evil magic. It was laid across the threshold to protect the inhabitants against all negative influences. The broom is a symbol of the hearth and is used today to sweep the ritual space to cleanse it before setting up the altar and to "sweep away" negative energy during ritual. As you sweep, visualize negative energy leaving the space. The broom is used for protection and purification. It is related to the element of Water and is used in many water spells involving cleansing. Any type of broom may be used, including a branch from a helpful tree. The broom should be reserved for ritual use only. The broom is frequently placed in front of the altar as a permanent decoration. To make a magick broom, it is suggested that you use an ash staff, birch twigs and a willow binding.(ash is protective, birch cleansing and willow sacred to the Goddess.)
Gypsy and early American slave weddings often included a ritual "leaping the broomstick" to solemnize their union. Wiccans today may also include a broom leap in their handfastings.
Cauldron :
The cauldron represents the divine womb of the Goddess and corresponds to the element of Water. Some say it symbolizes the elements of earth, air, fire, and water.
Cauldrons often are a black, cast-iron pot with 3 legs. They come in all sizes ranging from a few inches in diameter to several feet across.
It is used in ritual as a container in which magickal transformations can occur and is often a focal point of a ritual. During spring rites, it can be filled with water and fresh flower petals and in winter, fires can be lighted within the cauldron to symbolize the rebirth of the Sun. It can also be filled with water and used for scrying into the future. Some Witches fill their cauldrons with water on Samhain night and use them to gaze into the future or past. It is also a container which is used for brewing potions, burning incense or parchment papers, etc.
See also Chalice.
Censer :
The censer, or incense burner, represents the element of Air. It can be a big, swinging metal contraption like those used in Catholic churches or a small wooden stick incense holder, or simply a sea shell - whichever feels most comfortable for you. Many types are available these days: any easy one can be created by adding sand or salt(at least 1.5 inches deep) to a ceramic or glass bowl. The sand or salt absorbs the heat from the charcoal, or incense sticks or cones can be pushed into it.
I find that incense greatly increases my concentration and is especially useful in meditations. Incense is placed on a self-igniting charcoal, or stick or cone incense is placed upright inside. The center of the altar is also a good place for this; it's easier to add more incense there.
Chalice, Cauldron, or Cup :
Symbol of water, the cup is sacred to the Goddess and generally rests on the left side of the altar. It represents the Goddess's connection to the living waters and Her receptivity to the seeds of life. It is the sacred well, the cauldron of Cerridwen, the symbol of the Goddess's womb.
The chalice is generally used on the altar during rituals, to hold the ritual wine that is imbibed at the end of a rite, but it can also be used for holding water for scrying into the future or other ritual purposes. Or holy water can be prepared within.
Traditionally, the chalice was made of silver, however many modern Witches use pewter (caution: Lead based pewter mixes with certain substances to form poisons. Use pewter cautiously), ceramic, brass, gold, pottery, soap stone, wood, alabaster, or even crystal chalices. Also, any cup, shell, or object with a depression can be used for the chalice.
Crystal Ball:
crystal, irregularities, icy cold temp., high prices
Goddess; God symbol(s)/candles(s)
Traditionally, the left side of the altar represents the Goddess and the right side the God. A statue or picture of each or an appropriate candle (for example, white for Goddess, yellow for God) can stand on each side of the altar. Some use a single candle and invoke both the Goddess and the God with it. Make certain the symbols you choose for the Goddess and the God are consistent with your goals and beliefs. For example, it would be unwise to place a statue of Athena next to symbol of Mars unless you are willing to deal with the energies that may be invoked. A specific Deity, Power, or Energy may be chosen for the type of ritual you are involved in (Isis for healing, Nike for victory, Pan for physical love, etc., as you choose).
Pentacle :
Symbol of the Earth and North, the pentacle is a five-pointed star with a circle around it and one point up. The five points on the pentacle represent each of the five elements; Earth, Air, Fire, Water and Spirit. The pentacle is often used as an air instrument of protection - it can be hung over doors and windows or worn about the neck as a pendant. In ritual, the pentacle can be used to to hold charms, amulets, gemstones, herbs, poppets, or other consecrated objects, or consecrate other ritual tools.
It can be of brass, gold, silver, wood, wax, clay, or ceramic, of or any other material that can be engraved, but is generally made of a natural material and is flat with pentagram on it. It is as simple as a sand dollar, a star engraved on a ceramic plate or an elaborate carved wooden disc with Celtic knotwork, or whatever suggests the power of the pentagram to you. I suggest a 6" size or larger, but it can be any size. The pentacle is a serving platter for the cakes or a receptacle for grounding energy. It generally is placed in the middle of the altar.
Sword :
The sword generally represents the element of fire and is a symbol of a Witch's strength. It is sometimes used in place of the Athame to cast and uncast the circle. It may also be used to store and direct energy during magickal rituals, and to control and banish elemental spirits.
Wand :
The wand is a symbol of the Goddess and the God. It is used by many in ritual as an instrument of invocation. It is sometimes used to direct energy, to scratch magickal symbols in the ground or to stir the contents of a cauldron. It is a tool of Air, although it also can be used as a symbol of Earth when made of wood or a symbol of Fire with its phallic shape.
In Wicca, there is a tradition that one would use a wand that is the measure of their forearm from fingertip to elbow, or 21 inches, and cut it from a tree that is sacred to them - ash, willow, oak, elder (elder be the Goddess tree, so cut it not or cursed you’ll be), peach, cherry, hazel, and apple are some popular choices. Be sure to thank the tree for its sacrifice when you cut a branch. Some believe that the wand must be gifted from the tree and only fallen branches are appropriate for magickal use. Many other wands are available these days, made of crystal )I've seen some beautiful wands made out of crystal with gems and stones set into them), gemstones, glass. Also, any fairly straight piece of wood can work. Many carve special symbols into the wood to personalize the wand.
A few more words about tools:
There are many schools of thought about how ritual tools should be obtained. I've heard some say you should only use tools that are "found", as these are a gift from the Goddess. But, a found tool to one is a lost tool to another - there may be energy already invested in that tool, and you don't know who might still be looking for the lost item. Some have suggested you spend as much as you can afford on each tool; this can get quite expensive very quickly. The thrift stores are a popular tool-locating service, if you have the time to do some searching in dusty bins. Still others advise that all your tools should be gifts. Some of the older traditions insist that you make all of your own tools, even if you are not good at such thing. They believe that handmade tools will have much of your own energy, and consequently, greater power for the user.
You are in no way limited to the tools described here; these are merely a suggestions. You may feel that you need more, or less, than shown in this course. Do what feels right to you, follow your inner voice. The simple and plain is as beautiful as the ornate, if they are used in celebration of the Gods.
