Altar tools and basics

Setting Up Your Altar

Your altar is a sacred place in your home


Your altar is the place where you hold rituals, and keep or display your ritual tools. It can be a coffee table, bookshelf, TV tray, computer desk, or any other flat surface. An unattractive table can be spruced up with a decorative cloth.
Depending on your space or living arrangements, you may have to keep your altar small and portable. If you are unable to have a permanent altar because of friends or family members, you can just set it up and take it down whenever you need to. Using small items can make this easier. Or you can create an altar space that can camouflage as just a group of decorative items. Use your creativity.
There will be things you keep on your altar all the time, but during the Sabbats, you can decorate with appropriate items. Your altar need not be a static display. Changing it throughout the year can reflect your own frame of mind as the seasons change.
One thing to consider when setting up an altar is the direction it faces. It is traditional to have your altar facing north, but if that is just not possible due to the size or arrangement of your living space, then you may need to place it elsewhere.
If you choose to have items to represent the 4 elements, they are usually placed at their corresponding direction:
• Fire - South (athame, candles)
• Water - West (chalice, sea shells)
• Earth - North (pentacle, bowl of salt or earth)
• Air - East (incense, wand, feathers)
Including images to represent the God and/or Goddess are also ideal, like statues or artwork. Sometimes extra candles are used to represent the Deities. Overall, the items you choose to have on your altar is up to you.
Those following an eclectic path should feel free to create an altar that represents their own spirituality. If you are a member of a specific tradition, you may find that a certain altar layout is expected.
Once your altar is in place, remember that it is a sacred place and should be treated with respect. Whether or not you let other people touch the items is up to you, but some people feel that other people will bring 'outside' energy to your tools. Keep your altar dusted and clean too.

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Altar Tool Basics



What are the tools you need, and how to use them





Outfitting your altar with magickal tools is usually the first step before casting circles and doing rituals. There are so many tools and items; it can be a bit overwhelming to know which is which and what you need. First and foremost, you do not need any of these things. Magick comes from within and the tools only accentuate your own power. Tools can be purchased or made, whichever works better for you. You also don't need to get all of your tools at a specialty Wiccan store.

Athame
It's pronounced a-THAW-may or ATH-amay, not A-THAME. The athame is a ritual knife or dagger, usually double-edged with a black handle. The knife represents Fire, but is never used to cut anything physical. An athame is often used to cast a circle. It's symbolic only and many suggest you dull the blade to prevent any accidents. If you don't want to use an Athame your finger will do just fine or wand.

Chalice
Your chalice (or cup) represents Water. Altar chalices are typically a stemmed goblet style, but any cup, glass or mug will do. Your cup is used to hold the water or wine for drinking at the end of a ritual or circle.

Wand
Most people think of wands as long wooden branches with a big stone on the end. Your wand can be any material you feel drawn to (wood, metal, bone). Your wand is the tool of Air, and is used to direct energy during ritual. Wands tend to be the one tool that most Wiccans are likely to make themselves.

Pentacle
Your altar pentacle can be anything from a simple pendant, to a large table-top platen. The pentacle represents Earth, and you use it to cleanse or consecrate other items on your altar. Typical pentacles are metal, ceramic or carved from wood.

Cauldron
The cauldron represents Water, like the chalice. Most Wiccans don't actively use cauldrons but keep one for the symbolism and the sheer 'witchy-ness' of it. Cauldrons are cast iron pots, usually pot-bellied in style. If you cannot find a true cauldron, other bowls or pots may be used. Though it represents Water, many rituals also call for small fires to be burned in the cauldron. If you plan on doing this, make sure to have a cauldron that can take the heat.

Bowl of Salt
You can use a bowl of salt to represent the Earth, rather than an altar pentacle. Salt is used to cleanse other tools, crystals, jewelry or any item that may pick up negative energy. A small bowl of salt (coarse sea salt is best) is simply kept on the altar.

Other Items
Candles - Represent Fire, and some people keep a special pair of candles to represent the God and Goddess

Bells - Used to mark points during a ritual

Censer - For burning incense (Air)

Sword - Just a longer version of the athame. Not very practical for the solitary Wiccan.

Boline - Curved knife for harvesting herbs, not really necessary for most people.

Incense, crystals, statuary - Not really tools, but handy and attractive things that many Wiccans like to display on their altars.

You may never use all of these tools on a regular basis, but you may come across a spell or a ritual that you want to do that requires one. If you don't have a tool, you can always improvise, or keep your eyes open for your next magickal item.

This post is really really help me! Thank you!

Your welcome and remember you don't need to run out and get all of these things you can simply find them in Nature, your home, or you can create it yourself.