Every pagan should have either an altar or a sacred space where they can practice. It doesn’t have to be elaborate, or large. It does not even have to scream altar to the uninitiated.
What is an Altar for?
An altar is not only a place to focus your energies, but it is a physical reminder of your practice. Nothing reminds you to do a nightly ritual like having your items staring at you when you lay down in bed. You can go the psychological route and say have items you see frequently puts you in a certain frame of mind and reminds you of the season/energy/deity the altar is to. For meditation, when you have associations made—like a specific scent, or a color candle, or certain music—it trains your brain to allow you to enter a meditative state easier. There is also the metaphysical explanation that having a space devoted to practice will welcome the energies you are trying to work with, and a devotional altar gives a deity a sort of “landing pad” to take residence in. Maintaining an altar will help a practice grow stronger. I personally think both the psychological and metaphysical support each other in a positive feedback loop when done well.
I used to have one hodgepodge altar that I used for everything. I now have three (four if you include my work space.) One is devoted to the Norse family, another is devoted to Brighid, and a third I haven’t dedicated to anyone specific but I use for workings that don’t fit into those two categories. I also have a particular space where I go to meditate that I keep my pretty scented candles, that it occurred to me could be called an altar because I have some blessing stones and art there. When I started meditating in that specific space, it became easier for me.
There are two types of altars: a working altar and a devotional altar. There is some overlap between them (a devotional altar can be used for work, a working altar can have some devotion) but the essence is: a working altar is for you. It is a place to do rituals, pray, meditate, or do magick if that is the path you choose. A devotional altar is for something else. It is an altar dedicated to a deity, ancestor, or power that you honor.
What Belongs on an Altar
Most altars have an altar cloth, to designate this is the altar space. A candle is also standard, because it is usually lit during a ritual or prayer. After that, it really depends on tradition, purpose, and personal taste. Even if you have a tradition that dictates “this must be on your altar” use your intuition to decide which items to place.
Incense sticks are common, and there are many types of incense burners available. There are also cone, coil, and charcoal incense. A substitute for incense if anyone has allergies or lung issues in your household would be essential oils. Place a drop on the candle to fill the room with the scent as it burns, or use a sachet. You can also dilute oils with a carrier to put on your skin or make/buy an anointing oil. For practical purposes I recommend storing essential oils in a cool dark place but maybe keeping one bottle out you use frequently. You can also place herbs, stones, or tokens from rituals.
I will add a quick safety tip when using fire: never leave a burning candle unattended, and make sure there is nothing flammable near either candles or incense. Some candle holders are safer because they can enclose the flame, but do still use good sense and be watchful. Also, have something to place matches on after you light the candle in case you don’t blow the flame out completely. It may be sacred, but it is still fire.
A Wiccan altar will include a chalice and a blade and objects to symbolize the four elements. Some paths prefer to keep their tools hidden, so it is frequent to keep things like a tarot deck in a cloth bag. However, if you are focusing on learning the cards or the energy of a particular card, you could place one card propped on your altar to study.
For an altar dedicated to a deity, there should be a visual representation of that deity. This can be art or a statue, or maybe an animal or symbol associated with that deity. A cup, plate, or bowl to give offerings should also be used. Jewelry that you intend to wear at ritual honoring that deity can be placed on the altar to be charged, as well as any scarfs. It is a good idea to reach out to who your altar will be dedicated to for what they would like.
When I decided to make my hodgepodge altar dedicated to Brighid, I removed the non-Celtic items. A crafty also pagan friend of mine gave me a bowl she had made several years ago which was collecting dust. When arranging the new altar, I got a clear image I my mind of that bowl with a candle in it. I retrieved the bowl, cleaned it out, and it is now on my altar with a tea light in it. I stepped back and realized everything on my altar fit into at least one of three categories: purchased at a Pagan shop, given to me by a pagan, or handmade. The one exception is a candle holder that I have had since I first started practicing as a teenager. I tried to place an incense burner on the altar that was not in any of those categories, and there was a definite “no” message.
An ancestral altar would include pictures of your beloved dead, those who have passed that you wish to honor. You could also place gifts you received from them or items that remind you of those who passed on. It would be a place to leave cards and notes you write to your beloved dead.
Charging Items
Items like jewelry can be placed to charge on the altar when not being worn. Charging is when you leave an item to absorb the energies of your altar, or you give an item a specific purpose and ask your gods/helpers to charge it for that purpose. Charging can also be done with stones and other small objects, or as part of magick.
An Altar Does not Have to be Permanent
While I do recommend having a permanent altar, if that isn’t possible altars can be portable. A trick would be to wrap the items in the altar cloth and place them in a special wooden box when transporting them. (For a practical note, if all items can be wrapped by your altar cloth it will keep them together and make sure they travel safely.)
A portable altar could be constructed using a cardboard box. Glue a picture on the bottom of the box, prop it up with the lid removed and place a votive candle in front. When done everything should fit back into the box.
Alternative: Sacred Space
If you can’t have an altar because of your living situation, try to find a place outdoors to make a sacred space. Look especially for a large rock with a flat surface to lay items on. Ultimately, go with your gut when finding a suitable place. Reach out to the local land spirits, and try to find a place at least semi private.
Above All: Your Altar Should Make You Happy
Don’t feel stuck in a list that says your altar must have this. Looking on social media for ideas can be inspiring, but don’t get sucked into negative comparisons, especially if you are starting out. Let your altar grow and change as your practice change, and don’t be afraid to remove something that is no longer serving a purpose.
Next topic in this series will be caring for your altar.