The Wiccan Altar.

Setting up your own Altar is very simple, it does not take much effort at all. The Altar of the Witches, is a Mystery in itself. Originally back in ancient times woman was worshipped as the Holy Altar, and she was adored as the creative principal in man. In this respect we are not honoring the woman but whom she represents. This is the great feminine in all of nature, which we call the Goddess. The womb is the aspect that we honor and worship, it is not the woman, or the vagina, but the essence of creation and life itself, the hidden Magi within very female of any and all creaturehood.

The Altar is usually, set in the north, the place of the Earth, this is because it is the planet of earth that is a Witch's focal point and first place of being. As you grow with the seasons and time, you can place your Altar in different Quarters of your Circle or room. This is so you are in rhythm and tuning into nature to suit and flow with the changing seasons. Like East for Spring, South for summer, West for Autumn, and North for Winter. You could even place the Altar in different positions to suit where you are at in your spiritual advancement.

I continually keep hearing Pagans and Wiccans alike saying 'We should have fire in the North and Earth in the South because of living in the Southern Hemisphere. But this is incorrect, because of the fact that we work with the Elements, which are not on the Physical Plane, but on the Astral. The Majik Circle is the Quartered Creation of Life, so as we move from Winter, to Spring, To Summer, to Autumn, and we repeat this process continually.

Our Majik Circle is about the year in which we live, the 365 days of the year, the Circle is 360 degree's, plus when you add the Pentagram and its sacred five points to the Circle you then have the Circle of Creation, this is know as the Epagomenes, 'The Secrets of the Witch'. But this we will cover at a later date!

The altar can be any table or chest, that is going to be used only as an Altar and not for any other reason. I should be about waist height, and arms length and width. Try not to wear large sleeves as they get in the way and can sometimes knock your tools over. You Altar should not be used for anything else, it should be kept clean with a fresh Altar cloth of your choice of colour. Usually the colour of the ritual that you are doing or even the colour of the season.

We usually make the altar about 3 feet by 3 feet by 3 feet. And we Majikally divide the Altar into 8 parts like the Wheel of life. The four quarters of the altar are in balance with the majik circle. So lets say that your altar is in the north, which is the Element of Earth. Positioned on the Altar to the Four quarters of North, South, East and West are the Elemental Tools, and the Cross-Quarters are the Ritual Tools of the Coven.

To the North of the altar we have the Earth Element, so the Elemental tool is a brown bag of Sea Salt, and in North-East is placed the Sacred Pentacle; in the East is a Royal Blue dish of Incense, and South-East is the Thurible (Censer); In the South is the Fire Candle, and South-West is the Athame (with its blade always pointing East); In the West is the Chalice of Water, and North-West is the Cauldron. These are the only tools necessary for the budding Witch. All other tools that you here about are not needed at all, until mush later in your training. They are usually just a show of pride and a hindrance more than anything.

You also have your High Majikal Tools representing the Masculine and Feminine in nature. There are also two Altar candles and these are white in the East representing God, and Black in the West representing Goddess. Remember all candles should be anointed before any ritual working. This is to clean them from any and all impurities and to also bless them for the said ritual. This ritual Oil is usually a blend that you have Majikally made, and you should always have a special box of matches or a lighter used only for Consecrated use.

If you wish your Altar to be more elaborate that is fine but remember only place on the Altar what you are using for the ritual. All others when finished should be either placed in silk wraps or placed inside special made bags for them.

All Elements and Elemantals and Tools positioned in the East are Masculine, all others positioned in the West and North are Feminine. If you cannot make your tools, just the Elements are enough. The main Tool is ourselves, and Properly Prepared we Must Always be. That is when we are completely tuned into who we are, what we are ding and where we are going. Truth and Spirit start from within, for if you cannot find it within you will never find it without. Blessed Be!©