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The Altar

One of the most overlooked aspects of magickal tools is the Altar on which they rest. Some purists will tell you to make your own. Some say anything is good as long as it is wood. Some say temporary is fine. Others say don't do it at all if you can't create permanent sacred space.

Altars can be large or small, ornate or plain, but overall they should convey both your personality and your dedication to the Craft. Sometime you can't have a permanent altar, which is fine.

Look around the room you're planning on doing most of your Craft work in. If you're lucky, you might have an empty room specifically for this. Most of us don't. For instance, I live with three other adults and two children currently which makes it impossible to have space set aside that I can create a permanent altar. If you're stuck with your bedroom or a shared living space, you might have to make some adjustments regarding this.

Do you have a book shelf that you can convert? A dresser drawer you don't need to use for clothing? A space you can use in a closet? How about an endtable or a nightstand that is unclaimed? A couple of bricks and a board?

Any of these will do well to create your altar on. Remember- it's not the appearance of the altar itself that matters, but the magick you work and the energy you attribute to the space itself. Keep your eyes open at flea markets and yard sales, as you might find something perfect that works just for you. Anything that is not so pretty looking will be improved once you place your cloth and tools on top!

The Chalice:

The chalice is symbolic of the feminine divine and belongs on the right hand side (if you're facing it) of your altar. You can use something as simple as a drinking glass or something as ornate as a pewter cup from a witchy supply house. The most important thing is that you recognize what it means to you. A great place to search for this item is once again at thrift stores and flea markets. You might want to try antique stores as well, as you can find some gorgeous work.

The Censer:

Used for incense, this can be as basic or as ornate as you want it to be. I came across a great find in a 99 cent store a few years ago. It's a basic wood incense holder, with a sun and two crescent moons on the side of it, forming a triple goddess symbol but also intertwining with the God. IMHO, perfect for my needs. Keep your eyes open at gift shops and hippie stores, as well as crafty stores for this. If you want to go more ornate, you can get an honest-to-goodness church swinging censer at a religious supply store.

The Bell:

Some trads use a bell to dismiss harmful energies as well as to center the mind. Once again, as ornate as you want it to be or as simple as you want it to be. You can get a suvinoer bell at a gas station or search through those flea markets again. (Maybe you'll get a frequent shopper discount!)

The Boline:

This is a while handled knife used by some traditions for physical cutting inside the circle. Personally, I have a pair of scissors that I use for my ritual purposes, because it's much easier to cut with them than a knife. You can get this at a dollar store, or even in your kitchen.

The cauldron:

I'm not gonna lie - I've never used a cauldron in my practicing. Most people insist that this is nessicary, but I've only ever seen it used for burning things in spell work or as a symbol. My chalice works just fine for any female symbolic needs, thank you! Also, if you're limited on space or in a hostile environment, having a cauldron sitting out pretty much cements the fact that you're a witch. Leave it off, and you can be catholic!

The Pentacle:

This again is something that i've never really used. At one point I made myself a clay pentacle, but never found it useful. Most people like it because it can provide a good centering point for spell working, to hold herbs and various implements on it. You can make this yourself from a simple salt dough, fimo clay, or wood. You can also purchase them online or at different craft stores in your area.

The Candles:

Most altars have three candles on it - an altar candle which is there for working purposes, a God candle and a Goddess candle. This can be as simple or as ornate as you wish.

The Wand:

Some trads use a wand. It's helpful for centering energies and focusing where you want it to go. Wands, again should be made by the Witch using them, and there are plenty of directions online to help you figure out how to do this. Sometimes you can buy a wand making kit at a bookstore or online and while this is fine, make sure that you clean it and personalize it.

Altar cloth:

This is a totally personal way to make your altar yours. You can decorate it for the holidays, sabbaths, specific ritual or whatever you wish. I prefer to use neutral colors such as black or white. It also covers the altar itself and protects it from errant wax drippings as well as possible burns.

Salt, Water dishes:

Once again these are basic dishes for holding salt and water for ritual working and circle casting. You don't need very much, so you can actually purchase a ramekin from a kitchen supply store, or use saucers or small cups or bowls.

Offering bowl:

This can be slightly larger, or you can keep it at the same size, as you are just combining a small amount of the salt and water in this. You might also use this as your libation bowl, as well. Keep in mind that small pet bowls will work for this, as well as baby dishes.

i don't know if i'm actually supposed to post in here, but i don't think you guys will burn me at the stake (i hope not anyway eek )

i just wanted to say that i personally love my cauldron! not only does it represent the womb, but it has only 3 feet, great for descretely representing the triple goddess! it's a nice little 5" cast iron, perfect for temporary alters as it doesn't weigh a ton and doesn't need much room, i find it is excellent for resin incense on coals and very portable because of its handle and it wasn't hard to find, i bought mine from a kitchen supply store at the local mall, who knew? maybe they have a witch on the marketing team ninja

also i noticed that the list of tools was missing a morter and pestal (a very handy little thing to have when working with herbs) and a besom, i mean, whats a witch without a broom? 3nodding

A witch without a broom would be me.

You gotta problem with that? Wanna fight about it?

smile

I kid, I kid... I guess the reason why I didn't add those two things is because I just don't use them, so they slip my mind. While I do a lot of herb work, i've just never really felt the need to have one. I agree with you - they can come in handy for a lot of people, and some people do prefer them... I'll go back and edit to add those.

Brooms to me, represent more of a symbolism than an actual working tool, which is why it was not on the list. This was meant more for the practical application and practice as opposed to symbolism. smile


biggrin brooms are alot more than just symbolism, they are used for cleansing spaces (sweeping out the negative energy) and can be used for circle casting, like a staff would be. plus they are used in a couple of wedding ceremonies where the bride and groom jump over a broomstick (laying down, obviously) to promote fertility. and they come in all sizes, even tiny ones just for the alter, but i think those should've been called an alter duster, lol rofl (come on take pity on my lame joke, laugh!)

i understand where many people wouldn't use a broom, especially if they prefer a wand or staff, but personally would like to have a variety of tools to choose from, depending on the feeling of the workings it can pay to be a little theatrical biggrin i am on the hunt for tools everyday, be it feathers and pinecones or cauldrons and athames, not that i buy them all, just the special ones wink

Now, this isn't a end-all list where you have to have every single thing on here - but generally as far as basic, general tools to keep around it's pretty through. It depends on so many things such as your tradition, your worship practice, your living space, your abilities to keep things around, so on and so forth.

I'd love to see input from you guys on this - What, not on this list, do you use? Any creative fixes you've used? DIY ideas that have been invaluable? Witchcraft is all about using your greatest resource - yourself - and it goes without saying that the majority of practitioners are of a creative mindset!!

Please share below!!! If you have any questions or comments as well, please add them and I will address them.