Creating Your Altar : A Guide for Baby Witches
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Your altar is a space designated specifically for your practice; spells, rituals and meditation. It is a space that is entirely personal to you and what you like to do in your craft.
Here I have created a simple step-by-step guide on how to make an altar.
Step 1: Choose a Space for Your Altar
Choose a flat surface that can accommodate whatever items you want to include on your altar. A dresser, desk or table works well. Make sure the area is clean; spiritually cleansed and free from any clutter. You can spiritually cleanse this space by using any smudge or incense intended for cleansing.
Step 2: Decide on a Theme for Your Altar
Your altar should reflect your personal beliefs and spiritual practice and include things you normally like to use in your practice. You can choose a theme that is specific to your tradition or one that includes elements from different spiritual paths. Common themes include nature, the elements, deities, ancestors, and crystals. If you are interested in working with Lilith, check out my previous post on correspondences for Lilith or do research on any specific deity you have in mind. You can also hold off on deities until you are certain you want to include one in your practice and you’ve started a relationship with them.
Step 3: Gather Your Altar Tools
As you begin your witchcraft journey you may start out with a few simple items and that is perfectly fine. Your altar does not have to be big, it does not have to include every tool you can think of and you don’t need to go out and spend money on extravagant adornments. You can simply print out some pictures, add small plain candles, or if you only have a couple crystals that’s fine too.
Some common tools that are used on an altar include:
Altar cloth:
Choose a cloth that resonates with your practice and theme. It can be a solid color or have patterns or symbols that are important to you however this really isn’t necessary if you do not have one.
Candles:
Choose candles that are dedicated to your altar and ritual work. You can use different colors to represent different intentions or deities that are common to your practice.
Incense or Herb bundles:
Use incense or cleansing herbs to purify the space and set the mood for your rituals. Feel free to check out the cleansing guide for more on this subject.
Crystals:
Choose crystals that resonate with your intentions and goals.
Tools:
Other tools commonly used on an altar include an athame (ritual knife), wand, chalice (cup), pentacle dish (a flat disc with a pentagram), pestle and mortar, and a cauldron.
Step 4: Arrange Your Altar
Arrange your tools in a way that makes sense to you and fits with your theme. You can place your altar cloth first, then add your candles, incense, and crystals. Arrange your tools around them as you see fit.
Step 5: Cleanse Your Altar
Before you start any ritual work, it's important to cleanse your altar and tools. You can use sage, palo santo, rosemary, or any other cleansing tool that resonates with you.
Step 6: Work with Your Altar
Your altar is a sacred space that you can use for ritual work, meditation, and spellcasting. Spend time working with your altar and building a deeper connection with your spiritual practice.
Conclusion
Making an altar can be an exciting and fulfilling experience for beginner witches. By following these steps, you can create an altar that aligns with your beliefs and spiritual practice. Remember, your altar should be a reflection of you and your path, so have fun with it and let your creativity shine.
Feel free to check out any of the crystals and cauldrons in the shop and add them to your altar.