Author: Mandrake Windwillow

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            We, as pagans, like our pomp and circumstance.  We like our rituals, our tools and our revelry.  And like other faiths we like to have reminders of our commitment to our Gods and Goddesses around us.  Our homes are a continuation of our personalities.  They are our sanctuaries, our refuge and our safety zones.  Within our homes we have things that serve practical purposes and things that are ornamental, and some things serve both purposes.  Altars fall into that last category.

            Like our homes, our altars are also an extension of our personalities.  We construct altars for many purposes, some being seasonal, daily devotion, personal use, family use, group use, and spell working.  Some keep altars up all the time for use daily and to protect or watch over their surroundings. Irregardless of their intent, Altars are an important part of most pagan’s practices.  They are also extremely personal and private ways to pay homage to the Divine on a daily basis through upkeep and use of a small portion of their home given to the Divine.

If you house and your altar are both extensions of your personality, they why would your altar have to be something so different from the rest of your home? The answer to that is they don’t have to be. They can easily be made to be part of the room in which they are housed.  Altars can be made in any room, in any direction and from things you have within your home already.  Items can be added or changed as the mood strikes and they can easily be changed to reflect the sabbats, esbats or other significant event.

To start with, choose a location that stands out to you.  If you enjoy looking out a window or have a nook in your room that you like, why not use it to honor the Divine.  Be sure to make sure though that if you have small children or pets that enjoy the window as well, make sure your items aren’t in a range to be easily damaged or harmful to them.  This location should also be within reach when needed but not used for other things such as a spot where clutter is allowed to accumulate or a convenient place for people to put their drinks during television or movies. 

Altars do not have to be set in accordance with preordained ideas.  They can be just as powerful in a south facing window as they are set in the east or north according to traditional practices.  A personal altar should be just that, an altar full of personal items, set in a way that is pleasing to the eye and with your own will and energy. 

Second choice is whether or not to use a cloth.  Cloths are used to protect the altar top from damage from water, heat, wax, etc.  If you do not choose to use a cloth, consider using trivets or coasters to keep from damaging your furniture.  If you decide to go with a cloth, choose one that goes with the feeling of the room.  It need not be expensive, ornate or purchased from an expensive metaphysical shop.  A simple yard of seasonal or pretty fabric from the dollar bin at a craft store works exactly the same as a $40 velvet altar cloth from the local new age shop.  Either way the cloth should appeal to your taste and your furnishings. 

Now that you have a location and you’ve decided if the location will be covered or not, its time to move onto what to place on your altar.  For an everyday altar less is more.  You need not display all your tools or any of them for that matter.  An everyday altar is more about being ever present and ever sustaining of your energy and your will.  Choose items that have significance to you or you and your family.  Pictures of loved ones, a small family heirloom, a shell from your trip to the beach, something that is sacred to your God or Goddess etc.  Make it mean something to you and to your family.  You may choose to put the elements upon it or symbols of the elements or not, this is your choice.  I usually have a bowl of shells, stones, feathers, flowers etc that we have found on our family excursions on my altar, yours is up to you.  To represent the God and Goddess you can choose from a million different symbols, statues, etc.  Remember, the key here is the intent and will; it doesn’t have to be meaningful to anyone outside your home.  Most people will not even recognize it as an altar.  This is important to those who cannot have a traditional altar because of being in the proverbial “broom closet”. 

Placement of items should go with what is pleasing to the eye and what “feels” right.  If an item keeps falling, or you keep finding it in another position, try moving it to another spot, it may not like its placement.  You can use the traditional settings of the elements if you choose to use them or go with how your house is situated.  If you have a body of water to the east of your house, then by all means sit your fountain or shell to the east.  Go with what feels right you to.  This is your expression, no one else’s.

Once everything is placed and you are happy with your altar, be sure to bless and consecrate it.  There is no “best” way to do this.  Many different consecration rituals are readily available both in books and on the internet.  Use one that appeals to your traditions, style, taste, just make sure you do something to set this space aside for your magical endeavors.  You are making a sacrifice to your spirituality and your Gods to use this location just for them; this is something special and should be marked with even a small ritual.

One final note, if you plan to use candles on your altar, please be sure to follow all the normal safety recommendations for open flames.  No one should have to endure the loss and destruction even a small fire can inflict.  Respect for the elements dictates that we realize how destructive fire can be and act in accordance with this.