The Wiccan Altar

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 Magick within every female of any and all creaturehood.

Setting up your own altar is very simple, it does not take much effort at all. The altar is usually set in the north, the place of the Earth, since it is the planet of Earth which 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 in your spiritual advancement. You may hear Pagans and Wiccans alike, saying "We should have fire in the North and Earth in the South" because of living in the Southern Hemisphere. However, this is incorrect, because of the fact that we work with the Elements, which are not on the Physical Plane, but on the Astral Plane. The Magick Circle is the Quartered Creation of Life, so as we move from Winter, to Spring, To Summer, to Autumn, and we continually repeat this process.

The Magick 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 five sacred points to the Circle, you have the Circle of Creation, this is known as the Epagomenes, 'The Secrets of the Witch'.

The altar can be any table or chest, that is going to be used only as an Altar and not for any other reason. It 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. Your Altar should not be used for anything else, it should be kept clean with a fresh Altar cloth with your choice of color. Usually the color of the ritual that you are doing or even the color of the season.

The altar can be made about 3 feet square by 3 feet high. Divide the Altar into 8 parts, like the Wheel of Life. The four quarters of the altar are in balance with the magick 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 hear about are not needed at all, until later in your training.

You also have your High Magickal 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 magickally 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, place only on the altar what you are using for the ritual. All other tools should be placed in silk wraps or placed inside special bags made 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 doing 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!