Altar Building  

Page 3

 

 

  Cauldron  

This is the Witchy's cooking vessel.  It's usually an iron pot resting on three legs. It's used for magical transformations.  It reflects the Goddess.  It can be filled with flowers.  It can be used for gazing. It can be used for brewing.  The size may range from a few inches across - to three feet across. 

If you're not Witchy, don't worry about the Cauldron. 

 

The Athame

 

This is the Witchy's magic knife.  It's used to direct energy raised during Ritual.  It's double-edged, normally having a black handle.  There are (always) exceptions.  Don’t confuse the Witchy sword with this; it is Not the same.  Also - don't trim your candles with the Athame - it's like cleaning your toenails with your dinner fork.

The Element you are connecting to, with this tool, is Fire.

If you're not Witchy, don't worry about the Athame; but you can still practice with it.

 

The Working-Edge

Also called the "white-handled knife", this is the maintenance tool for cleaning candles, scrapping stuff, stirring sand or any general purpose use for a sharp edge.  It is sharp-edged, to perform stuff like inscribing symbols on candles or wood, cutting flowers, etc.  Put some effort into getting a "Working-Edge" that reflects your Intent - it is an important tool on your Altar.

 

 The Sphere

 Otherwise called the "Crystal Ball" - it's your tool for gazing or divination, if you don't use a Cauldron.  It's also used for storing energy or receiving messages. The size is not important, and you'll be thankful for this when you price these puppies at an occult shop.  Inclusions (cloudiness) is OK.  The shape is spherical (round); colorless is the preference - but if you aren't in an organization that dictates the type of gem to use, allow Spirit to guide you here.  I suggest including a simple (wood) stand for the Sphere to sit on.  I also suggest covering the Sphere when not being used in a session.  Some folks suggest exposing the Sphere to the full Moon whenever possible.  Go for it.  One way to tell if you have genuine crystal (and not artificial) - Feel it.   It should be ice-cold.

 

 

We have covered the major items for your Altar.  The following are Misc. Objects de Arcana, things you probably should have, and eventually Will have - but don’t need to get right Away.  So we'll cover them now. 

 

Misc. objects de Arcana

There are several other objects suggested to have on your Altar.  Depending on your Spiritual Path, the following may be needed, or just colorful to have.

·          Cup.    It's a bowl on a stem ,  symbolizing Goddess, related to Element of Water.  Can be made of any material.  Use it to hold Water on your Altar.   If you're doing ritual that requires drink, this will hold the drink.

·         Pentacle.  It's a flat piece of material (any material, but usually either wood or metal) with certain symbols inscribed.  It can be a piece of jewelry  - a Pentacle-shaped jewelry.  Represents Element of Earth.  It can be used as a tool of Summoning, or of Protection.

·         Bell.  It's a tinkle-tinkle   It's the oldest object symbol on the Altar.  Pick your Bell according to the sound of the ringing - not what it looks like.  Size is not important - in fact, make it small so you can hold it easily.  It's used for Invocations, Protections, Wardings.  If you're into fighting the "evil spirits", better learn all you can about the Bell.       

·         Mirror.  Consider this a  Spec    ialty object de Arcana.  It should be small, oval, with a border of metal or wood.  It's used for Invoking, Gazing, and astral traveling.  It's also used for Summoning - but ya wanna be very careful here.  As a specialty object - if ya don't know what your doing, don't use it; you'll get more than ya bargained fer.  

·         Flowers.    The Dead folks like flowers.  It brings a scent to your Altar, as well as color.  It is decoration, and offering, at a location that requires Ritual.  Keep a fresh display - even if only one flower.  Don't allow the flower(s) to get all wilty and ugly looking/smelling. 

·         Food Offering.  A lot of disciplines use the Food Offering.  Use fruit - small slices in a small bowl. Change daily.  Again - optional; If your Witchy or Buddhist, your doing this anyway.  Reason for the food Offering is similar to the Flowers - except that the Offering shows you are sharing the "good fortune" bestowed on you by Spirit.  Giving back a portion of what you have received, so forth.

·         Pictures.  Another personal choice, you can use ancestral (family) pics, pics of yourself, pics of a loved one, etc.  Reason for pics -- You send Intent to those you display on your Altar; either for Invoking, channeling, Manifesting, Gazing.

There are other objects that could become valuable for you, in your pursuit of Spirit.  The above is by no means a complete list of objects to be utilized.  As always, if you find you want to utilize an obscure object on your Altar, ask yourself the following:

What purpose is the Object to be used for? If the purpose is selfish, to be gained at the expense of another who is innocent - be very, very cautious what you ask for.  

What does the Object symbolize?  If the Object symbolizes an intent that is harmful to another, at the expense of that other, this means you are bringing that type of energy to your Altar.  Choose wisely.

Where did the Object come from?  If the Object came from a source that you would be ashamed of, or would not desire to have represented on your person, why put it on your Altar?  Choose with discretion.

Was the Object gained (by you) at the expense of another --- meaning did you do harm to get it?  If this is so, you are fouling your Altar with this action.  You will attract that which you radiate; choose precisely.

We've covered the basics of Altar building. You should now research your specific Path to determine how best to utilize your Altar within your Protocol.  Have fun, remember to laugh at yourself instead of others, and seek the modesty of your Spirit in what you manifest.  We're done.

 

 

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Thank you Kellog Bluff