{"id":256,"date":"2020-02-28T18:16:25","date_gmt":"2020-02-28T18:16:25","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/wiccangathering.com\/?p=256"},"modified":"2022-02-04T22:18:06","modified_gmt":"2022-02-04T22:18:06","slug":"basic-altar-setup-how-to-set-up-your-first-witch-altar","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.wiccangathering.com\/gb\/basic-altar-setup-how-to-set-up-your-first-witch-altar\/","title":{"rendered":"Basic Altar Setup: How To Set Up Your First Witch Altar"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

A common question among new witches is, how to set up your first witch altar? Since the altar is key to Wicca and pagan religions in general, and is personal and symbolic, it\u2019s only natural that you want to create a truly unique and beautiful expression of yourself and your Wiccan faith. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

We\u2019ll get into the details to teach you how to set up your first witch altar.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What is an altar exactly?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

An altar is a personal dedication to Wicca and your practice, and it allows you to create a sacred space within your home or wherever you may be practicing. Essentially the altar is a workbench for you and your craft. It\u2019s where you cast your spells and perform you magick. It\u2019s where your rituals take place. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Really, it’s a sacred space which you create. However don\u2019t be overwhelmed! At its root the altar is a tool, a base, a place to ground yourself. Use it as your \u201chome base\u201d while you follow your Wiccan path. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The altar is basically a table or other flat raised surface where you keep all of your ritual tools, symbols of your belief, and any items you may need for spells, meditation, ceremony, divination, prayers, chanting, etc. It\u2019s a physical representation of your craftwork and is a place for worship and ritual. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Altars should hold what we value. They often contain energies we want to invoke, ideals we want to strive to, the divine we want to channel, and statements of our beliefs.
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Sacred Space<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The altar is a part of your sacred space. Sacred spaces are areas set aside from the everyday world. We create sacred spaces ourselves. We do not have to rely on a religious body or master to tell us what is a sacred space and what is not. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The spirit is everywhere. Simply by declaring a site holy and honoring it shapes it into a sacred space. With an altar, we invite the Goddess and God into our lives and send them our intentions.
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Altars are not just decorative pieces. They represent your living workspace. There is no need for elaborate ornamentation or excessive solemnity, unless you desire that of course. A simple, minimal altar is fine. A beautiful, elaborate altar is also fine. It\u2019s totally up to you. Altars need to be big enough to conduct spiritual work. They should also be able to hold all of the tools you\u2019ll need for your next ritual.
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Surprisingly, besides Wiccans, many other religions have altars too! Altars have been used for centuries in pagan religions. They are also routinely used in churches, synagogues, mosques, and temples. Altars are just normal parts of religious expression!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Do I need an altar?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

No, you don\u2019t need an altar at all! Many Wiccans don\u2019t have one and this is perfectly fine. An altar is a personal and unique element of your craft, and is meant to help you channel your energies and emotions. If it just doesn\u2019t do it for you, don\u2019t use one! 
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Only keep and use an altar if it enhances and focuses your magickal work. Whether you want to use an altar or not, or what sort of altar you create, is entirely up to you. There is no right or wrong way to use an altar (including not using one at all).
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There is also no right or wrong way to create an altar if you so choose. Altars can be big or small, simple or elaborate, permanent or temporary. A temple can be as simple as a few candles and one or two other items on top of your dresser. A temple can also take up an entire room. Whatever makes you feel calm and energized in your practice is exactly what you need.
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This article serves as a set of ideas, suggestions, and best practices that I\u2019ve found in my own craft. Please use the information you like and ignore what you don\u2019t! Remember, only you know your personal preferences, and that is most important!
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Do I need to spend a lot to make my altar?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Absolutely not! The gods don\u2019t care how much you spent on your altar. If you are on a budget\"Opens<\/a>, you can create your first altar at little to no cost. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

You can easily create most altar items yourself. A cereal bowl can be a chalice. A letter opener can be an athame. You get the picture. Or, many basic items you can buy cheaply at your local supermarket or dollar store. You certainly don’t need to spend much (if anything!) when learning how to set up your first witch altar.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Although I give recommendations in this article on what you can buy, do not feel as if any of these items are necessary to get started.
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Where can I set up my altar?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Literally anywhere! As I mentioned, any place we honor and dedicate can become a sacred space. Practically, we want to place our altar somewhere quiet and private. Since we\u2019ll be spending time meditating and contemplating and don\u2019t want to be interrupted. You should feel safe and secure in your altar space.
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An easy way to get started is by setting up a temple for yourself in your bedroom. This is small, convenient, and gives privacy to your practice. It\u2019s also where you feel safe and recharge at home. It\u2019s great if you live with parents or a roommate. You can place some of your magickal items on your dresser, desk, nightstand, or bookshelf.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

(Please be sure and not place candles on a bookshelf though. And never leave candles unattended! Also please note that having your temple in your bedroom may give you strange dreams!)
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Travel Altars<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Another practical option is a temporary, portable travel altar\"Opens<\/a> that you can set up anywhere. This gives the benefit of being able to worship outdoors or while traveling. It can also let you safely store your altar out of sight when not in use, in case you cannot freely share your religious practices with your housemates (or you just want to keep your practice private). <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Simply keep all of your altar items in a container, and bring them out as needed. If practicing outdoors, you can set up your travel altar on a tree stump, fallen log, large stone, small folding table that you\u2019ve brought with, or even the ground.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Similarly, you can also set up your altar near a window. Wicca is all about connecting with nature, and what better way to enhance your practice by seeing it right out the window! It\u2019s also great to smell the fresh air and let out smoke while you\u2019re practicing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As your practice grows you may find that you need more space, especially if you work with other witches or are part of a coven. A permanent, dedicated Wiccan altar table near the center of your home can be a great daily reminder of your spiritual path. As with all things Wiccan, the choice is personal and ultimately up to you. Trust your gut feelings about what\u2019s right for you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you think a travel altar might be for you, here are some examples that will get you started.
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