Altar

The Altar

Within Wicca, the altar basically performs the same function as any altar in any church does. The kind of things that you use on your altar should very much reflect your own personal beliefs.

You will need to decide whether your altar will be a permanent one or one that will be put away after each use. The size of your altar will very much depend on this decision. We know of altars that are available online that are as little as 6" across. Quite frankly we consider this just too small for any practicable purpose unless you are incredibly short of space. Think about what you will be placing on your altar and that should give you a good idea of the minimum size you will need.

Shape is purely personal preference. Square, oblong, or round. It doesn't matter. Some practitioners like to use a table, some a cupboard style arrangement for storage purposes. The choice is yours.

Most practitioners will opt for an altar made of a natural material. Wood is undoubtedly the most popular but metal, glass and stone also feature. Most would definately agree that something like plastic should not be used.

Most practitioners will choose to cover the altar with an altar cloth. This is not absolutely necessary. It will depend to an extent on what you are using for an altar. If the altar is purpose made (particularly if it's made of natural wood rather than plywood etc.) it seems a shame to cover up that natural beauty. But again, the choice is yours.

It is always good practice to cleanse and consecrate an altar prior to use. Probably the quickest way to do this is to smudge it with sage or wipe it down with (sea) saltwater. An alternative to this is to let the altar be exposed to sunlight or moonlight. It works just as well though takes longer.

Altar Set-Up 1

There is no one right way or wrong way to set up an altar. Go with what feels right for you. This particular set-up is based on the premise of the altar being split into two halves with one half representing the Goddess and the other representing the God. Most practitioners have the left or western side representing the Goddess but we know others who have the eastern side representing Her. Either is fine.

Traditionally the Goddess candle is white or silver and the candle for the God yellow or gold. The items listed for each half are not sacrosanct. You can put as much (or as little) as you like on an altar. Very often this will depend on the space you have available as altar sizes vary so dramatically.

Altar Set-Up 2

There is no one right way or wrong way to set up an altar. Go with what feels right for you. This particular set-up is based on the elements and their associated directions and tools.

Traditional Gardnerian or Alexandrian Wicca will have different candle colors. North would be yellow, east would be blue, south would be still be red and west would be green.

The items listed for each quadrant are not sacrosanct. You can put as much (or as little) as you like on an altar. Very often this will depend on the space you have available as altar sizes vary so dramatically.

The Altar Cloth

The Altar cloth is purely and simply a cloth that is used to dress the Altar. It can be specially bought and is available in many different sizes, colors, fabrics, and with many different designs.

You can of course make your own if you have any sewing skills. Fabric stores carry a vast range of materials and textures. If you're really skilled you can embroider your own designs on it.

Altar cloths are usually inexpensive though. The benefit of having an altar cloth is that your altar is protected from dripping wax and water or other stains.

The altar cloth can also add magickal properties to your altar by virtue of symbols on it and the color it's made from..

Altar Candles

Traditionally there are three candles on the altar. One for the Maiden, one for the Lord, and one for the Lady.

The Maiden's candle is the central candle on the altar because the Maiden comes before the Lady (i.e. you have to be a girl before you become a woman) and is nearly always white to symbolize her purity.

The Lady's candle represents the Lady, the Goddess of Wicca and is traditionally on the eastern side of the altar, which is also the side that the High Priestess stands. It can be any color depending on what is being celebrated but white is a good all round choice.

The Lord's candle represents the Lord, or God of Wicca and is traditionally on the western side of the altar. Again white is a good all-purpose choice fof color but any color may be used that is significant to the celebration.