Do you have an altar and if so what does it look like?

Thread originally posted on the Aeclectic Tarot Forum on 31 Jul 2002, and now archived in the Forum Library.

catlin	31 Jul 2002
Hi folks, I was just musing if some of you also have an altar and if so how did you decorate it? Mine is in the East corner of my living room. It is a bistro table (you know, the round one with a heavy marble plate and an iron leg), usually covered with a dark blue cloth. I have some brass candle holders with black candles, a bronze Statue of Kali, a statue of Maat, a small ebony statue of an African male to represent the God, some crystals, my athame, a Chalice, a bowl with star inlay, my incense burner, some ritual jewellry, my wand, some shells and a bowl with salt on it (I just named the most important items here). What does yours look like?

divinerguy	31 Jul 2002
Mine is front of my computer printer, and its there, because its usually the only horizontal surface in my office that's not covered with legal papers.

jema	31 Jul 2002
i have some photos of mine:) http://www.pristine.nu/camera/altar.jpg this is the altar itself http://www.pristine.nu/camera/altardoor.jpg this is a bigger view of the eastern corner in my room http://www.pristine.nu/camera/4elements.jpg and this is the 4 elements pictures above the altar. it looks a bit different right now though. i don't really use it anymore, just keep pretty things at it. for meditations etc i usually sit on the balcony late at night now during the summer. oh and the bowl you see is my healing bowl where i put herbs and notes with requests for healing for friends and family. i will probably change a lot of things around later this summer. i feel like this altar is not who i am anymore. it is all too wiccan. and a lot of the things i added cause you were supposed to have them there. like the cauldron. when will i ever use it for something other as collecting dust under the altar? and i have never ever used any of the two knifs to cast a circle with - i do that with my hands. so the whole things feels outdated for me. this time around i will make it all mine and disregard tradition and books and other peoples altars. will take new pictures when i am ready with it:)

catlin	31 Jul 2002
Hi Jema, I like your altar a lot. I never built mine according to some book or other "guidelines". Divinerguy, do you have your altar in your home office or at work?

divinerguy	31 Jul 2002
Rather than an altar, its more of a sacred space for readings. Its in my home office, where I do all of my work.

Laurel	31 Jul 2002
Mine is very simple; a black pillar candle with a white pillar candle on black cloth with a few kabbalistic designs and a tree on the wall behind. I typically leave my study-deck tarot there when not in use between the candles not out of worship but habit. My altar is primarily for contemplation and aesthetics. Laurel

jema	31 Jul 2002
lauren, i think in the end my altar will be a lot like yours, a place for studies and beauty more then ritual. oh and i forgot - here is a pretty cool resource for altar pictures:) http://www.sacredsource.com/altars.html

Sorceress_Jade	31 Jul 2002
Jema, your alter really is lovely. And so clean! I don't use my alter to worship anyone (being an Atheist) and have just really started considering that's what this space might be. I know there are images somewhere and I'll find them eventually, but I love that sight of them. My alter started out as maybe a third of my dresser top. Just a space for incence and candles. As my collection grew rearanging took place, and now I would say 3/4 of my dresser is taken up by my things. Silver bowls, incence sticks, and a couple holders, all kinds of decorative candles, carafes of water, dried flower displayes, oils and oil burners. I just bought this beautiful dagger and have no where to fit it in :( it's really kind of funny. My things have started migrating to the top of my bookshelf too where I have more rock plants, a huge goblet and my flutes. It's so peacefull to look on this stuff instead of piles of bills and homework and stuff. I want to see more pictures, share, share! :)

Rhiannon	31 Jul 2002
I wish I could take some pictures and post them. *sigh* no scanner. But my altar is on the north wall of my living room, and this is the picture above it: http://www.art.com/asp/sp-asp/_/NV--/PD--10069778/SZ--2/posters.htm Then on the left side I have 3 framed tarot cards: Magician from Robin Wood, Wheel of Fortune from Mythic and Universe from World Spirit. On the right side I have 3 more cards: High Priestess from Goddess, Justice from Legend, Sage from Faeries's Oracle. The altar itself is a small white shelf on the wall and I have a candelabra (painted gold) with 3 candles: one green, one red and a center one of either white or yellow. I have a green glass vase, a long incense burner, a small gold candle stand that I also use sort of like a cauldron. It's pretty cluttered right now and I'm sure there are some things on it that don't belong (like nails from hanging pictures). R :)

Maan	31 Jul 2002
On mine there to candle holders one with the head of Isis and the other with the head of osiris. There so beautiful!!! I have a wooden pentacle wich i made myself. My cards of the day lay out on the altar. Futher some stone's and a statue of a cat/panther/Spinx This all on a side table with two drawers to put in the stuff when someone comes to visit that can't handle my wicca religion :) I made the table myself with my father. because i live in a very small room i could not find a table that fit the strange empty corner that was left over when i placed all my necesarry furniture like a bed etc :)

wavebreaker	31 Jul 2002
I don't really have an altar, but these past few days I've been creating what I prefer to call my "spiritual corner" ;). In my study, I have a big table to work on. On one side is my computer equipment and I've now cleared the other side. I've put the boxes with my decks there, a big candle, an incense burner and one of those burners you can put scented oil in. On the shelf above are my tarot books and a picture of my grandfather, who is my guide, with a small candle burning for him. And I just put up a paper with the reiki rules printed on it, as a reminder. It's still a bit empty, it's missing something, but I'm sure I'll find things to add in the future...

Starfish	31 Jul 2002
Quote: Originally posted by jema http://www.pristine.nu/camera/4elements.jpg and this is the 4 elements pictures above the altar. Jema! Oh my Goddess!! Talk about being surprised to see this photo... I have those very same cross-stitched pictures (Mirabilia is one of my favorite cross-stitch designers) that I did for my husband several years ago (I had them triple matted with the center mat being a color to reflect the element) that I'm planning on appropriating for my altar area! Blessings - :THIER Starfish

zorya	31 Jul 2002
the mantle (over the fireplace) is my main altar. it's pretty big and contains, a couple of my drums, my rattles, bells, gourds, feathers, stones, crystals, candles, inscence, smudge stick, several figures, including ganesh, a buddah, a kachina etc. representations of a couple of my animal guides and small pots with cool usable stuff. a couple ears of corn hanging from it... i'm sure i left out alot! lol. i have a couple of smaller altars too, each dedicated to one theme. i also maintain and frequently use an outdoor altar.

Faerie Lin	31 Jul 2002
Wow Jema! Your's is very nice!!!! Lin

Liliana	31 Jul 2002
Mines not always set up, it is made of an end table that has a second shelf under its main surface, its pretty beat up and was given to us by my husbands mom. I have it covered with a Native American horse blanket my dad (who died being hit by a train while I was in High School) brought me from the midwest. On it I have tons of stuff. Im a fairly poor witch so much of my altar stuff came from thrift shops and dollar stores :) In the east I have a wooden incense burner, but next month am hoping to buy myself an incense bottle for there. In the south theres a knife I bought at the thrift store for my athame, its not sharp or double edged but it had a nice feel to it. Eventually I want to replace it. In the west is my chalice, I had been using for years now a very large white glass one with an oak leaf design that I bought in a thrift shop where I used to live, but being a solitary it always felt awkward and bulky so recently I found a smalled one in the thrift store with a silver stem and a smoky colored glass top. The north is my makeshift pentacle, which is a clear crystal star shapped candle holder with a half geode placed in the middle.. On the back of the alter there are 2 candle sticks, a silver on the left for Goddess and a gold on the right for God. In the center I have a small triangular shaped metal votive holder, that has the point facing toward me, and has a black candle in the left for Goddess, white canle on the right for God, and red candle in bottom center for child. These ones are used during the great rite in ritual. I used to ue a huge white 3 wicked candle there. I have a few different bowls I use, including a little brass fotted one with mother of pearl inlay I got when I first started studdying wicca, a triangular shaped wooden bowl from a thrift store, and a small white glass bowl. They hold water and salt and whatever else I need. Other items scattered about are power animal figures (wade figurines gotten free in red rose tea lol) my Bible, my Book of Light (shadows for most wiccans), my dads millatary prayer book, a metal bell with an eagle given to me by my husbands father, a ceramic bell with a dove I inherited from my grandmother who died when I was in third grade, oils, incense, and whatever else strikes me :) :THP

lunar_rabbit	31 Jul 2002
Thanks for asking this question, I've enjoyed reading the responses! I don't have a permanent altar. I have two small wooden boxes with my supplies in them, that I can take wherever I feel like being. One contains my various colored candles, which have been cleansed and blessed, as well as some matches. The other box has my working candles -- one each for God, Goddess, the four elements, and a working candle. It also has a little plastic figurine of the crone who gave Snow White the apple in the Disney movie. Just because she makes me smile. (I also have Harry Potter and Bewitched figurines, but they are displayed else where.) I keep these all in a small bathroom in the house, and keep all my essential oils and sage in the cupboard there, too, so it's handy. Altar-to-go! LOL

jema	01 Aug 2002
Quote: Originally posted by Starfish I have those very same cross-stitched pictures (Mirabilia is one of my favorite cross-stitch designers) that I did for my husband several years ago (I had them triple matted with the center mat being a color to reflect the element) that I'm planning on appropriating for my altar area! i remember seeing these in an italian cross-stitch magazine and asked my mother to please make them for me. and while she was reluctant at first - when she started she really loved them. i was very specific in framing them too:) just a simple frame in "brushed silver" but a matte in an elemental colour is a great idea! i love the art deco look on these pictures!

catlin	01 Aug 2002
Thanks for all your input and special thanks for the altar link. It was interesting to see the other altars. I think I'll have to take a pic of mine, too.

Bella	01 Aug 2002
Liliana: Don't feel bad about buying stuff from thrift stores--I get most of my stuff from yard sales-lol! My altar table in my bedroom is from my sister's ex-husband's aunt's living room! It is really beat up too, and has a shelf underneath. I covered it with a white cloth, and then a sheer blue cloth with stars and moons (yard sale!) on top. There's a statue of Kuan Yin that i just found at TJ Maxx on sale. I have a silver candle on the left and a gold on the right, and a white in the middle, a wooden incense burner, as well as a bowl w/sand to burn powdered incense,herbs, etc; a pentacle-shaped candle holder, a few crystal bowls for salt and water, a small bronze bell that was my grandfather's, a quartz crystal, pine cones, a small dish w/different stones, and my clear and black crystal balls. On the shelf below I keep my incense, candles, and herbs. I have an old jewelery box that I keep a glass goblet in (so my kid doesn't break it), and my pentacle necklace (so my husband doesn't freak out any more than he already is). My athame is on a high shelf nearby where the little one can't reach it, and my tarot cards and books are on a shelf next to the altar. i also have shells, rocks, and feather on the bookshelf that I've picked up over the years. And there's lots of candles all around the room. the drum is handing on the wall too.

jema	01 Aug 2002
i think it only adds to the altar if you have things on it you either found in thrift-shops, second hand stores or even better - made yourself:) my wand i made myself. have a photo somewhere but i posted enough photos for a while now:) i also made the pentacle and the altarcloth and the collage i hang above the altar. as well as little bags for bottles and stones and such. i also make my own incense and my own perfumed oils to use in ritual. and of course i grow my own herbs for the tea i drink and the herbs for the healing bowl. now if only i could make my own drum! yes, i want a drum. i would probably scare the whole house when i use it - but it would be great fun to have a drum to bang on and chant some and they look cool too:)

napaea	01 Aug 2002
my altar is on the east wall (i'd like to have it under my window, but the cats just jump on it all day!) It's a picnic basket!! Inside I have all kinds of goodies, candle holders, sweetgrass, incense, goddessy goodies. I cover it with whatever fits the season or moon cycle. right now it looks like poopy!! Ashes all over the place and wax everywhere from my candles. I have a jewelry box (my grandmothers) full of gemstones I use, candles, wine glass, sometimes a rattle. But now it's time to spruce it up! I was trying to change it during the course of the moon, but find I am too lazy to do this! Perhaps I'll change it monthly or each season.

napaea	01 Aug 2002
Oh yeah! I also have a "sort of" altar on top of my bookstand that holds my alarm clock. the top shelf holds my jim morrison figurine (he's hot), my egyptian barbie/isis (this is gorgeous), a witch beanie baby who is scrying into a ceramic chinese soup cup that is covered by a little hindi mirror. ooops, also have a collection of cat whiskers in a candle holder.

Mlle Lenormand	01 Aug 2002
I have thoroughly enjoyed reading this post for ideas. I've been thinking of what to do with the growing pile of precious stuff I've been accumulating. Does it matter where your altar is? I would like to store my stuff in my room, away from the family, somewhere that is just mine, but I wondered whether it would affect your sleep or good luck or something. Any comments would be welcome.

Liliana	02 Aug 2002
I dont think it matters much where it is, we happen to have a spare room we use as a study so mines in tere, but many have it in a bedroom, actually a nice place to have it if you want to do astral travel or meditation because the bed is a comfy place to lay for such things (of course some people do it sitting up, I prefer laying down) :THP

DarkElectric	05 Aug 2002
I have a couple of them. One is in my room, and is the "folksy" altar.It faces East. I have a wooden chalice, my athame, a green bamboo plant, a photo of myself and the dearest and best dog in the world, who will never be replaced, A big statue of the Morrigan in the center, a tiny black iron cauldron,2 crescent dishes to represent phases of the moon, Crystal tipped hazel wand,A little gold leaf vase of dried summer flowers, 2 candleholders, with a goddess candle on left and a god candle on right sides, a "chicken shake" which is a rattle that looks like a green plastic egg, a small 3 tone tubular bell,A big quartz cluster on the right, a clear(almost) quartz crystal sphere on left, a long slate working stone, various crystals and meaningful personal artifacts, and a wooden pentacle, all on top of a green silk altar cloth. The other one is in my music/magic room, and is a lot sparer. It also faces East.There is a colour theme, White, Red, Black.(Maiden , Mother, Crone) On the right side: A black obsidian crystal sphere, Red class chalice, white ceramic candleholder w/black Goddess candle, set in a small circular black dish.. On the left side, a clear glass sphere on a red glass stand, another large quartz cluster, matching candleholder and dish w/white god candle. In the center, at top, a skull of an animal found in the woods by a little boy. He gave it as a gift to a man I love dearly whom I will never see again. This man gave it to me. Below this, another slate working stone, 2 white ceramic crescent 'moon' dishes,and a black glass pentacle. All this on top of a black silk altar cloth.

Strega	05 Aug 2002
I have a permanent altar - a round wooden table - facing North. I have a piece of (usually white) cloth covering the table. The color of the cloth varies for particular rituals. I also add (and change the) symbolic decorations on my altar for each Sabbat. The left half of my altar is dedicated to the Lady. This is where I place my silver Goddess candle (sometimes white), bowl of water, chalice :CL, wand :WL, and bell. The right half of my altar is dedicated to the Lord. This is where I place my gold God candle (sometimes yellow), bowl of salt, incense, athame :SL, and bolline :SS. In the middle of my altar I have my censer, red candle, pentacle :OL, and small cauldron. :)

napaea	06 Aug 2002
M lenormand: I would put your altar wherever is most comforatble for you, aesthetically and practically. In Feng Shui, the NorthWest area of the room is for mentors/helpers, so it may be good there if you plan on calling in a lot of aid during rituals. A lot of people seem to have theirs in the East (myself included) though I can't tell you the reason for this, i'm sure someone can. As long as you clear your energy after rituals I don't think the energy would cause a problem. But Feng Shui also says too many books in the room can cause a stimulating energy that can inhibit rest, so consider that if you have working material and books with your alter. (though honestly, i have a lot of books in my room, and clothes strewn about, and i still sleep ok!)

The Do you have an altar and if so what does it look like? thread was originally posted on 31 Jul 2002 in the Spirituality board, and is now archived in the Forum Library. Read the active threads in Spirituality, or read more archived threads.