Top 14 Altar Essentials

Here's all you need to know about the altar, it's instruments and how to set it up!

The Altar

Altar; a table or flat-topped block used as the focus for a religious ritual, especially for making sacrifices or offerings to a deity. In Wicca and Witchcraft, the altar is used during spell work as a table of sorts. It's considered a sacred space where you can connect to yourself, speak with your deities and contact your spirit guides. It’s not necessary for a Wiccan or Witch to have one, but they do come highly recommended as they're very useful. There are different ways to set up an Altar, as each person does it their own way. It’s a very personal thing and should be treated as such. There is no right or wrong way to do it!

Altar Instruments

The Athame; this tool is a blade, most commonly black handled or double-edged, that’s used ceremonially to direct energy during spell and ritual work. Gerald Gardner, one of the founders of modern Wicca in the 1950’s, mentioned the athame in his writings as the most important ritual tool. The athame has many uses but should never be used as a mundane knife for actual physical cutting. On top of energy directing you can use the athame to cut symbols into the air, pull down the moon and create a magic circle.

The Wand; this tool is exactly what it sounds like. A pointy stick made of wood, which can be bought or, more appropriately, created by the user. You can add crystals, ribbons, herbs, oils and more. It's a very crafty process. Traditionally the wand is carved from the branch of a tree of your choosing- each wood has different properties and should be chosen with care- and is used to direct and conduct energy. Like the athame, it’s often used to complete circles and is also used to cast spells and direct healing power.

The Cauldron; this tool is a fireproof container, commonly cast iron, used to burn herbs, incenses and to create magic tinctures. This is a feminine symbol associated with the element water. The cauldron is used for many things; to hold supplies during spell work, to burn herbs and the like, to prepare potions and even to scry.

The Chalice; this tool is traditionally a goblet or cup intended to hold a drink, but in religious terms is a cup specifically intended to be used during ritual work. The chalice, containing wine, water or whiskey is often placed upon the altar or ground during ritual labor.

The Bell; the bell is a tool used to cleanse spaces, thereby removing any negative energies. Bells are also used to mark passages in rituals, you can ring one before and after the spell or ritual begins to mark the beginning and end. This will make sure no residue energy is left over.

The Pentacle; the pentacle is a very powerful and protective symbol in Wicca. On an altar, it can come in the form of a pendant or a picture. It represents earth and is used to cleanse yourself, your surroundings and all other items on your altar.

The Candles; candles are a must! Candles represent the element fire. When they are specifically colored they can represent the elements and when paired with specific colors, candles can represent the male and female deities. This practice is considered candle magic, which is the art of using color therapy and a candle's flame to create desired changes. When placed in specific directions candles can also represent the five elements.

Bowls; bowls are often used to hold salt, water, herbs, and oils. A bowl of salt is commonly placed on the altar to cleanse and consecrate other altar items and to protect the space.

Incense; incense symbolizes the element of air. It is used to clean energy, cleanse and call upon energies. The scent of the incense can affect its uses, so be sure to check out the properties of your incense before burning it.

The Broom; the broom, or besom as some call it, is a fertility symbol. The stick representing the male, the bristles the woman and both of them pulled together represents the two bonding, therefore representing fertility. Brooms are used for protection. Sit one near your front or back door for security. If it falls over then a negative energy has entered and you need to cleanse your home! Sweeping with your besom protects and clears your home from negative energies as well- BUT sweeping dirt or dust outside the door is said to welcome in negative spirits, so be careful.

The Boline; the boline is a blade with a white handle, traditionally used for cutting cords, carving candles and cutting herbs.

Book of Shadows; the book of shadows (BOS) is a necessary item when practicing Wicca and/or Witchcraft. It's essentially a Witch's journal, where you document information for future reference and write about your experiences along your path. Having a documentation of your spells, rituals, and happenings as a practitioner are very helpful!

Altar Cloth; this is just a simple fabric you put on top of your altar to protect the altar itself. This can be an elaborate cloth or a simple blanket, just make sure it isn't easily flammable!

Incense Burner; an item to hold your incense as it burns.

You can find these on eBay, Craigslist, Amazon and in metaphysical shops near you.

Cheap Alternatives

For the poorer witches, rather than buying super expensive, decorative Wiccan tools, just take a walk around your home. I’m sure you already have all you’ll need.

Athame or Boline; letter opener or kitchen knife. Just be sure to cleanse it before usage. For the boline, you may also paint the handle white, but that's completely optional.

Wand; your finger works just as well! You can also use a stray stick from your yard or your eyeliner pencil.

Cauldron; rather than an intricately carved cast iron cauldron, just use one of your kitchen pots or any other container you have lying around. As long as its fireproof, it'll work.

Chalice; don’t worry about those fancy schmancy expensive goblets; just take a trip to your kitchen! A plastic cup, cute wine glass or even your coffee mug will work just fine.

Bell; you can find cheap ones at thrift shops and your local Wal-Mart!

Pentacle; you can go to Amazon and buy an expensive pentacle, or you can pull out some blank paper and pencils and draw your own. This will work just as well and still look cute sitting in the center of your altar.

Candles; check out your thrift store for cheap candles. Again all you have to do is clear their energy and they're good as new.

Bowls; have any extra containers in your kitchen? Those will work perfectly!

Incense; Wal-Mart has lots of incense at cheap prices so be sure to check them out!

Broom; don’t go buy a 70$ cinnamon scented broom, just grab the one in your kitchen. It will work just fine. Plus if you're into Witch crafts (see what I did there?) then you can always make your own. They have videos for that on YouTube and you can find inspiration on Pinterest.

Book of Shadows; you don't need an expensive leather bound journal. You can just as easily write the same things in a binder, notebook, diary or even a document on your computer (which is what I do) Although if you are going to write it on an electronic then be sure to back up your information on a USB or something of the like so you don't lose your entries.

Incense Burner; they have cheap ones at Wal-Mart, but you can also place your incense on a plate (as long as it isn't highly flammable)

An Awesome Altar

As I said at the beginning of this blog, altars are personal and should be created with a unique flair. But it is nice to have a basis when doing things for the first time, so here it is!

When it comes to the altar the things on the left are usually dedicated to the feminine energies and the things on the right are usually dedicated to the masculine energies. Commonly there is a masculine representation (a statue or red, yellow or orange candle) in the top right corner and a feminine representation (a stature or blue, silver or purple candle) in the top left corner. In between those two is usually a large candle, the pentacle or several pillar candles to represent the unity of both.

Feminine Symbols-

The cauldron. The chalice. The bell. Bowls.

Masculine Symbols-

Athame. Wand. Boline. Incense/incense burner.

Equal Symbols-

Broom/besom. Candles. Pentacle.

Side note; the equal symbols may be placed in the center to represent the unity of both energies.

Those are, to me, the most important things when it comes to creating an altar. Knowing your tools, their energies, and their most common placements. Of course, nothing is necessary, you can change things as you see fit. Personally, my altar is always changing! I rearrange my tools quite often. When it comes to most things Witchcraft I follow the line 'if it doesn't fit, let it fly' and it's made my journey much easier.

That's all for now! If you have any further questions feel free to contact me in the 'Contact' section of my page. Merry part!