| Wiccan altars are a very personal affair. What you | | | | Casting a circle is not essential but many prefer the |
| decide to keep on yours will be down to what you | | | | reassurance of having a 'scared' space in much the |
| feel gives you energy and the tools that you have a | | | | same way as worshippers feel safe and protected in |
| connection with. After that of course, you will want | | | | church. However, if space is your main issue then it is |
| to lay out tools or items that you are working with | | | | fine to have a square table. |
| for a particular spell. | | | | Your Book of Shadows is of course essential to your |
| That said, some items and layouts are traditional and | | | | spell work, so it should be placed in the centre in |
| if you are setting up a Wiccan altar for the first time | | | | order for you to both work from it and also to make |
| it would probably be wise to follow a few basic 'rules' | | | | notes as quickly as possible to avoid forgetting any |
| until you find you own way. Here are some of the | | | | important details. |
| core principals: | | | | When you are setting up a Wiccan altar for the first |
| Energies are often divided into masculine and | | | | time, or using new tools you will need to consecrate |
| feminine, especially Gods and Goddesses. You may | | | | them. This is a very important procedure and not to |
| have icons pertaining to a particular deity on your | | | | be skipped as you will be recharging the vibrations |
| Wiccan altar, or it could be your tools (eg. your | | | | and energies. To consecrate the area try smudging |
| Athame is considered masculine) so you should place | | | | which entails burning sage around the area. You may |
| the feminine objects on the left side and masculine | | | | wish to prepare a chant for the occasion. Smudging |
| on the right. | | | | will also work for tools and is certainly a quick and |
| You should view your Wiccan altar as the | | | | easy way to do it. However, there are many other |
| embodiment of the core elements of earth, air, fire, | | | | options available to you including sprinkling your tools |
| water and the spirit. Your altar should enable you to | | | | with salt water or even submerging them overnight if |
| connect with yourself and the world around you on a | | | | possible. Once again, this is a matter for the individual |
| profoundly spiritual level. To represent the elements | | | | so go with what you feel drawn to. |
| you should have salt for the earth, candles for fire, a | | | | Place something personal on your newly set up |
| chalice or bowl for water and a feather or incense | | | | Wiccan altar. This is because at first it may all seem a |
| for air. People have individual preferences for their | | | | little strange and unfamiliar to you which in turn will |
| representations, but make sure that you go for | | | | hinder your energies and make your spell work less |
| symbolisms that speak the loudest to you. | | | | effective. Arrange something personal to you on |
| Your altar should be at waist height. You need to be | | | | your altar somewhere, particularly something of |
| able to use it with ease and without obstacle. | | | | sentimental value. Consider it to be a bit like taking a |
| Avoid clutter. This will distort the flow of energy on | | | | friend along to somewhere you've never been |
| your altar and you will not be as efficient. It is more | | | | before! It won't be long until your altar and tools will |
| common for altar tables to be round shaped as this | | | | become as one with you and you will not need this |
| helps with ease of movement for circular rituals. | | | | extra item. |