Your Altar-Do you set it up according to tradition or on your own terms?
@highflyingxangel (9225)
United States
March 26, 2007 3:31am CST
I've been told on many occassions several different ways to set up an altar. Some say that items must be placed in their corresponding spots on the altar, others say that items associated with the goddess go on one side, the god on the other. So, what do you do? Do you set your altar up one special way or do you choose to do whatever feels right?
4 responses
@ehlana88 (330)
• United States
28 Mar 07
My altar is a living work of art. By day it is a place of meditating and peace. I set it up in a way that is a cross between traditional native islander/wicca/and my own personal feelings. It faces east and has something to represent not only my patron goddess and god but every element. Any actively working spell is also in place if necessary on the altar. Candles that I wish per colors are placed there in their spots and stones I feel I need for the day or month. I like to scatter found objects that represent different elements or items that represent different emotions or needs or things I'd like to grow on about the altar.
When spell casting of course this changes. I cleanse the altar daily plus do a major cleansing each spell and fullmoon.
1 person likes this
@highflyingxangel (9225)
• United States
28 Mar 07
That's interesting. I bet your altar is beautiful, it seems you really keep up with it all.
@ehlana88 (330)
• United States
28 Mar 07
It can be a commitment but I had a shaman once tell me that "We do not practice a religion. We live our beliefs."
I feel that as part of calming and meditation work, the altar is a focal point and I must have that as pleasing to the eye as possible. Also when doing ritual work or holidays I take the day not just a few hours here and there as much as possible.
As another high priestess said, "Christians have days and holidays set aside because they know that dedication, focus, time, and of course just enjoyment in their god is important. Why can't we do the same?"
I've taken all that to heart.
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@highflyingxangel (9225)
• United States
28 Mar 07
Wow, that's a great quote. It rings very true too. I think I'll have to take that to heart as well.
@pyewacket (43903)
• United States
31 Mar 07
My altar by choice is on the floor believe it or not...I painted a 3-1/2 foot pentagram in bright turquoise blue (color of healiing and protection)--I then place my goddess candle on the left side, god on the right, and in the center a "self" candle...then all around I have my incense burner which is in the shape of an ancient Egyptian woman,..I have a Bast statue as well...then I have a lot of other items that are significant to me...like various stones, gems, a bowl of water, a bowl of salt.. my athame of course and a chalice...its acutally quite a complex set up...but one I love to do
1 person likes this
@highflyingxangel (9225)
• United States
31 Mar 07
I think the most important aspect of your altar is that it appeals to you and means something to you.
@Ravenladyj (22902)
• United States
15 Apr 07
I no longer have an altar in my home...I did some yrs back but found myself hardly ever using it....now with all the pets I have its just not realistic even if I wanted one.....My altar equivilent the past few yrs is the great outdoors...
@Galena (9110)
•
14 Apr 07
seeing as my tradition doesn't actually have any set ideas for an altar, my little altar is entirely based on my own ideas.
it's nothing grand though. just a really sturdy card box, with stuff in it, and a plain black cloth. and I'll put there what I want there at the time.
