So you’d like to set up an altar at home somewhere, but where do you put it and what do you put on it? Many Wiccans have an ‘official’ altar that they use in their circle work and also an ‘unofficial’, everyday one they keep up and in use at home all the time. But before we get caught up on the details, let’s just explore what we mean by the term ‘altar'.

It’s important to remember that when we talk about altars, we’re not referring to the sort of heavy, ornately carved wood or stone structures you might see in churches. You know the ones I mean. The big tables that sit at the end of the ‘business’ end of church, often draped with beautifully worked and complex tapestries or embroidered linens, weighed down by brass, silver or gold candelabras, bowls and other donated antiquities and artefacts. No no, nothing quite so grand.

While a circle altar might in fact be quite formal and reflect the requirements of both the Wiccan tradition in which it’s being used and the festival or event that is occurring, home altars are much less formal, much more relaxed and friendly. Your home altar is really a place where you can place your Wiccan ornaments and any pieces that represent your Gods and Goddesses. You might also have a candle or two there to honour the fire element, perhaps a shell you found when on the beach to represent water, some nice incense or a feather for air and maybe a bowl of salt for the earth element. Your altar can sit on an East or North facing wall depending on your preference) but in fact it can be anywhere that feels right for you.

There are some real gains in having a ready made altar, always available. With a personal, always ready altar you can go to regularly;

• you strengthen your relationship with the divine because you’ll usually remember to take a few moments, more often to talk with her,
• You have a central place of honour where you can position your Wiccan objects,
• You have a focal point for any meditative practice,
• You have a ready made place to conduct any magickal workings and hold magickal tools or equipment,
• You’ll more than likely have the benefit of warm, comforting residual energy that builds in the location of your altar the more you use it.

While a personal, permanent altar at home is a wonderful way to keep your Wiccan practice constant, please remember safety. If you have sharp objects (like an athame for instance) or candles and incense burning on your altar, always remember that while the Gods and Goddesses will be attracted to your place of honour and respect, so will small children and your pets. NEVER leave candles and incense to burn when you’re not there and always make sure your altar items are safe from small children, animals and even non Wiccan prying eyes who may not understand or appreciate how much you value your tools of respect.

Smiles and blessings. Amethyst