following on from the thread of circle casting i thought it might be useful to have a thread on the issue of setting up a basic altar, altars are a very individual thing but i feel it is important to at least learn the perceved basics of altar set up. as with circle casting this is also one of those basic things to understand and do, it helps to form part of the basic understanding of magick. an altar will help to concentrate the mind upon the spell that you wish to cast. although a lot of witches/wizzards etc do not cast many spells,some do.
remember magick is not all the 'fashionable' subjects of the current time, astral projestion and the like, it has a deep purpose than that. .
i have found this brief guide to a basic altar set up in the forums and am eposting it here.
the following was written by Khelek Draco. and was written on the 06/04/2010. my thanks to him for writting this thread.
Altar: An altar is a table or otherwise level surface that can be used for rituals and spellcraft. Altars can be set up differently according to different religions. Also, naturally, different religions use different tools for their setup. Listed below are some of the most common tools, but if you were to set up a Taoist altar none of them would be needed nor listed except for a candle or two and a cup of water. Other then that it's just seven bowls of fruit(each color-coded to represent a chakra), a bowl of rice, and a cup of wine for the Taoist altar.
Altar Cover: The cover you put on your Altar is optional all together, but I suggest you put something that you find comforting on it or something you feel would help you somehow. A silk white sheet, black if you like that better, an cover with the image of your deity on it, etc. It's a good way to keep your Altar clean since you can just shake it off when you're done if any ingredients spilled out onto it.
Altar Setup: The setup of the altar should be a personal thing. It can be according to your religion, according to the most common setup you've seen, just scattered with no specific setup, but to put it simply your altar should be set up in a way that is comforting and fitting to you. It needs to feel right to you. If it does not feel right to you, then it is not set up right. Then and only then can it be said that your altar is set up incorrectly.
Bells/Chimes: Bells and chimes both create sounds that are pleasant to Spirits and other inter-planar beings. Having a number of brass bells or a few Edo Furin placed on or around your Altar can help with many spells and rituals.
Basins: You should have two basins on your Altar, one for sea salt and the other for fresh water. Both are required for various spells and rituals.
Cauldron: A cauldron can be a large pot of almost any kind, so long as it is capable of holding objects that you need boiled.
Mortar and Pestle: A mortar and pestle is used for grinding/pounding a substance(usually herbs, in this case) into a powder. The mortar is the object used for pounding or grinding, the pestle is the bowl shaped for the job of containing the powdering substance.
Goblet/Chalice: A ceremonial goblet or chalice is good to use when having to drink a potion or any ceremonial beverage for any reason. There are a number of different rituals, including simple ceremonies, that require the use of a chalice.
Incense Holder: The incense holder is, of course, to hold your incense with as it burns and keep the ashes from getting all over your Altar.
Religious Symbol or Figure: If you are a Christian then you would use a cross. Wiccans without a particular deity may choose the Star of David or Pentagram. Pagans may choose a statue or a picture depicting the God(s)/Goddess(es) they favor. Etc. Pick some kind of holy representation that is special or important to you and place it at the head of your Altar.
Representations of the Elements: Earth, Wind, Fire, Water, pick something that represents these elements. You can have something such as a fan, a jar of dirt, a lighter, and a water bottle, or you can have pictures/statues of elemental entities.
Ceremonial Blade: Many at least have a ceremonial knife, but you can also have a ceremonial sword for when you need the longer reach. The knife can be used for cutting fruit or other knifely things while the sword can be used for drawing symbols in the ground while performing a ritual that calls for it. Some places in the North will replace the knife with the sword entirely as the sword is more representative of a warrior then a knife is.
Wand/Staff: The wand and the staff are representative of Air/Wind. They are generally used to cast ritual circles and direct energy during a spell or ritual. Most commonly they are made personally by the owner and customized for the individual, also they seem to work best when made of a wood base. Naturally, you can add things like a crystal or other rock to the tip, feathers to the end, carve special symbols along the center, etc. The wand is most commonly associated with female spell-casters while the staff is more masculine, but neither tool is gender-specific. Anyone can use either.
Ingredients: Your ingredients may include herbs, candles, stones, and anything else a spell or ritual may ask for. These can be kept in drawers of your Altar, if it has them, in separate boxes near your Altar, in bags, in bottles, but regardless of how or where you want to store them I suggest keeping them near your Altar. That way when you want to cast a spell or perform a ritual the ingredients won't be to far away.
i hope this was an informative thread. remember both circle casting and setting up of an altar are all part of the basic knowledge that we all should try and learn :-)
many blessings upon you all, macus
altar set up
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