Altars

Altars act as a key during pagan worship. They are the foundation that spell casting and preparation take place on, as well as the place of worship. Altars can hold sacrifices, or gifts to deities, representation of deities, store pagan ritual tools or spell ingredients, or even books. Altars can also be helpful during prayer and meditation, by acting as a reference point for energy and focus.

There are many different ways a pagan can set up their altar. For beginners, a quick google image search can bring up some template ideas for altar set up. These are a few common ones:

All of these are great to help you get started, but when it comes down to it, you can set up your altar any way you want. Whatever works for you is what you should do.

Some common things found on pagan altars are:

• An altar cloth, used to cover the top of the area
• A statue or symbol of deities
• A pentacle, usually flat, almost like a plate
• Some representation of the four elements, whether its by candles, or actual elements
• An athame*, wand, or both
• Bowls for offerings or spell ingredients
• Candles, incense, or both
• A chalice
• A cauldron
• A Book of Shadows

*Note: athames, although they are knives, are not intended to be used as such. They are used to direct energy, NOT for cutting. Many pagans prefer to use a wand to direct energy. Some use both interchangeably. When it comes to cutting, many pagans use other knives (usually a boline). These knives are NEVER intended to be used for killing. Sacrifices or gifts to deities are usually foods, not human/animal sacrifice. Some pagans still practice human/animal sacrifice, I do not, and the majority of pagans I know do not.

So after 8 some years, I was finally able to put together my altar, only to take it down a few months later for personal reasons. However, I have now reassembled my altar.

Here are some pictures:

You'll notice some differences in my altar, and some similarities. My altar is still evolving, but it eventually have a representation of all the elements, as well as my deities. But for now, this is what it is: