Tag Archives: Magickal Tools

Weekly pagan lingo – Altar

 The altar will be the foundation of your magickal tools. For spell-casting purposes, the altar is the surface on which the spell is worked. It symbolizes the centre of the self and the centre of the universe. It is the focus and support for the magickal energy you raise.

An altar can be a table or area dedicated for ritual work. There are many books out there that show you the basic structure and suggestions as to the placement of certain tools when it comes to the altar. These books are simply helpful guides when it comes to a traditional altar or altars within the structure of certain types of practices. The great thing about the nature of the paganism is it allows you to follow your intuition, whatever feels right to you. So don’t feel you have to have something set somewhere because someone told you that is where it belongs.

 You can have a very elaborate or very simple alter, whatever fits your needs. It may change with the seasons or stay the same with limited additions and subtractions. It’s your altar you create it as you desire.

Most witches set up alters before casting their magick circles so that they have all their tools ready and not have to open and close the circle. I practice in a room and cast my circle to take up the space of the room because even though I have my alter set up I am bound to forget something.

Alters can be made from a self, a nightstand, or a table.  It could be a small table, the kitchen counter, a bookshelf, anything really. I know someone that uses a step stool. Perhaps your alter is a rock outside or a stump.

*The background image is unknown, shared with me many years ago. If you know the original poster of this image please let me know so I can give credit*