[soopersara]

The Gaang is waiting for breakfast

Toph: Wow, Katara, you look great in that outfit.

Katara: Thank—wait. What are you trying to pull, Toph?

Toph: No, I'm being serious. I can just tell that you look especially great today.

Katara: ...

Katara: How can you tell?

Toph: Zuko's blood pressure.

Zuko: *chokes on his tea*

[meowdevil]

This one xD

[prison-mikes-bandana]

Never forget when the voice actors of zuko and katara grumpily tweeted and commiserated over the fact that zutara wasn’t the end game despite their chemistry....

[meowdevil]

:D

[pigeonflavouredcake]

Making an Altar Master Post

Considering making an altar but don’t know where to start? This long-ass post should cover all the bases of altar building for those of you who are interested but stuck. This post is pretty vague on purpose, altars are an interesting grey area of this practice. When you build an altar you can’t really go wrong, it’s something for you to take control of and decide for yourself.

📖This is all taken from my grimoire so feel free to add any info of your own in a rb or in the comments.📖

🌻What is an altar?🌻

Altars are a magical work space for any witch/pagan/wiccan/other. 

Historically altars and shrines were built all over the world in different cultures to house offerings and worship the gods/spirits/ancestors.

The difference between an altar and shrine can depend on the culture you’re looking at but generally an altar is both a work space and a place of worship and a shrine is solely a place of worship (the Theatron of Athens was an altar as it served as a place to house offerings and a communal performance space).

Modern day altars however are more private and unique to the practitioner/s. Altars and shrines can now be created using anything and include many different types.

There are many ways to think outside the box with altar building but don’t think you have to make one just because every other witch does.

🌻Types of altars🌻 (not an inclusive list)

- Home/family altar🏠: This serves as the energy centre of the home that is shared by the entire family. It can be simplistic, change with the seasons, and feature something representing each family member. (this is one that my dad built that lives in our kitchen). 

- Personal altar: This altar is usually only connected to 1 or 2 people and kept separate from the rest of the family in a bedroom/box/draw. It can be put anywhere and be of any size (mine used to be on a shelf in my wardrobe and now it sits on the window) This altar is very personal to the practitioner often representing their passions and/or their patron. (this is my own to Dionysus and Apollo but it also includes my desk and bookshelf next to it since the window is so small).

- Working Altar: This altar is very practical. It’s only taken out when it’s needed for spells/rituals and is unique to the spell and it’s intention. If you want this type of altar then when you build it think carefully of what corresponds to the outcome you wish for.

- Shrine: (a form of altar to some, completely separate to other but I’m including it just in case). Created to honour a specific deity/creature/spirit. This is used to house offerings and pray.

-Travel/mini altar: Often stored away in a box/tin. Travel/mini altars can consist of small trinkets to carry around when you’re away from your larger altar or have to conceal your magic (it’s great for witches in the broom closet but depending on the size it could go missing).

- Image altar📷: Less traditional but very creative. An image altar could be a collection of images on Photoshop (for techies), a collage of pictures on a wall or board, or even a drawing of an altar (It’s personal, inconspicuous and it doesn’t matter if you can draw or not). I made this one in my sketchbook using pencil, ink and watercolour.

- Love/self care altar❤: This altar is fully dedicated to self care, loving yourself, or introspection. It includes things that have a lot of meaning to you and make you happy when you’re down (I have one by my bedside and use it when I feel shitty, I also use this space to contact my spirit guide).

🌻Supplies🌻 (again not an inclusive list)

These are some general supplies to have for an altar but this doesn’t mean that anything is 100% necessary.

- A flat surface: This can be anywhere with enough space to display everything.

- A cloth: Not just to protect the surface or fragile objects, it can be a sign of respect to your patron.

- Incense/oil diffuser: To smell nice and can be used to cleanse the space.

- Candles: Decoration, to represent fire or your patron, for candle magic, and meditation.

- Bowl/dish: To hold any offerings.

- Cup/chalice/bottles: For drink offerings, to represent water, to hold water for a spell.

- Matches/lighters: If you include candles.

- Crystals/stones: Decoration, could also be elemental/seasonal/represent the chakra.

- Wand/athame: Can be used to direct energy in a spell.

- Bell: To represent air, to call spirits/your patron.

- Mortar & Pestle: To grind up any ingredients in a spell.

🌻Building an Altar🌻

This is part is going to be a simple guide to building a personal altar (I will be using my own preference for deities as an example but you don’t have to).

1- Find a space: Think about where you want to work and consider the energy you get from different spaces (also consider any pets and fragile objects).

2- Find a surface: This can be as big as you like. I’ll be using my art desk as an example, I took everything off it and cleaned it before I did anything else.

3- Get a cloth: Fabric from a craft shop or an old scarf/veil are perfect and come in any available colour and size. In terms of colour you can chose one of your favourites, something seasonal or something to represent your patron. 

4- Set your intention: Now this is the time to decide what your altar is going to be used for. You can pick a centre piece that reflects this. 

I wanted to connect with the gods so I made the centre of the altar about myself and my deities go on either side. The centre piece I chose is a picture of a fairy scene I’ve had for a very long time.

5- Candles: The next thing to put down are candles (or any source of light). The light acts as the switch to turn on your altar and give light to any patron for when you want to communicate.

6- Tools: If you want to include any tools from the previous list then now is the time to chose where you want to put them (I included a cup of water, an incense holder, a bell, and a wand).

7- Decoration: Next is to add any personal decoration that can go wherever you like. I put mine in the centre piece.

8- (OPTIONAL) Representing patrons: This step is optional because it isn’t necessary to have a patron in your practice.

Because of the intention I decided on in step 4, I places the decoration representing my patrons on either side of my altar (btw these photos were before I switched from Aphrodite to Apollo so I apologies for the inconsistency).

I left a large space empty to use for when i’m writing in my grimoire, performing a spell or doing a tarot reading. I didn’t include this in my real altar because it’s a decorative section.

🌻Tips🌻 

- There are templates that you can follow if you really want to. They’re usually for a large traditional elemental altar though (I personally don’t recommend them because it’s boring and not very creative).

- An altar can be as big or as small as you like and you have no rules or expectations and it doesn’t have to be just one surface.

- If you want an altar for a spirit/deity/fae as well as their respective candle, you could include a candle for yourself to represent your own spirit to stay connected with them.

- An altar is a very subjective thing, if it’s personal it should change with your interests (like from light and fire the first year to sea and sand the next year).

-There are hundreds of videos on altars here’s a few I recommend you look at: 

The Witch Of Wonderlust- All About Altars:  https://youtu.be/p3ysPbvQa7c

Molly Roberts- Sacred Spaces and Kick Ass Altar Crafts: https://youtu.be/_kcki25BY6o

Harmony Nice- My Wiccan Altar II And how to set up yours: https://youtu.be/tGWkNeoE6RY

Green Witch Glamour- How to Build an Altar: https://youtu.be/v3s_etlsUE0

[meowdevil]

Saving for future

[bitchinwiccanmama]

ALTAR 101 🔮✨

•••☽◯☾•••

Here is a guide to setting up your altar based on common traditions for those new to Wicca or interested in beginning or even those practicing wiccans just looking to shake up your current set up!

•••☽◯☾•••

The most important step in setting up your altar is choosing its location; finding a spot where you are comfortable and feel positive energy is SO important! Even small things such as choosing directionality of your altar is important - if you will be using a round table/stand, directionality may not be as important, but if you are using a square set up or intend to always face the same direction when using your altar, choose the directionality which you feel closest to (you can also change directionality with certain spells if you like):

• North: Earth 🌏

• South: Fire🔥

• East: Air 💨

• West: Water💧

It is optimal to purify and cleanse the area you intend to use for your altar as well as the table/stand you choose to use.

•••☽◯☾•••

What you choose to set up your altar on is 110% a personal choice. If you don’t want to spend money looking for a specific altar table or building something special to use, simply using something you have laying around already is absolutely fine! For instance, I used an old coffee table that I had laying around not in use. As long as you purify the item with your intent, it can be anything you need. Another consideration is storage - some altars I’ve seen online have drawers and storage beneath which is a great option if space is limited! You will need someplace to store candles, herbs, stones, etc. Also important is deciding how mobile you need your altar to be - if you are a closet witch, mobility is important and a formal set up may not be plausible. Here are some beautiful altar table examples:

•••☽◯☾•••

Items of the Altar Include;

⭐️ Athame: A ceremonial blade; primarily this is used as a tool to channel energy through - this is not traditionally used as a cutting tool. Can be used to cast your circle as well as to invoke the elements of the four directions.

⭐️ Bell: Used to open and close rituals - typically associated with banishing of negative influences and energies.

⭐️ Boline: Traditionally used as a cutting tool for herbs, ribbon, flowers, etc.

⭐️ Cauldron: Used for burning of herbs, mixing of herbs, burning of symbols / paper. This should typically be cast iron since it will contain fire often times.

⭐️ Chalice: Used to hold blessed wine or water during rituals or spells.

⭐️ God Candle: Can be yellow or gold in coloration; Used to invoke masculine energies

⭐️ Goddess Candle: Can be white or silver in coloration; Used to invoke feminine energies

⭐️ Pentacle: Used to invoke positive energies into a circle; often times items can be “charged” upon a pentacle

⭐️ Wand: Another tool of invokation used to invoke the gods and sacred energies. Like the athame, this too can be used to cast a circle.

•••☽◯☾•••

One option for setting up the altar is a more “traditional” set up dividing the table into feminine and masculine energies. The left side is traditionally meant for femininity with items such as your goddess statue, goddess candle, chalice, bowl of water, cauldron, pentacle, crystals, and bell. The masculine right side includes your god statue, god candle, incense, wand, salt, athame, boline, and matches. The center of the altar is dedicated to ritual and magic set up.

•••☽◯☾•••

Another common style is an elemental set up with items representative of water (chalice, bowl of water, cauldron) being set to the west, air (bell, wand, incense) to the east, earth (pentacle, salt, stones) to north, and fire (athame, boline, matches / oils) to the south.

•••☽◯☾•••

Other items you could consider adding to your altar representative of each element:

💧 Water: Seashells, Ace of Cups (Tarot), Rainwater, Mirrors, Driftwood, Seaweed, Crystal Ball, Goblet

🔥 Fire: Cactus, Volcanic Stone, Ash, Ace of Wands (Tarot), Lantern, Dragon Statue, Cinnamon Sticks, Incense

🍃 Earth: Ceramics, Coin, Stones, Soil, Salt, Ace of Pentacles, Seeds, Herbs, Flowers, Bone

💨 Air: Diffuser, Ribbons, Wind Instruments, Fans, Butterfly Imagry, Feathers, Ace of Swords (Tarot)

•••☽◯☾•••

I hope this was helpful as a basic guide! As always I encourage everyone to do things along their own personal style and employ things meaningful to you. ♥️

[meowdevil]

Saving for future

[meowdevil]

97-100/100 So for me the semester and exams are over, which is really early so now I’m finishing this challenge with a little bit shorter todo list 😊 so the last few days were the last exams (everything alright), two workouts, two days at work, visiting family, a (unsuccessful) attempt of a day of relax, cleaning my space a bit and today my birthday - a great food party, awesome presents and shopping with my boyfriend - and I feel really spoiled and grateful for all of it 😂 Anyway looking back at the challenge it’s clearly not for me since I have days when I just want to read and chill and feel bad for not posting and then some days I’m able to finish three projects and get a few hours at work and a workout so that’s something I’m really glad I’d realized 😎

[meowdevil]

96/100 Last minute notes, reading, revising and stuff before (hopefully) my last day of exams 😴 also two exams in one day… Wish me luck 😁 Today’s exam went better than expected, the rest of the day I was working out and having some me time with new facemasks 😍

[meowdevil]

91-95/100 This week I finished one more subject which means only three more are remaining 😊 I spent some time studying for them, went to work twice, had some family time (studying with my brother 🤩), food and drinks with friends and also I started doing regular workouts instead of shorter ones - five workouts in total 😎

[yellowstudiess-deactivated20190]

Say it with me: my mental illness isn’t my fault and i don’t deserve to be alone in this

[meowdevil]

My new mantra

[meowdevil]

85-90/100 Since the last time: lots of social time (Easter with family, board games with friends), all of the projects and presentations finished and submitted, three tests done, one day at work, four workouts 😴 Also cooked a meal for everybody here today with BF and went on some nice walkies 😊 now I’m just relaxing/reading materials for one of the exams next week 😎

[meowdevil]

81-84/100 These few days were very hard but also quite satisfying. I finished 1 project with a presentation and 3 without it, read documents for another project, smashed some smaller tests, went on a charity run and worked out today 😎 also included a lunch and a walk with boyfriend and it really feels good since it was sunny and everything in bloom 😊

[meowdevil]

76-80/100 During last week I caught a flu or something and I’m still not feeling my best. I was just sleeping or reading some days but it’s better now. Counting today it’s 3 workouts, 4 days at school, 2 days at work, a bit of social time and now I’m making a presentation for a project 😊

[meowdevil]

71-75/100 I almost dismissed last week as totally unproductive, but in the end I calculated these things: 2 days at school, 2 days at work, a doctor's appointment, 4 workouts baking (my first attempt on banana bread), I-don't-know-how-many hours working on projects and shopping I'd been delaying for a few weeks. I'm not counting 2 days since those were my pracrastiation days 😑 Most nights I went to sleep quite late and didn't really think about posting and the rest I felt bad for not doing so 😂 Anyway better once than never, I'll probably do it this again because school is more and more demanding 😒 #100daysofproductivity #finally #posting #something #notsomuch #betterthannothing #stillkicking #tootired https://www.instagram.com/p/Bv-DfutJiJyclwtCg90J36F6cIbfpbx3Kl1zvk0/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=196sd9ujq7si9

[meowdevil]

70/100 Today I picked up this book which was recommended to me by a friend 😊 #100daysofproductivity #book #bookworm #reading #goodbookstoread

[meowdevil]

69/100 After presentation of project on Thursday I’d been working on for a few days I needed some relax 😔 So I just was at school for the lectures I really needed to attend, was on an event with colleagues, got some sleep and looked like a zombie 😴 (seems I’m unable to sleep during the day). Today was a bit better, a workout, cleaned my space a little bit, read a book and went out for a dinner ❤️

[meowdevil]

67+68/100 I'm not feeling my best so yesterday I felt asleep without even posting something 🤧 I was at school and had some social time, today I'm working on a project that I hope to finish soon 😴 #100daysofproductivity #lectures #socialtime #project #wishmeluck https://www.instagram.com/p/Bvh-45Xpo26pFdTdLPkABlhSRbCb_WbMiZEnxc0/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=t226g00ae7lh

[meowdevil]

67/100 Ahh this makes me think I should slow down - today I have all my documents about taxes from last year. I did too many different things… At least I finished this part 😅 anyway it was school and work for today, wanted to go running but didn’t feel well so I stayed home in warm blanket 😍

[meowdevil]

66/100 So today I cleaned my space, did a tiny bit for work, went to visit a family, run 7 km and read something for school. Even thought I didn’t get to reading the book I wanted to read - hell yeah 🤩