I want to set up an altar with an "eternal flame", but having cats, kids, and dust I'm worried about using 7 day candles or other actual flame. Also, a bit of a worry that having a 24/7 light in our room might keep us up at night. Any suggestions for substitutes?
Eternal flames are tricky things in the modern home. It’s hard to find a place that’s visible but won’t be disturbed by children or critters. In the interest of fire safety and durability, my suggestion is to use one of those flameless LED candles. They’re battery-operated, they come in all sorts of colors, and they flicker and glow just like real candles...but without the open flame.
I’ve recommended these in the past to witches who do not wish to use fire in their practices but still want light, or who are in situations where they can’t light a candle for their castings (dorms, parent’s homes, etc.) but still want the symbolism, or who just want the ambiance of flickering candlelight without the smoke or heat or hassle.
LED candles are available in pretty much any candle type. Pillars and tealights are the most popular and the easiest to find. Tapers are often out around Halloween and the winter holiday season too.
As for the light, you can always put the candle behind a screen or in a lantern to mute the glow if you find it keeps you awake at night. This can also be a cute witchy nightlight for the kids if they happen to need one.
