Hello! Could you show your altar and explain how to make one? I'm a baby witch looking for Information on how to get started! Thank you!
Hello lovely,
Thanks for asking!
Generally, to set up a nice functional altar you can follow these guidelines:
use a compass to check where all the cardinal points are located inside the room you are choosing for your altar
for the altar, pick a cardinal point that harmonizes with your dominating elements and preferences (your zodiac sign, your needs, your craft, feng shui, whatever), a comfy surface and a rather quiet spot
clean the surface and anything next to it
get a small or medium sized cloth/foulard to use as a sacred tablecloth (monochromatic is better than prints, embroidery and decorations, but most importantly use natural fibers and a color that matches your mood/style)
choose 5 objects, stones, plants or charms to evoke each element
place these objects representing Earth, Air, Fire, and Water and Spirit on the corresponding cardinal points around the corners of your sacred tablecloth - leave enough space in the center to put your grimoire, draw cards or for a little cauldron [e.g. incense or a feather for air, plants or stones for earth, an abalone shell, ice cubes or a goblet for water, wooden matches or ashes or a small candle for fire, a symbolic image or a carved ancient utensil for spirit]
light up 2 candles, a big one (plain white or black for protection) and another one in a color, size and scent that you like, depending on the nature of your ritual that specific day
facing North, place the biggest crystal, salt chunk or gemstone that you possess (for protection)
invest in a little bell or a rattle to make some noise before you start your practice and when you finish (again, for protection), so on the altar you should keep it to the left if you are left-handed or to the right if you are right-handed
lastly, place all the little things that you will need during the ritual in the central part of the tablecloth that you basically left empty [e.g. a wand, palo santo for smudging, runes, stones, your grimoire, books, knife, decks of cards, scrying bowls, herbs, lucky charms etc.]
I hope this can be a good piece of advice to get started, let me know! xx msmoonfire
