How to set up a working altar
Imo the working altar is the first altar to be set up and is the most adaptable and subject to change. If yours needs to be freshened up, needs to be rearranged or just have new elements I made this post for you :)
1) Think of what kind of spells and witchcraft you want to do
2) Think of materials you would need for those practices
if you do arts and crafts with your witchcraft think of what you use most, or if you just have a lot of materials
a) What materials do you have
b) What do you have that you didn't think you can use
art magic is great to use up random odds and ends (try looking up Molly Roberts on youtube for a TON of great ideas)
c) What do you want to get
look into foraging in your area as well as second hand stores
3) Think of accessible storage options
tons of glass jars look great, but what kind of surface area do you have? do you have shelves or drawers? how big is your surface? can you store stuff under furniture?
4) Think of the feeling you want it to evoke
aesthetics aren’t necessary for magic but can help get you in the headspace you want. Think about the colors in your space and what they represent, the textures and how they make you feel.
5) Think about your basics, did you plan to incorporate ______?
First how will you clean up the drips of wax, ashes from incense and stains? For me I have a homemade spray that I use as a room spray and to help wipe down my altar after workings. Other things that can be nice to have are:
handkerchiefs or hand towels
jars to keep off casts of spells
A nearby garbage/recycling bin
Sound cleansing materials
Smoke cleansing materials
Not everyone is able to have very permanent forms of home protection, especially if you live with people unaccepting of your spirituality. Visualization, potpourri, sachets and homemade enchanted cleaners are some more low-key ways to protect the home
This can come in many forms, a couple examples are a small bell tied to the doorknob (good for cleansing and protection!), a small enchanted spell doll or stuffed animal, and a wash with oils to put on the door and window frames
Talismans, amulets, and shielding are good basics. Enchanting clothing, hats, blankets, and jewelry is good too. If you are into kitchen witchery having a tea for protection (black tea, blackberry, blueberry, cinnamon, clove, lavender, and raspberry have protective associations) or a meal with the intention of protection for its consumers (there are many spices/seasonings with protective associations such as basil, bay, caraway, cumin, curry, fennel, flax, garlic powder, ginseng, mint, onion powder, pepper, salt; rice and beans also are associated with protection and are a staple around the world)
Some people decide to add protective elements to many or all of their spells with the intention to i) prevent it from backfiring ii) protect the spell itself in its intention iii) protect anyone the spell may influence on its way to manifesting or iv) all of the above
You don't need tools to ground or center, but keeping some tools to do so can be helpful. Some tools include fidgets, candles, oils, incense, small nostalgic candies, some of your favorite teas, worry stones.
d) Meditation/Shadow Work
This one you likely don't need much, some note cards with prompts might be helpful, and a journal with some writing utensils nearby are nice to have close to your working altar
e) Intention and manifestation
A vision board, journal and calendar can be great for manifesting especially for more long term goals
If you perform divination think of how you will store and if necessary clean your tools.
6) Revise and check as you change your craft
Some things I recommend are
-Have a flat surface that you dedicate to working crafts and non permanent things, when not in use it is good to keep this clear and clean
-Storage for candles, herbs, oils, incense, and other
-Tools to have very close to your working altar include
Scissors, wire cutters (good to cut thick cord and candle wicks), scrap paper (random notes, petitions, writing your spell down and its intentions), lighters/matches (i recommend having one long multipurpose lighter), bos/grimoire (please record your spells before or after preforming), and writing utensils.
Hope this helps someone :)
