Creating a Family Altar in Your Pagan Household

If you are a Pagan and raising Pagan children, you should consider having a family altar. An altar is a great tool to have set up in the house, it becomes a center for and reminder of your beliefs and practices.

Location, Location, Location

Deciding on where your altar will go is an important step, and there are some things you may wish to consider.

For one thing, you want your altar to be in a prominent place. Out of sight, out of mind. Stashing it away in someone's bedroom may not give it the importance or allow it to be as useful as you had hoped. Often altars are placed near the hearth, which in this modern day and age is often the kitchen. The dining room, living room, a den or a private porch or patio is also a good idea. Somewhere it can be seen and easily used, especially during holidays and celebrations.

Of course, you'll want to keep your altar in a convenient place as well. It might not do to have to move your altar often. You don't want it where it will be getting in your way when you are cooking or eating, or taking up half of a room. You'll want young children who are small to be able to easily reach it so that it becomes a special place for them, too.

If you have little space, consider putting your altar on a shelf, on a low movable table, or even in a cabinet that can be opened whenever you wish to display it.

Child Proofing Your Altar

If you have young children, you'll want your altar to be something that they can use- not a place of stress that warrants a, "No no! Don't touch that!" every time they go near it.

In this case, you might want to nix the ritual knives, and anything breakable or that can be lit on fire. Instead of using candles (except carefully on special occasions), consider getting an electric candle (such as is found at Christmas time in stores), or a battery powered lantern. Use a wand instead of an athame. Put out a bowl of potpourri instead of charcoal-burning incense.

Caring For and Respecting Your Altar

Teach children of the value of the altar not by keeping them away from it, but by encouraging them to use it. Give them little offerings that they can place on the altar for the God and Goddess, or for household spirits, totem animals, or fairies. Allow them to decorate it with things they make and items they find on nature walks. Decorate it with different symbols for the Sabbats as they pass. Remind them to approach it quietly and calmly with a sense of reverence.

Using your Altar

You can use your altar as often or as little as you like. If you wish, you can say your family prayers there every day, or make offerings at meal time. Or, you can simply keep it for observing Esbats and Sabbats if you like. Perhaps there are certain times you would like to direct your children to the altar when they wish to express joy for a pleasant occurrence, or sadness and anger for an unfortunate or unjust event. The choice is up to you.

Keeping an altar for your family can be a great way to incorporate your faith into your daily and weekly lives, a basis for many family traditions and values. It doesn't have to be fancy or ornate to be functional, but it should be personal and reflect your own unique family's personality.