How to Build an Altar

Ah, spring is definitely upon us and it is a time when a great many Pagans think about setting up an altar. I suppose it has a lot to do with spring cleaning and just an urge to start things anew that puts a lot of people in mind of setting up altars indoors and out.

Preparation

First of all, like any good project a little research and preparation are in order. Before you start thinking about what you shall put on your altar, you must decide where the best place is and what is the reason for your decision to make an altar.

It's good to always have a plan when creating your altar. The first part of the plan is the wheres and whys. Your second decision will have to be if your altar will be used solely for rituals or for meditation or for both. I

If your altar is going to be only for ritual use then making the choice whether or not the ritual tools will be stay on the altar. And who will the deities or elements be that you will dedicate your altar to.

Lots of decisions to make, I know, but it's a place to start. You can have more than one altar if you wish. Outdoors and indoors; ritual and meditation. But always have a plan if you are seriously considering an altar.

When you have spent a couple of days deciding all of this and have everything worked out, then it's time to get rolling.

First, decide where you want to place your altar. For some Pagans, this is a simple question since a great many live in cities or in apartments. But those in the country will have to dwell over yet another question.

A great many, like myself, have an altar inside and out. Killing two birds with one stone, so to speak. But do you want to spend the time and effect to establish both an indoors and outdoors altars? If indoors, what room will be most comfortable? Will the altar stay in that place or will you be moving it for rituals, etc? Which direction will your altar face? This can be an important choice because many like to face their altar East, as that is where the sun rises. Research and meditate on your element of choice before you begin because that choice will affect how you feel and what you do there.

If you are unsure, you might want to research a bit on the Feng Shui style of room placement. A career woman might want her altar in the career area of her home while a homebody might want hers toward the family section of the house.

Can We Build It? Yes, We Can!

Now that you've got the contemplation and research and general sweating over it out of the way, it is time to start constructing your altar. Now that you know what the altar will be used for and where it will be going, this is the time to decide what it'll be built out of.

If you're handy, you may want to build your own table from scrap lumber or just run down to the local discount store and buy one specifically for your altar. But you don't have to do either one of these. If you may have an old table, cabinet or dressing lying around that can do perfectly well. A box or even the seat of a chair can suffice if need be. Mine is an old dresser with Victorian styled mirrors on the side. Two of the mirrors are now covered with cork to hold certain objects. Granted, it is not movable but it doesn't need to be. Keep in mind that the tools of the Craft are practical tools and not necessarily expensive store bought one. Household objects are just fine. Any flat surface will do really, as long as you don't mind getting wax on it.

For a permanent altar, you'll have to take into consideration your preferred position before using it. Will you be standing, sitting, or kneeling? You'll need the altar to be at a comfortable elevation. And remember, the wax comment from earlier. Can your altar stand the burning of candles and make certain that there is nothing above that can 'accidentally' catch on fire. Make certain everything is safe before starting any type of ritual.

You'll also need a place to keep things handy; books, candles, incense, etc. You may decide to keep everything handy by having shelves or drawers on your altar hence my Victorian dresser/altar. It's very handy having drawers below. You may prefer keeping a cabinet or bookcase nearby. All things to consider in altar building.

Outdoor altars can be anywhere or anything. They are usually the easiest ones to create. Most of the time, envisioning where an altar space should be is just being in the right frame of mind. When we moved into our new home, we owned the large lot next to us. I was seeing that I was going to have to install a fence and fill holes in the backyard and all of that adult stuff!

Then my 11-year-old daughter walked up and said, "Oh I think Brigit would like that." She pointed to a corner of the yard where large bushes of small white flowers surrounded the base of a large pecan tree. A long but not large rock laid off-kilter against the tree.

She was right. A little maneuvering of the rock and we had the perfect place for an altar. When all else fails, nature shows us the way. Don't struggle too hard to build the 'perfect outdoor' altar, just let yourself be guided. Even you don't have an area that is just right for altar, outdoor altars are simple to create.

Again, you must consider the questions that you had earlier about your indoor altar. Now drawers and shelves won't be handy but a good sturdy basket for your outdoors rituals might be just what the doctor ordered!

Outdoor altars are as simple as you care to make them or as extravagant! It can usually consist of a place to put your altar items and possibly a statue, birdbath or fountain.

Accessorize, Accessorize, Accessorize

Now that's all decided upon, you now come to the fun part of dressing it up! What to put on your altar is solely a personal choice. It all gets down to you.
I know, more questions. But here are some answers.

• An image or symbol of the Goddess can be placed on the left hand side (as you stand in front of it) and an image or symbol of the God to the right.
• Tools such as the chalice, bells, brooms, cauldrons that are associated with the Goddess should be placed on the left and tools associated with the God, to the right of course. Getting the hand of this? The pentacle, censer and fresh flowers and greenery make take center stage.
• Candles, candles, candles. Cannot be an altar without candles. Place them where they cannot be knocked over or catch a sleeve on fire. The colors depend on the reason you're using the altar.
• The elements also work into your altar. Earth tools like pentacle and salt may be placed to the North, Air tools to the East, Fire to the South and Water tools to the West. This depends on which 'system' you want to use. The God and Goddess layout as I stated above cannot be used with the element layout. One at a time please!
• Leave space for your BOS. Not all of us are perfect and even though rituals should be memorized, it is always handy to have a little help now and then.
• Remember that the altar is sacred. We use it and the tools within it are for spiritual purpose. Therefore, an altar is not the best place to lay your car keys when you're in a hurry.
• If you do use the table that you use for your altar for other things, remember only when it has your religious tools upon is it an altar. THEN laying your car keys on it are okay!

Clean Up Time

As I pointed out about an altar once again becoming a normal table again, there are other duties that must be performed on your altar. Keeping it well maintained and tidy. If you let it get dusty, or the water bowl dries up or even your greenery wilts and dies, this affects your altar. It's simple just to dust or keep the water bowl filled. Flowers and greenery is fine dried but when they rot and fall apart...not so fine. This is your sacred space; make certain it lives up to the name.

Also, make certain that your altar is in tune to the seasonal changes. Nobody wants a Yule log in spring. A few eggs, even fake ones, for Ostara, fir or pine during the Yule season, dried herbs and gourds during the autumn. You get the picture.

I know it sounds hokey, but your altar is a reflection of you and your faith. Your personal altar, indoors or out, is a sign of your Craft and gives you your safe and peaceful space to call your own.