Just remember that you don't need to have ALL the crystals to get started, or big spheres, or huge geodes, or giant pieces that cost a small fortune. If however, you are conducting a ritual to celebrate a holiday, then you might use a more formal cloth, any thing from crushed velvet to black satin or Victorian lace.

During the year, we witches celebrate or mark the passing seasons (sun movements) and moon cycles (lunar movements).But again, you can place anything special and meaningful to you on your altar, even if it’s not traditionally considered magickal or spiritually significant. And while these are totally acceptable definitions they kind of only scratch the surface of what an altar means to a witch, pagan, or spiritual being. Some people choose to have an altar to one who has passed for a specified amount of time, and still others keep an ongoing, permanent altar for all of the gone-befores in their lives. Besides its enabling role, your altar serves as a visual reminder of your intentions, commitments, and beliefs. My youngest made me a tree from plasticene when he was only 3, and this also represents the forest and Lord of the Greenwood and has a place on my altar.

It’s good practice, too, for consciously engaging your magical, metaphorical mind, your eye for seeing meaning and beauty in the midst of the everyday world.

It's a sacred space you regularly come to when you need inspiration, healing, peace, comfort, and meditation during life's turbulent times. Other protective elements include “a decorative jar or a small glass bottle of black salt and a piece of pyrite [crystal] and a piece of tourmalated quartz. These 4 or 5-star reviews represent the opinions of the individuals who posted them and do not reflect the views of Etsy. Incense usually comes in single notes or specific scent profiles for certain intentions so you can choose the incense that matches your intent.

This reinforces your intentions, and as you know, the basis for all magic begins with strong intentions. These are placed on the altar for some time, ranging from the length of the circle and spell-casting itself to months or even years, depending on the spell.For example, you might be burning incense in one cauldron, burning petitions in another and need another cauldron for mixing herbs together with your hands.

Whatever you include on your altar, Ruelas says that something for protection, such as a white and red candle, is a must. Around her, one could place a cup of rice to represent fertility and life-giving nourishment, images of lotus flowers, a small turtle toy or sculpture to represent the sea, as she is the patron of fishers, and a vase or bowl filled with water as a symbol of purity and good luck. Energy Clearing Tools: Having something ready at your altar whenever you need to clear away some energy, negative, or stagnant is kind of a must.A journal may be essential if you like to keep a physical record of your spells so they can be repeated, or to record any thoughts or feelings that get stirred up while you work. Deciding where to set up your altar is entirely up to you, however, we recommend setting this up in an area where you are least likely to be interrupted, experience distractions and where no one else will mess with it.