Probably since the beginning of time people have believed in spirits and entities such as angels, gods and even demons that can change their life for good or bad. This belief has led the ancient people to try and please these entities in order to win their favor and have a good life. These people believed that there were certain places and things that held specific concentration of spirits, usually these spaces were elevated in a way, such as piles of rocks, a mound of earth, trees or forests. It is these sacred places where people left their offerings at and said their prayers on what we call altars.
Nowadays things are bit more different.
Different peoples and cultures saw altars in their own way, according to their religion and beliefs, but they have one thing in common - the altar is an elevated place used for worship or prayer. It is a place where practitioners and worshipers would leave symbols of offering, cast spells, or pray.
Historically, altars probably originated when locals would find a certain place holy or inhabited by spirits, thus they would set up an altar to appease these entities. Once just a pile of rocks or mound of earth sufficed, but when religions grew and the sacrificial practices began and people started making elaborate temples, elaborate altars were also built.
In Israel the altars consisted of rectangular stones with a basin hollowed out on top and the four corners were made to look like horns. These "horns" were considered to be the most sacred part and whoever was holding onto them would be divinely protected.
The ancient Greeks built altars at entrances of their house, at marketplaces at their yard, at public buildings and at countryside sacred groves. The more grandiose city altars had fire burning constantly. The temple altars were outside of the temple, rather than inside. The Greeks also decorated their altars with sculptures of the gods they worshiped. The Roman altars were pretty much similar to those of the Greeks.
Talking about altars we can't not mention Christianity.
Early Christians did not use temples or altars, their worship was done in the privacy of their houses. Altars started to be used by 3rd century AD. When churches began being built they started adding a wooden table in the choir or in the apse which was their altar. Later on these wooden tables were made of stone instead. By the 4th century in Western countries the altars were covered by a canopy-like structure, Balanchine was put on columns surrounding the altar. They also started to put ornaments, paintings and sculptures.
In Norse paganism an altar was used for sacrifice, This altar was called Hörgr and consisted of piled stones in a harrow. Such variations of the Hörgr could also be set up in the home and as a place of worship to the Norse gods.
In Neo-Druidism the altars are often erected groves where fire is to be started in or near the altar. They make use of various objects - chalice, staves, and a plant offering. If there is no altar they would place these stuff on the ground.
But enough history.
If you are here in this article you were probably feeling a calling to make your own altar as a witch, pagan or not. And you have come to the right place as the following text will be about how to set up your own altar in a few easy steps.
The first thing you need to do is think about and decide what this altar will be used for? Are you going to use it to work on it, journal on it, create or cast spells, is it going to be only a prayer and offering for deities space or for meditation, will your space focus on nature, ancestors, or something else. This is important to decide because it will help you with the actual set up. For example if you are going to be working on it you might need to create a set up where most tools and symbols of worship are put in the back and you have a bigger open empty space in the front.
Decide what will go on it and what won't. Rummage through your stuff and find what you would find appropriate to put on your sacred space, be it sculptures, paintings, photos, candles etc.
Pick a place. This depends on the first step and this place can be the top of a small table, windowsill, corner of a dresser, or bookshelf wherever will feel the most practical.
Cleanse and banish negative energy. Now that you have chosen where the altar will be it's time to clean that space. You would want that space to be squeaky clean in the literal sense of the world and in the spiritual sense. You can wipe the dust in counter-clockwise movements to banish negativity. Another thing you can do is grab some oil or water and draw a symbol - pentagram or rune, sigil anything that feels right to you this way you are consecrating the space you can state that you are doing so in the name of a deity you worship/work with or what the altar's purpose is too.
5. Establish symmetry. Whatever you decide to put on the altar it's good to have some symmetry, it might seem like it's only for aesthetic value, but that also is important as this is meant to be your sacred space, it is only logical to make it as appealing as you can to yourself, as you will be the one looking at it everyday and working on it. If your confused on how to create that it is best to start with the bigger pieces you have and move on to smaller ones, add some independent spaces inside, elevate, add as shelf, push back pull forward, play with it.
6. Start by putting the basic necessities and tools and incorporate the four elements. The basic tools you will need are things that represent the four elements such as dirt or salt for Earth in North; incense, feathers for Air on East; candles for Fire, on South; Water, cup, moon ornaments for Water on West. Other things to include are candles, athame, wand, pentacle, grimoire, chalice. Now if you wish to make an altar for your deity only you would want to put things that are associated with that deity and a bowl for offerings. And yes, before you ask, you can make the altar for both your deities and the four elements, just make sure to separate them in some way, like maybe elevate one above the others. You can also make an altar for one element only or a deity and it's element. You can add crystals, tarot, books. Literally anything that feels right - do it.
7. Add bowls, cups and kitchenware, stationary organizers, anything to make the space as tidy and clutter-free as possible as your energy and craft will be affected by it. If you have pictures or tapestry hang it on the wall. Before putting them on your altar make sure to cleanse everything.
8. Be creative, look at pictures for inspiration, make it your own, as it represents you and your craft and your connections to your entities.
That is all I have for you this time, I hope you get some ideas or some clarity, draw some inspiration and be creative!
Blessed be Witches!
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