So I had big plans for this post this week and they all fell apart quite quickly. Especially since I'm now writing it from my phone as I try to get my son to sleep which he's been refusing to do for two hours now.
So. Altars. *straightens what little hair is left on my head* I wanted to get an altar set up this week and get lots of pretty pictures for everyone to check out but not yeah... didn't get there either. Will try to in the next few days and update the post. So first I'm going to talk about my altar necessities, though I do not have everything I consider a necessity because I'm very particular about magickal objects. I must feel a connection to something before I can use it (I'll talk more about this when I talk about crystals and tarot cards.) because I feel things will call to me. Not to say I don't look (like any other relationship, it's a two way street) but I haven't found several things I can connect with.
Candles- First of all they are necessary to represent fire but also if you do any sort of candle magic. I have an entire box with every color from the rainbow. Eventually I'd like to make me own. Then as I make the candle I can infuse it with the magickal intentions for the the spell I'm planning on using it for.
Wand- I know at least a couple of you may have giggled on this one (especially if you're obsessed with things like Harry Potter like I am) but a wand is important for very focused magic. You can have a regular use wand and create wands for specific spells which are buried afterwards. Wands must never be taken from a living tree. You can take from a tree when it is dormant (don't forget to thank it for the gift it just gave you) or from a dead tree but personally I prefer branches that have fallen from the tree naturally.
Athame- This is a black handled magickal knife. It is not used for any cutting beyond magickal needs such as opening a door in a circle, etc. It is double edged traditionally. I have yet to find one that calls to me.
Bolline- This is a practical or working knife with a white handle, traditionally made of bone. This is used for physical cutting or carving.
Representations of the God(s) and Goddess(es)- I have a Josephine Wall artwork that I love and use for this. Several actually but I feel lots of things work for this. Figurines, statues, etc.
Representations of the elements - This one can vary and be what you feel is appropriate. I have a candle for each normally as well as other things such as a potted plant (which is rooted in Earth, drinks Water and takes in and expells air and uses sunlight (fire). Bam. 4 elements right there. Plus the beauty of life incorporated into your altar.
I also have a handmade set of cups for Earth, Air, Water and Fire as well which each were made with my altar in mind a couple years ago and each has the invoking printable for that specific element on it. I also made boxes to store them in which have visuals representations and symbols for the two they are supposed to hold. Notice I said "supposed". I'm not very gifted in the way of ceramics and forgot to account for shrinkage but I like them just the same. I also glazed each in a way I felt was representational of their element. Handmade items are a must.
I also have a large candle I've had since I started practicing which has a Pentagram carved in it that represents soul for me, as well.
Altar cloth- these change for me depending on the ritual, time of year or because I need a change.
Those are my bare essentials. I also suggest photos of loved ones and other such things. An altar is your sacred space and yours alone if you're a solitary practitioner so make it yours. Adorn it with things that mean something to you and your path.
As I wrote this post a realized that there are magickal working altars as well as altars that are meant to represent things, family, friends, etc. How I didn't see it before is beyond me. In fact I honestly have mini altars all around the house. I have them set up on shelves. They may not be used for working spells and such but they have things that have a purpose to my family and I. For example the DVD shelf in the kitchen has photos of my husband and I and a photo of my mom and I and a photos of each of the furkids. It has other objects on it that give it a calm and loving feel to me, including a little waterfall and some Asian themed decorations. To me it is an homage to my family. The pictures are set in very specific places all it not only looks visually pleasing but has a balance that can calm me when I view it. Perhaps you may not consider it an altar because it isn't used for performing magick, but I consider it so.
So an altar can be for performing magick or not and both can be great reflections of you. Don't get caught up into how so many books say an altar should be laid out because if it feels awkward to you you'll be unsteady in spells and/or rituals but if it feels comfortable to you it will make your magickal workings much more successful!
So. Altars. *straightens what little hair is left on my head* I wanted to get an altar set up this week and get lots of pretty pictures for everyone to check out but not yeah... didn't get there either. Will try to in the next few days and update the post. So first I'm going to talk about my altar necessities, though I do not have everything I consider a necessity because I'm very particular about magickal objects. I must feel a connection to something before I can use it (I'll talk more about this when I talk about crystals and tarot cards.) because I feel things will call to me. Not to say I don't look (like any other relationship, it's a two way street) but I haven't found several things I can connect with.
Candles- First of all they are necessary to represent fire but also if you do any sort of candle magic. I have an entire box with every color from the rainbow. Eventually I'd like to make me own. Then as I make the candle I can infuse it with the magickal intentions for the the spell I'm planning on using it for.
Wand- I know at least a couple of you may have giggled on this one (especially if you're obsessed with things like Harry Potter like I am) but a wand is important for very focused magic. You can have a regular use wand and create wands for specific spells which are buried afterwards. Wands must never be taken from a living tree. You can take from a tree when it is dormant (don't forget to thank it for the gift it just gave you) or from a dead tree but personally I prefer branches that have fallen from the tree naturally.
Athame- This is a black handled magickal knife. It is not used for any cutting beyond magickal needs such as opening a door in a circle, etc. It is double edged traditionally. I have yet to find one that calls to me.
Bolline- This is a practical or working knife with a white handle, traditionally made of bone. This is used for physical cutting or carving.
Representations of the God(s) and Goddess(es)- I have a Josephine Wall artwork that I love and use for this. Several actually but I feel lots of things work for this. Figurines, statues, etc.
Representations of the elements - This one can vary and be what you feel is appropriate. I have a candle for each normally as well as other things such as a potted plant (which is rooted in Earth, drinks Water and takes in and expells air and uses sunlight (fire). Bam. 4 elements right there. Plus the beauty of life incorporated into your altar.
I also have a handmade set of cups for Earth, Air, Water and Fire as well which each were made with my altar in mind a couple years ago and each has the invoking printable for that specific element on it. I also made boxes to store them in which have visuals representations and symbols for the two they are supposed to hold. Notice I said "supposed". I'm not very gifted in the way of ceramics and forgot to account for shrinkage but I like them just the same. I also glazed each in a way I felt was representational of their element. Handmade items are a must.
I also have a large candle I've had since I started practicing which has a Pentagram carved in it that represents soul for me, as well.
Altar cloth- these change for me depending on the ritual, time of year or because I need a change.
Those are my bare essentials. I also suggest photos of loved ones and other such things. An altar is your sacred space and yours alone if you're a solitary practitioner so make it yours. Adorn it with things that mean something to you and your path.
As I wrote this post a realized that there are magickal working altars as well as altars that are meant to represent things, family, friends, etc. How I didn't see it before is beyond me. In fact I honestly have mini altars all around the house. I have them set up on shelves. They may not be used for working spells and such but they have things that have a purpose to my family and I. For example the DVD shelf in the kitchen has photos of my husband and I and a photo of my mom and I and a photos of each of the furkids. It has other objects on it that give it a calm and loving feel to me, including a little waterfall and some Asian themed decorations. To me it is an homage to my family. The pictures are set in very specific places all it not only looks visually pleasing but has a balance that can calm me when I view it. Perhaps you may not consider it an altar because it isn't used for performing magick, but I consider it so.
So an altar can be for performing magick or not and both can be great reflections of you. Don't get caught up into how so many books say an altar should be laid out because if it feels awkward to you you'll be unsteady in spells and/or rituals but if it feels comfortable to you it will make your magickal workings much more successful!
1 comments:
This was really cool to read!! I learnt a lot that I didn't consciously know but have done, even just a little bit! Thanks ♥
Post a Comment