We thought this page appropriate to add to the how-to section, as it’s interesting to discover how other people on this path are creating a space for their spiritual work. How do other people set up an altar? What do other people do on the altar? Is my altar good enough?
So let’s begin with the definition of an altar from the dictionary:
a table or flat-topped block used as the focus for a religious ritual, especially for making sacrifices or offerings to a deity
I think this is such a great definition, and from that definition, you can infuse your own spiritual practices without the care of setting up your altar space correctly or according to the terms of some other individual. The altar is quite simply a flat surface for you to perform your spiritual work.
A point I would like to make after practising magic for many years is that the creation of your altar space needs to be personalised. Of course, we all look to the internet and to books so we can learn how to correctly set up the altar space. We want to set up the altar correctly because we want our experience to be as magical or as spiritual as possible so we can benefit from the effects of the spiritual world.
The truth is that the altar has no effect on the magic itself. It’s what you’re doing within yourself, and in some rituals, with the tools, which will create the change.
The altar for Ceremonial Magic rituals can be more complex, and will not be covered here.
The Altar
I have an altar where I talk to Lucifer & Astaroth every day. Sometimes but not always I will also perform rituals at the altar. Sometimes but not always a offer praise from/by other people at my own altar for Lucifer and for other Demons. I don’t talk about Satan often but sometimes I also talk to Satan at my altar space too. The relationship I have with these ancient spirits is extremely personal to me. As you probably already know I really honour the idea of to know and to keep silent. It’s really hard to keep that promise to the spiritual world when you’re living in the age of sharing everything on social media. I personally believe that when spirit begins entering your life, you feel less of a need to grandstand your skills and abilities to the world. Especially in the left-hand path, spiritual gifts are given out when relationships are developed. And they can be taken away just as fast. Occultism is sacred and the knowledge should remain arcane till the individual enters the path of enlightenment.
With that said, how do I work with these Demons on a day-to-day basis at my altar?
Quite simply I have the following elements and tools in no specific position. Directions are important for my altar. Lucifer to the east and Satan to the south. I have permanent altars set up in both of these directions. Sometimes I will be standing and sometimes I may be kneeling. Sometimes I may be laying down flat (read between the lines as to why).
I am not a highly ritualised person these days and so what I’m sharing with you below will change according to what I’m doing and I’m sharing this information with you so you can set up your own practice. It’s important to say that there is no canon of knowledge and there is no one specific correct way to connect with the spirit.
Representation of the Demon – God – Goddess: in most of my videos you will see imagery of the Baphomet on my altars. Baphomet means so many things, but at the most basic of level, it represents the connection between the worlds. Other times you will see Lucifer or the image of the Spirit I am working with and this could be represented in a number of ways but the key thing is, that the spirit is represented on the altar in a physical manner.
Bell – I have a loud bell that I ring to open the space/connection
Incense – I always use incense as both an offering and as an enticement
Candles – on my every day altar I have mainly black candles burning for lumination purposes. If I’m doing a ritual on the altar many times I will use the black white candles as I will discuss below. For Lucifer I work with black, red, and blue candles. For Astaroth, mainly red or green candles.
Chalice – I’m mostly leaving wine or whiskey as an offering in the cup
Pentagram – this is represented either in the wall decor where I have a massive inverted pentagram, and sometimes I use the inverted pentagram altar cloth.
Dagger – I don’t always open the directions with my dagger – I mainly use it on this altar for the burning of petitions/requests.
Bowl – I always have a heat proof bowl as I use fire all the time and I need a bowl suitable to hold a burning something for a period of time.
(I will add that I always have a fire extinguisher near to – but not next to – my altar and next to my candle stand. There have been mistakes over the years and let me tell you that when a fire starts it normally is already a problem before you even know it exists).
Divination Tools – once again it depends on my mood but it could be anything from a scrying mirror, a crystal ball, or a pendulum, and sometimes Oracle cards. I never use tarot cards on this space.
How to Set Up An Altar for Witchcraft
Setting up an altar in witchcraft is a deeply personal and symbolic process. An altar serves as a sacred space for performing rituals, spellwork, and connecting with spiritual energies. Here’s a guide to help you set up your own altar:
1. Choose a Location
- Privacy: Select a spot where you feel comfortable and can maintain privacy. It should be a place where you won’t be easily disturbed.
- Cleanliness: Ensure the area is clean and free of clutter to create a focused and sacred environment.
2. Select an Altar Surface
- Table or Shelf: A small table, shelf, or even a dedicated corner can serve as your altar. The size should be appropriate for the space you have and the items you plan to include.
- Covering: You might use a cloth or a special altar cover to create a defined and visually pleasing space. This can be in a color or pattern that resonates with your practice.
3. Decorate and Arrange Your Altar
- Directional Elements: Consider incorporating symbols or representations for the cardinal directions (North, East, South, West) to help align your practice with the elements and energies of each direction. For example:
- North: Earth (crystals, stones, or salt).
- East: Air (incense or feathers).
- South: Fire (candles).
- West: Water (a bowl of water or a chalice).
- Deity Representations: If you work with specific deities or spiritual entities, include images, statues, or symbols representing them on your altar.
- Personal Symbols: Add items that have personal significance or correspond to your spiritual practices. This might include crystals, talismans, or other magical tools.
4. Include Essential Tools
- Candles: Candles are often used to represent the element of Fire and can be used in various colors to correspond with different purposes or intentions.
- Athame or Ritual Knife: Used in some traditions for directing energy or cutting through illusions.
- Wand: Another tool for directing energy, used in many forms of witchcraft.
- Chalice or Cup: Used for holding ritual liquids like water, wine, or other offerings.
- Bell: Often used to signify the beginning or end of a ritual, or to clear energy.
- Cauldron: Symbolic of transformation and the element of Water; used in many practices for mixing and heating ingredients.
5. Add Seasonal or Ritual Items
- Seasonal Decor: Incorporate items that reflect the time of year or the current sabbat (e.g., autumn leaves for Mabon or spring flowers for Ostara).
- Ritual Tools: Include specific tools or items related to the rituals or spells you plan to perform.
6. Personalize Your Altar
- Affirmations or Intentions: Place written affirmations, intentions, or goals on your altar to focus your energy and intentions.
- Personal Touches: Add personal items that resonate with your spiritual practice, such as a journal, special crystals, or meaningful objects.
7. Maintain Your Altar
- Regular Cleansing: Keep your altar clean and tidy. Periodically cleanse it of any old energies by using methods like smudging with sage or palo santo, or by simply wiping it down.
- Rearrangement: Feel free to rearrange or update your altar as your practice evolves or as you feel inspired.
8. Use Your Altar
- Daily or Regular Practice: Spend time at your altar regularly, whether for meditation, spellwork, or simply connecting with your spiritual path.
- Rituals and Offerings: Use your altar as a space for rituals, making offerings, and performing magic.
My Witchcraft Altar
In the photo to the right, I have an altar set up for the Goddess Hecate. You can see many tools in the photo in specific positions. The influence of the tools in these positions is from the idea that we are channelling the elements as a source of power for our magic. Each element sits in a specific direction, and each of the tools from the corresponding element sits in the correct direction (as you will find out there is a lot of debate about what direction is correct for which tool). Hecate is also a Goddess we can work with the divination on purposes, and therefore you see the addition of the crystal ball and the pendulum included on the altar.
In my opinion, this altar of mine is only appropriate for very simple rituals where I may just be conversing with the Goddess and perhaps offering simple offerings such as wine and incense.
As I am a witch, many of my rituals require the use of herbs and other tools and these tools will easily overtake a very pretty altar. Normally I will not have any type of tablecloth on the altar because it is a fire risk, and wax from candles will often drip everywhere. Plus the herbs or other powders will just make a gigantic mess all over the table cloth.
You may ask the question as to why I share a photo of this very pretty Hecate altar? Because it shares an ideal of the elements you can use in your rituals. For me, as long as these tools are somewhere close to me I feel happy in my general witchcraft rituals. Personally, I connect with the element when I’m touching the tool, or I bring the influence of the tool on my altar. I’m not particularly worried as to the placement of the tool because, in all honesty, the tool isn’t going to stay in that one place for very long in most of my rituals.
In witchcraft, I believe you have to work out which tool you want to use in your current magical workings, and these need to be the tools that are present on your altar space. I’m sharing this information so you understand that the altar space for practical witchcraft looks very different – and it will look different for every person. So try not to base what you’re doing on a photo that somebody else is sharing on the Internet.
The Wiccan Altar
Wiccan/Pagan – example of altar set up
If you began in witchcraft over 20 years ago you will appreciate that the only information publicly available was coming from Wicca. In one way we can be very grateful to the founders of Wicca for helping the everyday person find some level of acceptance for an alternative religious system.
Because there is so much information available from Wicca that has been written extremely well, those of us who have had a foundation following the path of Wiccan knowledge will tend to set up left-hand path altars following Wiccan correspondences for the four elements + spirit.
Cardinal directions
Using the cardinal directions and elements really helps you to bring everything together and to connect to the natural and metaphysical world.
Fire:
- Direction: South
- Gender: Masculine
- Tools: Spear, staff, candle, lamp
Air:
- Direction: East
- Gender: Masculine
- Tools: Athame, sword, censer, wand, incense
Water:
- Direction: West
- Gender: Female
- Colors: Blue, Cyan, Black
- Tools: Cup, cauldron, mirror
Earth:
- Direction: North
- Gender: Feminine
- Tools: Pentacle, Pentagram, salt, images, stones, gems, cords
Spirit: The spiritual aspect of our being is very important. It’s the bridge between the physical and the soul and is present in the other four elements.
- Direction: Centered, without direction
- Gender: Universal
- Energy: Universal
- Location on Pentagram: Upper Point
- Season: The turning of the Wheel of the Year
- Time: All
- God: Horned God
- Goddess: The Lady
- Sense: Intuition, higher perception
- The cycle of Life: Eternity
- Colours: White, Black
- Animal: Dove, pigeon
- Trees: Mistletoe, flowing almond
- Stone: Quartz, diamond
- Tools: Rope, cord, pentacle
- Positive Trait: Wisdom
- Negative Trait: Self-destruction
Corresponding colour to each direction:
Element of Green Earth in the North
Element of Yellow Air in the East
Element of Red Fire in the South
Element of Blue Water in the West
The items could be set out on the altar in a number of ways, such as according to their connection to the God (masculine) and also the Goddess (female), or about the areas of the compass along with their related elements, etc..).
Wiccan Altar Consecration:
After the arrangement, you are expected to consecrate your altar by offering sacrifices. For this, place fruits, flowers, stones, plants … in the plate or bowl that you have chosen for your altar. Then say a little prayer:
´Goddess of the moon, the sea and the earth
Lord of the sun and wild creatures,
Accept this offering I have laid in your honor.
Oh Powers! Give me the wisdom to see your presence everywhere in nature!´
Then you can close your eyes, meditate and feel the presence of the gods.
Left-Hand Path Altars
On the left-hand path the cardinal directions on the altar are not important (not to me anyway). Where you place all of these tools for the sake of having them in the “correct” position is useless. You could have the prettiest little altar in the world with your consecrated wand and your dagger sitting in the east position. But do you know why they are there? When you pick up that tool, do you know what that tool needs to activate within yourself in order for that tool to be functional?
I am interested in what each of the directions corresponds to, if only for bringing into awareness the importance of what that direction means to me when practising magick. As a quick example, let’s talk about the cardinal direction facing east, which is the element of AIR. In occultism, AIR = The Will. Without The Will, you have no purpose. As I mentioned above, I face East when working with Lucifer. As I stand towards the East, I ring the bell and take full ownership of my desire to enter into the kingdom of spirit. East is the direction of illumination and enlightenment. Facing the east is where daily life begins, and it’s for this reason in magic the gate is open from the east. So we have to see and visualise the reason why we are using that direction and that element when using the tools of witchcraft – such as when ringing the bell or lighting the incense or using the dagger or wand to open the veil.
Witchcraft on the left-hand path would argue that we are more connected with what the element can literally do for us during the magic ritual, versus the symbology of the element sitting on our altar table. Unless your invoking that specific element it is simply just a pretty tool sitting in a specific position.
As a quick overview here are some of the correspondences the left-hand path tools:
Dagger/Athame – Air or Fire (this is hugely controversial and each individual will have their reason why they are correct. I must admit I sit on the fence because I use my dagger both for fire and for air purposes)
Bell – Air
Bowl – Fire
Candles – Fire
Incense – Air
Chalice/Cup – Water
Wand – Air (the wand is very different from a blasting rod used in ceremonial magic rituals). Personally, I still use my want as I am a witchcraft practitioner, and that is why you may see me use this tool in my left-hand path rituals. It is not common for an occultist to use a wand
Pentagram – Earth
Crystals – Obviously Earth
Spell Type Rituals
The purpose of this altar is the connection with the spiritual world and the releasing of your intention via the flame. You would have an object representing the spiritual world or the spirit that you wish to connect with. You would have an offering for that spirit.
For example, you wish to do a ritual to Lucifer for protection. You would begin by lighting incense enchanting the Demons Enn. You would write out your petition on a piece of paper and then place the petition on to your dagger tip. At the height of your ritual, recite the prayer/request aloud and when finished light it in the flame of a black candle on the left side of your altar. Place the burning paper in a bowl to burn.
- Black candles are to release petitions of positive requests
- White candles are to release petitions of your negative requests
You would leave an offering of some type to the spiritual world on the altar as thanks.
How to set up an Ancestral Altar
In magical/religious systems like Hoodoo, Voudon, Santeria, and Conjure, having an altar for your ancestors is a very important practice. Once again there is no one set way to set up such an altar and we discussed that in great detail in the course Hoodoo witchcraft, but to get a vibe of what this is about let me share with you a little more information about the importance of an ancestral altar.
You may be asking if I personally have an ancestral altar? The answer is yes I most certainly do. It’s very important for me to keep the “spirit” of my family active in my daily life. To me, I don’t visit my family when I attended their gravesite perhaps once every other year. I visit them every Friday in my own home at the ancestral altar. As a magical individual, I do not expect my deceased family members to have magical skills which will provide me what I ask for, but they can influence certain aspects of the magical/spiritual world which could benefit my everyday life.
Ancestral altars serve as a portal or gateway for communicating and transferring energy from you to your ancestors and vice versa. After you set up and start to work with your ancestral altar you will have a beacon of light that attracts and satisfies your family members that have passed on. When we help our ancestors they can assist us. There are benefits of not being in the human body and our ancestors can pull strings for us in the spirit realm to help us out in our earthly lives. Making offerings to your ancestors is a mutually benefiting practice that anyone can do with a little know-how and commitment.
It is very easy to set up an altar and you should have one up in no time! Have fun creating your altar and always remember to follow your Spirit Mind and intuitive faculties. If you feel that you should do something different than what I outline in this article, then go with that thought. It’s probably your ancestors telling you!
Items You Will Need
- small or large table preferably made out of wood
- pictures and/or items of deceased relatives
- small glass or ceramic bowl for water (south)
- candle(s) – fire (east)
- incense and holder – air (north)
- crystal(s), gemstones, rocks, and/or coins – earth (west)
- anything else you want to put on your altar
How to Set up Your Altar
- If you’re able to designate a room of its own for your altar then do that. If not, place your altar wherever you feel comfortable having it. Try to avoid placing it in the bathroom, bedroom, garage, laundry room, if you can.
- Place all the pictures and/or your loved ones items on the altar table.
- Place your crystals and/or coin, candle(s), incense holder, bowl of water and any other items on your altar table. You may place them according to their elemental direction (optional).
What to Offer
- food of any kind especially meats. Just make an extra plate at dinner time. If your budget doesn’t allow an extra plate then you can offer rice or potatoes. Offer food daily.
- liquor and/or beer. Especially if you know of ancestors with a fancy for alcohol.
- cigars, cigarettes, and/or smokeless tobacco. Especially if you know of ancestors who yearned for any of these items.
- ancestor money aka hell notes, heaven notes or Joss paper. This is optional but highly recommended. Burning ancestor money is uncommon in the United States but heavily practised in other cultures. The bigger the denomination the better. Offer daily, if possible.
- flowers
How to make an offering
- Light your candle and incense.
- Place your offering on the altar. It can be any one or more items listed above.
- Verbally speak that this offering is for your ancestors that are known and unknown. You may also say names or surnames.
- If you have ancestor money, you can burn as much as you like in a steel or fireproof pot.
- Verbally speak that the money is for your ancestors known and unknown. You may also say names or surnames.
- Now speak to your ancestors. Talk to them collectively or by name. It can be a simple thank you or an elaborate ritualistic prayer. This is the time to ask for forgiveness for anything that you may have done to any one of your ancestors. This is also the time to ask for help. Remember to be reasonable and practical.
- Thank your ancestors and blow out the candle(s).
Questions or Comments?
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If you have a photo that you would like to share with us on this page please email us with a photo and anything else you would like us to share on your behalf.
Updated: April 28, 2022, by Savannah
Created by Miss Melinda, Oct 17, 2015