To begin, you will need a large, flat surface for your altar. This could be a table or a cupboard.
Drawers in the furniture can be used for storage, and you may wish to cover the surface with a cloth.
The shape of the surface is not important; both circles and squares are considered sacred.
Any shape can be divided into four quadrants, representing the four elements: Earth, Air, Fire, and Water. These elements are central to traditional magic and are present even in informal rituals.
A round altar, which reflects the sacred circle, is especially effective.
If you do not have a suitable piece of furniture, you can use a piece of uncut stone or unpolished wood, such as hazel, ash, rowan, or oak, supported by stones or bricks.
Make sure your altar is high enough so you do not have to bend over constantly.
If the weather is good and you have a private, sheltered spot in your garden or backyard, you can use a tree stump or a tall, flat rock as your workspace.
Some of the best altars are impromptu ones you create yourself.
For example, you might use the top of a standing stone, surrounded by your favorite crystals.
Or you could use a rock on the beach, marking the directions with a circle of seaweed and shells.
Your altar does not need to be large, but you should have enough space to move all the way around it.
Many rituals require you to move in a circle with the altar at the center.
In some traditions, the altar is placed to the north of the circle, while you stand to the south, facing north.
Ultimately, the arrangement of your altar is your personal choice.
The center of the altar or circle represents the realm of Spirit, also known as Akasha.
Akasha is the fifth element, created by the combination of Earth, Fire, Air, and Water.
In classical times, these four elements were believed to make up all life and matter.
In formal magic, tools and lit candles are often kept on the altar, but this is not essential.
Even if you share a communal room, you can leave your altar partly prepared.
However, items like salt and water should be added just before a ritual to ensure freshness.
For a garden altar, you can use an outdoor candle or torch and stone figurines, perhaps shaded by bushes.
It is also a good idea to keep living plants on your indoor altar when it is not in use, to keep the energy fresh and active.
If the plant feels stagnant, sprinkle it with an infusion of lemon or peppermint in a counterclockwise direction (widdershins).
This can help remove any negativity that has accumulated during the day. Then, move clockwise (deosil) to charge the altar with positive energy.
You can also cleanse your altar with incense, creating a protective circle of pine or myrrh, first moving widdershins, then deosil.
Each night, or whenever you have time, you can use your altar to explore your inner psychic abilities.
For example, you might gaze into a candle or scry into a bowl of water, adding drops of colored ink to the surface.
Try holding different crystals from your altar and allow impressions to come through your fingertips as images, sounds, or feelings.
This practice is called psychometry, and it may develop naturally over time.
You may also have specific goals for your altar work.
For instance, to attract prosperity, place a pot of basil surrounded by gold-colored coins and light a green or gold candle, visualizing golden coins showering upon you.
If you wish to send healing to a sick friend, place their photograph on the altar, surround it with pink flowers, pink rose quartz, and a circle of small pink candles.
Send your healing message or visualize golden light, then blow out the candles in a clockwise direction (deosil), sending the energy where it is needed.
When not performing formal magic, keep crystals of personal significance on your altar.
You might choose clear quartz for pure energy, blue lapis lazuli flecked with gold for wisdom, purple amethyst and rose quartz for healing and harmony, or golden-brown tiger’s eye for grounding.
You can also keep different herbs on your altar, depending on your current focus.
