The purpose of a Wiccan altar can vary from witch to witch, but all of us who use one find strength and comfort in knowing that we have a secure spiritual “home base” to return to.
If you are new to the world of Wicca but are interested in creating your own Wiccan altar, you’ve come to the right place!
In this article, we’re going to break down everything you could possibly need to know about how to set up and how to use a Wiccan altar. From the purposes it serves to how to make it look beautiful and work great–we’ve got you covered.
Strap in–you’re about to learn more than you thought possible about Wiccan altars!
Table of Contents
The Importance of a Wiccan Altar
The Importance of a Wiccan Altar
An altar is a personal thing for a Wiccan, and its purpose can vary from witch to witch. But that being said, there are some broad, common themes that tend to crop up when you ask a witch about the importance her altar.
In this section, we’re going to take a look at those commonalities among different types of Wiccan altars and why so many practitioners see these themes as important to their spiritual journey.
What is an Altar?
Before we can think about why an altar is important, we’ve got to pin down what exactly an altar is. Luckily there is no shortage of examples, both from within the world of Wicca and outside of it.
The General Purpose of an Altar
At its most basic, an altar is a specially designated place where someone performs a religious ritual. And Wiccans and witches have no special claim to altars–they show up in religions across the world.
In some instances, you can find an altar in a public place of worship, like in Christianity. The altar is often the central focus of worship and devotion in churches of all kinds.
But in other cases, altars are more of a personal affair. These are areas in a person’s home where they can practice their religion in private. This kind of personal, spiritual altar is what we’ll be focusing on in this article, as most Wiccan altars are personal creations–although Wiccan covens frequently use altars in their services too!
The Purpose of a Wiccan Altar
So now we know that altars are special places where people perform religious rituals and rites, but that still doesn’t tell us much about the purposes of a specifically Wiccan altar. Why should a witch want one?
Well I’m glad you asked! And even if you didn’t, I’ll tell you anyways!
As you might already know, Wicca is a religion that is all about harnessing and directing spiritual energy. That’s why we perform spells, that’s why we pray, that’s why we set intentions, and it’s why we do most of what we do. By learning to control the spiritual energy that’s always around us, we can manifest our innermost desires in the outer world.
For a Wiccan, an altar can be a focal point for that spiritual energy. When we create one, we’re telling the universe that this very spot is where the magick happens, whether that be spells or prayers or whatever sort of Wiccan practice you employ.
But your altar is more than that, too. It’s also a reflection of you and your unique spiritual journey. By the end of this article, I’m sure you’ll be sick of me repeating this mantra, but it’s absolutely true: creating your altar is all about finding what works for you and your spiritual goals.
We’ll go into the specifics of using your altar a little later, but for now just know this–if your altar makes you feel like you’re progressing as a witch and brings you closer to the divine Triple Goddess and Horned God, then you’ve got a bona fide Wiccan altar on your hands.
Is An Altar Necessary?
So now that we’ve got a little bit better understanding of what a Wiccan altar is, we have to ask ourselves the million dollar question–is an altar really necessary to practicing Wicca or witchcraft?
Well, like most things in life, it depends.
In this section, we’re going to take a look at the benefits of an altar in general and whether or not it will help enhance your personal practice.
The Benefits of a Wiccan Altar
There are two main benefits to constructing your own personal altar–one of them is spiritual and the other is practical. And despite the fact that we often emphasize the spiritual over the practical, I think it’s important to look at both aspects for your own journey.
Spiritual Benefits
Like we discussed a little earlier, an altar acts as a nexus for spiritual energy. By having this central location to perform most (or all) of your magick, you imbue that space with its own spiritual power that helps to amplify the energy drawn in by a spell.
However, a Wiccan altar has spiritual benefits that extend beyond making your magick more powerful.
It also acts as a reminder and source of inspiration for your spiritual journey. Some days, especially when it seems like nothing is going right (magickally or otherwise), we’re tempted to throw in the towel. An altar is a way to physically symbolize where you’ve been and where you want to go spiritually.
It’s sort of like a vision board on steroids–not only does it remind you of your inspiration, it also provides you the tools and platform to make those inspirations a reality. And even if you’re not working magick on a regular basis, your altar is a reminder of what drew you to Wicca in the first place.
Practical Benefits
This is typically not the first thing that comes to mind in regards to the benefits of an altar, but there’s no denying that having one is an organizational godsend.
On a practical level, a Wiccan altar is a centralized place where all your most important tools for spellcasting reside. There’s a lot less hunting for missing objects when they have a designated space.
Obviously, boxes or other organizational tools could also solve this problem, but if you’re already thinking about creating an altar, why not kill two birds with one stone?
Who Should Make an Altar?
If you’re still undecided about whether a Wiccan altar is right for you, take a look at the following scenarios and see how much they apply to you.
Do you feel like your spells are not as powerful as they could be?
When people talk about feeling spiritual energy, are you left wondering exactly what that feels like?
If so, an altar might be the right choice for you. Sometimes, all we need is a little focus to take our magick to the next level.
Do you find yourself plagued by disorganization?
Is it a challenge to complete a spell or ritual because you feel like there are just too many individual parts to stay focused on?
I know I just said it, but it bears repeating–for those of us who are not the most organized, it’s such a relief to know that everything is ready and waiting for you at your altar. Creating a Wiccan altar can give you some peace of mind if you’re like me and have a tendency to fret over fine details.
Do you want a way to express your spiritual individuality?
Are you looking for a new creative outlet?
Making an altar is perfect for people who feel like this! For really creative witches, the process of constructing your altar can be just as spiritually rewarding as using it.
In the next section, we’re going to look at the specifics of how to make one, and as you’ll see, there are no hard and fast rules. It’s the perfect place to let your creativity run wild.
Who Shouldn’t Make an Altar?
Just because there are lots of good reasons to create an altar, doesn’t mean it’s for everyone. If you find yourself resonating with the following, then perhaps an altar isn’t the right spiritual tool for you at this point in your journey. And that’s perfectly fine!
Do you prefer spontaneity over ritual?
Is the element of discovery and surprise the most important value in your spiritual practice?
There’s no denying it–I’m someone who loves planning involved rituals with plenty of symbolism and other bells and whistles. But that’s not the only way to be a witch–and I get that.
If you’re worried that you’ll feel “chained” to your altar or you resent the idea of spellcasting in the same place over and over again, then maybe an altar isn’t right for you. And forcing yourself into a practice that you don’t actually enjoy is only going to be detrimental to your magick.
That being said, as we’ll see in a little bit, an altar doesn’t always have to be as permanent and long-lasting as I’ve made it seem so far.
Would you rather invest spiritual energy in your practice as opposed to physical energy?
Does the thought of a to-do list invoke feelings of dread and procrastination?
Creating an maintaining a Wiccan altar isn’t the most time- or energy-intensive thing you can do, but it does take work. And if the thought of adding another obligation to your plate sounds like the last thing you want, then it’s perfectly fine to hold off on creating one.
An altar can be a source of energy and inspiration for some, but if you’re worried that this is just going to be a burden or a nuisance, then it’s likely to sap both energy and inspiration.
Creating a Wiccan Altar
We’ve finally reached the fun stuff-it’s time to actually create your altar!
Like I said in the last section, a lot of what will go into your altar is a mix of personal preference and practical considerations. So, this section is not so much a guide for constructing the “ideal” altar–rather, it’s more about making you aware of the basic altar set up and why certain witches design their altars in certain ways.
I can provide you with all the puzzle pieces, but it’s up to you to put them all together. There are so many different types of Wiccan altars, and I’m excited to see what you come up with!
Where to Put an Altar
Before we figure out what goes into an altar, we’ve got to figure out where to place it.
Portable or Stationary?
Some Wiccans’ altars are a permanent fixture in their home. These tend to be more complex and decorative since you’re not having to move it around all the time.
However, there’s nothing wrong with creating an altar that you pack up after use. If you simply don’t have the space in your home to dedicate an area for altar use only, portable is the way to go.
There is absolutely nothing wrong with a good, old fashioned makeshift altar on your kitchen table when time and space allows it.
A portable altar also might be a good idea for a Wiccan who prefers to or is forced to live “incognito.” You won’t get as many prying questions about your religious beliefs from parents, roommates, guests, etc. if your altar can be put away and hidden from sight.
Indoors or Outdoors?
Placing your altar inside or outside is largely a matter of personal preference.
If you feel particularly drawn to the power and beauty of nature, there’s nothing wrong with creating an outdoor altar. It actually sounds pretty cool. But there are some things to keep in mind about this.
Firstly, a portable altar would probably do better outdoors. You don’t want your altar to be damaged by the weather, and unless you’re living in paradise, you probably don’t experience clear skies and nice temperatures 365 days a year.
Additionally, you’ll need to take things like lighting into consideration when creating an outdoor altar. During the day, you’ll be fine, but things can get trickier after dark. Assuming you can keep your candles lit outdoors, that might still not be enough light to read your spell by.
But for some of us, an outdoor altar is just not a possibility. And I think you’ll definitely find more people with indoor altars than outdoor ones simply as a matter of pure practicality.
What Direction Should It Face?
Even though there are only four cardinal directions, you’d be surprised at how many different opinions there are about what direction your altar should face.
I’ll go through the major schools of thought shortly, but please don’t make this an agonizing decision. The direction of your altar can be important, but it’s more important to end up with a working altar and not get stuck in the planning phase.
Many Wiccans will suggest creating your altar facing north, as this is traditionally associated with the element of earth. A northward-facing altar can help you feel grounded and secure in your practice.
East is another option, as it is the direction of the rising sun. This is a practice that’s found not only in witchcraft, but other world religions as well. Facing the rising sun can bring an energy of newness and life into your practice.
However, south could be a good choice, too. It’s traditionally associated with the element of fire, which can bring passion and intensity to your spellcasting.
What’s most important is that you choose a placement that’s personally significant to you. But like I just mentioned–don’t get too hung up on the details at first.
Which Room Should It Go In?
Wiccans who have the space sometimes choose to dedicate an entire room of their home to their craft, with the altar being the central focus of the space.
For those of us who don’t have much room to spare, it’s important to take some practical concerns into consideration when finding a place for your altar.
You probably want to avoid putting it in an area with lots of foot traffic and activity. A living room altar might sound convenient, but imagine trying to cast a sacred circle with the television blaring in the background!
A kitchen or dining room altar could be an option, but only if you think the energy or vibe of the room connects well with your practice.
Speaking of vibe–I’ve never seen a bathroom altar for this very reason. But hey, if it works for you…
That really just leaves the bedroom, which I think is where you’ll find a good chunk of Wiccan altars. It’s a deeply personal space, and it’s typically not a particularly busy room–which for many witches is the perfect combo.
What to Put Your Altar On
When it comes to placing your altar, there are two important things to decide about surfaces–how big should the altar be and what material should the surface be made of?
What Size Should the Surface Be?
The size of your altar will largely depend on your own personal style of Wicca.
When you cast a spell are all of your items neatly arranged and within arm’s reach?
Do you enjoy simple spells that rely more on focus and intention than physical objects?
If you answered yes to either of these, you might be able to get away with an altar that’s on the smaller side.
Do you enjoy the “thrill of the hunt” when it comes to looking for a specific tool?
Do you prefer spells that have visual drama and lots of moving parts?
In that case, you’ll probably want your altar to be on the bigger side.
But regardless of what I just suggested, you’ve also got to take practical considerations into mind. You might like the idea of an altar the size of a coffee table, but if you don’t have the room to comfortably place it in your home, it’s likely to be a source of resentment and frustration as opposed to a source of inspiration.
My main advice in terms of size is this: take some time to scope out a good place for your altar and see what potential space you have to work with. Then do an “altar test run” in that area with a spell or two. If you feel comfortable there, then congrats–you’ve discovered what size your altar should be!
What Kind of Material Should I Use?
Traditionally, altars would be constructed on wood surfaces. But, like everything in this article, that’s only a necessity if it feels beneficial to you.
If you’re going with wood, you’ll have to choose a specific type, too. Some witches swear by oak, while others only use maple or cedar. Ultimately, it’s worth the effort to do some research to see what associations different types of wood have and then choose one that suits your practice.
That being said, if you’ve already got a table you want to use, don’t worry about it being the wrong kind. This is more about setting up a usable base of operations than about creating the perfect one.
And you don’t even have to restrict yourself to wood. This is especially true if you want to create a portable altar–a simple, collapsible plastic table could work just fine for those purposes.
Those creating outdoor altars are the really lucky ones, though–you can get super creative with your surface. Tree stumps are a traditional Wiccan favorite, but even something like a large, flat stone could be neat too.
The Sections of a Wiccan Altar
An altar is traditionally divided up into sections, but what those sections are and where they go are a matter of personal preference. Now, we’re going to take a look at some of the different options and why a witch might want to go with a particular one.
What is the Basic Altar Setup?
There are a few common themes that show up across Wiccan altars. These are:
- Altar cloths
- Ritual space
- Shrine to the Lord and Lady
- Tool space
- Personal objects
Altar Cloths
Altar cloths help spruce up the look of your altar, but they also serve a symbolic magickal purpose as well. Changing the color or design of your altar cloth based on the changing of the seasons or the type of magick you’re going to be performing can help to enhance your potency as a witch.
Ritual Space
Typically Wiccans will leave a large area of blank space near the middle of the altar to use for performing rituals or spells. Now, not all altars are used for working magick, and that’s fine–but most altars, no matter their specific purpose, need a little space for doing whatever it is that you’re going to do.
How much ritual space you allocate yourself will depend on the size and nature of your altar, but this is really the whole point of constructing one–a place to work your magick, whatever that might mean for your specifically.
Shrine to the Lord and Lady
Another common theme to Wiccan altars is a shrine honoring our deities. Traditionally, this would be the Lord and Lady (or Horned God and Triple Goddess), but this space can be reserved for any deities or energies you principally identify your practice with.
In Wicca, the Lord and Lady are the source of our power and all magick in the world. Creating a space that honors them and reflects their unique qualities is usually of the utmost importance to a Wiccan.
Traditionally, the left side of an altar is designated as a space for the Goddess, while the right side is a space for the God. However, this is just one configuration among many for you to try. Personally, I keep statues of the Lord and Lady at the topmost point of my altar so that they can preside over everything that takes place there.
How you represent and honor your deities is a matter of personal choice, but I always recommend that some sort of symbol be present on your altar to commemorate them.
Space for Wiccan Altar Tools
Designating space for tools or other objects on your altar can be a challenge. There are already so many things that need to go on there that these objects can really start to pile up! So remember, your mileage may vary depending on how big your altar is and what purpose you’re designing it for.
That being said, I would recommend keeping at least a few of your most commonly used tools on your altar. We’ve already talked about how altars can be both organizational tools and a reflection of your own unique spirituality, so I won’t rehash those again.
But I will say this–think about the primary purpose of your altar and then make space for those objects and tools that help you to accomplish that purpose.
Common Wiccan altar tools that you might consider including are basics like:
- Candles
- Wand
- Chalice/Bowl
- Wand
- Athame
Personal Objects
Personal objects with spiritual significance to you are also a good option for including on your altar. These could be items with a special meaning to you, but you could also include everyday things that help put you into a magickal mindset–like incense or a work of art.
How Much is Too Much?
Only you can tell when your altar is too cluttered–that’s something that’s going to vary from person to person. However, it is beneficial to pay attention to how you use your altar and tailor its design to that.
For example, if your altar is the nexus of your Wiccan practice and you’re using it daily for lots of different purposes, it would make sense to create a large, expansive altar. If your altar is witchcraft central station for you, it’s fine to make it look that way!
I lovingly refer to this as a “kitchen sink” altar–as in, it contains everything but the kitchen sink.
On the other hand, if your altar serves a very specific purpose–like honoring a deity or performing a specific kind of spell–you might be better served by paring down the objects on your altar. This will allow you to really focus on those elements that are amplifying your purpose to its fullest potential.
Making Changes to Your Altar
There will be times when you want to change up your Wiccan altar, and that’s totally fine. In this section, we’re going to take a look at some reasons why you might want to change up your decor and how to do that.
Holiday Decor on Your Altar
The eight major Wiccan holidays (or sabbats) are a great opportunity to spruce up your altar. Adding colors or symbols associated with a particular celebration is a great way to get into the holiday spirit.
Be sure to check out our article on Wiccan holidays to see how and why we celebrate each of these special occasions. Or better yet, you can use your altar to start holiday traditions of your own!
Decorating for a Specific Spell
Making some changes to your altar decor depending on what spell you’re performing is another opportunity to switch things up. That being said, a new spell doesn’t always require you to overhaul your altar completely.
This is a good chance to experiment with things like color. Changing the color of your altar cloth depending on the type of spell or deity you’re working with can help to enhance and amplify the energy you’re attempting to raise.
Additionally, you could rearrange the objects on your altar without adding any new ones to help better serve your specific purposes. For example, if I’m performing a spell that invokes the four elements or cardinal directions, I will sometimes rearrange my altar into four quadrants, with each representing a different element.
Just Changing Things Up
There’s nothing at all wrong with changing up the look of your altar from time to time just because you want to. But I would caution you against treating your altar like an outfit–something to change up every day.
I think a good Wiccan altar should feel inviting and consistent, and it’s difficult to accomplish that when your altar is just a collection of ever-rotating objects. Create an altar setup and give yourself some time to get used to it and decide if it’s for you. You can always change things up later, but why not give them a try as they are right now?
Safety Concerns
There hopefully isn’t too much on a Wiccan altar that poses a safety threat, but it’s important to make sure we’re aware of any potential problems.
Fire Safety
If your altar features candles, incense, or anything else lit be aware of how you place them and when they’re burning. As much as possible, keep them away from flammable objects on your altar, and always have a plan and tools ready in case an accidental fire does start.
Don’t forget–altars can be replaced, but people can’t.
Child Safety
If your altar features any tools or small objects that could be dangerous to children, be sure to keep them out of reach of any curious eyes and hands! This could mean anything from constructing your altar on a high table to putting away your altar objects after you’re done with them.
Using Your Wiccan Altar
If you’ve made it this far, then you’ve probably got a great altar on your hands–or at least some great ideas for constructing one in the near future. So now it’s time to put this altar to good use!
First things first–we need to bless the altar. Just like any other tool you use in witchcraft, an altar needs to be consecrated before we put it to use.
Wiccan Altar Blessing
You can design your own altar blessing that’s as involved or simple as you would prefer, but below, I’ve included a short blessing of my own that you can use or incorporate into your own ritual.
To perform this blessing, you should set up your altar the way you want it beforehand.
[Face the altar and repeat the following, with your hands held palms up]
I consecrate this space with blessing and protection
By the power of the great Lord and Lady may all negativity here be banished
I consecrate this space with power and intention
By the power of the great Lord and Lady may my work here be fruitful
I consecrate this space with truth and courage
By the power of the great Lord and Lady may this altar guide me along the Path
May all spirits and energies of goodwill and light join me in this prayer of consecration
[Take your right index finger and point it towards the sky above your head. Then, reach down and touch the ground with the same finger.]
As above, so below, the blessing is sealed by the power of my will given by the great God and Goddess of all. So mote it be.
How Will You Use Your Wiccan Altar?
Your altar is officially up and running and ready to go! Your next steps are up to you, though.
You could try casting spells at your altar or honoring a specific deity, but nothing is set in stone. Your altar might just end up being the place where you can meditate and unwind from all the craziness of the world.
Ultimately, if you feel like your altar is serving you then it’s doing its job–regardless of what I or any other witch recommend. My goal with this article was not to dictate how and why your altar should be based on my own practice, but rather, it was to show you the exciting possibilities for creating a unique altar that excites you and supports your spiritual goals.
Your Next Steps
A Wiccan altar is just one aspect of this religion–there’s plenty more to be learned! If you’d like to know more about Wicca, I’ve got some suggestions for further reading.
The Wiccan Bible for the Solitary Witch
First up is my book, The Wiccan Bible for the Solitary Witch. It’s a guide that takes a look at all the most important things that a solitary witch (i.e. a witch without a coven) needs to know. It’s a self-guided manual for anyone who values their individual perspective and wants to become a successful Wiccan–and it’s the perfect place to start if you’re new to Wicca and witchcraft.
How to Become a Wiccan
Not ready to curl up with a good book? That’s fine too!
Here on Explore Wicca, we’ve got a great introductory article to the religion–How to Become a Wiccan. By the time you’re done reading it, you’ll be familiar with all the major beliefs and practices of Wicca, and you’ll even be able to perform a spell yourself!
The Explore Wicca Mailing List
If you’d like to stay in touch and be notified when Explore Wicca publishes a new article or has exciting news, don’t forget to sign up for the Explore Wicca mailing list!
When you sign up, you’ll receive a free color magick chart–and it’s perfect for helping you choose the correct colors for your own Wiccan altar. Click here to sign up!
Regardless of the next steps on your spiritual journey, I’m honored that Explore Wicca could play a small part on it. I wish you nothing but the best for you and your new, spiffy altar!
Blessed Be,
Didi Clarke
