Now that you’ve cleansed your space the last thing you’ll need to do to finish setting up your altar is say a blessing and consecrate the space. You might think of it as a way of opening the psychic channels through the calming, contemplative ritual of having tea together. A spell incorporates conscious use of the imagination, and then adds the dimension of crafting a physical item to be a container for the creative life energy you are stirring with your spell. Some people choose to have an altar to one who has passed for a specified amount of time, and still others keep an ongoing, permanent altar for all of the gone-befores in their lives.

The captivating world of birthstones is steeped in ancient history and mystical beliefs, dating back to biblical times. The left and right associations vary according to personal preference, but the center area is almost always considered the "both" area, or the working area. Elemental Minuet © Lindy Kehoe 2019 What you define as an altar for spiritual practice is entirely up to you. If you have a spiritual project that spans many days or sessions, you may want to bring a new object to the altar at the beginning of each session to refresh and deepen the practice. This can be a way to touch in with those who are on the other side when in need of insight, advice or just to reminisce.Ritual Tools: These can include, salt, oils, resins, herbs, athames, jars, statuary, pentacles or pentagrams, mortar + pestles, candle carving tools, journals or book of shadows, really anything that you may need to have on hand if the majority of your ritual work happens at your altar. A religion/spirituality dating back over a century, there’s a lot of history and especially a lot of variations when it comes to Wicca. Gently blow the smoke from the sage over your altar and tools continuing to visualize the smoke cleansing the space of negative energy. Crystals: Crystals can be an essential part of your altar, tapping into their energy to further enhance your magical workings is a major reason you'll find these on someones altar. A lit candle is often a good focal point for dropping into a meditative state, or the sound of a resonant bell can signal to your mind "this is your time let go.

One of the most beneficial and simple things you can do is to put a little gratitude out there into your space, every day. These are important points to remember – it doesn’t have to be fancy or expensive, but personal to you. This can mean dusting and organizing it every week or so, swapping wilted flowers for fresh ones, and adding new offerings or items that reflect your current intentions. Altars are like mini temples, so you’re more likely to feel your intuition here,” Novo says, adding that visualization can also be supercharged when practiced at an altar.

You can even create an altar dedicated to your departed loved ones in time for the Samhain celebration. Burning candles, dry herbs, iron cauldron, smoking mugwort, bulls skull mojo, bunch of garlic in wooden background in the dark, low key, selective focus. It's a sacred space you regularly come to when you need inspiration, healing, peace, comfort, and meditation during life's turbulent times. I went away with the task in hand, but didn’t get round to anything when a package arrived and there was the most powerful athame I had ever had the pleasure to experience.

Given that many of us are still spending lots of time at home these days, it makes sense to want an area, however small, that’s all yours. You can also use a Chalice (cup) which represents Goddess, and can be used to drink out of during rituals. Certain Wiccan traditions may have different colors but universally, the altar is usually decorated to represent the time of year.For example, you might be burning incense in one cauldron, burning petitions in another and need another cauldron for mixing herbs together with your hands. Whether this be in a separate room, your bedroom or living room, choose a space that feels right for you and gives you privacy.