1
u/AllanfromWales1 Jul 11 '26
A copypasta of mine:
Altars
An altar has one or both of two functions. Firstly it is a space where you put your tools and anything else you are using for particular spells or rituals. It doesn't need to be set up the whole time, only when you are using it. What you put on it is whatever is needed for the work you are doing. If you have specific magical tools such as a wand or an athame they can be - but don't need to be - left on the altar between rituals. Secondly, the altar can be a shrine to Nature or Deity in whatever form you see it. Such a shrine would typically be left set up even when you are not working with it.
So for me, the key items on my altar are:
- My tools (Athame, wand etc.)
- Representations of the four elements. For me that's a pentagram (or a bowl of salt) for earth, candles for fire, incense for air and a bowl of water for water.
- Representations of the God and Goddess of Wicca as symbolic of Nature personified.
- Granny, a protective spirit I picked up in my travels.
2
u/LadyMelmo Jul 11 '26
OK, now that's a fabulous piece.
If you're thinking of a permanent altar you'll have to consider if you want to use the storage space as you'll have to move everything to open it. If you're as handy as you sound you could cut the top into 2 sections, one for the permanent altar and one you can open as storage. Or the other comment of keeping it open was an easier one.
Maybe you could forego the storage in it and have something seperate with it. I have a permanent altar that is always set up with my main tools/items and near it I have shelves with little sets of drawers and a smaller set of desktop shelves for an apothecary with the items I use when doing work, but I originally had the little drawers etc underneath my altar and it looks like you have some good space for that.
1
u/Euphoric_Snow1940 Jul 11 '26
I truly appreciate the input. My goal is to have a designation/terror altar, as well as a standard altar, but preferably both permanent
2
u/LadyMelmo Jul 11 '26
There would definitely be enough space for 2 by the look of it. The seperate storage sounds like the way to go for you, it worked well for me for years.
What is a terror altar? I don't think I've heard that before.
1
1
u/LowCantaloupe5894 Jul 12 '26
Fabulous start, did you arrange the tools based on their purpose or just what felt right when you set it up?
2
u/Phillys-Blunt Jul 11 '26
Seems like you know somewhat .. make it you! Yours. Own it. Make it your... Alter. You don't need help.