Tips for buying products for your Altar

You can often buy tools and supplies for your altar inexpensively at witchy conventions or on the internet.

However, ordinary, non-witchy shops can also be good places to look.

For example, for an athame, check the dollar or pound stores for a nice letter opener.

For pentagrams, check the clearance aisle of your local supermarket, after Christmas for “Star of Bethlehem” items.

Cloth gift bags make great charm bags or receptacles for your tarot cards.

Dried herbs are not ideal, but maybe easier to find and use than fresh, This may be especially true if you don’t do a lot of herbal magic.

Having said that, it is very easy to grow herbs in a small pot on your windowsill.

For cauldrons, look in garden centers for pots, or kitchenware stores for soup terrines.

Besom or Brooms can be found in hardware stores.

For robes, you could use old-fashioned nightgowns in plain white, or purple (the color of occult knowledge), or your favorite color.

Ideally, they should be made from natural fabrics, such as cotton or wool.

You could also if you wish to, embroider them with sigils, your magical name, the names of deities, or other symbols.

When you absolutely cannot find the right colored candle, or make the right smelling oil, or are simply unclear about what is needed, use something plain.

Plain is pure energy, thus you can never go wrong with that.

White as a color is always good. Use white candles when in doubt.

You can use, non-perfumed massage oil for anointing yourself, your wand or other equipment.

This will always work, although it may not be as potent as the specified item. Above all, just be creative.

Witches Altar

An altar is a sacred place where tools are placed during a Witches’ ritual and magic.

Traditionally, the altar stands in the center of the circle of energy raised by the participant(s) in the ritual.

It may be a table or other object with a flat surface, such as an old chest.

It can be square or round, according to preference.

Witches may decorate the altar with colored scarves or other material corresponding with the season or the particular purpose of the ritual.

Ideally, the altar is made of wood, such as oak, which is considered to hold significant power, or willow, which is considered sacred to the goddess.

However, it can really be made of any material, as any physical object charged with magical energy will contribute to power to the ritual work being enacted.

Witches performing outdoor rituals may use an old tree stump, large stone, or other natural objects for an altar, or may use fire in place of the altar, placing the ritual tools elsewhere in the charged space.

While the altar is usually set up prior to the ritual and taken down afterward, some Witches maintain permanent altars in their homes.

These may double as shrines to the Goddess and God and can be a place to store the Witch’s magical tools.

The tools are deliberately placed in specific patterns on the altar, with intentional regard to the elements and the four directions.

For example, tools and symbols associated with the element of Earth may be placed in the North section of the altar, while those associated with water will be placed to the East.

While many Witches closely follow established patterns for setting up the altar, others will experiment and use patterns that resonate with their personal relationship with their deities and corresponding tools and symbols.

Outdoor Witches Altar

Place a small element altar (make sure to use weatherproof items) outside;

A bowl to collect rainwater for the birds,

A chime to catch the breeze,

A bird feeder and a candle to light in the evenings.

An outdoor God or goddess statue will complete your outside altar.

Empowering Your Altar

You can empower your altar, as a reflection of the positive aspects, of your changing life, by placing on it other small items, that carry happy memories for you.

These might include, stones, or shells, found on an enjoyable outing.

Or maybe presents from friends or family.

Or possibly a letter or even a printed email which was written in love.

Pictures or photographs of places and people that are endowed with emotional significance.

Holding these can restore the pleasure of the moment and fill you with confidence.

These are all magical objects because they are endowed with the power of good feeling.

Some practitioners keep a book, for example, a book of poetry, a copy of the psalms, the works of Shakespeare or the I Ching.

Whenever you lack inspiration, close your eyes and open your book.

The page will be chosen apparently at random but in fact, your deep unconscious mind has chosen the most appropriate answer by a process akin to psychokinesis.

Occasionally, you may wish to gently energize these personal artifacts by burning a candle scented with chamomile or lavender.

The domestic altars of many lands were originally the family hearth and an unused hearth will serve well as an altar.

They depended on their power on herbs and flowers gathered from the wayside in the days before petrol fumes.

Many witches who have a hearth do still keep it well swept and fresh with flowers or seasonal greenery.

Between your altar candles, you may like to place statues, a god and goddess figure from either your own spiritual background or from a culture that seems significant to you.

This will balance the yang, or male, energies with the yin, or female.

The god figure may be represented by a horn and the goddess by a large conch shell.

There are a great variety of deity figures in museum shops.

As well as New Age shops. and those selling goods from particular areas of the world.

You may, however, feel more comfortable with a ceramic animal, bird or reptile for which you feel an affinity.

A tiger for courage, an eagle for vision, a cat for mystery and independence, a snake for regeneration.

This is what Native Americans call our personal totem or power creature.

You may find some of these are, in some cultures, the symbols of divinities.

There is, for example, Bast, the cat-headed Egyptian goddess who protected women , especially in pregnancy and childbirth Bast was originally a lion goddess who symbolized the fertilizing rays of the Sun.

Creating an Altar to Yourself

You may be uncomfortable with the idea of worshipping yourself or not feel you’re worth worshipping.

That should change! Everyone has a spark of the Divine inside them.

That is worth honoring. You are worth honoring as a vessel of the Divine as well.

Collect things that you associate with yourself. Photos you love, jewelry, trinkets; things you may not use anymore but still love fall into this category.

Items from your childhood are great to use as well if they remind you of happy times.

Favorite books? Favorite colors? Draw them all in to help assemble this self-care space to honor you.

Choose a place to set up your altar.

A small wall shelf somewhere is a great idea, if you want to keep it small and simple.

You can hang pictures or art on the wall above or around it. Decorate it however you like: add shells, drape scarves, add action figures…

This is for you.

Make sure there’s room for a candle.

A votive in a glass candleholder taller than the candle is a good idea, to protect the things around it from the flame.

What You Need:

Framed photo of yourself (size of your choice)

Representations of your activities (job, hobbies, and so on)

Representations of life events (such as rites of passage, medals, trophies, and so on)

2–3 of your favorite stones or crystals

Candle (color of your choice) and candleholder

Matches or lighter

What to Do:

1. Assemble your chosen items where you’ve chosen to set up your altar. Set the candle in the middle and arrange the other objects around them.

2. As you place them, take a moment to remember how proud or happy you felt at each life stage or achievement. Appreciate how hard you work at your job. Feel gratitude for your hobbies. As you build the altar to yourself, build the feeling of pride and love for yourself and the person you are.

3. When the altar is complete, center and ground. Light the candle. Look slowly and deliberately at the items you have collected and displayed.

4. Say: I honor myself. I honor my strength. I honor my past that has led me here. I honor my skills, my talents. I honor my determination. I honor my need for space and time to myself. I honor my rights. I honor my potential.

5. When you are done, you can extinguish the candle.

6. At least once a week, return to the altar and light the candle. Let your gaze travel over your collection that makes up the altar and be proud of who you are. Repeat the prayer above, if you like. Go to the altar when you feel worn out, are fighting low self-esteem, or doubting your awesomeness. Tip:

This altar is by no means static. It’s a work in progress. Add to it as often as you like.

lammas: Setting Up Your Lammas (Lughnasadh) Altar

It’s Lammas, or Lughnasadh, the Sabbat where many Pagans choose to celebrate the beginnings of the harvest. This Sabbat is about the cycle of birth, life, death and rebirth—the grain god dies, but will be reborn again in the spring. Depending on your tradition, you may also observe this Sabbat as the day of the Celtic craftsman god, Lugh. Either way, you can try some or even all of these ideas—obviously, someone using a bookshelf as an altar will have less flexibility than someone using a table, but use what calls to you most.

Did You Know?

  • Your Lammas altar can include all kinds of produce, grains, bread, and other agricultural symbols.
  • Consider adding items to your altar that represent Lugh, the god of craftsmanship, or other deities of the fields.
  • Use bright autumn leaves, nuts, acorns, and other natural found goodies to accent your altar space.

Colors of the Season

It’s the end of summer, and soon the leaves will begin to change. However, the sun is still fiery and hot. Use a combination of summer and fall colors—the yellows, oranges, and reds of the sun can also represent the turning leaves to come. Add some browns and greens to celebrate the fertility of the earth and the crops being harvested. Cover your altar with cloths that symbolize the changing of the season from summer to harvest time, and use candles in deep, rich colors. Reds, burgundies, or other autumn shades are perfect this time of year.

Because Lammas is a grain holiday, representing the first harvest, it’s a great time to get yourself into baking bread. Consider adding loaves of freshly baked bread and incorporate them into your harvest rituals and spellwork. If you’re not a baker, that’s okay! Get some stalks of wheat, barley, or corn, and add those to your altar to represent the bounty of the late summer fields.

Solitary Pagan Witches: How to Create an Altar for Your Practice

Solitary Pagan Witches often have a special place in their homes, known as an altar, where they can connect with their spirituality and perform rituals. The altar is a sacred space that is used for meditation, spell casting, divination, and offerings. It is a place where the witch can focus their energy and intentions, and connect with the divine.

The altar is typically decorated with items that hold personal significance to the witch, such as crystals, candles, incense, and statues of deities. These items are chosen based on their spiritual and symbolic meanings, and can be used to enhance the energy of the space. The altar may also include tools such as a wand, athame, chalice, and pentacle, which are used during rituals and spells.

For Solitary Pagan Witches, the altar is a place of power and transformation. It is a physical representation of their spiritual beliefs, and a reminder of their connection to the divine. Whether they are performing a simple meditation or a complex ritual, the altar provides a space for them to focus their energy and intention, and to connect with the natural world and the forces of the universe.

Magick

Magick is an essential part of solitary pagan witchcraft, and the altar is the central tool for performing magick. The altar is a sacred space where solitary witches can connect with the divine, cast spells, and perform rituals.

The altar is a physical representation of the witch’s spiritual beliefs and practices. It is a place where they can focus their energy and intention to manifest their desires. The altar can be as simple or as elaborate as the witch desires, and it can be decorated with symbols, candles, crystals, and other items that hold spiritual significance.

When performing magick on the altar, the witch will typically use a variety of tools and ingredients to enhance the power of their spells. These may include:

  • Candles: Different colours of candles represent different intentions and can be used to enhance the energy of the spell.
  • Crystals: Different crystals have different properties and can be used to amplify the energy of the spell.
  • Herbs: Herbs can be used in spells and rituals to add their properties to the intention of the spell.
  • Incense: Burning incense can help to create a sacred atmosphere and enhance the energy of the spell.
  • Tarot cards: Tarot cards can be used to gain insight into the situation and help to focus the intention of the spell.

When casting spells on the altar, the witch will typically begin by setting their intention and creating a sacred space. They may then call upon the elements, the divine, or other spiritual beings to assist them in their work. The witch will then use their tools and ingredients to perform the spell, focusing their energy and intention on the desired outcome.

In conclusion, magick is an essential part of solitary pagan witchcraft, and the altar is the central tool for performing magick. The altar is a physical representation of the witch’s spiritual beliefs and practices, and it can be decorated with symbols, candles, crystals, and other items that hold spiritual significance. When casting spells on the altar, the witch will typically use a variety of tools and ingredients to enhance the power of their spells, focusing their energy and intention on the desired outcome.

AIR MAGICK, Knot the Wind

Items Needed.

Three-strand of blue cord.

A Compass.

The calling or raising of the wind is can be seen as a very outdated magickal process, initially used when the wind was vital for cruising.

Witches were reputed to harness the power of the wind in a knotted cord, and then promote it to sailors.

When untied, the first knot would bring a gentle breeze.

The second would bring strong wind, and the third a gale. Modern Witches use the knot spell to for inspiration and creativity.

To harness the power of the wind you will need a strand of blue cord and a compass.

Go to the highest hilltop you can find. Face the East.

Take a number of deep, cleansing breaths.

Maintain the cord above your head.

When the wind begins to blow, tie the first knot, as you say the following,

I knot the wind, The wind of desire, I knot the wind, The wind that shall inspire.

Repeat the above conjuration as you tie the second and third knots.

Take just a few moments to really feel the cleaning energy of the wind.

Ask the wind to free you from all adverse ideas and vibrations.

Take your cord and hang it above your desk or workspace.

Whenever you really feel the need for inspiration, untie the first knot and say the following,

I free the wind The wind of desire I free the wind My mind to inspire.

Air Incense and Fragrance

A listing of some of the incenses and fragrances associated with the element of air

Ambergris (love, lust)

Wear ambergris to attract love. Mix Ambergris with a small amount of vanilla, burn on the night of the full moon to increase passion.

Benzoin (purification, prosperity)

Burn benzoin to clear a room of unwanted vibrations. Mix benzoin with frankincense and burn during the new moon to clear confusion, and increase psychic powers.

Lavender (love, protection)

Wear lavender oil to soothe the mind and body, and bring visions of love. Mix lavender with sage and burn during the waning moon to purify and protect the home.

Pine (healing, money)

Burn to clear air and help with breathing problems. Mix pine with eucalyptus and burn to enhance life and bring money

Sage (wisdom, protection)

Wear sage oil to clear the confusion. Place sage leaves under a doormat to protect the home from negativity. Burn sage during the waning moon for protection and to clear the confusion.

Star Anise (psychic power, luck)

Burn or wear the seeds to increase psychic power. On a windy day scatter the seeds in the wind to bring luck.

Sweetgrass (spiritual attunement)

Burn sweetgrass to call in the s

The Elements of Wind, Its Powers, & Color

North Wind: is the color of pitch black.

The north wind is known to help in cleansing the negative energies that would get in your aura and or thoughts in the mind.

Good for any cleansing spell in retail or in spell casting.

East Wind: is the color of the sky or water and rich blue.

The east wind is good for adding power to water magic.

So to be used in healing magic to heal the aura and spirit and or body of disease and sickness.

South Wind: is a hot and powerful wind that is the color of a deep yellow.

The south wind is good for adding extra energy and power to whatever spell you use in spell casting or in retail work.

West Wind: is the color of light, which is pure white.

The west winds are good for changing your thoughts and aura and or chakras with a cleansing pure light of energy.

The west wind is good for any spiritual spells or rituals that have to do with light beings and or angles.

Feeling you with great joy and happiness and positive energy.

Working with Feathers

At times when working your craft with the element of air, bird may come into your mind.

After all, they spend most of their lives in the air.

They often “gift” us with feathers and these feathers can be honored as special Gifts.

Feathers have long been associated with the Air, Wind, the Mind, and New Flights, as well as at timesGods and Goddesses.

They have been used for different things and as gifts, they serve specific functions, and listed below are the most common.

A Direct connection to the Gods and Goddesses and specific Divine Forces.

A form of Divine Force the Creators take for flight.

A call to unfold your Wings and find the enchantment within your life.

A signal between Human to Human.

A reflection of change or an opening of consciousness.

Omens and signs.

A medicine or Quality you may consider developing.

Tools for Prayer, petitions, and alignment with Specific Natural Forces.

A link to Nature beings.

All Feathers may relate to the Human experience.

Every Feather can connect you to the Energies of species of birds.

Air is what separates Heaven and Earth and is the realm of the Bird which can move about easily in both.

Feathers can be a link between your Spirituality and your Physical consciousness.

Air in motion can be viewed as a force.

It can be the Wind and reminds us that we can fly using our Creativity and Imagination.

Air is essential to all life.

Whatever Energies are in the air, you Breathe them.

It can be a reminder to be aware of your surroundings as well as what you surround yourself with.

Abramelin the Mage 

The Book of Abramelin tells the story of an Egyptian mage named Abraham, or Abra-Melin, who taught a system of magic to Abraham of Worms, a Jew in Worms, Germany, presumed to have lived from c. 1362–c. 1458. The system of magic from this book regained popularity in the 19th and 20th centuries partly due to Samuel Liddell MacGregor Mathers’ translation,

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