-Altars-
Building your first Altar can be rather daunting.
What do you need? Does it look right? Where does everything go?
First of all you just need any flat surface - a table, chest of drawers, piece of wood on bricks, etc. Ideally it should be positioned somewhere where you will not be disturbed or indeed where it will not be disturbed! Though please take note; if you have nowhere that is viable as a continuous Altar, do not worry. Some people find they build and disassemble their Altars everyday, because the living room coffee table is the only space they have! Improvise. However, only touch your Altar yourself - other people's energy can be negitave and harmful.
Next you should cover your Altar with a cloth you consider special. Some have silk, others velvet, but if you feel that multicoloured croched cover your Nan made you feels right, then use it. Remember - no hard and fast rules.
You need to place items on your Altar to represent the 4 elements and the Goddess and God. The elements are:
Air
Earth
Fire
Water
Air can be represented by many things; feather, burning incense, etc.
Earth is quite easy too; some garden soil is good, or salt even.
Fire can be incense burning, or a lit candle.
Water can be any liquid, though water is preferable!!
Representing the Goddess and God can be confusing. Some specialist Witchcraft shops have carved wooden figures to represent them. You could even just use a picture of a woman and man. I have 2 candle holders, one with a Moon on, (Goddess), and the other with the Sun on, (God).
Other items you may use, but are not essential are:
Athame - By tradition a black-handled double-edged but blunt knife-like tool used to channel energy, circle casting, etc. Also used for cutting the air and ether. I use a letter opener in the shape of a miniture 'Excalibur' sword - which is kept in a stone.
Bollin - Again by tradition a white-handled knife that is used for cutting or engraving. This is NOT for use on humans or animals, but used to cut cord, candles, herbs, etc in the course of a ritual.
Goblet or Chalice - Used for wine, or if you do not drink alchohol, friut juices and ritual relevant cordials, such as Elderflower cordial. This or indeed a small bowl can be used for scrying or crystal gazing.
Bell or Gong - Used to 'Alert the Quarters' - or the elements before a ritual.
Candles - Many colours and sizes are used - but smaller tapered candles are useful as they take less time to burn, but still have the same effect. Often they are anointed with oils or encribed on.
Cauldron or Pot - Used for burning incense or mixing potions or tinctures. Some Witches even use them in the kitchen for making specific brews that require the heat of a cooker.
Besom or broom - Used to cleanse the working space before and after rituals. Also handy for sweeping up spilt stuff!
Beyond that you will require your Book of Shadows to refer to the ritual you wish to perform, and incense burner with charcoal for burning dry herbal incense and resins such as Dragon's Blood, plus the correctly corresponding incense for the ritual. Incense comes in a variety of forms, cones, sticks, floral, herbal, resins and powders. Investigate all types and use the one or combinations of different types that appeal to you.
I will add further elements of the ritual side of things at a later date and also explain the correspondances of colours, days, incense, Altar items etc. The above list is a good starting point. Always remember you are learning and you will find that taking things slowly may be a little frustrating, but you will understand it thoroughly.
