Altars (How to be an OCD Witch)

Your altar will often be your focal point for any working you do. It holds your tools, your statues if you have them and is the focus of magic. Altars can be made from anything. Some people build purpose built ones from wood and stone, or use outside influences to place things on top. Some covens may be very lucky and have a stone table in their working area to use. Others of us buy tables, wooden blocks and stone tables to place all our stuff on. In Solitary Witch, by Silver Ravenwolf (this is an example of a fluffy bunny book. She's great for base spells and base ideas, but she tends to be wishy washy, flouncy and wordy to me and Myotishia) she references ideas for the practitioner that has pushy parents or live with people that do not understand. She even mentions using a skateboard. But I would advise against that.

Altars are referenced to represent the womb of a woman, the circle of creation with everything it needs all in one place. The staples of a good Altar differ between practitioners. You could ask a hundred and hear different things. The rule of thumb is:-

Have something to represent the male (Wands are good, stag horns, anything phallic, use your creativity and daggers too)

Have something for the woman (the chalice is common. This can be as ornate or simple as you wish. Or a bowl, something to hold water. A chalice is useful to hold the wine (or non-alcohol beverage for those that are not old enough or have an aversion to drink.))

A representation of the four elements (refer back to see what we suggest or think of your own)

Wine and cakes (use our recipes or make your own)

Working tools (if you need a pestle and mortar, bring one)

A pentacle (ornate or as simple as you wish, one is plenty. You don't need it, but it is commonly used)

Candles (witches need light dammit)

This list can change depending what you are doing and when you are doing it. Sometimes you will have other items added because of the time of year. Pick and choose or add your own. It is your altar.

We have a chopping board as our altar when we use it. But because of our situation we tend to be 'spontaneous witches'. Myotishia just did one, no altar. Our last altar was the roots of a gorgeous big tree that shared in our cakes and wine. It all depends. Do try to have a cloth though if you use an altar that doubles as furniture or is expensive, candle wax is a paaaain! We got some on the floor...damn thing won't go (sigh).

Overall an altar is like a Pagan, all over the darn place. Messy or clean, compact or huge, it's yours. Personally, the world is my altar (stands skyclad in silhouette).