Altar & Tools
Altars are place that we perform spells, rituals, and daily devotional. They are our connection to the universe and the divine. They hold power and energy.
Your altar can simply be a nightstand, top of a dresser, or a coffee table. I had purchased a tv stand put my tv and all that on and I moved and didn't use it so I converted it to my altar. All you need is a flat surface.
Altars can be decorated any way that you like. Make it unique and represent who you are and your connection to the divine. You can use a cloth, special candle holders, statues, or spirit animals.
Definitely make sure it is fire safe as you will be working with candles, incense, and flames.
Decide where you would like to put your altar. You may want to knell in front. Some people will place there altar in the East corresponding with the dawn, intelligence, and the sun. Some people like their altar in the North.
Basic altar setup:
1. Two Illuminator candles (one for God and one for Goddess)
2. Statue of Deity
3. Centerpiece for focus (pentacle, hexagram, lunar crescent)
4. The wand
5. Athame
You also want to represent the four elements on your altar. You can do this however you like. You can use incense for air, bowl of water, etc.
You can also place cakes or food on your altar that you may want to eat. This is called cakes and ale.
You want to cleanse, consecrate, and empower your altar. Cleanse first. You can use water with salt. Salt is good for purification of any object. I've put a cup of salt on my altar and later used it in a ritual bath. You can also use water with salt to clean around your house even your walls and doors. Consecrate or bless. Then you want to empower and offer your altar up to the sun, moon, God, and Goddess and connect with it.
You can also place gemstones, your book of shadows, herbs, sage, etc. make it your own.
Also, try not to put too much on your altar. It can get cluttered. Keep it simple and neat and clean.
I want to remind you that it takes time and money to build and gather and collect all these items and make it just how you want. I have added and changed and painted and done this and that. Don't try to buy everything at once. I'm going to add a list of tools these are things you can look into. Start with one and then we can learn about it and work with it.
Tools:
1. Athame
2. Basket
3. Bell
4. Book of Shadows
5. Broom
6. Candles
7. Cauldron
8. Poppets
9. Wand
10. Staff
11. Jars & Bottles
12. Incense
13. Herbs
14. Chalice
I will tell you right now I do own all of these and I'm still working at it. Don't be overwhelmed. You might want to start looking at wands. That's a good place to start. If you are interested in buying something and need help please ask me. After you purchase a wand there are certain things you want to do and you have to learn how to use it.
YOU ARE READING
Witchcraft Book of Shadows
Non-FictionI'm mainly using this as my BOS since I am a new practicing witch. I want to keep everything that I'm learning about in one place so it's easy to keep track of it :). I also figured that this could help others in my position <3. Blessed Be.
