Altar Tools and Placement

by DragonOak's Pagan Wood Shop

Cutom Built Altars

There are no specific rules that you must follow.  Choices will vary across different pagan paths, you deity, and your own preferences.  If you are a member of a coven, or unity group, the decision may be a group effort. The altar is divided into two sides, however there appears to be a variation in which side is Goddess and which is God (some relegate the right side, facing your altar, to the Goddess; others feel it is appropriate for the Goddess to be on the left side, when facing the altar, meaning she is on the right side from her perspective).  To help guide you along the way, I provide you with a guide list of possible choices.  You may feel comfortable with some or all of them. 

Goddess and God Symbols These can be  statues, stones, plants, shells and feathers, or anything that represents the Goddess and God for you, (on a discussion group altar once we used a small toy stuffed owl, and stuffed deer). DragonOak wood-burns a triple moon and horned god symbol on all his Wiccan Altars.  Usually there is a Goddess candle on your altar, which represents the Goddess (candle colors are usually white or silver), and a God candle can be added (usually green or gold).

Chalice or Cup This is placed on the Goddess side of your altar.  It may contain wine or water and is sometimes used for scying.

Bell The bell is used to begin and end a ritual.  It can be a standard bell, chimes, or a gong type or glass with a small mallot.  This is also placed on the Goddess side of your altar.

Athame Pronounced ath-a-may and being placed on the God side of your altar.  Traditionally this was a black handled double edge knife about 6” long.  It is used to direct energy and cut on the astral plain.

Boline Traditonally a white handled knife used to cut magical things on the earth plain, like;  herbs, cord or ribbon, and carving runes or candles.

Cauldron Used as a scrying tool and placed in the middle of the altar…as both Goddess and God are represented.

Wooden or Clay Pentacle This can be a tile or wood scroll set on top of the altar in the center.  DragonOak engraves the pentacle into the altar.  [Of course not all pagans use the pentacle, some will use Nordic, Celtic, Egyptian, or other symbols here].

Censer Also placed in the center, this is used to burn incense and herbs.

Wand This is placed on the Goddess side of the altar, and can be made of wood, stone, silver, or any material you like.  It does not have to be fancy and can be as simple as a wooden branch.  The wand is used to direct energy

Staff Another tool to direct energy and relegated to the Goddess.

Sword The sword like the athame is a tool of the God and is used to direct energy and cut at the astral level.

Labrys (lab-ris) A double headed axe representing the Goddess, women and femininity.  It also directs energy.

Besom/Broom A tool used to sweep away negative energies from your sacred place.  It is a cleansing tool and is kept on the Goddess side of your altar.

Book of Shadows (BOS) It may also be called the Book of Light, Book of Enlightenment or any variation you choose.  This is the book where spells, information about your path, concordances, and any other special information about deity, esbats and sabats, blends and concoctions, etc are written.  Usually it is hand written by you, although sometimes it may be passed down from generations, or today it has become the thing to create your BOS electronically by computer.

I am sure by now, it has become painfully aware to you, that, with all this on your altar there is no room to work.  It is acceptable to keep larger things on the floor beside your altar, you may also want to put some of the items under the altar, if it is raised or has a shelf area beneath.  You may want only a few of the items mentioned above, as many serve a dual purpose. 

Your Mind There is only one real requirement that you bring with you to any ritual, and that is your mind.  The power of the mind, and the pure intent you put into a spell, is probably the single most important part of spell casting.

 And most of all don't mind the competing sellers who vote against your guides, the universe tends to throw things back times three.