Help with first time alter. Any info would be great!

[darkmoonwolf]

I'm going to be moving out of my parents home and into an apartment building within a month. One of the things I want to do after I move out is make an altar. I've seen pictures here and I really like them.

Right now, I have two goddesses in my life, Hecate and Artemis, but no gods yet. I'm wondering if I can make one half of my alter for Hecate and the other for Artemis. Also what kind of things are required for an alter?

Right now all I have is a large black candle with two wicks for Hecate and a wand that I found outside in my yard.

[FireSong]

Were one to ask me, there is nothing that is "required" for an altar - it is your personal space, your temple, your place of worship.  Personalize as you see fit.  "Traditionally," if I recall correctly, the left side is used for the tools and things specific to the Goddess and the right side belongs to the God.  However, since you have yet to find the God most suited for you, I personally see no problem in using one side for Artemis and one for Hecate.  On some altars, tools are divided by their gender association and placed on the appropriate side.  That is, cauldrons, chalices, pentacles, etc. are placed on the left and wands, censors, athames, etc. are placed on the right.  Others go by the cardinal directions - pentacles and earth associated things go on the north side of the altar, censors and air related tools to the east side, athames and fire associated tools to the south, and bowls of water and other water related tools go to the west.  Still others just do whatever pleases and works for them.  Like I said, it is completely personal.

If you Google "Wiccan altar setup" you'll find quite a few sites and pictures that could offer ideas.

[SingingBear]

Try reusing something, like go to a thrift shop or antique store and buy an inexpensive Window Table. This is a good start to an alter.

[ThunderWolf]

Another viable option for surfaces would be to simply get a small decorator table and a tablecloth that can puddle on the floor once you throw it over the table. You could also put it on top of a chest of drawers or some other piece of furniture that would serve a dual purpose as an altar.

[Ken Ra]

An alter is just where you meet with the Gods so what do you need to do that?

 

[darkmoonwolf]

The elemental directions seems like a good idea to me. I'll take a look on online stores and such to find cloths and things. Thanks everyone. You are all helpful.

[Hagred]

Hi darkmoonwolf.  If you search out altars with the search button you will find many ideas and what others have done.  Also excellent pictures of members altars that have posted them over the past months/years.  Try out http://www.witchforum.net/forum/index.php?topic=3745.15. 

Happy searching.

[ThunderWolf]

An alter is just where you meet with the Gods so what do you need to do that?

 

True, Ken Ra, but some of us like to indulge in our fancies. So long as it's something that feels inspirational, I'd say all is good. If you don't feel it's necessary, see Ken Ra's post. LOL

[Child of Gaia]

You mentioned finding a wand outdoors.  The outdoors is a great place to find things for altars.  My altar has quite a few pretty stones on it; perhaps you could put some stones/wood/leaves/herbs on your altar, particularly for Artemis.

I hope this helps.

Blessed Be. )O(

[darkmoonwolf]

Good idea thanks Child!

[ThunderWolf]

As far as natural items go, you may find eBay to be a treasure trove depending what is on sale at any given time! My athame is not double sided, but it is a blade made of obsidian with part of a stag antler as the handle. It was handmade and sold on eBay. These exact knives may not be available any longer (I found them under knives--not athames), but at the time they had two available and I had a Pagan boyfriend for whom I bought the other one. You can't even imagine the goodies you might happen upon by just perusing an interesting object on eBay! I never expected to find these, but I'm so glad I did!

[Ken Ra]

True, Ken Ra, but some of us like to indulge in our fancies. So long as it's something that feels inspirational, I'd say all is good. If you don't feel it's necessary, see Ken Ra's post.

I like to indulge my fancies too.  LOL 

An alter / temple  among other things is a symbolic representation of the world / universe.  So as our understanding  of the world grows so does the alter / temple

[Spiritbird]

Whatever you feel is right for you is precisely what you should put on your altar. I agree with many of the others who have said something similar. I personally change my altar according to the Wheel of the Year, using the colors and symbols appropriate to whichever season we are in, as well as the symbols of my patron goddess. I would recommend that you get one of those sets of plastic stackable drawers. They are great for storing altar supplies as well as keeping organized, and you can purchase and add more drawers as you need. I got mine from the Dollar General.

[Ula]

If you type in witch altar's on youtube you get tons of videos on altars as well.

[Caon-hin]

I am planing on building my alter frome things i find in the woods such as sticks and limbs and stuff, i would like to know you think about this and would it be a good way to go about my alter.  BLESSED BE!