Altars and more altars...

[wildhunt]

What is the preferred material used in making an altar? Is plastic out?

[Medicinefox]

Nothing is out hon. Use your imagination. The Universe will tell you what is right.

Love,
Fox

[ThunderWolf]

If I had the room and money to get an altar to use just as an altar that would be great. I'd probably go for some Asian inspired style with a black marble top.

The marble top would be practical for mundane reasons (clean up and such) as well as satisfying my personal aesthetic.

However, I have neither the money or the room. So my preference is to use other furniture for double duty. I've often been known to use a chest of drawers I kept clothing in, and right now I have a decorative chest I store some odds and ends in while keeping my altar on top of it. I'm not sure what material it's made of. Probably wood or some sort of wood composite. I've got another altar on top of an audio/video cupboard I made from MDF. The top of one chest of drawers I used is wood composite with a wooden body. The other has a wooden frame but the top is covered in leather.

My use of wood is not by any means a choice so much as a convenience though. At one time I used a formica cart. It had a shelf underneath where I could store ritual items, though my collection eventually outgrew that little shelf.

Whatever is practical is sometimes the best answer. If you have the money and space, though, I would suggest whatever aesthetic inspires you.

[wildhunt]

If I had the room and money to get an altar to use just as an altar that would be great. I'd probably go for some Asian inspired style with a black marble top.

The marble top would be practical for mundane reasons (clean up and such) as well as satisfying my personal aesthetic.

However, I have neither the money or the room. So my preference is to use other furniture for double duty. I've often been known to use a chest of drawers I kept clothing in, and right now I have a decorative chest I store some odds and ends in while keeping my altar on top of it. I'm not sure what material it's made of. Probably wood or some sort of wood composite. I've got another altar on top of an audio/video cupboard I made from MDF. The top of one chest of drawers I used is wood composite with a wooden body. The other has a wooden frame but the top is covered in leather.

My use of wood is not by any means a choice so much as a convenience though. At one time I used a formica cart. It had a shelf underneath where I could store ritual items, though my collection eventually outgrew that little shelf.

Whatever is practical is sometimes the best answer. If you have the money and space, though, I would suggest whatever aesthetic inspires you.

Thanks. That extra shelf underneath for storage is what I've got too.

[SnowAngel]

Mine right now is my night stand beside the bed.  It's pressed wood with some kind of laminate covering.  My sister gave it to me a loooong time ago, so the price was right! lol  Right now that's where it is out of convenience and because it's indistinguishable from just a regular ol' decorated night stand since I'm not entirely out of the closet.  Mostly, but not quite...

But yeah, if I had my choice it would be awesome *sing-song voice*!

Either way, the god/ess listen when I speak.  I feel comfortable sitting in front of it.  It suits me, for now. 

Make your altar represent what's inside of you, in your heart and in your mind.  When you sit/stand in front of it, that is your conduit for speaking to your deity.  So let your altar speak to you, too.

Brightest Blessings
SnowAngel 

[McGoonagle]

If you feel it has to be natural materials, try trawling second hand and consignment stores something that appeals to you.

Consignment stores drop the price in a systematic manner, so you can get a good deal if you are patient and willing to try a little brinkmanship.

You can get good deals at estate auctions too. Professional dealers are not going to pay more than they have to, while if you go to a regular auction, and you end up bidding against a collector, you can get carried away (I speak from experience  )

Traveling antiques shows like the Don Scott show are also a good place to get a bargain. Scout the place on Saturday and go back to bargain late on Sunday afternoon.

[Snicel Mirair]

Diferent materials codnuct energy diferently, so the materials you have on the altar are important. Plastic is out, Definetly. Wood neutralizes energies, absorbs and harmonises them, so it is a good material. Metals are very agresive and will make it hard to handle energies, i'd avoid them. More natural materials are best i'd say. I used to use a wooden board atop some clay bricks and a white cloth sheet when i did witchcraft. It worked well and was very cheap.

Also, if you're using antiques like it was suggested, be sure to clean them first. Energies tend to get stuck in old stuff and may cause you trobules.

[Ken Ra]

The reason I rule out plastic is that it offends my aesthetic,  I have used an old concrete laundry sink with a door on top, it worked. Our current alter is well designed with carved wood and a large mirror for the top ( as above so below ) It has a pull out shelf for the feasts food and swing out vases for any flowers.

[Shadow_Wolf]

Even though I've never had a proper altar ever, I feel as if wood or stone would be best but I also believe that any material is possible. Especially if you're in a tight position money wise. Personally, I'm going with the wood option as I am currently making my altar right now. Ya have to love woodshop

[Kaleesie]

I have a great" to go" or "hide it when lurking eyes are around" altar.
My sister came up with the idea of a wooden breakfast in bed tray ( with legs) and helped me convert it. It even has a false bottom...
My first one was a plank of wood that my children had ( when they were itty bitty) painted with their handprints and flowers and such. But i found that the way my room is, and for moving around, I need something with legs. I still have the first.. It's near and dear to me.

Blessed be
Kaleesie

[Snicel Mirair]

Improvised altars are so cool. As i said before, mine was some wooden board that cost me like 4 dollars and clay bricks that were left over from building certian part of my house. If i wanted to hide them, not that i needed to, i'd simply stash them as "Constuction leftovers" in some dusty corner, and nobody would even notice. A spare white bedsheet you have makes it look clean and good, and you can also just fold that and put it inot a drawer when you're done. That's probably the most improvised, cheap and easily concealable altar i can think of.

[Sebastian]

I've used and old marble table table before, also an old bedside table. It really doesn't matter, use what makes you feel right, what you feel comfortable with. There really is not specific materials or objects you "have" to use. There is things we like to try and correspond with for scientific reasons, like using the right metal you need for better flow of energy.  But you will find this out along your journey as a witch, simply do things that make you feel right. It is only sacred if it is in your heart and mind. Have fun while finding your tools too, make a day of it, go off and check out multiple opportunities to help you find your tools. If you look for something and truly find it necessary or really want it for a useful purpose to you then the Goddess will provide it! Blessed Be! 

[Ken Ra]

Adding a general note here. A temple / Alter represents your world view as you learn more about the universe your alter / temple grows and changes.  If it stays the same for TOO long something is wrong.   

[SnowAngel]

Yeah, my altar has 'morphed' like 3 times in the last 8 months.  It changes with the seasons and with how I feel.  But it always makes me smile 

Brightest Blessings
SnowAngel

[Raydo]

My altar is one of the two blonde oak dressers that used to be my great aunt's. I put what I feel should be up there (and try to keep the cats off of it). I actually switched which dresser I was using once because something was making the painting (which I should get framed and hang) rattle and annoy me.