How to Create an Altar
I’ve always felt that we should have regular contact with our spirits, yet when we find ourselves in times like we’re currently facing, it’s more important than ever. That’s why I’m bringing my “How to Create an Altar” class to you, completely free of charge. I believe it’s so important to find stability and balance from our helping spirits, our ancestors and those I call our Benefactors Unseen. I’ve recently recorded a video and uploaded it to YouTube (find it here: https://youtu.be/7XgYDbMi6nQ) that helps to show you the principles I believe are important to altars but I can’t stress this enough to you: you are the authority of YOU, especially in matters of spirit. Take what I offer here but don’t feel like it’s dogma - do what’s best for you, do what feels best for you.
Below you’ll see the handout that I pass out with the class. I hope it serves you well:
An altar is an elevated place or structure, as a mound, table, or platform, at which religious or spiritual rites are performed or on which sacrifices are offered to gods, ancestors, etc. It could be a space inside or outside, in your home or business, and could be simply a place in which you sit to meditate.
Altars have been used throughout millennia for religious and spiritual purposes, from meditation to rituals, personal spaces of powerful intention. Your altar should become an outer representation of your inner world, a space that is solely yours and showcases your ideals. Altars are a way to connect to your spirituality and you'll find that over time simply entering the area of your altar will have a positive effect on your mood and energy.
Steps in creating your altar:
Identify the spiritual purpose with which you’ll engage your altar. Is it an ancestral altar? One where you’ll worship or venerate particular gods?
Establish communication. You’ll want a physical representation of your ancestors, spirits, or gods, such as pictures, statues, etc.
Place your altar. This should be in a private space, away from distractions, if you are planning on using them for a meditative or spiritual practice. Ancestor or family altars can be placed anywhere in the home. Traditionally, most ancestor altars are facing north, but you can really place them anywhere. If you are making an altar for the sea or a sea deity, consider placing it in facing West to correspond with the element of water, or nearest the closest ocean. Consider placing your altar near a window, where you can get natural light or fresh air from a cracked window. You can even ask your spirits, gods, or ancestors where they’d like their altar.
You can write your spirit, god, or ancestor on a piece of paper, put it in your hand, and walk around your home, doing your best to sense what they prefer. While you can have altars in your bathroom, I would suggest not setting up a devotional altar in your bathroom. Also, avoid plastic if you can.
Build your altar. Traditionally altars were made of stone, but wood, tables, counters, and shelves work fine. You should be able to reach and touch every part of your altar, no matter what it is and where it’s at. Think of your altar as the computer that connects you with your spirits.
The next step is to consecrate your altar. You’ll want to wipe down your altar before you place a cloth on it, using care, faith, and devotion. Also, take a bowl of salt and water, brushing down the altar to clear away any unwanted energy. This is called “Owning your altar.” Once you’ve done that, place your hands on your altar, take a deep breath, and chant or pray as you’d like. Say something like “I dedicate this altar to you, my powerful spirit allies and deities, ancestors name and unnamed. Help me with my magical and spiritual workings…” Keep it simple and have faith in the process, making it as personal and heartfelt as you can be and there will be no way you can fail.
Now to decorate your altar - place symbols (like pentagrams, crucifixes, etc.) and pieces that connect you to your spirits and nature. Choose stones, sticks, seashells, driftwood, feathers, etc. to enhance the energy of your altar. Statues, crystals, and other spiritual items are more than okay as well. It’s appropriate to try to include representations of all the elements. Potted plants and fresh flowers are always great. Candles are almost always necessary.
Now to use your altar. Open up your session with the sound of a bell, if you can. I always prefer a morning devotional, where I chant runes to open up my practice and then thank my deities, ancestors, spirit allies, the spirits of the land on which I call home, the runes, and finally the Universe. Then I ask for protection and guidance, then finally setting intention for the day. I end my process with the divination of both runes and oracle cards.
Finally, keep your altar space as clean and clutter-free as possible. Do not place anything extraneous on it. If you are working magic, make sure you clean up your workings after you’re through.
Some things to note:
You can create temporary altars in a special place in your home, like a side table in your kitchen. You can place fresh flowers on there, create different crystal grids, place different deity statues there weekly to honor. It’s okay to have more than one place in your home for an altar.
Your altar should be a place where you express gratitude through offerings and sacrifices. This includes placing a fresh cup of coffee on your altar in the morning, tobacco, honey, or fresh cream in a bowl. Share fresh food and drink with your loved ones often. Fresh flowers work well.
Remember to try to honor earth, air, fire, water, and sound (or spirit) with your altar.
Keep your altar out of an area where a pet can get to it.
Do not clean your altar with unnatural cleaning products.
Never leave candles, oil burners, or incense burning unattended.
Altars are a great place for devotionals, yet are perfect places for prayer, meditation, and divination. You can keep your Tarot or oracle cards or runes on your altar.