So, altars... I feel like a lot of people have a bad idea of what alters are. I think a misconception of alters when in reference to Wicca or witchcraft as it has something to do with a sacrifice.... it has to do with a cult, all that jazz. But think about it like this. Christians, Muslims, Jews, etc they all have a place where they go and they worship.... Unless you're in a coven, which is a group of witches who gather together to do rituals and spells (and even then it is nice to be able to worship on your own sometimes), you have no where to worship. So we make altars.
Altars are typically some sort of table like area (a flat surface) where Wiccans do rituals and spellwork. On it is typically a pentacle or two as a pentacle is like a Christian's cross. There is also usually a chalice of water to represent water obviously, a candle to represent fire, incense to represent the air, and crystals to represent earth. There are other objects you can use to represent these elements as well but this is most commonly done.
Depending on the time of year one will also decorate there alter for the season so spring flowers, feathers from birds in the summer, acorns and leaves in the fall, and in the winter pine needles, etc. It is also customary to decorate for specific sabbats.
Some people have particular gods and goddesses they worship so they may also choose to add decorations to honour them or even stuff to honour their ancestors.
As for tools we have:
The Athame:
It is a knife used for casting the circle, it should never be used to cut or cause harm.
The Chalice:
It is used to hold water or wine which is used as a way to share meal and drink with the gods and goddess
The Wand:
Some people have a wand. It is typically made by hand so it best represents said Wiccan but it can be bought. It is used to direct energy in a ritual. You can cast a circle with it as well.
The Pentacle:
It is a 5 pointed star in a circle. It represents earth, air, water, fire, and spirit.
The Cauldron:
Often just a small one that is put on the altar. It can hold water, candles, incense, crystals. Great for rituals or spellwork that involves burning something. Most commonly they are cast-iron.
Candles:
Different coloured candles can be used to represent different things. For example I use the white candle to represent the goddess and a red candle to represent the god.
Besoms:
You won't find them on the altar but you may find them beside them. They are brooms, typically hand crafted. Used to sweep away negative energy.
So that sums up today's post. I think I said I might talk about rituals next in my last post but as I was typing this I was really called to talk about divination so I think that is what I shall talk about next.
Please check out the last 6 posts of this series by clicking the links here.
Who we worship: Part 1 General Beliefs: Part 2 Wiccan Holiday's (first half): Part 3 Wiccan Holiday's (second half): Part 4 What Happens After we die: Part 5 Witchcraft and Magickal Workings: Part 6
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