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How to set up your Wiccan altar for the first time

Wicca altars are a very personal matter. What you decide to keep in yours will depend on what you feel gives you energy and the tools you have a connection with. After that, of course, you’ll want to lay out the tools or items you’re working with for a particular spell.

That said, some elements and designs are traditional and if you’re setting up a Wiccan altar for the first time, it would probably be wise to follow some basic “rules” until you find your own way. Here are some of the basic principles:

Energies are often divided into masculine and feminine, especially Gods and Goddesses. You may have icons pertaining to a particular deity on your Wiccan altar, or they could be his tools (for example, his Athame is considered male), so place female items on the left side and male items on the right.

You should view your Wiccan altar as embodying the core elements of earth, air, fire, water, and spirit. Your altar should allow you to connect with yourself and the world around you on a deeply spiritual level. To represent the elements you must have salt for the earth, candles for the fire, a chalice or bowl for the water, and a feather or incense for the air. People have individual preferences for their representations, but be sure to look for symbolism that speaks loudest to you.

Your altar should be at waist height. You have to be able to use it easily and without hindrance.

Avoid clutter. This will distort the flow of energy on your altar and you will not be as efficient. It is more common for altar tables to be round in shape, as this facilitates movement for circular rituals. Throwing a circle is not essential, but many prefer the reassurance of having a ‘scared’ space in the same way worshipers feel safe and secure in church. However, if space is your main problem, a square table is fine.

Your Book of Shadows is, of course, essential to your spell work, so it should be placed in the center so you can work with it and also take notes as quickly as possible to avoid forgetting important details.

When you set up a Wicca altar for the first time, or use new tools, you will need to consecrate them. This is a very important procedure and should not be skipped as you will be recharging the vibrations and energies. To consecrate the area, try smudging, which involves burning sage around the area. You may wish to prepare a song for the occasion. Smudge will work for tools too and is certainly a quick and easy way to do it. However, there are many other options available to you, such as spraying your tools with salt water or even soaking them overnight if possible. Again, this is an individual matter, so go with what appeals to you.

Place something personal on your newly installed Wiccan altar. This is because everything may seem a bit strange and unfamiliar at first, which in turn will hamper your energies and make your spell work less effectively. Arrange something personal for yourself on your altar somewhere, particularly something of sentimental value. Think of it a bit like taking a friend to a place you’ve never been before! It won’t be long before your altar and tools become one with you and you won’t need this additional item.

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