“Ritual is the passage way of the soul into the Infinite.” — Algernon Blackwood
There is no right or wrong way to be magical, honest and truly, so please forgive me as I tell you about one of the requirements to be magical (in my opinion, but really, this is the big secret folks).
You need an altar. Now that’s not to say you need to go out and buy something right now, in fact I’d advise against that. You don’t require anything fancy you just need a space to connect with the elements, the divine, the energy and your magic. Before we talk about putting together your altar, lets talk more specifically about what they are.
Almighty Altar
“… at your altar, you will identify a calm and peaceful state of emotional wellbeing immediately upon view.” – Garnsworthy, P. “Daily rituals” Page 15
Did that quote explain why an altar is so important? Your altar is your space. It’s the space that you have set up with the intent to be magical, and through working with it regularly, you will develop a deep magical connection with yourself and with the energy of the world.
Your altar is the place you can really explore and unlock the knowledge contained within the basics section. Your altar is a safe and grounded place to connect with the elements, attune with them, visualize and explore your energy and explore connections to the world’s magic. For best results, you’ll want to interact with your altar daily, around the same time each day, taking a moment to stop and attune with the energy of the divine. Taking this time is a crucial part of your magical journey.
You should develop a ritual that works for you and your altar. Be sure to enter or setup the space in the right headspace to practice, and after saying hello to your sacred space, take some time to connect with each element individually.
If you have crystals or other items representing the elements, touch them individually in the order they call to you, reflect on how that element feels today, on how you feel in relation to your connection, what power or energy that element might offer you that day. Move from element to element as called.
Once you have united with all five elements you will be fully attuned and able to to connect with the source within the world to bond that energy with the source within yourself, uniting both in harmony and unlocking your magical potential.
As you visit your altar daily, you will find the process becomes easier and easier and, as said so beautifully above, you eventually get to the point where simply seeing your altar grants a sense of instant relief and the end of your ritual will leave you feeling fully invigorated and at peace.
I often find even the anticipation of seeing my altar can prove grounding in times of turmoil due to the lengthy relationship we’ve built through our daily visits. I know whatever storm is raging, when I get home and enter my space, he’ll be there, diligently waiting by the window ready to make it seem like a funny memory and recharging my essence to the brim.
Make sure you take at least a few minutes each day, preferably at the same time each day, to say hello and build this connection with your own altar! It will become a stalwart friend on your magical adventure that can grow and change with you!
Claiming your Altar
An altar can be as simple or as extravagant as you desire. It can be a stationary shrine adorned with all of your favorite items on a table next to your favorite reading chair. It could be a broken 2×4 spray painted pink that you leave on top of the China cabinet with your sacred items in Tupperware beside it, so you can move it to the dining room table when there’s time to practice. It could be the bare basics tucked safely within a shoebox hidden in your closet, as you’re worried about how people might react to you exploring witchcraft. Although I feel having an altar is vital, I do not think there is a right or wrong way to establish and respect your personal altar.
To establish your altar you need only two things:
- A space that is yours
- The Elements
A space that is yours: Your favorite chair to read in, the family table (when the family isn’t around), the extra space that you like spending time in. Many witches like having a physical base for their altar such as a piece of wood or large flat stone, that also includes a pentagram (some believe a pentagram is a non-negotiable item, I highly suggest one, but be magical your way!), but the most important thing is to have a space that is yours. Frankly- the space doesn’t even have to be real. It could be a feeling, a specific memory, a room in a home you don’t remember. If you can visualize yourself in that space, and be comfortable, safe and content and also invite the elements to relax in that visualized space with you, the magic can flow (see more details below)!
The Elements: Check out the elements and attunement links above for my personal picks/suggestions for items to represent the elements that you can keep at your altar. I’ll also outline a quick hits below. There are no wrong choices though, does that blue Lego square represent the healing restorative, reflective powers of water to you? There’s your representations of water. Just because there are commonly suggested or selected items doesn’t mean you’re restricted. If you can connect with the element, it is a suitable representation.
- Air Feather, Candle, Incense or oils, Amethyst
- Earth Dirt, Salt, Jasper
- Fire Lit Candle, Wood, Garnet, ANYTHING red
- Water Sea Shells, Fresh water, Aquamarine
- Spirit Crystal ball, Mirror, Clear quartz
Full Mental Attunement Tips
I’ve tried the fully visual altar before by hiking up a local mountain, listening to the Zen Master mediations in one ear and the wind in the other while picturing a green place I haven’t been to in 20+ years and inviting the elements to lay down with me in that space, it was a really unique experience and I encourage you to find a way to make it yours and give it a try!
Bonus Points
So I said you only need two thing and that’s true, but the best part of your altar is that it is a space that is 100% yours. You can put any sort of item, magical or not at your altar, because if it matters to you and you want it there, you should have it there!
For example, in addition to the items I mentioned in the previous sections one of my “bonus” items that I have at my altar is a small posable figure of the skull kid from Majora’s Mask, complete with a copy of Majora’s Mask! As part of my daily ritual I like to reflect on the day ahead and when finished I’ll decided if he’ll try the mask on that day, or continue to gaze curiously. It’s a fun, silly super personal thing that makes the space that extra bit ME, and you should do the same with yours!
Find a way to carve our a little piece of reality that you can physically shape to be exactly what you want it to be. It is such an incredibly powerful magical action that really establishes your bridge to work with the divine energies around us.
Z's Grimoire 
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