Thought I’d start a thread on 'what does your alter look like'? We have a huge range of traditions, paths and soul searchers in here and I thought it might be interesting for new comers and oldies alike to have a nose at what different people do with their sliver of table space (or, as in my old house, your cardboards box in the corner).

I know some people don't put up anything, others have quite elaborate set-ups and there's a range in between.

I also thought it might be nice to explain a bit about what's on there and why - and whether your alter/table/little space has changed much over the years.

So, I’ll start the ball rolling (i'll show you mine if you show me yours)...

Here's mine. There's one with the flash on so you can see it a bit better.

It's quite a simple set-up. It used to be much more elaborate back in the days when I was in one place long enough and before I started to realise that a lot of it was just clutter that, although it looked very nice, didn’t really mean much to me. Now it is quite simple, straight forward and uncomplicated.

So, a quick tour:

1. M'lady: possibly the most obvious thing. I bought her when I was 18 from a shop in Banbury (where I was born) and she's been with me ever since. Basically, she is The Dance. Not much more one can say about that really. In the pic she's wearing a moonstone necklace that isn't actually anything spiritual, it was a present from a friend and that was just somewhere to hang it lol (I’m not precious about the space - it was cluttered with sh!t the other day), actually I don't think it suits her, she's more of an o'natural kinda gal. The feather sword is a long black feather with a peacock feather hilt, kind of wards off evil spirits; the fact it fits in her hand nicely is secondary You can spot a little Hanuman down on the left, holding the pine cone of everlasting life. Don't see many Hanuman statues (tends to lose out to Ganesh ) but he sort of found his way onto my shrine.

2. The incense holder is also pretty obvious to the eye. It's a wood and brass swan - I forget where that came from. It symbolises death and tends to sit swimming east-west, dragging the days and the seasons along behind it. There's three holes in it. At the beginning of the year I burn incense in the first one, middle of the year the middle one and end of the year the last one - probably something slightly compulsive obsessive about that lol The wood the incense falls on is just a piece of bark a friend brought me back from Glastonbury festival many moons ago.

3. There are two offering bowls either side of the statue (presents from my aunt). At the moment one has rice and the other has a glass of red wine in. There's a candle next to each of these and in the middle is a little pot of water. I fill it by trickling water through my fingers and it's basically my ancestors. It's a tough one to explain really as it doesn't mean my ancestors are 'in' the pot - they're standing right here next to me, but it's sort of part of their 'space'. I used to have a set of little posts and each of my close ancestors had a little one of their own but as the numbers built I put them all together in one pot. The lid comes off when the space is in use. The offerings are semi-for-them and semi-for-the-dance. I will cook specially for them on auspicious occasions.

4. Rabble on the right: this is a collection, mainly of animal bits lol (lambs tail, chicken foot, rabbit's foot) - some bits belonging to my dearly departeds, such as rings and broaches. The two notable things are the rabbit skin, which I cured myself back when I was about 13/14. I use it as a healing skin when people are ill. The other is a cat's skull, which was an unwitting donation by an old friend. I didn't know the cat in life but it keeps away bad things from the space - chases the mischief away. We have a good relationship. I think it likes being around.

5. The lot on the left: not really classified as being part of the space, just odds 'n' sods - couple of decks of cards (which I used to keep in a placky bag 'til said aunt of the offering bowls bought me a bag that seemed to add a hint of luxury lol). Little pouch of thread/needles and a couple of juju jars (currently empty).

It's looking remarkably tidy lol I have various other bits and pieces scattered around the room but that's the only part set-aside (when I don't need to throw books at it or stack CDs) as a focus point. I wouldn’t class it as being representative of any pericular path, it’s mainly things that I have collected or been given over the years – things that have meant something to me. That’s as true for the spiritual side of it as for the material.

Best wishes,

Marion.

Mine is just like every other surface in the house , cluttered. I have not had a 'prper' alter for ages though i hace od bits and bobs all over the house.

Dont have an alter in the house!
Do my worshipping outdoors!

Don't have a pic though will try and take one for you now hehe.

Mines a wooden chest i picked up in Wilkos hehe covered with a black pentagram altar cloth. I have a God and Goddess candles on the upper corners, green and purple. The on each point of the large middle pentagram on the cloth i have a stone (earth) a shell (water) incense (air) red candle (fire) and a white candle (spirit). Then i have my cauldron or chalice in the middle to show the cauldron of creation being at the centre of all.

Something a lil different i have on mine though is two small pebbles from my garden on each bottom corner. One is white and one is black. They represent the balance of everything in the universe to me, and help focus my balance in ritual. .

BTW Marion i love you altar. It's beautiful. Have to admit i work mostly outdoors but enjoy my altar as a permanent reminder of the beauty of my craft and as a focal point whenever i need it.

Blessed Be
Rich
x

I´ve got a picture in my gallery of how my altar looked around samhain. Here
It changes a bit with the seasons and rituals.
In the center is my snake goddess, and a piece of Hamamelis Mollis aka Trollhassel, from the garden. A couple of candles and some homemade incense (dried sage). There is also a gaia goddess and a pentagram I made from clay.
Sometimes there´s also photos of missed and loved ones, some beautiful small stones I´ve collected from trips to Greece, Iceland, Turkey. Sometimes flowers or other bits from the garden.
I like my altar, it is important to me. I believe it keeps me grounded, reminds me of who I am and what´s important. At the same time it reminds me of the greater force we are all apart of, and the powers we all keep within.

Blessings
Deeerheart

i uploaded some old altar pics i found a while back...check the galleries:)

..must get new photos.


LUMI

That is absolutely beautiful Deerheart - really simple and beautiful.

Marion.

I'm a bit dense, how do I get to your gallery? I clicked on your user name but couldn't anything linking to it - I’ve not really explored the gallery options to be honest

Thanks Marion!
Your looks very nice Illuminatidred! Marion, go to the gallery page, from there to members galleries and scroll down to illuminatidre!

Blessings
Deerheart

Aha, got it, thanks!

Lumi - huzah for skulls on the alter lol

Well, i haven't taken a pic of mine yet, so once Ive de-cluttered it (lol) I'll TRY and upload it!!! My profile doesnt want to let me upload anything!!!
To describe, its pretty basic as Im just a newbie so I guess tho, knowing what Im like, it'll change and expand as I do on my journey..
It also depends on what im doing etc, sometimes I have two main candles to represent male and female, but at others only one, to represent the triple goddess. I have tealights which I put at the points of my pent adn in the middle a little bowl of water or ocasionally incense (again, depends on what I'm doing etc). I add twigs, leaves, flowers herbs or stones at different times. Ive noticed that my cat has taken a sudden interest in it and likes to lie on it! Hope thats a good sign.
I'd really love a skull tho. You'd think living next to farms and fileds and woods that i would be able to get loads, well, I just dont seem to get lucky!

Tree x (promise I'll put a pic on soon ok?)

Which altar? I've got several dotted about the place

On the bookcase next to my seat in the livingroom I've got a small altar set up to Minerva - seems appropriate to have Her there given the number of reference books etc. Just a statuette of her, a small incence holder and a tealight holder, nothing very ornate.

In the kitchen I've got a little setup to Hesta, figurine of Her sitting down, dish of salt, tea-light.

I've a little figurine of Fortuna in the livingroom too, and in front of that I have a little dish with coins as offerings.

I have a main altar in the spare room, and although I have a statue of Pomona on it, that changes depending on who I'm honouring at the time. I have a large painted-it-myself plate with an owl on it for Minerva, and Vert gave me a Herne statue which I place there too - those three being the main deities I work with.

On that altar I've a lovely brushed-steel goblet I use to offer drinks, and a wooden offering bowl which was made by a friend on UKP a few years ago. A wooden incense holder and some candle-holders.

Outside I've got an altar to the "Lady of the Garden" (I'm not quite sure who She is yet - I think sometimes She might be Venus but it's not been made clear). On which altar there's a statue of an ancient lady to symbolise whoever "She" might be, sitting on an oak-leaved shape paving stone. I also tend to use the area in front of the two apple trees as altars as the occasion requires - some of my workings entail tying things to the trees, making libations to Pomona etc so it's appropriate that they become sacred spaces int heir own right/rite!

This is my first main altar.
It is "my special space" where I keep my angels, dowsing pendulum, cystals and my daughter's amythest fairy among other things.
I hope my altar and I will continue to grow and change together.





Orchid
X

C'mon P, this is about pictures. Put a few up.

This didn't start off as an altar - and it still isn't really.

I've got this wide window sill that needed something to decorate it.

I had these three nice glass bottles from a chemist's shop so I used food dye and filled them with red, yellow and blue water, thinking the light shining through would look decorative.

The window sill still needed something and I remembered that I had a nice wee Caithness glass bowl so I added that.

Still needed something so I added a nice paper knife.

It was only afterwards that I realised the significance of the bowl and knife together!

Along came Wiccan gf who took one look and decided I needed a green bottle as well, so a bottle of Creme de Menthe was included.

It's no good having a bottle of booze without a glass so I went to a local market and got a lovely wee crystal glass to sit beside the CdM.

A couple of silver coins seemed appropriate at this point.

I came across some silver goblets that I'd forgotten about so they were added - when it's dark I put tealights inside them and the effect is lovely.

I need a home for a small plant and that seemed suitable too.

Then my artemesia in the garden started to dry, so the aromatic dried leaves were put into a small Wedgwood dish and put on the sill too.

So it's kind of evolved.

I still don't call it an altar - I don't need one as I don't "do ritual" - but when someone dies I use it to burn a candle and some incense, so it's the next best thing.

lol Ever thought about being an interior decorator Andy?

I like it, really unusual (in a good way). Look forward to seeing how it evolves in the future and as your own explorations into the spiritual continue.

Best wishes,

Marion.

Thought I was painting a picture with words...

Okay, have put a couple of pics up in my Gallery

One is the outdoor one and the other is my "main" one in the house - set up for Minerva. I'd post pics of the others, but honestly, they're very plain and simple and not that exciting. Certainly nothing like Andy's

No, I'd starve within the month!

There's a couple of pics in my album in the Gallery.

The first is basically my altar but as the caption says it's not always set up due restrictions of space and.. ahem.. clumsiness..
I don't have any statuary at the moment, tho I'd love to get one of Brighid.

The other pic is just the top of a cabinet with my oil burner, my other half's incense box/burner, a couple of pebbles (I have loads, I come back with a couple every time I visit a river, a lake, etc.. it's a strange affliction. ) and some candles and tealights on it. The photo in the frame is of my late cat KoKo.


Oh and please forgive the 'Magic 8 Ball'

Magic 8 ball!!! Great oracle of the modern age!

What's the braided thing to the right of the candle?

Here's mine and as you can see, it's a bit dusty at present.

Thankyou everyone - they are all beautiful; similar yet diverse, and generally lovely!
I don't have "altars" as such, as I work outdoors, but if I can get my technically minded daughters to take pix and post them for me, I'll add them.

In sitting room = old table with goat skull, ivy, candles, stones and "things" plus a lovely bronze fairy a friend gifted me. In bedroom, more of similar, cauldron etc. Around house? More "things" - and my poor partner despairs. He's minimalist. I collect!
Place is overrun with animal skulls, stones, driftwood, etc.
Thanx again - keep 'em coming!

8 Balls rock

The braided thing is (according to the bloke selling them and assorted other similar items including dream catchers - yes I bought one of those too ) a native american style bracelet charm. It's got an enamel-like piece in the middle with a dolphin on it.
Apparently it brings you luck and the protection/energy of a water spirit (if you wear it the right way round).
I only put it on my altar because it's pretty and the dolphin makes a handy moisture-free water symbol! (did I mention we're clumsy?)

That's not a rock!

This is a rock:

LMFAO!

Is that a millstone or what?

Hey you have the same cauldron as me! Yours is shinier tho..

It's a curling stone!

D'you curl then Andy?

Well being a newbie not really got an altar yet - I do carry a stone around with me though - it sort of found me when I was reaching out to the Spirit for somethingt and it now grounds me and reminds me of my place in creation and in spirit. I really enjoyed setting up a mini altar at Yule - yule log, candles, holly and mistleote so would like to set one up again. I do have 'things' all over the place (drives the missus mad!) branches, stones, bits of animals etc - was a first clue to my pagan leanings!

Thanks all fpr info and pix - lovely and really inspiring!

Ps Pomona - Is Herne the same as Cernunnos?

To be honest Eagledance I'm still unsure. Herne originates from a legend in Windsor, and Cernunnos is a continental deity, so technically, yes, they're dfferent. However, they do tend to be lumped together as "the Horned God". I tried asking Herne once - the answer I got was "I am Herne, that's all you need to know"...

Thanks P.
I am finding Cernunnos seems to be drawing me, but have also thought about Herne in the past.

http://paganinstitute.org/T/cernunnos.html - lovely prayers or whatever here.

Camera needs battery so as soon as i get it will upload some pics!!

Like Pomona i've got a few different ones dotted around the house. And one in the garden.

Yeah I realised what it actually was within about a minute of posting but the board demons wouldn't let me edit!

I hope this is the url to a short video I made which shows my fireplace altar. It gets all sorts put on it - bits of bark, seeds, stones.



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VadkcdGHxEk

Wow Julai! What an excellent video! Very creative indeed and the house looks lovely as well as the fireplace, sheep and all.

Blessings
Deerheart

This is my night time alter. Not for doing rituals, this is just for everyday. I love my bronze sculpture. For me its the Goddess/god joined as one!!!

Cant really see sculpture in that photo so here's another.....

This is my little one in my bedroom......

Bloody batterys have ran out already. Only put them in this afternoon!!!!

Where?

What happens if you wear it the wrong way 'round?

Andy, has your windowsill changed colour?

LOL Julai, I love it!

That is a really nice statue!

No, it's a phenomenon known as "getting dark".

The last photo was taken using flash.

Here's mine. Very cluttered and never tidy.


I also have one outside where I make my offerings to the wights.

Love it

That's 3 for the 'skulls on your alter' fan club!

Ye know I'm not really sure. I think he said it angers them.. or something..
It's bad luck I guess!

Thank you

I find them on the moors when I go hiking

I also have Yorik here

My indoor compass-ring

Well to celebrate Imbolc I set up my first altar - we have put a rocking chair in a corner of our dining room and bought a lamp to go there too, making a lovely little corner looking out the french windows to the garden and it was just crying out for a shelf for books and cups of tea etc (which i put up yesterday - BIG deal as DIY Dave I ain't, IKEA flat pack chairs confuse me and usually win!) and on that aforementioned shlef I have constructed my altar whihc I dedicated to Cernunnos and Bridget last night.

It's a nice one ED

Wolvie - oooh, that's rather unusual, do explain

Best wishes,

Marion.