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Lesson Seven: Altars

Basics of Witchcraft
by Jeffrey Pierce

So how do we begin to apply these concepts that we learned in Lesson Six? How do we move from using correspondences as a mental exercise, to having them be a part of our magick and our practice?

One of the first applications we can use is the creation of an altar. Think back to the exercise Lesson Four: Symbolism. In it, we took physical objects that symbolized what we are seeking on this path and displayed them in a specific location. What you did was create a very simple altar -- you pulled concepts from your subconscious, associated each with one of the items you chose to display, and placed them in a specific location. Each time you stopped and considered these items, you considered the energy behind them. Your subconscious instinctively built a bridge between the object and the corresponding energy, the meaning that the object holds for you.

When we choose to set up an altar for a specific purpose, we proceed in much the same way. We begin by choosing items that have a specific significance to us, that represent a certain element or a certain type of energy. And the altars we set up can differ greatly. I've been known to use three different altars in my practice from time to time.

The first is what I refer to as a "path altar." It's very similar to the concept we established in the exercise "Symbolism." What it does is create an ever-changing snapshot of our spiritual journey. Each item represents either a step we've made, or a step we're hoping to take. The purpose behind this is to continually reaffirm what we are seeking on our path each time we pass by this altar, as well as encouraging us by reminding us of the steps we have already taken.

The second type of altar I use is a simple altar used in indoor ritual. Not only does it hold the tools and physical elements that I have chosen to use in the rite, but because each item symbolizes a specific type of energy and the items are arranged ritually, the altar itself heightens the energy needed for the rite and aids in the focusing on the ceremony ahead.

The third type of altar is one that I use while working in the wilderness. It's very similar to the one I use for indoor ritual, but not nearly as elaborate. The items it holds are all objects that I've packed in with me or collected once I reach my destination, so it's usually a collection of items that I feel a particularly strong connection to or that I feel were integral to the rite.

Exercise Six: Altars

What I would like you to do is to create an altar a little more consciously assembled than the altar you created in "Symbolism." Using the correspondences that you developed in the last exercise, The Symbolism of Energy, select items that meet your established requirements as corresponding to a specific energy and place them in a ritual manner. If you're feeling especially comfortable with the exercise, consider the directions associated with each item -- Elemental or masculine and feminine -- and use that criteria to place the items on your altar.

With each item, hold it for a moment, visualizing the energy that you are associating with it. For instance, you may choose a stone to represent Earth or a postcard of the sea to represent Water. As you hold each item, picture the images that remind you of the specific element or type of energy. When you feel a connection to it, place it on the altar, stating why you are putting it in its place. For instance, with the stone, I might say, "Stone, you represent the earth and I place you in the North."

When you have completed this exercise, record your results, the placement of items, the visualization of each, and the reasons why you placed them where you did. Leave the altar up for as long as you feel comfortable doing so. Each time you pass by it, think of the symbolism of each item. If you feel that something needs to be moved, do so, and record the reasons in your notes.