A witch's altar is the place where she does some or all of her magic, it is a safe place where magic is gathered and performed. And above all it is a place that reflects the witch's nature and character.
Although there are some basic patterns on how to set up your altar, it is really up to the witch.
Traditionally the left side is for the Goddess and the right side for the God.
Here is a small example of a typical altar:
LEFT
Goddess candle (silver or white)
Goddess statue
Chalice
Wand
RIGHT
God candle (gold or green)
God statue
Athamé
Pentacle
(And of course there are gemstones, tarot decks, pendulums and other witch stuff to be placed on your altar).
Altars come in many styles, below is a small list of some:
1. The Wall Altar - Basically this is a shelf that works as an altar (Be careful with this, because the soot from a burning candle can leave smokey marks on the wall.)
2. The Box Altar - A good solution for young witches or those who cannot have a permanent altar is the Box Altar. You simply keep your witch tools in a box or a chest, and when the time for magic comes you set up your altar either on the floor or a table or even on top of the chest. In this case, covering the table or chest with an altar cloth can serve as a sign that the surface is now your altar.
3. The Classic Altar - The classic altar is the type you see in most altar photos. They are typically set on a table, nightstand, or dresser. The shelves can come very handy for holding your witch tools.
4. The Outdoor Altar - This is when you use the trunk of a cut-down tree or a large rock as your altar. You could also put your altar on the ground outside. (When working outside, be careful when burning candles. Always have a fire extinguisher or a bucket with water nearby.)
