Everything Under the Moon

Syelraedhel wrote:

DPhoenix wrote:an altoid tin is really really small, you might want to think of something a little bigger. The very basic altar imo should include something to represent the Goddess, God & elements. The pentacle satisfies the elements/directions and I suppose Spirit could represent the union of the Goddess & God.

I don't know what kind of budget you're on but here's a few ideas:
*A handkerchief would make a good foundation for a mobile altar. You could get one you like or get a plain one and paint it with fabric paint to make it how you want it to look (paint a pentacle, tree of life etc)
*Athame-you can use a little nail file or letter opener (represents God)
*Wand-you can use a chop stick & if you like paint it and add symbols to it. (represents God)
*Pentacle-make one out of dough or clay, use something to cut it in a circle then use something to carve a pentacle before you bake it or let it air dry. If you don't want to carve it you can paint it. You can also go to a craft shop and pick up a wooden disc to use as well..
*small bowl- second hand shops are awesome! Goodwill, salvation army etc... if you keep your eyes open eventually you'll find a cute little candy or something small you can use on the cheap. Or you can use dixie cups though they'll be disposable. They are used to hold water & salt.
*incense- incense burners don't need to be big. If you get a cone incense burner and cone incense it won't take up much space at all. (represents fire & air)
*candles-someone here on the site uses bottle caps. They put melted wax in the bottlecap with a wick. I haven't tried it myself but I'm tempted.
*chalice- again, second hand store. every now and then they get in little brandy glasses that are super cute!

Those are all amazing budget ideas! I know it wouldn't be ideal as a main altar- but I actually found a mini altar in an altoid tin on etsy I don't want to post the link here as I'm not sure if it's against rule #12, but it is the cutest darn thing in the whole world. One could put it in their desk at work or something.

Vesca wrote:I just want to add a little tidbit... you may not need all the pieces of an altar that a lot of the New Age books say you do. Maybe walk your path a bit to get a feel for the pieces that you actually need/want to be incorporated. For example, I don't have a wand, chalice, cloth, and I rarely use an athame in actual spell work.

Vesca wrote:I just want to add a little tidbit, regarding the area of saving money and space.

Depending on your practice and your unique path, you may not need all the pieces of an altar that a lot of the New Age books say you do. Maybe walk your path a bit to get a feel for the pieces that you actually need/want to be incorporated.

For example, I don't have a wand, chalice, cloth, and I rarely use an athame in actual spell work.

A lot of what I do doesn't actually require anything aside from maybe some disposables (herbs and offerings), and what I do have is a fair bit more aimed toward decoration and focus than anything else (which I don't particularly "need" but it's nice to have - it's also not something I would be willing to set up and take down on a daily basis if I were living in an iffy arrangement with unsupportive people).

Vesca wrote:Exactly. I can't count how many times that one of the biggest regret long-time practitioners say is how they wished they had known beforehand that they didn't need, and probably would never use, over half of what they actually purchased in the very beginning because some book told them they "needed" it.

DPhoenix wrote:

Vesca wrote:Exactly. I can't count how many times that one of the biggest regret long-time practitioners say is how they wished they had known beforehand that they didn't need, and probably would never use, over half of what they actually purchased in the very beginning because some book told them they "needed" it.

I enjoy my tools... they make my altar look pretty.. heehee

Vesca wrote:

DPhoenix wrote:

Vesca wrote:Exactly. I can't count how many times that one of the biggest regret long-time practitioners say is how they wished they had known beforehand that they didn't need, and probably would never use, over half of what they actually purchased in the very beginning because some book told them they "needed" it.

I enjoy my tools... they make my altar look pretty.. heehee

Yep, aesthetic purposes are definitely a factor with altar creation too. ^^

DPhoenix wrote:Absolutely! I use my mortar, pestle & cauldron more than anything. I usually use the rest when I'm doing a formal ritual (which isn't that often).