Altar Magic

“An altar serves as a visual representation of our spiritual beliefs, commitments, and intentions”

— Nikki Novo

So, you want to make an altar…

Why?

What is an altar?

You probably already have an altar in your home. Do you have a mantel with photos and trinkets? Do you have a picture wall of your beloved family and friends? Is your nightstand covered in books, plants, and artwork? These are all informal altar spaces.

Nikki Novo’s definition (above) is a simple way of understanding how altars illuminate our values. Look around your home, and notice how your decor, photos, and color palette represent your “beliefs, commitments, and intentions.”

I say the mantel shelf and picture wall are informal sacred spaces, because true altar magic happens when we bring intention. Formal altar space begins when you declare a space for spiritual work.

When you formally dedicate a space to your spiritual beliefs and magical workings, you open a portal. Your words of declaration create energetic boundaries, keeping the space reserved for the energies you wish to call in. It’s like placing a “reserved card” on a restaurant table. No one else can sit there.

A formal declaration also acts as an energetic beacon, like turning on your porch light, letting Spirit know that your space is “open for business.” So,…

What kind of magic are you doing?

There are two kinds of altars. Alignment and Manifesting. You can blend these, but for now - let’s look at the differences.

Alignment Altars

Alignment altars are for changing your personal vibration. You are going to sync up with the energy of another vibration, such as the moon or sun, deities and archetypes, or ancestors, in order to adjust your energy. Seasonal altars are valuable for adjusting your mind, body, and spirit to the frequency of the season. In Autumn, we need to slow down and turn off the busy and expansive mindset of summer. A seasonal altar with can bring you into harmony with the slower, more reflective energy of Fall.

Do you want to change the way you feel? You can use an alignment altar to synchronize your energy with that of an archetype or deity. Bring the Strength card from the Tarot to your altar, and meditate on it to adjust your energy into the vibration of health and fortitude. If you are going through a change in your life and desire grace through transition, bring Persephone, the Greek Goddess, to your altar. She regularly moves between the worlds, and you can align with her energy to activate your own resilience, patience, and transformative powers.

Syncing up with the moon is a powerful practice I recommend to anyone interested in working with The Magic. The power of the moon is not only spiritual, but it is also physical. The energy at the new moon and full moon are distinctly different. Dedicate a corner of your altar for aligning with the moon phases. It can help regulate your moods and ride the waves of death and rebirth within your own personal life.

Manifesting Altars

When you want to change something in your life, you make a manifesting altar. You are going to use images, sacred objects, colors, candles and more to support the manifestation of your desires.

But, to shape the world, you must first sense the world.

Therefore, it’s good to start with alignment. Because, I don’t believe spells and magic cannot create something out of nothing. To create, you need to know and understand the tools and ingredients, and you need to know the temperament of the energy of the present moment. It’s kind of like in baking, boiling points and baking times can change with altitude and humidity. Magic is similar. Align with lunar phases, and you will be able to harness the power of the new moon when beginning something, and the tap into the strength of the waning moon to release.

It’s important to have a clear intent when making an altar.
Ask yourself,
“What energy do I want to call in?”

“What do I wish to experience?”

“What change do I wish to happen?”

Once you have your intent in mind, next thing to consider is where to create an altar.

Location, Location, Location

If you plan to meditate, write, or study at your altar, you want to be sure it is a comfortable place to sit at. A desk, a chest, a coffee table… these all work. My favorite altar was an old chest, and I had my meditation cushion there. I would go to it every morning, meditate, pull Tarot cards, journal, etc…

Mantel-shelves, book shelves, and even chair railings can be a great place to display sacred objects that you can visit and tend to. I like to choose places that are a perfect blend of highly-visible and tucked away. If it’s too high-traffic, stuff can get bumped by people, and I generally don’t notice it in the hustle and bustle. I like having a shelf near my kitchen sink; I spend a lot of time there :-)

Let the intention of your altar guide you to the just-right location. For example, our ancestor altar has been on a shelf near our dining room table. It feels like we are inviting them to our family dinners, and it is easy to remember to bring offerings to our Beloved Dead.

I have many altars, for different purposes:

Personal altar for meditation, study, devotion, and manifesting.
Ancestor altar for connecting with and asking for help from the ancestors.
Seasonal table for our family to bring gifts from nature and sync up with the seasonal energy.
Business altar to support the success of Magical Homemaking.
Love altar (aka nightstand) with potions, wedding photos, plants.

Now that you know where you want your altar, it’s time to get started.

CLEAN FIRST

Like, literally, physically clean. There is a reason why the broom is the witch’s most famous magical tool. We know the power of cleaning and tidying, when paired with attention and intention.

If you are here, you are probably starting an altar from scratch. In which case, you should remove EVERYTHING from the surface you want to use.

You experienced altar-makers, may want to keep parts of your altar intact. You may have on-going spells, or long-term relationships with sacred objects and deities that you want to protect. But, again, if you are here, it’s probably a sign that it’s time to remove EVERYTHING from your altar, because that’s my unique flavor or magic. I love to purge and remove the old. It’s my particular medicine.

So, take everything off the surface. Dust and wipe it down with a planet-friendly cleaner.

Then, energetically cleanse. You are going to use smoke, sound, scent, or movement to banish any negative, stale, or dense energy.

I like to use a sacred smoke like rosemary grown in my garden with magical intent. Please use caution when buying white sage or palo santo. You want to support ethical growing, harvesting, and distribution methods. Support local and indigenous suppliers. OR - don’t use smoke. Make a spritzer with water and essential oils. I love rose water. Clapping or the use of bells are equally powerful. Don’t have any tools? No problem. Use your hand and wave away the dense energy.

It is important to say your intent aloud or in your mind. Spoken words have greater power. You can say something like, “I dispel any dense energy, cleansing this space of negativity and unpleasantness. May this space be welcoming and inviting for …. (insert your intention).”

Congratulations, you have created a formal sacred space. You have an altar.

Gather Your Items

With your intent clearly anchored your mind, invite decorations that support your magic. I like to grab a tray and walk around my home, asking “who wants to come and play.” I usually hum/chant/sing it under my breath as I open drawers filled with fabrics, sacred objects, candles, and more. Some things jumped out at me, like I notice them right away. As if they are saying, “pick me, pick me.” Other times I will have this memory of an object, and will go seeking it, trusting that it wants to be a part of the altar.

Ideas of what to bring:

Candles.
Icons.
Wand.
Matches.
Crystals.
Chalice.
Books.
Herbs.
Water.
Oracle Cards.
Shells.
Journals.
Grimoire.
Drum.
Rattle.
Feathers.
Flowers.
Memorabilia.
Tarot.

Decorate the Altar

Arranging things on your altar activates their essence, and folds them into your magical intent. As you bring each item, be sure to energetically say “hello.” Welcome them to the party, and ask their permission and support. Notice the angle of their placement, and what other objects they are interacting with. Sometimes a little turn can make all the difference. This is an intuitive art. You will know when the items on your altar are in the “just-right” place. You will feel a subtle click that may result in a sense of ease or a surge of power inside of you.

Remember to leave white space. A healthy altar will grow and change over time.

“Feeding” Your Altar

Your attention is the oxygen that keeps the magic of your altar alive. Regular visits will help it continue to feel meaningful. Stop by and pull a Tarot card, or blow a kiss at your chosen deity, or say hi to a beloved ancestor. Offerings can really boost the strength and power of your altar.

Offering ideas:

food
flowers
natural items from a walk
crystals
water (refresh any cups)
alcohol or tobacco
sing a song
poetry or art

You must also regularly tidy and clean your altar. Removing old food, dead flowers, and dust are essential for keeping your altar feeling good. You want it to be a place that you, and Spirit, enjoy visiting. I recommend doing a total refresh each season, or on the new moon. I like to take everything off, and cleanse the area. Re-making your altar re-engages your intention, and allows you space to re-evaluate your desires.

Go ahead, make your altar. Trust your intuition. Follow your joy and curiosity. Building an altar is a meditation on your beliefs and desires. It is a moment to connect with your spark, your shadow, and your journey. It should change as often as you do.