Setting Up An Altar
The basic objects for an altar include
1/ Candles
2/ Incense and incense holder
3/ Representations of deities you wish to work with
4/ Containers for herbs
But, this is just a basic list. What you choose to have on your altar is really a personal matter. You might wish to set your's up in a totally different tradition and that is absolutely fine. In working with magick it is always best to use your own subjective opinion, creativity, and intuition. What works for one person might not work for another. Have fun, and set up your altar in your own style.
Other common altar objects which you might wish to include...
*An athame or sacred knife which is for ceremonial use and not meant for the cutting of herbs or anything else.
*A boline, which is a knife used to cut herbs and other things in your magickal working.
*A burine, which is a sharp pointed instrument used to inscribe candles and whatever else.
*A cauldron for mixing herbs, potions, and other magick ingredients.
*A bowl of water
*A bowl of earth, salt, or sand.
*A pentacle or shallow dish to place objects for dedication.
You may wish to include bells, crystals, amulets, talismans, and other objects. You should put careful thought into that which you wish to represent. Some magickians try to keep objects with words printed on them off of the altar as this may muddle the intent of your magickal working.
Dedicating Your Altar
After setting up your altar you are now ready to dedicate it. If you are working with any deities or spirits you might ask for their blessings upon the space. You might wish to write up your own incantation by which you would dedicate your altar. Put lots of passion and energy into your dedication. The more passion the better, as you really want to get the space charged up for as much success as possible with your magick rite. You can cast a circle if you wish. Many people feel that setting up the altar and dedicating it is more than enough of an effort to go to.
You should also make sure that all of your tools have been cleansed and consecrated to your magickal aims. You want to empower your tools. After this point in time you will probably only want to use them in magickal work. Using your magick tools for other stuff negates their purpose and weakens your spell.
Consecrating Your Altar Objects and Tools
It is very easy to consecrate your altar objects. First you would soak them in salt water overnight. You want to remove other people's energy vibrations from each object. Then let the objects be bathed in moon or sunlight for 12 hours. Charge them with the appropriate energy.
After you are done bathing your objects you will want to hold them and let them become filled with your own energy. You may want to build your own energy up beforehand through a grounding ritual, or by absorbing energy from the sun or moon. Next you would bless the object by whichever energy, God, Goddess, or spirit you desire. Imagine yourself as a channel for a greater energy. Allow this energy to come through you and into the object.
After consecrating your tools for the first time the energy you make in your connection should be enough. It isn't necessary to consecrate them each time you do a magickal working. If your tools are handled by another person you might wish to cleanse them again.
The basic objects for an altar include
1/ Candles
2/ Incense and incense holder
3/ Representations of deities you wish to work with
4/ Containers for herbs
But, this is just a basic list. What you choose to have on your altar is really a personal matter. You might wish to set your's up in a totally different tradition and that is absolutely fine. In working with magick it is always best to use your own subjective opinion, creativity, and intuition. What works for one person might not work for another. Have fun, and set up your altar in your own style.
Other common altar objects which you might wish to include...
*An athame or sacred knife which is for ceremonial use and not meant for the cutting of herbs or anything else.
*A boline, which is a knife used to cut herbs and other things in your magickal working.
*A burine, which is a sharp pointed instrument used to inscribe candles and whatever else.
*A cauldron for mixing herbs, potions, and other magick ingredients.
*A bowl of water
*A bowl of earth, salt, or sand.
*A pentacle or shallow dish to place objects for dedication.
You may wish to include bells, crystals, amulets, talismans, and other objects. You should put careful thought into that which you wish to represent. Some magickians try to keep objects with words printed on them off of the altar as this may muddle the intent of your magickal working.
Dedicating Your Altar
After setting up your altar you are now ready to dedicate it. If you are working with any deities or spirits you might ask for their blessings upon the space. You might wish to write up your own incantation by which you would dedicate your altar. Put lots of passion and energy into your dedication. The more passion the better, as you really want to get the space charged up for as much success as possible with your magick rite. You can cast a circle if you wish. Many people feel that setting up the altar and dedicating it is more than enough of an effort to go to.
You should also make sure that all of your tools have been cleansed and consecrated to your magickal aims. You want to empower your tools. After this point in time you will probably only want to use them in magickal work. Using your magick tools for other stuff negates their purpose and weakens your spell.
Consecrating Your Altar Objects and Tools
It is very easy to consecrate your altar objects. First you would soak them in salt water overnight. You want to remove other people's energy vibrations from each object. Then let the objects be bathed in moon or sunlight for 12 hours. Charge them with the appropriate energy.
After you are done bathing your objects you will want to hold them and let them become filled with your own energy. You may want to build your own energy up beforehand through a grounding ritual, or by absorbing energy from the sun or moon. Next you would bless the object by whichever energy, God, Goddess, or spirit you desire. Imagine yourself as a channel for a greater energy. Allow this energy to come through you and into the object.
After consecrating your tools for the first time the energy you make in your connection should be enough. It isn't necessary to consecrate them each time you do a magickal working. If your tools are handled by another person you might wish to cleanse them again.
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