How to: Build an altar

Altars are spiritual workspaces. Here, you will gather your spiritual materials into a beautiful, personal space for prayer, spell casting, worship, or whatever your practice entails. Altars can be as large or small as you like them to be. Here is how I’ve constructed my personal altar.

I've framed my altar with living plants to bring fresh energy into my space, as well as rocks I've collected from meaningful places. If you're a green witch, try growing herbs on your altar.

I've framed my altar with living plants to bring fresh energy into my space, as well as rocks I've collected from meaningful places. If you're a green witch, try growing herbs on your altar.

Books, grimoires and other tools like athames, tarot cards, etc. should be stored within reach.

Books, grimoires and other tools like athames, tarot cards, etc. should be stored within reach.

Crystals enhance the energy of your space and can be interchanged depending on your intention for the month. Some choose to lay crystal grids at the centre of their space. I prefer to hide mine among my other tools.

Crystals enhance the energy of your space and can be interchanged depending on your intention for the month. Some choose to lay crystal grids at the centre of their space. I prefer to hide mine among my other tools.

Candles should be kept in holders, or on fire safe dishes and away from any tapestries, plants or other potentially hazardous items. I always keep extra tea lights on hand for larger rituals.

Candles should be kept in holders, or on fire safe dishes and away from any tapestries, plants or other potentially hazardous items. I always keep extra tea lights on hand for larger rituals.

I collect a small container of moon water each month to anoint petitions and cleanse myself before rituals.

I collect a small container of moon water each month to anoint petitions and cleanse myself before rituals.

Statues or other devotionals are great centrepieces for your altar. I don't have a primary deity of worship, so I've chosen the moon.

Statues or other devotionals are great centrepieces for your altar. I don't have a primary deity of worship, so I've chosen the moon.

  • Some people like to set an intention for the month, and change their altars accordingly. Some people have multiple altars for different intentions. Your altar is meant to be a beautiful space and you may change it as you see fit.

  • Try a shoebox altar. Place your altar items in the box and use the lid to help stand the box upright. You can pack it up and stow it away when necessary.

    *Never light a candle or incense inside or on top of the box.

  • Anywhere. If all you have today is a candle and some crystals, all you need is a place to display them. Altars need not be elaborate. This is YOUR workspace and there is no wrong way to maintain it.

Check out our altar candles here.