Articles — altars

You may already have an altar to your deities, but what about the human spirits that have made you who you are? An ancestor altar is a sacred space that honors your deceased loved ones and can be used for prayer, offerings, and spells. Creating an altar is a beautiful way to remember your ancestors and to show them how much you appreciate their presence in your life. YOU can make an ancestor altar! Yes, you--even if you happen to be spirit-deaf, very busy, or hate your family. If you're not sure how to get started, here are seven easy steps for...

A collection of bright ideas for creating tranquility at home, curated by Redfin. (We're honored to be included at #8!) Do you have a sacred space at home that’s just for you? Somewhere you can go to take a break from the outside world. A tranquil area where you can breathe deep, sit in meditation, practice yoga, or just exist. A place that encourages quietness. If you don’t have a space like this in your home, we highly recommend creating one.  But how do you actually go about creating such a space? To help you get started, we reached out to...

Working magick can transform your life, but the last time you felt its full power was…well, a while ago. Burnout happens. No matter how experienced you are, or how dedicated you are to your Craft, sooner or later you will find yourself stuck in a rut. You may feel uninspired or disconnected from what drew you to magick in the first place. It’s time to get back to basics, re-charge, and reconnect with your super-awesome witchy self. There are dozens of simple rituals and practices that can help the erstwhile Witch recover their mojo. Most people hear “ritual” and think...

Connecting to the powers of the Four Elements is a foundational practice for many Pagans. Earth, Air, Fire, and Water move through us and inspire us. As ideas, they help us to make sense of and to describe a complex world. Even the simplest of Pagan altars usually have some representation of the Elements. Some Pagans have specific ritual tools consecrated to each one of the Elements. (The Wand, Cup, Disk, and Sword are the canonical tools of the ceremonial magician.) Others take a more spontaneous approach, grabbing everyday items that symbolize the elemental powers. There are traditional and non-traditional...

The silver (or silver-plated) chalice is an important ritual tool for many Wiccans and Pagans. The chalice represents the feminine principle and is also used to hold beverage offerings. On a Wiccan altar, the chalice stands for the Goddess, as the athame stands for the God. Although a ritual chalice can be made of practically anything, silver has a special magickal significance. Silver corresponds to the Moon. In Western magick, it’s linked to receptivity, psychic vision, dreams, change, and the element of Water. Silver is a beautiful and precious material, but it requires a bit more maintenance than ordinary dishware....