Guest Author - Amelia Tucker
An altar is a central part of many Wiccans lives. It is a place to connect with your inner goddess and a visual mark in your living space where what you hold sacred can be lovingly displayed.
I set up my altar as soon as I move into a new home. Because we have a large family and never a large house, my need for my own altarspace have to mesh with the practicality of high traffic, small home and rowdy, growing children. My altar is located on the top of a 4 tiered shelving unit. It sits in my office next to my desk where I spend most of my free time. I cover it with my altar cloth and decorate it to reflect what I am celebrating or what is important at that moment in my spiritual life. I also have a smaller altar in the kitchen, where I spend the rest of my time. This kitchen altar sits on a small wooden shelf. It takes up only 4 inches by 10 inches and to the mundane eye, looks like a strangely decorated shelf, nothing more.
Creating your own altar box is a good way to focus energy into one item that is portable. You then have a sacred space to bring to your dorm room or if you live in an apartment, you may not leave your altar up unless you are
When traveling or going somewhere that you will be spending a lot of time away from home, you can bring an altar box with you and know that your items are safe.
An altar box can be either a part of a larger altar that holds precious items of meaning and strength for you. Either homemade(my favorite) or purchased, an altar box is a great way to keep many items on your sacred space in one place.
Some ideas for creating your own altar box are:
A simple placemat and small satchel of items
A tiny shelf
A cigar box, covered and/or painted. Even leaving it the original design may hold special meaning for you if it connects you to a loved one.
A wooden box from the dollar store or discount outlet
A pre-made altar box that calls to you!
An altar cloth with a ribbon woven around the edges so that you can draw it into a satchel, enclosing your items into is when not in use.
No matter how you want to create one, there are many reasons that a portable altar would fit into your spiritual life.
