Blessed be Wildlings! Last week we talked about why an altar is important in magick work, but there are also times when an altar just really isn't necessary. There are other times when its not convenient, or when we're simply unable to have one. Sometimes, we're only able to have a partial or alternative altar - and that's find, too!
In an earlier edition of Den Craft, I discussed how Your Hand is an Altar. If you find that you seem to not be able to have an altar, but are interested in working with one, anyway, this article might interest you! Along with this tip to create altars where altars are otherwise hard to create, I'll be sharing some tips in each section on how to have an altar when a traditional one just doesn't work.
With that said, let's get into it! Why wouldn't we need an altar?
1. Lack of Materials
It may sound a bit obvious to say, but your guides and spirit team know where you are in your life, and what is available to you at this time, as well. They know what you are able to afford, and what you have access to (and the knowledge and wisdom to recognize as necessary). The magick is in YOU. The tools are just that - tools, that make the work easier. When I first started doing magick again as an adult, all I had was a small table I was able to set outside beneath a favorite tree!
Implements and tools are expensive. Your time and energy are valuable, too, though. So long as you have strong intention and are committed to your work, personal growth, and spiritual path, an altar isn't truly necessary - especially if it's something you just can't afford at this time. These things will come to you in their own time!
Believe it or not, for example, I was gifted my silver candlesticks. All three of them, on two separate occasions. Magick, and the ability to make it stronger, comes to us on its own once we begin calling to it, and putting in real world effort to receive it.
2. Natural Spaces as Altars
I often have had natural clearings or stone features that I consider altar spaces in the various places I've stayed. These wonderful outdoor spaces can also serve as natural altars, so that we don't have to really maintain or upkeep one in the home.
Natural spaces can serve as altars so long as they have all of the elements present. Stones that naturally hold water or streams, creeks, lakes, and other bodies of water can represent water, while the earth itself is the earth. During the day, the sun represents fire, and the wind can usually be felt, even if it is very faint. At night, a candle can be brought to embody fire, as well (with safety practices on point, of course - don't make me tell Smokey on you).
They make wonderful spaces for practitioners just starting off, or those who want to have a nature based practice, as it allows for a direct connection with the elemental energies of mother earth herself. This creates a really deep and beautiful conduit for the sacred knowledge these spaces hold. Not everyone has access to these sort of spaces, however, especially not those that aren't in public spaces, and so a natural altar may also not be for you.
3. Non-Supportive Environment
The most common reason I am asked if someone really needs an altar is because of the environment they find themselves in. What if its not safe or impolite to have a magick altar in your home?
Like not having the right tools or any tools at all, your spirit team knows where you are in your life. They certainly want you to be safe and to have a home! If it isn't conducive to your physical well being to have an altar, they absolutely understand you not having one.
An alternative for this sort of situation, as well as the palm altar mentioned at the beginning of the article, are mini altars or tin altars. These are altars that fit inside of tins, and can be hidden away in private places (or taken with us!) when not in use. The contents of a tiny altar consist of a birthday or tealight candle or two, an incense cone and metal disc burner, a small bottle of moon water, and some crystals. If you have any small and symbolic objects to represent your deities or ancestors, they should be included too! The tin itself can be decorated as an altar cloth, as it will be serving as the altar surface.
4. Small Space
Small space sometimes limits our ability to have an altar. As someone who lives in a tiny home, I absolutely understand this issue! I can imagine that having a large and busy family in even a normal sized home would create this issue as well - what do you do when there is literally no where to set up an altar?
You don't! Like everything else in our lives (and as you're probably starting to groan when I say it), your spirit team knows you don't have the room. While it may not seem like much to have a small space set aside for spiritual and magickal work, finding a reasonable space is a lot harder than one might think in cramped quarters!
Temporary set ups are a good solution to have an altar in small spaces. By setting up on a coffee table or counter, and taking the extra time and steps to prep, properly use, and cleanse these spaces when your done, you can make an altar space just about anywhere. I did this for a good number of years before I was able to commit to having altars set up all the time.
5. Uncertainty Around Altar
Don't understand how to make an altar for your path choice? Don't think an altar will work? Don't believe in your personal power? Not quite ready to commit to keeping a clean and well maintained altar space? Not sure what sort of magickal path you're following yet? It's probably not a good idea to have an altar yet. Respect for the craft, ritual, and belief in the practice are a big part of having an altar, and magickal work in general.
The consequences for not properly approaching altar work are usually pretty mundane and straight forward: the altar just doesn't work. Having a working altar, and not paying it due respect, can have more serious consequences, such as our magick or manifestations not working as planned, to actually offending or genuinely pissing off our deities and ancestors. From keeping it clean and organized, to participating in routine and culturally aligned rituals, and giving proper offerings, there are lots of things to take into consideration while working with altars.
The good news is, you can always set up an altar. You can always take it down. Just be sure to respect yourself and where you are on your path, and you will be working magick in no time!
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