Making Your Own Altar

[angelsfallfirst]

Hi all,

I am wanting to make my own altar but not sure what I can use around the house.
I did have an idea of using a box and painting it with or printing on fabric to cover it, with symbols (of the elements etc) but I'm not sure if this sort of thing is ok or ok for now until I can buy a proper altar.

If I make my altar, what materials would you suggest using to build one?
Thanks everyone

[Heartsong]

Hey angelsfallfirst,

You can use just about anything really. My altar is an old china cabinet that belonged to my grandmother, with shelves so I can put all sorts of things on it, like herbs, oils, books, extra spell candles, etc. Using a box and decorating is a great idea, especially since you can really personalize it to make it more meaningful to you, which is much more important than having a 'proper' altar.

[angelsfallfirst]

Thank you very much heart song

[Echo_of_shadows]

Before you get started, I suggest that you might want to take a couple things into consideration.
How much space do you have?
Will your altar be permanent or temporary?
How much stuff do you plan to put on your altar?
If you want something big, you've got to keep in mind how much space you have to not only place the altar, but to have ample space to move around it if you wish, or to move it elsewhere if need be.
If you can leave your altar up all the time without fear of guests coming over and getting upset at the site of an altar, or if you don't have to worry about pets or kids disturbing things on it, then you have a bit more freedom in choosing whether you want an altar that will remain stationary versus something that's easily portable.
If you do choose to go the portable route, wheels and handles are great additions to your altar.
If you plan for your altar to hold every conceivable tool, make sure that what you choose is suitably sturdy. An empty cardboard box can make a nice portable altar in a pinch, but it might collapse under the weight of a half dozen tools and 20 candles in glass jars.
An altar is the work surface that you deem sacred for your purposes. Cleanse it, empower it, and away you go.

[angelsfallfirst]

Thanks echo_of_shadows, will have to get my thinking cap on now

[Chylorna]

Hi ya,
Use what your drawn too it can be something as simple as candles to represent the elements. U could carve symbols or text onto each; you could use stones or crystals. Let your instincts draw you to the objects you see deem representations.
Hope I've helped

[SpiritTalker]

Over the years i've used a decorated cardboard beer case (cant get holier than that ), a folding breakfast tray, a three-tiered kitchen cart on wheels (storage and mobility), a dresser, bookshelf, desk, wall shelf, shelved microwave stand, night stand, footstool, & a sofa table. Someone elsewhere has mentioned using a piano bench. Outdoors I've stacked flower pots into 2 pillars & laid a plank across them.

[L.J.Hex]

I had to come up with a make shift altar in my bedroom few nights ago. I had all my usual stuff there and I used a cardboard box, yea, as simple as that. As a cloth I have a old black shirt I no longer use. As simple as it gets, I just had to find something.

I'm planning to use a low and wide table I have right next to me here, it has wheels so its easy to move around and has nice space for a lot things, all I need is a larger cloth and I'm all set. I might even set it up as a semi permanent altar, just take most items off when I'm not using it to keep the thing under the radar.

As others have said, pretty much anything goes when in need.