The Oracle

This is one of those interesting little points I've encountered on my travels. An altar is one of the most central things in many Pagan's workings and often it seems to not get much attention in the myriad of books that are out there.

So my question is this, do you see the altar as a magickal tool equal to that of the Athame, wand and many other things?

I do I mean, without the Alter, there'd be nothing to put your tools on, so even with just one or two tools, you're creating an Altar

I now have a permanently Alter facing directly North in my room, and I love it, LOL.

I have to agree 100% its an important tool and many people even equate it with the element of earth. Very easy to see why its usually in the north when you think that way. I actually don't have an altar set up in my home, its something that I may do one day but I do have reasons for not having it.

My reason is an altar is something I prefer to make when I am at a location. I tend to love the idea of natural altars, things that are just right for the location you are at. That could be a leaning tree, a patch of earth or even as grand as stone slab set inside a circle!

Cadno ap annwn wrote:I have to agree 100% its an important tool and many people even equate it with the element of earth. Very easy to see why its usually in the north when you think that way.

Well I place it in the North for the point of power. I could see why others place it in directions such as the East, as a tool of communcation, or the South, as a tool of masculine power. But for me, North works best.

I also like the symbology of it being in the North when the sun and moon rise - from West to East - from Goddess to God I actually don't have an altar set up in my home, its something that I may do one day but I do have reasons for not having it.

Cadno ap annwn wrote:My reason is an altar is something I prefer to make when I am at a location. I tend to love the idea of natural altars, things that are just right for the location you are at. That could be a leaning tree, a patch of earth or even as grand as stone slab set inside a circle!

I agree - I'd love (as I never have done) rise Sacred Space at the spur of the moment, but for me there's something spiritual in waking up and seeing my Altar at the bottom of my bed, with most of my working Tools on it.

It's kind of a "Good Morning (or in my case, "Good Afternoon" ) God and Goddess!"

Glenn

lol I can respect that entirely

I'm just a fuddy duddy who tends to go purely on instinct with a lot of my workings. I spent a great amount of time as a ceremonial magician and the trappings of that are enormous. I think part of me rebeled against the idea of 'oh you have to have this for that job' thinking.

Now that isn't saying that I don't respect those who do, personally I think every person should have a sense of pride about their tools, be it altar or broomstick!!

Its just that I once felt too restricted and between a good mentor and a lot of exploration I found a way that is refreshingly free