In many of the world’s religions, practitioners reserve a place in their homes where deities are honored with prayers and offerings. Petitions are made to the gods of the home altar for things desired or needed: health, wealth, success, love, protection, and other blessings. This practice originated in ancient magickal ritual. Places of spiritual significance can be found in the dwellings of the earliest civilizations.

Most Witches develop a dedicated altar in their homes. Some cultivate several, with each having a specific magickal purpose or in honor of a particular deity. Christian has both a Witches’ altar, adorned with the tools of the Craft and representations of various Pagan deities, and an ancestral altar dedicated to Marie Laveau, Queen of New Orleans Voodoo. Sandra maintains an altar for personal work; a shrine to her patron, Ganesha; and a shrine to the Greek gods and goddesses of her birth father’s ancestors. An altar can be as elaborate as a finely carved sideboard, or as simple as your bedroom dresser. Through use, it will grow to become a place of power.

Altars are as unique as the people who worship at them. They combine the traditional tools of the Craft with very personal items, such as photos of deceased loved ones and favorite magickal jewelry, and items from nature, such as acorns, shells, dirt from a grave, or water from a nearby river. Traditional Witches’ tools include:

Athame
Traditionally, a black-handled knife used for summoning, charging objects, and casting the circle. It represents the masculine side of deity.

Chalice
Usually designed in the shape of a goblet, it holds the ritual wine (or similar beverage) and represents the feminine side of deity.

Wand
Most commonly made of wood or another natural substance, this rod is used to focus and direct energy. In some traditions, this is the tool used to cast the circle.

Altar Paten
A flat plate or disc, typically carved or painted with a pentacle, runes, or other magickal symbols. Items are typically placed upon it to be consecrated, charged, or cleansed.

To purchase Salem Ritual Tools from Sandra’s Shoppe, click here!