The Elements – A representation of the elements Air, Fire, Water, Earth listed individually below are usually represented on your altar. Each element is is usually associated with a direction but this changes between different practices. Spirit which is often considered the fifth element is something represented on the altar alongside the elements but it can also be represented separately or amalgamated as both. It is also listed below.
Air – Incense, feathers, smudge, wand, wind chimes
I prefer using a natural dried incense burnt on a charcoal disc and choose a herb that is associated with the outcome of the ritual I am planing. Many herbs can be used for smudge not just the most common sage my favourite is dried mugwort but other ideas are saw palmetto, cedar, sweet grass, lavender, frankincense and myrrh .
The tool that represents air is the athame or wand. Whilst a wand in most modern systems is considered affiliated to South and fire I prefer it in it’s original position of air as it relates between to me of lofty ideas and wisdom.
Air is the realm of our winged animal allies so feathers as a representation of flight are naturally connected to air.
Fire – Candles, metal, athame, sword, Sand, fire pit, lantern, cooker, hearth, Sun
Whilst I prefer to use a red candle or a white candles can also be used to tie into candle magic. Using different coloured and anointed candles based on ritual intent can add to the ritual. Metal is forged in fire which refines and strengthens it.
The tool that represents fire is either the wand or athame. The Athame and swords whilst associated frequently today with air and intellect I prefer to place them in the original position of fire as they are forged and refined in fire like all metals and this was their tradition position before it was change by the Golden Dawn.
Sand is connected to the dessert the hottest area on our planets surface other ideas are volcano and lava. Modern fire lanterns come in many shapes, sizes and budgets. In your house the kitchen is traditionally considered the centre of the house and where the cooking happened over a fire in modern times this is your cooker and it you have one hearth. The sun being a large fire ball in our skys is naturally a symbol of fire.
Outside a fire pit is a great way to bring the energy of fire and warmth to you garden it is also practical for bbq and chilly nights.
Fire is the realm of our animal allies that live in hot places like the dessert personally I also include cold blood reptiles here as they require the heat of the sun to warm them.
Water – A bowl of water, water fountain, sea shells, Moon, chalice or offering cup
Sea shells can serve as a great symbol of water as can any beach combed item. I use a 900 year old clam shell from a local ancient monastery. The moon is associated with water as it is the most obvious tidal pull and effect both are also considered emotional nature.
The tool that represents water is the chalice or offering cup which is traditionally associated with water as a vessel. Naturally a bowl or glass of water can be used to represent this element it could be normal tap water or water collected from a rain bucket, puddle, healing well, ocean or lake.
A water fountain come is many shapes, sizes and budgets for both indoor and outdoor use to bring the healing and relaxing energy of water to your space.
Water is the realm of our sea creatures like fish, whales and crustaceans to name but a few.
Earth – Stone, small stone cairn, bowl of salt or earth, crystals, pentagram, bark, branches, plants, food offering
I usually use some ancient ash bark to represent the earth element but a stone works just as well. A food offering can also be placed in the north especially grown foods like seeds and veg.
By collecting stones you feel connected to you can arrange and stack them to form a miniature cairn. A small cairn is also great for use outdoors and can be used to pour offerings over the top.
When doing ancestor rituals I find that using a bowl of grave soil is a great way of connecting to them. Ancestors are connected to the element of Earth and whilst on an altar they can be represented individually they can also be placed as the Earth element.
The tool that represents earth on the altar is a pentacle.
Earth is the realm of our four legged mammals especially those that also dig or have homes under ground
Spirits – You can light a candle on your altar to honour spirits. I usually use either white or for protection black. If you have specific spirit animals you can place a totem of them on the altar, photo, painting or figurine.
Offerings – If you have not used you drink and food offering to represent elements these should be placed on the altar. What you want to offer is personal preference frequently uses is milk, honey, bread and alcohol. Offerings can be seasonally themed e.g. Soul cakes and barnbrack at Samhain, breads at Lughnasadh or Mulled wines and mince pies at Yule.
Ancestors – Can be honoured by lighting a candle, using photographs or possession they owned or like about grave soil. Whilst arguably morbid in some respects I personally prefer using grave soil as it is nourishing. Think about burying something; that area flows with plant life because of the nourishment the body provides. Like Mufasa’s lesson in the lion king “our bodies become the grass” the cycle of your ancestors life continues through you.
Gods – If you worship Gods you can place flowers, plants, light candles in their honour or represent them with a statue or painting. You can also include items associated with the deity e.g. amber necklace for Freya, Crow feathers for the Morrigan or dried flowers for Hela.
Astral Altars – You can visualise your altar creating it energetically if you can’t create one in person.
Mini or portable altar spaces – When space is tight an altar doesn’t have to be a large or elaborate decoration. As above many things can serve a double function and a pebble, small shell, incense cone and tea light can all fit in most mint tins.
Creating sacred space in nature – when outdoors you can use what’s around you to create a sacred space just let your creativity flow. At a beach you can arrange and stake stone, shells and drift wood to create a natural altar. In a forest you can arrange leaves, branches, berries and flowers. When outdoors it is always important to take anything you bring away don’t litter nature in this using what is naturally there is a good alternative that would disturb the ecosystem of the area, endanger native wildlife or pollute.
Moo-ther Earth 