Altar Setup Basics
An altar is the object upon which ritual tools are placed during a ritual. An altar may be a permanent fixture, or set up only when needed for ritual. Some Pagans have a portable altar instead of or in addition to their permanent and/or temporary altar. A portable altar can consist of a box or basket containing the necessary tools.
Altars are traditionally made from wood or stone but other materials can be used. Some people try to avoid using any ferrous (magnetic) metals in the construction of their altar. Since magickal people tend to be sensitive to, or have an awareness of vibrations and energy, and the idea is to do magical work in as "pure" an environment as possible.
By avoiding unnecessary electrical or magnetic energy in the ritual area we are better able to feel and focus on the energies we wish to work with, including that present in crystals and/or wands or athames.
There are many ways to set up an altar. Traditional thought is that the God symbol is on the right and the Goddess symbol is on the left- as you face it. This is partly due to the receptive hand (for right handed people) in on the Left and the projective hand (for right handed people) is on the right. Some left handed people will reverse, this- some won't. Feel into the energy and how it passes through and to your own body and make a decision.
The other items on the altar (traditionally) are the Source candle- Top center, Chalice (or cup)- on the West side, Censer- on the East side, Pentacle disk- in the middle center, the Athame- below the Pentacle, Wand- in the East, and the salt or stone bowl- in the North. There can also be candles to the sides of the altar for illumination. Below is a simple diagram of this.
This is NOT the only way to set up an altar, although you will hear otherwise in your studies and conversations. An altar is a place to focus ones energy, thought and devotions/prayers (though you can use a shrine for thoughts/prayers) . The altar may be of any shape and size, or even a patch of ground. Altars generally contain pictures or statues of Gods and Goddesses.
It is a sacred place. In addition to a focal point of religious celebrations, altars may hold various aspects of the Gods and Goddesses, and they have spaces for offerings of food, incense, money, magickal items and other gifts. Altars are a place to honor traditional deities and the spirits of ancestors- so are shrines.
The items brought to the altar may be a random assortment of personally significant items or a particular set with ritual significance. The altar can be covered in some sort of cloth.
Depending on the rite you are doing, or your traditions teachings, you can set up an altar
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By the 5 elements
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By the associations of the Gods/Goddesses
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According to the working (healing, prosperity, protection etc)
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By color
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Lunar or Solar phase
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What feels right for you
The main thing to remember when setting up an altar is WHY you are doing it in the first place.
This is my working altar. This is NOT the only way to set up an altar. As you can see, my altar is not exactly like the layout above. I have my boline where the athame is, and my athame with my wands.