Wiccan Supplies: Setting up your Altar

In our previous article, Essential Pagan Supplies Every Witch Needs, we introduced you to the fundamental Wiccan supplies every witch or practitioner needs to begin their Wiccan journey. Now we are ready to move on and set up the Wiccan altar. Creating your altar can be deeply personal, and the most important thing to remember is that our suggestions are not meant to be set in stone. It’s more important to trust your intuition and allow yourself to the freedom to express yourself and choose an altar set up that feels right to you. Although they are a number of Wiccan supplies used in practice, you can choose to use items that feel congruent to your beliefs and spiritual practices.

The goal of the altar is to help the practitioner or (witch) is to connect to the divine spirit, natural world, and their own inner intuitive selves. Setting up the altar begins with choosing the right location, picking a surface,  and gathering the altar tools you choose to work with. Regardless of which wiccan supplies you choose to work with, your altar needs to speak to you in a holistic way. Meaning you are ultimately the one who needs to define how you wish to use it to connect to divine energy and the natural world.

The Athame: Representing the Element of Air

Let’s start with the athame. The athame is a double-edged ritual knife typically used for cutting and directing energy. The Athame is symbolic, and in most cases, it is not used for actual cutting. It symbolizes the element of Air. The element of air is associated with the intellect and power of the mind. You will want to place the athame in the east quadrant of your altar, as the East is associated with the element of Air. Some practitioners prefer to place the athame on the right side of the altar. In this case, the right side of the altar is associated with God and masculine energy.

The Wand: Representing the Element of Fire

The wand is one of the most identifiable Wiccan tools used in magic. The wand is used to direct energy and invoke the elements. It represents the element of Fire and the will. Place the wand in the south quadrant of your altar. Some Wiccans choose to place the wand next to the athame. Both these tools can be used for directing energy. A Wiccan may choose either depending on how they wish to work with energy.

The Chalice: Representing the Element of Water

The chalice is a goblet or cup used to hold water or wine. The chalice symbolizes the element of Water. The element of water is associated with emotions and intuition. You will want to place the chalice in the west quadrant of your altar, as the West direction is associated with the element of Water and the Goddess and feminine energy.

The Pentacle: Representing the Element of Earth

Another widely utilized Wiccan supply is the pentacle. The pentacle is typically displayed as a disk or plate inscribed with a pentagram. The Pentacle represents the five elements and is used for grounding and protection. It symbolizes the element of Earth and the physical realm. You will want to place the pentacle in the north quadrant of your altar, as the North is associated with the element of Earth. Some practitioners choose to use the pentacle as a central focal point on their altar. Because the Pentacle represents each element: earth, air, fire, water, and spirit, placing it as a central focal point can symbolize the perfect balance of all elements.

The Censer or Incense Burner: Representing with the Element of Air

Another important Wiccan altar supply is the censor. The censer or incense burner is a container for burning incense, which is used to cleanse, purify, and create a sacred atmosphere. Incense represents the element of Air and can be placed alongside the athame in the east quadrant of your altar. Alternatively, you can position the censer in the center of your altar, as it helps create a bridge between the physical world and spiritual realms.

Candles: Calling on the Elements and Setting Intentions

Wiccan candles are a widely used tool in the Wiccan practice. They help by invoking the elements, setting your intentions, and creating the perfect sacred space for you to work in. Typically candles are placed in each of the cardinal directions (North, East, South, and West) to represent each of the four elements. You can also use colored Wiccan Candles to symbolize your different intentions (e.g., white for purity, green for prosperity, blue for healing, pink for love, or red for passion). 

Other Wiccan Supplies for your Altar

They are a number of other Wiccan supplies that can be used in your rituals. Wiccan Oils, Magick Candles, Crystals, Herbs, and all other sorts of supplies can be incorporated. The most important thing to remember is that there really isn’t a right way or wrong way. Your altar should be personal and reflect your own spiritual beliefs. Ultimately, your altar is a tool to deepen your spiritual practice.