ALTAR & TOOLS OF THE GREEN WITCH

ALTAR

The beauty of Green Witchcraft is a flexible path based in Nature. Your altar is an expression of your spiritual journey and sacred space to worship, craft spells, or journal.

You may decorate it according to season or sabbat. You may incorporate the symbolism of deities or elements of Nature as you wish or according to magickal work as long with colors and offerings. You can include pictures of passed loved ones who have become one of your guides or even images of historical archetypes of goddesses from history or your bloodline.

Each witch's altar can look different in green witchcraft, whereas the religion Wicca gives organized placements and methods. Green witchcraft prioritizes the witch's intuition, not to mention green witches may continuously move altar if working outdoors or while exploring. If you are interested in a format for your altar, observe the picture above. The deities/statues are specific to you if at all.

Pro-tip: Make a portable altar with recycled tin or shoebox. You can add quartz or another multi-use crystal, thread, paper, ink, (naturally-acquired) feather, smoke-cleansing bundles, matches, and a small bottle of moon water.

Caution: Be sure to protect Gaia by properly extinguish any flames you may use during your magickal work. Always pick up after yourselves and pick up any trash you come across. If you want blessings from the spirits of Nature, give them a reason to protect you.

TOOLS & MATERIALS FOR YOUR ALTAR

Tools and materials are used to bring a deeper focus and intensify your intention. The only necessity in magick is your focus and visualization. You do not need ALL of these items. These are standard tools to start choosing from if you haven't acquired any tools or a list to expand your toolbox as you progress.

ATHAME

An athame is a ritual knife that is sharp on both sides.

BELL

Use to clear space, open and close magickal work, or to call upon the Farie Folk

BESOM

A besom is a ritual broom used to cast circles and make the sacred space

BOLLINE

A cutting & carving tool traditionally used to cut herbs and inscribe candles

BOWLS

The standard bowls to use are a salt bowl, water bowl, and an offering bowl.

CANDLE HOLDER

Traditional candle holders to have would be one for the Goddess, one for the Horned God, and one for both unified. The candle holders can be individual, candelabra, or votive holders. If deities are not part of your craft, you may use a candle for your magical work.

CENSER

A censer is a container for incense that can be carried around the space or set on the altar. Traditionally, the censer is partially filled with sand to prevent burns.

CRYSTAL BALL

Crystal balls are excellent divination tools but can be very expensive. Tarot cards, pendulums, and reading tea leaves are much more accessible for witches who are still starting or are on a smaller budget.

CHALICE

The chalice is the offering cup to your high power or higher self.

INCENSE BURNER

Similar to a censer but without a top and can be simply a cone or stick holder.

MUSICAL TOOLS

Music is a beautiful way to raise your vibration. Listening to healing frequencies is always a favorite pick of mine, but having hands-on experience with the music is very powerful as well. If you have a musical instrument to play, no matter how simple or complex, bring it to your sacred space and give it a play.

PEN/ QUILL & INK

A writing tool is useful for journaling or writing down intentions, wishes, or banishments to burn.

PENDULUM

A pendulum is a divination tool made out of usually a crystal point attached to a chain or string.

Pro-tip: Carry your pendulum around near your skin to get familiar with the energy. Bond with your divination tools.

PENTACLE

A pentacle is a five-point star with a circle around it if you would like more information on what the Pentacle symbolizes, go here.

PLATE

A decorated plate is useful for bread offerings or candle dressings.

SCRYING MIRROR

Scrying mirrors are less common, but gorgeous additions to your magickal space.

STATUE OF TRIPLE GODDESS OR DEITIES

Place a symbol of your higher power if applicable. Traditionally the feminine archetype is to the left and the masculine archetype is placed to the right of the altar. The Triple Goddess is a perfect symbol of universal higher powers or as a symbol of the cycles of Nature. For more information on deities of Green Witchcraft, click here.

STAFF

A staff is a long wand, but it can also be useful for going deep into the woods or forest.

STANG

A stang can be used in place of an altar and is a large stick placed in the ground, typically decorated for the Sabbats.

TAROT CARDS

Find a deck that calls to you.

TILE

Decorated pieces of tile come in handy as hot plates to place under your candles or incense holders.

WAND

Wands are best made out of oak, willow, hazel, apple, or elder and are to be 12 to 16 inches. Just like with your crystals and cards, find one that appeals to you.

BASIC MATERIALS

Altar cloths, candles, charcoal discs, cords, crystals, glass bottles, glass jars, herbs, incense, matches, oils, salt, spices, spring water, thread