| The first step is to thoroughly clean the room that | | | | actually see the rituals being done that I have |
| will contain your altar. It is best to mix sea salt into | | | | included a DVD section on them in the full Witchcraft |
| water. If you can't find any sea salt to use (any new | | | | Academy. Not only is there a detailed step-by-step |
| age shop should have some), just use cleaning | | | | guide for you to follow (with pictures and images), |
| supplies you would normally use. | | | | but you will actually see a demonstration of this |
| Scrub down the walls, ceiling and floor (if you don't | | | | powerful (and important) ritual. |
| have a rug). Make sure to pick up the clutter, and | | | | Once you have fully cleansed and purified your space, |
| organize the room as best you can. The less clutter | | | | it is time to set up your altar. Throughout this |
| and mess, the easier it will be to control the energy | | | | process, keep in mind that you can use any materials |
| that collects. | | | | to set up an altar - but it is best to avoid using |
| Now, you need to determine where North, South, | | | | synthetic or metal materials. You can use a small |
| East, and West are. You can use a compass, or ask | | | | wooden table that is between knee and chest high |
| someone who knows (if you don't). Once you figure | | | | (you may even consider a circular table - which are |
| them out, make sure to mark them using any small | | | | popular for altars) The idea here is to maintain the |
| objects so that you won't forget. The reason you | | | | natural energies of the Earth by using materials |
| are doing this is because your altar will be setup | | | | coming directly from the earth (if possible). |
| facing North because it is the direction of "Earth" and | | | | Set up your feminine diety elements to the left, and |
| the primary energy you will connect to. | | | | your mail diety elements to the right. (for Wiccans, |
| Next, you need to mark your circle. You can use | | | | Goddess elements to the left, and your God |
| white cord, or any small objects that are sacred to | | | | elements to the right) |
| you. (such as candles or figurines) If you have | | | | If you want to see a full layout of elements, and |
| enough room, try to mark the circle between 5 to 9 | | | | how to arrange them on your altar to heighten your |
| feet in diameter. (If you don't have enough space | | | | connection to Magick - see the Home Academy to |
| your circle can be smaller, but it may be a little more | | | | follow the exact steps. It also includes pictures of |
| difficult to stay inside of the circle when doing your | | | | different altar setups and a video demonstration of |
| spell work. | | | | setup and "consecration" of tools and other items on |
| When you mark the circle start in the East and move | | | | your altar. (This is a must to harmonize the energy |
| clockwise around the circle, finishing again in the East. | | | | within the tools with the energy of the altar and your |
| Think of this is a "permanent" circle that you will | | | | sacred space) |
| "redraw" each time you do ritual or spell work. (you'll | | | | Replace the markers you used to define the |
| see how to redraw it later) | | | | directions (North, South, East, and West) with white |
| Now it is time to decorate your temple (the area | | | | candles. In the DVDs you will also see how you can |
| around your circle). You can hang meaningful posters, | | | | use colored candles that represent each of the |
| fabric, and pictures. You can set up candles all around | | | | elemental colors of the four directions. I like to place |
| the room in any way that feels right for you. Try to | | | | more candles around the border of the circle because |
| set up a mystical feel, one that builds strong | | | | I like to work my magic by candlelight. |
| emotions for Magick work. The decorating can be | | | | Finally, repeat the purification ritual in the Home |
| simple or elaborate, whatever evokes strong feelings | | | | Academy for your altar and the circle. Then take a |
| inside of you. | | | | broom, or use your arm to clear out the space of |
| Next, you need to do an initial cleansing and | | | | the circle and push any negative or dark energy |
| purification of your space. So you must first prepare | | | | away. |
| the cleansing water for this ritual. You will "charge" | | | | Your first Witchcraft alter is born, congratulations! |
| the water with positive and pure energy from your | | | | Now you can gradually increase it's power to attract |
| heart. Then you will use this water to cleanse your | | | | the Magick energies you will need in your spell work |
| space. | | | | by adding meaningful objects to it. There are many |
| This purification is very important to perform | | | | specific examples of altar setups, and examples of |
| correctly or your space will be tainted - and it will | | | | objects that you can add. Above all, these objects |
| never "feel" right. Your Magick will probably suffer as | | | | must be a reflection of you. The more of "you" that |
| a result. | | | | goes into your altar, the more power you will be able |
| I can't stress how important the preparation of your | | | | to draw from it - and the more protection it will |
| cleansing water, and the actually cleansing and | | | | offer as you do your Magick. |
| purifying of your space is. It so critical for you to | | | | |