Simple Magick: 25 Ideas for Creating a Forest Altar

Yesterday’s prompt for the @witch.with.me hashtag challenge was “Forests & Trees” and it got me thinking about the witchy things you can forage from the forest floor for use in spells and on altars:

Acorns 

Oak Galls 

Pinecones

Conkers 

Feathers

Ferns 

Rowan berries 

Leaves 

Twigs

Nuts 

Antlers

Bones 

Fur

Moss 

Stones

Remember to always follow the Countryside Code - respect others, protect the natural environment, and enjoy the outdoors.

To create a Forest Altar add to your foraged items:

Potted plants 

Shades of green and brown 

Deity statues, for example Herne the Hunter, Elen of the Ways 

Altar cloth with forest/trees/leaves/mushroom print 

Forest sounds - birds singing, wind blowing, rainforest, thunderstorms and rain

Green, brown and cream candles 

Table top fountain

Wooden candle holders and incense holders 

Green and brown crystals for example tiger’s eye and moss agate 

Musky incense such as sandalwood or patchouli

Have I forgotten anything? If so let me know in the comments! And if you found this post helpful don’t forget to Save it in the folder for later.

NEXT - Simple Magick: Using Black, Pink & White Salt in Witchcraft
NEXT - Fabulous Folklore: The Evergreens of Yule 

Simple Magick: Protecting the Integrity of Your Spells on Social Media

The best thing about Instagram is the opportunity to learn, share, educate and inspire. The subject of photographing spells and whether it is a good idea or not often comes up in discussion. After all, two key elements of magick are mystery, and letting the energy that has been psychically raised go; off into the universe to do its thing.

A key element of Instagram is sharing pictures. So how do we get around this?

There are lots of ideas you can use if you really want to share that spell you just did:

Take photos ahead of time, before the spell has been done 

Take a photo of a mock up spell 

Share photos long after the spell has been carried out and the aim achieved 

Omit items from the picture

Omit spell information from the post

Use a completely unrelated spell picture. Some might deem this inauthentic, but your magick is your own to protect in whichever way you see fit.

Another common subject of discussion is altars. Seen by many as a private place where one communes privately with their gods and ancestors, how does one share, inspire and educate about magick without crossing a magickal line?

A good idea is to have a separate altar just for Instagram.

It is personal choice whether someone shares their spells or altars, and if someone has specifically stated that they’ve left out some information on a post on purpose, it’s polite not to ask.

I’m the personal choice camp.

What do you think? How do you feel about Social Media and privacy in relation to magickal practice? Is having an Instagram altar a good idea, or a step too far? Have you any ideas on how to maintain privacy whilst sharing? I’d love to hear your thoughts on this subject.

NEXT - Simple Magick: The Childlike Mindset During Spell Casting
NEXT - Building Community: Some Thoughts on Social Media

Simple Magick: Altar Dressing

I love the idea of lots of mini altars around the home; small spaces for reflection, meditation, worship, and contemplation.

Beautiful and thoughtful places, which you can dress for different seasons, themes, emotions, elements, colours, deities, intentions, or rituals.

The altar is one of the places we can get truly creative with; as well as a place for veneration and dedication they should be a source of inspiration.

I love the fact that, like people, no two altars are ever the same.

I’m looking forward to dressing my altar tonight ahead of my Full Moon ritual and petitions. May you have a beautiful and blessed Barley Moon.

NEXT - Simple Magick: The Wisdom of Land Wights

Simple Magick: A Witch's Altar

One of the most basic and simple things that a witch needs, and can easily implement in to their practice, is an altar. The beauty of altars, like most things in witchcraft, is that they can be as simple or as elaborate as an individual wants.

There are no rules, no right or wrongs, no set way in which an altar should be set up, or where it should be.

An altar should suit the witch, the witch's home and the witch's lifestyle; it's entirely up to the witch to make sure that it reflects their own personal practice.

Altars are sacred spaces that are used for setting intentions, celebration and practice. They focus the mind and symbolise personality and spirituality.

A few of you have asked me about the location of my altar. I have actually chosen to use the centre of our dining table. There are several reasons for this. Our table is huge - so there is wasted space in the middle - and it's located in the centre of our home and near to our kitchen, so it's a very practical place. It is also the part of the house where our energy is most abundant - where we relax, where we spend time together, and where we deal with the rich emotions of daily life. For me, this makes this area more sacred, rather than less. It also feels like the most magical room in the house, and for whatever reason I can't envisage having an altar in any other room.

By using the centre of the table in our most used room, we are continually reminded of our connection to the magical world and our spiritual practices. Having our altar on our dining room table means our living space is also decorated with seasonal items, and bears significance when we combine feasting with magical practice, for example our dumb supper at Samhain. I like Autumn the most - our altar has pumpkins and leaves and chestnuts, in amongst our altar paraphernalia.

When my altar candle is lit, it becomes a sacred space. It is where I create, where I ponder, where I will, where I weave.

I'd really like to hear about your altar, if you have one. Why is your altar special to you?

NEXT - Simple Magick: Make a Protective Rowan Necklace