Overview
An altar is a table, podium, or other surface designed for conducting ritual workings. In modern pagan and witchcraft spaces, the word has three different but related meanings:
- 1
“Altar” can refer to the kinds of outdoor structures used for offerings in the modern day, and for sacrifices in ancient times. These were known as hörgr and stalli in Scandinavia.
- 2
“Altar” can refer to a consecrated workbench used for ritual workings. This is a place to prepare spells, conduct divination readings, and store important magical tools such as wands, cauldrons, athames, candles, and spell ingredients. This type of altar is often used by Wiccans, witches, and those who practice magic.
- 3
“Altar” can refer to a small shrine in one’s house dedicated to one or multiple deities, spirits, or ancestors. It functions as both a “dwelling” for entities and a place to give them offerings. This definition of altar is typically used by polytheists.
In Heathenry, when people speak of building an altar for a deity, they usually mean the third definition.
Posts About Altars
Gallery
Sweden. An altar made by a practitioner from a family tradition.
United Kingdom. A mini-altar dedicated to both ancestors and deities.
United Kingdom. Cubby altars. The first is for deities and the second is for tools.
United Kingdom. An altar dedicated to Sigun and Seamidder (old Shetlandic god).
United States. A small, decorative altar dedicated to Odin, Frigg, and Freyja.
United States. One altar for land-work, and one for ancestor veneration.
United States. An altar that is kept in an old leather chest.
United States. A kitchen altar for Frigg.
Unspecified Location. An altar for Loki, with a focus on historical language and poetry.
United States. An altar with a coffee offering to Odin.
Poland. A cross-cultural display of spiritually significant items, featuring original artwork.
United States. A wall dedicated to Loki artwork, and a shelf for important items.
Unspecified Location. A shrine for Odin and Loki.
United States. An altar dedicated primarily to Thor, and an example of a bindrune on the wall.
