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SYLVAN

WICCA /SHAMANISM

LESSON 7

Lesson 7: Altars

So how do we begin to apply these concepts that we learned in Lesson Six?

How do we

move from using correspondences as a mental exercise, to having them be a

part of our magick and our practice?

One of the first applications we can use is the creation of an altar.

Think back to the

exercise "Lesson Four: Symbolism." In it, we took physical objects that

symbolized

what we are seeking on this path and displayed them in a specific

location. What you

did was create a very simple altar -- you pulled concepts from your

subconscious,

associated each with one of the items you chose to display, and placed

them in a

specific location. Each time you stopped and considered these items, you

considered

the energy behind them. Your subconscious instinctively built a bridge

between the

object and the corresponding energy, the meaning that the object holds

for you.

When we choose to set up an altar for a specific purpose, we proceed in

much the same

way. We begin by choosing items that have a specific significance to us,

that represent

a certain element or a certain type of energy. And the altars we set up

can differ greatly.

I've been known to use three different altars in my practice from time to

time.

The first is what I refer to as a "path altar." It's very similar to the

concept we

established in the exercise "Symbolism." What it does is create an

ever-changing

snapshot of our spiritual journey. Each item represents either a step

we've made, or a

step we're hoping to take. The purpose behind this is to continually

reaffirm what we

are seeking on our path each time we pass by this altar, as well as

encouraging us by reminding us of the steps we have already taken.

The second type of altar I use is a simple altar used in indoor ritual.

Not only does it

hold the tools and physical elements that I have chosen to use in the

rite, but because

each item symbolizes a specific type of energy and the items are arranged

ritually, the

altar itself heightens the energy needed for the rite and aids in the

focusing on the ceremony ahead.

The third type of altar is one that I use while working in the

wilderness. It's very similar

to the one I use for indoor ritual, but not nearly as elaborate. The

items it holds are all

objects that I've packed in with me or collected once I reach my

destination, so it's

usually a collection of items that I feel a particularly strong

connection to or that I feel were integral to the rite.

Exercise Six: Altars

What I would like you to do is to create an altar a little more

consciously

assembled than the altar you created in "Symbolism." Using the

correspondences that you developed in the last exercise, "The

Symbolism of Energy," select items that meet your established

requirements as corresponding to a specific energy and place them in

a

ritual manner. If you're feeling especially comfortable with the

exercise,

consider the directions associated with each item -- Elemental or

masculine and feminine -- and use that criteria to place the items

on your altar.

With each item, hold it for a moment, visualizing the energy that

you are

associating with it. For instance, you may choose a stone to

represent

Earth or a postcard of the sea to represent Water. As you hold each

item, picture the images that remind you of the specific element or

type

of energy. When you feel a connection to it, place it on the altar,

stating

why you are putting it in its place. For instance, with the stone, I

might

say, "Stone, you represent the earth and I place you in the North."

When you have completed this exercise, record your results, the

placement of items, the visualization of each, and the reasons why

you

placed them where you did. Leave the altar up for as long as you

feel

comfortable doing so. Each time you pass by it, think of the

symbolism

of each item. If you feel that something needs to be moved, do so,

and record the reasons in your notes.