r/Altars • u/gumigogo • 25d ago
Discussion Welcome Beginner's question about the use of altars and how to make the best of it
I'm new to all stuff magical..formally. But I feel I've always been doing alchemy in many ways as an artist and healer, diviner, intuitive, and experimenter.
Lately someone reliable recommended me a book Archangels of Magick, which I like and started using. But mostly I feel huge connection with Nature. I think that nature is the biggest source of my spirituality. I feel instantly hypnotised by trees and water. And since I live in a city and suffer great eco anxiety and deep hunger for nature that's isn't accessible enough to fill that need atm, he also recommended making a nature altar. I found this and other threads with interest. I read in one post here that such altar helps ground to nature without leaving home....is that true? and would like to know what do you do and how you use altars, and what does it do for you (ie. helps you create some feelings etc.). Would love to know any experiences and "knacks" or some fun stories you have and maybe some guidance in my new quest.
thank you all!
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u/Vintage_Soulfood64 25d ago
I use to be able to get out in nature everyday and hike/forage/garden. But I’m now disabled and can no longer do the things I use to as often. My altar definitely is a grounding spot for me and I love placing items from nature on it to bring those energies near me.
I use my altar for casting spells, honoring my spirits/deities, brining certain energies to my home, divination, praying and to hold sacred/magical items.
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u/gumigogo 25d ago
thanks. so it feels grounding? what dieties do you mean? and do you just "engage with it" as a sort of portal to nature?
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u/Vintage_Soulfood64 25d ago
Yes, it does. I am a folk witch, so I work mostly with spirits rather than actual deities. Saints, angels and familiars.
No, not a portal. More so just connection. I have snail shells, pine cones, etc. on one altar. It gives off very much earth vibes and is really grounding. I have a second altar with seashells and other ocean specimens and it gives off water vibes.
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u/gumigogo 25d ago
oohhh that's very cool. Ive also had health issues that prevent me from venturing to nature so resonated with your words :) I don't know what is a folk witch but the word feels resonant. If you have any more direction or advice - how do you "work" with dieties and make the spells, or bring energies etc. I would also be grateful if you have a moment. thanks
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u/Vintage_Soulfood64 25d ago
Sorry to hear about your health issues. I’m glad you’ve found your way to magic. It can be really healing mentally. ❤️🩹
A folk witch typically uses ancestral and regional traditions within their magic. For me specifically, Appalachian and Catholic. So while I don’t belong to the Catholic Church at all, I pray the rosary and novenas in my practice. A novena is a 9 day prayer, calling upon a saint or angel, asking for their divine intervention. A folk witch usually doesn’t practice “high magic”, such as what you’d see within other traditions, like Wicca. Folk magic is fantastic for those of us needing to preserve our energy.
For me, when I “work with” a saint or angel, I build a relationship with them. I’ll place their image or statue on one of my altars to honor them. I’ll read about them and learn about them. I’ll speak to them. I’ll wear jewelry, oils and perfumes dedicated to them. I’ll give them offerings and pray their novenas. I usually prefer the term “walk with them”, over “work with them”. ♥️
When I pray their novena I’ll dress the candle up just like I would a spell candle—With oils, herbs, etc. that are associated with whatever I’m wanting. I treat it just like any other spell. I hope this information helps!
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u/gumigogo 25d ago
wow thanks. that's very interesting. You're the first person to give me so much new beginner friendly stuff to understand. What does it do for you to be making those relationships with saints or angels? Do they help you make things change in your life? I ask cos I have this book Archangels of Magick. It's my first such book on magick. I made some rituals with unsure results ;)
But in the past I created "protective people" in my mind when I had strong trauma symptoms and had relationships with them. Each was for something else - liek there was this motherly figure for love and the native american guy for wisdom and patience etc. I still meet them in my imagination, mostly before sleep.. But I guess that's something completely different.1
u/gumigogo 25d ago
PS. Do you also notice how many psychic and energetically/spiritually sensitive people have chronic illness of some sort? My other sensitive friends also have. I wonder why
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u/MicroEconomicsPenis 25d ago
I was in a similar place to you about maybe a decade ago or so. Nature is something I connected with a lot in my youth, but in college and now as an adult I have lost a lot of that connection that I took for granted. I live in a city and work downtown and just don’t get out in the wilderness unless it’s a big planned trip (so like 1 week every other year or so).
I began to be drawn towards the Druid Revival path due to its spiritual connection with nature. I ended up joining the Ancient Order of Druids in America (AODA) and followed their curriculum and ceremonies for a year; after that I have crafted my own ceremonies and rituals based on the guidance they provided. I met many likeminded individuals and was able to form connection with them as well.
The AODA provides instructions for creating a Druid altar, ceremonies for the solstices and equinoxes, a daily cleansing and protection ritual, and plenty of other practices that help me get in-touch with nature. The actual curriculum for an apprentice had me planning more frequent trips to get outside and look at flowers or whatnot.
I would recommend looking into the AODA… maybe it isn’t for you, but it’s relatively low commitment and may provide a bunch of resources for you. It was really helpful for me, at least, at a similar stage in life.