My Altar

For most pagans, the altar is the center of our practice and a symbolic representation of our individual spiritual path. No altars look alike, just as no pagan path is exactly the same. Even within a coven, no one person will have the same experience as any of the other people within the circle. So the altar holds its place as both a spiritual sanctuary and a direct link to magick and our deities.

My altar has always been a special place for me to go because it gives me comfort and peace in my everyday life. A little nook of my own, to relax and soothe away the inner and outer disturbances that come with existing in this world. Not to mention, I like a good decorating gig when I see one. And so my altar is born, and reborn, throughout the Sabbats and Esbats that pass through the year.

With the exception of the Sabbats, I always have two small statues on my altar, Guanyin and Amitabha. For me they represent both the male and female sides of deity, on earth and above it. Guanyin represents the deity that exists on earth to help show us the way to enlightenment, and the energy of loving compassion. Amitabha is a representation of full enlightment and peaceful energy. They do not necessarily represent the God and the Goddess, but sometimes they do. It just depends on what I'm doing on my altar at the time. For the most part, the God and Goddess are represented by two candles on my altar, because I feel that Guanyin and Amitabha are separate entities from the God and Goddess. They are Buddha and Bodhisattva, which is different from God and Goddess.
I also like to keep a vase of (fake) flowers on my altar, incense, a red votive candle, and two small dishes of crystals/stones and water.  These not only act as offerings to my deities, but also as representations of the elements earth, air, fire, and water.
Outside Sabbats and Esbats I like to keep the items on my altar to a minimum. I only have a small end-table to work with, so space is a bit precious. As for crystals, I personally love any kind of quartz, so I keep a good-sized quartz point and rose quartz puffy heart on my altar. Clear quartz amplifies energy, so I feel that having a rose quartz and clear quartz together brings more love and calmness into my space. It's also part of my personal fengshui as well.

I love my altar, and I'm lucky to be able to display it freely in my space. I know there are many pagans and Wiccans that do not have the luxury of having their altar out all the time, and I am very thankful that I am in a position to do so.

I did take photos, but they will be up later in the week. For now, blessed be and namaste.