Setting up your Space:
Before any spiritual even can occur, you should create or designate a place that can act as your "Sacred Space". Your personal area where only spiritual work and interaction will be conducted. Once you have designated an area, inside or outside, you will need to cleanse the area, energize it and create a "gateway" for spiritual communication and work.
Selecting a Space:
Designate an area in your home or outside where your sacred space will be. This should be a place that is undisturbed by other members of your household. If you don't have the space in your home to designate a room as your spiritual area, then set aside a corner or portion of a room. You can use curtains, an attractive room divider or just a special arrangement of furniture. If you decide to create a space outside, the same considerations apply. You want this area to be undisturbed by other people. A place where your ritual objects will be safe if you leave them outside.
Decorating your Space:
Decorations add to the "essence" of your spiritual space, but they also serve as symbolic reminders and tools for your work. If you have a close affinity to the energy of a particular animal, then add a statue or picture of that animal in your area. If you have a particular connection to a pentacle or medicine wheel, then give that object a prominent location in your space.
Some people like to set all natural materials in their space. A solid wood table and chair(s) with natural fiber coverings and so on. These additional practical items are entirely up to you. But if you feel that natural objects help you connect with the natural forces around you, then add these specific items to your space.
Some things you may want to include in your space are:
Table and at least 1 chair
A small table for a permanent altar
Candles of varying color
Crystals and stones for future rituals
Incense for cleansing and clearing (don't forget the matches)
And any other magickal tools you wish to use.
Preparing your Space:
Before you begin any ritual or ceremony, you should clear and cleanse the area where the work is to be done. This is especially true when you're first consecrating your sacred space. You should re-cleanse this area each time you begin a ritual or use of this space, but these later efforts will all be affected by how you first set the intent and use of energy in this space for the first time.
Creating your Altar:
An altar helps a Witch centralize her personal power and focus. This space should be alive and teaming with energy. In other words, don't use it for decorative items, only those items that are used in each ritual should be maintained on this space. This is your work space and it should be large enough for you to create many spiritual objects as well as conduct your spiritual work. And lastly, the altar should be geared toward your personal beliefs. This is a spiritual altar and you will want to honor your beliefs and the Divine energies that are present in your space, whether you there or not.
Sacred Clothing:
Many Witches will not enter or use their sacred space unless they are cloaked in a special garment created by their own hands and consecrated for spiritual use. This robe is unique and special to each Witch who desires to honor their beliefs in this fashion. A robe is more then just material that dresses up a ritual. It is symbolic of the love, devotion and honor of spirit and purpose.
Self clothing isn't the only garments you want to consider for your space. An alter cloth is also called for. You can use more then one cloth in varying colors and patterns, depending on the work at hand. But consider the use of the cloth before you cover the altar. If you are going to be mixing herbs or creating spiritual objects such as handmade candles, smudge sticks or spiritual tools, then you want the cloth to be inexpensive and practical. If however, you are conducting a ritual to celebrate a holiday, then you might use a more formal cloth, anything from crushed velvet to black satin. The cloth should reflect your personality, your beliefs, and one that you feel comfortable using.
Suggested ebooks:
Tom Peete Cross - Witchcraft In North CarolinaAlan Macfarlane - Witchcraft In Tudor And Stuart Essex
Anonymous - Protection Of Space
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