Today, someone asked me for some ideas about keeping an altar (or shrine) with limited space in the home – even keeping a small table wasn’t an option for them. I have some ideas that I want to share (feel free to add your own). These ideas are useful for limited space and perhaps if you’d prefer to keep your altar hidden.
Set up your altar on a shelf – this could be a plain old wall shelf, a book shelf or shadow box cabinet sort of thing. You might have one in your home already, but you can find them at thrift shops, yard sales, flea markets, Etsy, or most stores that sell home decor (this will be pricier).
One of the perks of having your altar on a shelf is that not only does it save space, it can be set up in a way to look like a collection of pretty items/decorations to other people (should you wish to keep the shelf’s purpose to yourself). You can keep it simple, or make it as elaborate as you like. Here’s an advanced example:
Set up your altar on a windowsill. This is pretty straight forward – just keep in mind that some objects, materials, books, and crystals may be damaged or faded by prolonged exposure to direct sunlight.
Set up your altar in a drawer. Cabinet drawer, dresser drawer, whatever works for you. For safety, don’t light candles inside it. Use it for storage like in the below image, or set it up neatly in whatever way you like.
Use a box. Shoebox, cardboard box, wooden box – whatever you have on hand. Keep your supplies inside, then use the box as a platform to serve as your work space. Cover it with a cloth or scarf, so it looks nice and you don’t scuff the box. The box can be kept in a closet or under the bed, out of the way when you don’t need it. You can mark the inside with personal sigils to help keep it hidden and private.
Make a mini altar. Also called traveling altars or shrines, these function by filling a small container (an Altoid tin, jewelry box, trinket box, etc) with small amounts of supplies (tealight candles, vials of oil, incense cones, herbs, etc). You can make items (mini besoms, for example), re-purpose items or buy them. Here’s a tutorial with more photos of mini altars: How to Make Altoid Tin Traveling Altars.
You can buy compact altars that are already made, like the one pictured above (source) from various on-line shops. This one currently costs about $30, so making your own is usually easier on your wallet and more fun.
Here’s the little wooden box I use as a travel altar, which I bought at a thrift shop. However, this exact box and lots of other pretty ones are available on Amazon right here (most under $10).
When all else fails, consider your practice and interests. Are you into gardening? You can create a sacred space outside among your plants. Are you into cooking? A breadbox in the kitchen could house a hidden altar. Are you an artist? Draw or paint an altar or symbolic images. You could even frame images and put them up on a wall.
Lastly, let’s talk budget.Youdon’thave to have every tool or material under the stars – it’s okay to work with what you’ve got and make things yourself. Check out Witchcraft On A Budget for some tips. Remember that craft shops and dollar stores can be your best friends when putting together altars or shrines.
For those of us not yet out of the broom closet, keeping an altar and magical supplies can be nigh impossible. Fortunately, we have mint tins.
Here’s what I used: - A mint tin (~1.5” long) - A white 3x3” cloth - A stone - A feather - Part of a white Hanukkah candle - A small brass stand - Matches and a paper match-striker - A seashell - A straw triskele (symbolizing Brigid)
CANDLE HACK: Put different colored threads in the tin. When you need say, a red candle, pick out the red thread and tie it once around the bottom of the candle. Now the white candle will function as a red one. NOTE: This will not work for spells/rituals that require that the candle burn all the way down. Always use caution when working with fire.
Party Arties is Pagan Sanctum’s art club where members discuss their art and make amazing works inspired by prompts that are given out. The current prompt has been to create a portable altar, and @mythical-manda created these absolutely enchanting mini altars for Aphrodite, Hestia and Artemis ✨
