Altar Tips

First, you need to decide where and if you can leave a permanent altar or if you will have to put it away each time.
For a permanent altar, you can use any kind or size of table preferrably wood but it doesn't have to be. Rounded tables are easier to get around when moving around them in your circle. Some people also like to have tables that have shelves or drawers built into the bottom to hold magical supplies.

For temporary altars, you can use your kitchen or living room tables. You could even use a board that you cover with cloth to lay in the floor. Sometimes you just have to adapt to the situation that exists in your home.
There are times when you just can't leave one out to show the world because family and friends won't be very understanding. The point is to be able to create space when you need to do that. You'll find the right way that works for you.

Now that you have the altar table, you need to decide on tools and set up. It is traditional to set up an altar facing the North or East but if you need or it feels right to set up in a different direction, it is okay. You should buy you a piece of cloth of the color of your personal preference to cover your altar. You can leave it plain, decorate it, or even use different colors for particular rituals. That is something you will have to decide which is best for you.

Tools...... the list can be very long or it can be very simple and short. I will give you a general idea and location that you can lay the tools on your altar. You can use all of these tools or keep it simple and use only a few. This is entirely up to you and how you feel will serve you best in rituals and spells.

Here are some suggtions as to how to set up your altar:

Find a quiet space in your home where you can place your altar. If possible, have it face North.

Trust yourself and use your intuition to find the "right" place for it.

Cleanse and bless the space by sprinkling salt water, burning sage, or ringing a clear bell.

Ask the spirits of the North, East, South, and West to guard this sacred space.

Ask the Goddess and God to bless your altar space.

Place a low table or box in the spot. I use an old steamer trunk.

Cover the table with a special cloth. You get to decide what makes it special.

Place your pentacle, a stone, or a bowl of salt on the northern side of your altar. This represents Earth energy.

Place an incense burner, a feather, or your wand on the eastern side of your altar. This represents Air energy.

Place a candle or your athame at the southern side of your altar. This represents Fire energy.

Place your chalice, a seashell, or a bowl of water on the western side of your altar. This represents Water energy.

If you have statues that represent the Goddess or God, place them on the altar. You can also use candles, stones, or any other objects that feel right.

If you have any other object that you associate with your spiritual practice, find a place for it on your altar. You might add Tarot cards, Runes, your Book of Shadows, or your journal.

You have just created your altar. Enjoy it and use it well!

Tips:

Feel free to improvise with your altar. It is your personal expression of your relationship with the Divine. Keep it as ornate or as simple as you like. Respect your altar as sacred space and ask others to do the same. Don't allow random objects to be placed on it.
If you live with people who are uncomfortable with paganism, you can make your altar inconspicuous by keeping it on top of your bureau. Or make your entire room an altar!

The Altar, this is the center of the circle, the place that the celebration revolves around. The things that are needed are here, either on the altar, or placed underneath it, where they can be easily reached.

Each of the four elements is present, both in a real and in a symbolic form. Air is present in the incense, and in the Athame. Fire is present in the incense as well, and in the wand. Water is present in it's actual form, and as the Chalice. Earth is present in the salt, and as the Pentacle.

There should also be a flame on the altar, usually in the form of a candle. All that is really necessary is a representation of each of the elements and a flame; but lots of other things usually wind up there, too.