There are no hard and fast rules.. but there are a few Guidelines.
This photo shows some common items for a standard altar. Let's break it down:
A table or shelf.
Silver and Gold candles to represent the Feminine and Masculine (Goddess and God).
Symbols for the elements: Cauldron for Water, Censer for Air, Dish of Salt for Earth, Candle for Fire, the Pentacle represents the previous four elements with the addition of Spirit as the fifth.
Bell for cleansing the area.
Athame and Wand for directing energy.
This photo shows an example of a more elaborate altar.
Again, there are no rules for setting up your altar. You can have as many altar's as you'd like, for different purposes: multiple deity's, ancestors, house fairies, or even a beloved pet that has crossed the Rainbow Bridge.
You don't need to spend a lot of your hard earned money to set up an altar. You can start with what you already have around the house. Let's build our altar on a budget:
Shop your basement, thrift stores, or curb surf, for a table or shelf that suits your space and needs. Grab some paint and make it yours!
Grab a doily or table cloth from the attic and use it for an Altar Cloth. You can also find a placemat or napkin at the local dollar store to decorate with fabric markers or paint.
Grab a string of holiday lights out of storage and hang or drape them around your altar for ambience.
Get crafty! Use items that have been passed down to you from family. These objects are already charged with wonderful energy from people that love and want the best for you. The energy in these items will help to protect you on your journey.
Feminine and Masculine representation:
Print photo's of your favorite deity's from the web
Use gaming figurines as stand-in's
Draw, paint or sculpt your own ideas of Feminine & Masculine
Empress and Emperor cards from a tarot deck
Water Element - west side of your altar:
Fill of cup or bowl with water (use grandma's tea set!)
Seashells
Pretty bottles with sand
Tarot Ace of Cups
Blue
Air Element - east side of your altar:
Incense
Air plants
Representations of Birds, Owls or Feathers
Tarot Ace of Swords
Yellow
Earth Element - north side of your altar:
Gemstones
Create a pentacle of fallen tree limbs and twine
Seasonal fruit
Tarot Ace of Pentacles
Green or Brown
Fire Element - south side of your altar:
Candle
Piece of coal
Spicy foods in small dishes
Tarot Ace of Wands
Red
Other tools:
Use Great Grandpa's pocketknife or letter opener as an Athame.
Use Grandma's favorite teacup as a Chalice.
Found an old hatpin while antiquing? Great! There's your Wand.
Decorate your altar with flowers, favorite stones and trinkets.
No bell? No Problem! Clapping your hands serves the same purpose.
Over the course of time, your Altar will change and grow as you do. One day, you'll find the perfect vessel to use as a chalice, and the jelly jar will go back in the cupboard. Let it happen.
Have fun and don't break the bank!
NOTES:
Your path or tradition may have different guidelines that you will want to take into consideration.
Air/Fire - Athame(Swords)/Wands: These elements and tools can sometimes be used interchangeably, depending on your tradition or path. Use what makes more sense to you.
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