Just a quick update to my altar – I’ve added a new offering pitcher (the little blue one) and a new offering bowl (the ceramic one with blue glaze). These both came out of my husband’s grandmother’s house, as we were helping to clean up her things. She passed away a few years ago, so I’m happy to have some things that represent ancestors on my altar now. I haven’t figured out quite what I’ll be using them for yet. I think the offering bowl will be one for dry offerings only, since it’s not glazed inside. The little pitcher would be great for oils though, and now that I have some charcoal discs, I may be able to give oil offerings to the fire for the high day!
I do move things around when I’m actually using the altar though, and I think it’s more than time I got a little shelf to keep some of this off my working surface. I don’t even have any statues yet, but things feel pretty cluttered. It’s a little hard to move around, and I’m always afraid I’m going to end up with my arm in the fire (again). My Tree is incredibly tall though (almost 3 feet) so I may need to shrink it a bit in order to put a shelf above the altar. Either that, or get myself two small shelves to put on either side of the Tree.
I absolutely love the small pitcher! It is adorable and a great idea. Since my fiance and I are planning on moving out soon, I’ve been thinking about a more permanent Shrine (as well as items to go on it). I would like to have each of the Kindreds represented in some way, as well as perhaps Land, Sea, and Sky. I would also like to have some nicer offering vessels other than the ones I borrow from my mother (without her realizing it, lol)!
I’ve been collecting altar items for a long time (probably close to 10 years now), so don’t worry too much if it doesn’t all come together at once. I’ve got a blue theme going on right now, but for awhile nothing matched! I still borrow things from my own kitchen as well, so you’re in good company there.
You might try looking at second hand places/thrift stores for bowls and pitchers, I’ve gotten some nice items from there. Also garage sales, if you’re into “yard shopping” on a Saturday morning!
You can also make some things yourself, if you’ve the time and/or money. Oven fired sculpty clay can be used to make many things. Some of them in bright colors. You could knit (or weave, if you’ve a loom and enough ambition) an alter cloth. Perhaps a small one, but what I’ve been using for years is but 6″ x 6″.
You may also know people who do ceramics or other arts/crafts. They may be happy to do commission work for you.
[…] and I wanted it to have a different feeling than it had previously. You can see my first and second altar updates at those links, […]