Altar Builder
Build an altar for a sabbat or an intention. Place candles, crystals, herbs and tools, tap anything to learn what it means, then keep your altar in your Book of Shadows.
Try it free for 7 days
The Altar Builder comes with every paid Wicca Academy plan, and you can try it free for 7 days. Arrange real-looking candles, crystals, herbs and tools for any sabbat or intention, learn what each one means, save every altar to your Book of Shadows, get a ritual written for it and turn it into a real-looking photo.
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Start with an empty altar and choose everything yourself.
Tap an item below to place it on your altar.
Drag items to move them. Tap one, then drag its round corner handle (or pinch with two fingers) to resize it.
Finish your altar
How to set up a Wiccan altar
Choose a place
A shelf, a small table or the top of a dresser all work. Pick somewhere you will see every day, out of reach of pets and away from curtains if you burn candles.
Honor the God and Goddess
Traditionally the Goddess sits on the left with the chalice, pentacle and bell, and the God on the right with the athame, wand and incense. A candle, a shell or an antler can stand in for a statue.
Bring in the elements
Salt or a crystal for Earth, incense or a feather for Air, a candle for Fire and a bowl of water for Water. Together they balance your altar.
Add your intention
Candle colors, crystals and herbs that match your sabbat or spell go in the center, where you do your working. Change them as the seasons turn.
Want to go deeper? Read A Beginner's Guide to Wiccan Altars, look up any item in The Witch's Cabinet, or browse the altar tools and symbols.
Altars made with the Altar Builder
Tap one to start from it.
Questions
Who can use the Altar Builder?
The Altar Builder is for Wicca Academy members on any paid plan (Monthly, Yearly or Lifetime), including the 7-day trial (7 days for $7, then $39 a month, cancel any time). Start your 7-day trial. Members can build as many altars as they like, save them to their Book of Shadows, share them, get a ritual written for each one and turn them into a real-looking photo. Anyone can still read the guide on this page and look up every item in The Witch's Cabinet for free.
How do I move, resize or turn things on my altar?
Drag any item to move it. Tap an item to select it, then drag its round corner handle to make it bigger or smaller (on a phone you can also pinch with two fingers). The buttons under the altar turn it left or right, flip it, add another one, or remove it, and the undo button at the top takes back your last change.
What does Generate photo do?
It turns your arranged altar into one real-looking photograph, with candlelight and shadows, while keeping every item where you put it. It takes about a minute. Members can make 10 photos a day. Download it, save it to your Book of Shadows or share it, and the photo is used as your altar's picture.
Where do my saved altars go?
Each altar you save becomes a page in your Book of Shadows, with its picture, everything on it and your notes. Your saved altars also show on the Altar Builder's start screen, so you can open one, change it and save it again.
Can I share my altar?
Yes. Tap Share my altar to get a link anyone can open to see your altar and what each item means. Your notes and your ritual stay private.
What is the written ritual?
Tap Save and write my ritual and we write a short ritual just for your altar, using the exact things you placed on it, for you to do at home. It's saved with your altar in your Book of Shadows.
Does the Altar Builder work on my phone?
Yes. It works on phones, tablets and computers. On a phone, tap items to place them, drag them with one finger and pinch with two fingers to resize them.
Are there badges for the Altar Builder?
Yes. You can earn badges for your first altar, for 10 saved altars, for an altar for all eight sabbats, for altars for five different intentions, for your first altar photo and for your first written ritual. See them all on your Badges page.
Do I need every tool to have a real altar?
No. Many witches start with one candle, one crystal and something from nature. Your altar is about your focus and intention, not about owning the right things.
Which way should my altar face?
Many Wiccans face their altar north (the direction of Earth) or east (where the sun rises). If that doesn't fit your home, any direction is fine.
Are the herbs and oils safe?
Every item shows its safety notes from The Witch's Cabinet. Never leave candles burning unattended, keep essential oils and toxic plants away from children and pets, and don't eat or drink herbs unless they are ordinary kitchen foods.