How to Set Up an Altar (Without Overthinking It)

Let’s keep this simple.

You don’t need a Pinterest-perfect altar. You don’t need to spend a ton of money. You don’t need to wait until you “know what you’re doing.”

You need a clear space.

You need intention.

And, if you’re like me, you need your ancestors close.

An altar is not a performance. It’s a portal. A place where the veil is thin, the energy is clear, and your spirit gets to speak freely.

So What Is an Altar, Really?

An altar is a sacred space where energy, intention, and spirit meet. That’s it.

It can be a table, a windowsill, a corner of your dresser, or the top of your fridge if that’s what you’ve got. Don’t get caught up in aesthetics. This is about alignment, not appearance.

Your altar is where you come to:

• Pray

• Cry

• Light a candle

• Talk to your people (both living and beyond)

• Ground your energy

• Cast a spell or set an intention

What You’ll Need (The Essentials)

Here’s a solid place to start. Add or take away depending on your path:

• A cloth or surface to define the space

• A candle (any color, any size—fire is fire)

• A glass of water (for your ancestors + energetic clarity)

• Photos or items from ancestors you want to honor

• Crystals, herbs, or oils that support what you’re working on

• A dish or cup for offerings (coffee, liquor, fruit, flowers, etc.)

• Something grounding like dirt, salt, or a stone

• Something personal—a letter, a charm, a token of your magic

The Ancestor Piece (Don’t Skip This)

If you’ve ever worked with me, you know I'm serious about ancestral support. And for good reason:

Your people are your power.

We don’t do this life thing alone—not when you’ve got generations of wisdom, strength, and protection behind you.

Even if you never met them. Even if they were flawed. Even if your bloodline is complicated (welcome to the club).

At your altar, invite them in. Talk to them. Leave them water. Ask them to show up for you in dreams, decisions, and daily life.

And if you’re not sure how to start?

Say: “To the ones who walk with me, guide me. Protect me. Show me what I need to know.”

That’s enough.

Keep It Real (Not Rigid)

You don’t have to cleanse and meditate every time you touch it.

You don’t have to light five candles and chant for an hour.

Sometimes I go to my altar and cry. Sometimes I laugh. Sometimes I say nothing at all.

The point is to show up.

The altar meets you where you are.

Let It Evolve

What you need now isn’t what you’ll need next month. Let your altar shift with you. Add when you feel led. Remove what feels stagnant. Keep it alive. Keep it honest.

And if you ever feel disconnected? Clean it off. Refresh the water. Say hello to your people. You’re not doing it wrong. You’re remembering.

Final Word

Your altar isn’t just where you do rituals.

It’s where you return to yourself.

Don’t wait until it’s perfect. Just begin.

And if you need help tuning into your ancestors or building a spiritual practice that feels like you, book a session with me. We’ll build it together.

Want an altar starter bundle in the shop? Let me know and I might just make it.

Yodie don’t play about sacred space. As Above, So Below. —Yodie Sky Written by Sarah Lordi of Aligned Artists