Making a Guardian Altar

On March 21 or thereabouts (the astronomical date changes yearly), the Vernal Equinox is celebrated. In days past, eggs-symbols of life-were colored yellow and gold, then exchanged as gifts or used in ritual in honor of the Sun and fecundity deities, such as Eostra.

Fortunately, the custom of coloring eggs has survived. If you decide to do this, you might wish to use natural dyes. Beet juice, onion skins, grape juice and other plant materials produce beautiful dyes and are far more magical than the store-bought dye tablets.

To celebrate the Equinox, half fill a large bowl with water and place a selection of flowers in it. These can be annuals or perennials from your garden, wildflowers collected on a walk or fresh blooms from the florist shop. Set the bowl in a position of prominence in your home.

If you wish to improve your health throughout the coming year, drink cold water on the Vernal Equinox and eat a leaf of sage.

Also on March 21, sort through your personal possessions and weed out any clothing or other items that no longer suit you. Don’t throw them away, though; donate them to charity.

Excerpt from:

The Magical Household: Spells & Rituals for the Home by Scott Cunningham

A Household Guardian for Your Altar or Home

A “household guardian” is an ideal addition to the altar. In essence, this is a magically produced thought-form or concentration of energies, created through ritual, which guards and protects the house and those who live in it.

Such a guardian usually “resides” in a physical object-a rock, statue, jar or other item-that will be put to no other use and that can be moved with you if you ever leave the house.

A household guardian can be created in several ways. Let’s say you own a statue of a Viking, for example. Place it on the altar between shining white candles. In your mind, create a picture of this guardian: a sword-slashing barbarian, loyal only to you and your friends; a goddess of such intense power that a wave of her wand dissuades all who would harm or injure the house; or a soldier of fortune with a shell-spitting machine gun. Gaze at the object while visualizing this guardian. Now infuse it with a personality-stern, commanding, loving, gentle but firm.

You must see this guardian you’re creating and know that it will protect your home. Now address it in words, images or gestures. Coax it into the object. Give it explicit instructions. For example: “Protect this house and all who live within it. Allow no one with envious, destructive or dangerous motives to enter. Grow in power.”

Once the object is fully charged with the guardian, keep it in a prominent place in the house. A permanent altar is ideal, if you have one, or nearthe front entrance, the dining room or the bedroom.

Give the guardian additional power by daily reminding it of its duties, and it should serve you well. If you move from the house, take the guardian with you to your new place and shift its attention toward its new home.

The Magical Household: Spells & Rituals for the Home by Scott Cunningham