The Altar Tile is an interesting subject for me. I often find myself wondering... 'Does everyone see the altar tile the same way I do? Is it this important to everyone else?'
So I really wanted to explore this concept and find out just how important these things are. I asked 20 people who practice magick in one form or another if they use an altar tile, and how important it was to them. I was in for a surprise when I compared the answers, and I think you'll be surprised too!
18 out of 20 people prefer to use an altar tile during ritual. 16 people have an altar tile on their permanent altars, and 2 people have one stashed for ritual purposes. As we know, some people are not able to have a permanent altar and that's understandable!
What I found interesting though, is that only half of the participants in this survey were able to sufficiently explain why they even use one. So I think it's an important issue to explore and discuss.
The round altar tile you see above has been a part of my permanent altar since 2003. I found it in a Goodwill store in South Louisiana as part of a small plant stand, and decided I could paint it and use it for my own purposes. I have other altar tiles that I've purchased for more temporary setups or "open" rituals and I tend to keep this one out of anyone else's reach.
What should be noted is WHY this tool becomes important the more you use it, especially over time. Not only does it collect combined focused energy... But the importance of the pentacle symbol will come down to your own connection with it's purpose.
When we begin learning magick, whatever form it might be, we learn about tools, what they represent, and how they should be used. Now it has been repeated by me many times that "the tools don't make the magick!" and that is very true. What makes the magick is YOU, but we've got to understand the very psychological roots of what makes magick work.
All of the major tools used inside of the circle correspond to an element, and like the elements, those tools in turn correspond to very deep psychological stations within the subconscious or unconscious mind. Air is the sharpened mind, Fire is the passionate will, Water is the emotional tide, and Earth is the manifested physical world (the body).
The pentacle represents Earth on the altar, as we all know... But more than this, we use it as a focal point because it represents taking that which is yet to manifest and giving it physical form. It acts as a gateway or a window through which we pass the incorporeal into manifestation.
Aside from the element of Earth literally embodying the essence of physical form, the symbol of the pentacle with an enclosed circle represents all 4 elements in unity with the 5th element... that of the Quintessence. The 5 elements in unity hold the physical form together in balance and animation.
It is only when we make deep connections to why we are doing something that we give it true purpose and meaning. The Altar Tile (or paten) holds some physical object during ritual to which we focus all energy of the working into. It may be a candle, a stone, a piece of paper, or anything else we are working with, and that placement upon the pentacle becomes the portal through which we change something from an energetic state into a physical reality.
The process of manifestation through witchcraft always has and always will be a psychological process, and understanding how the imagery and tools attribute to that process will make all the difference in the world. The point of "practicing" magick isn't simply to repeat rituals over and over until something works. It is to condition the subconscious and unconscious mind to respond to the language of magick that we use within the circle. If we misunderstand the purpose for the tools and symbol that we use... They most likely will do us no favors in manifestation.
But I don't Have an Altar Tile! What Can I do?
Don't Panic! It's not necessary to rush out and spend tons of money on a fancy tile. If you can't afford to buy one, draw a pentacle on a piece of paper! If you can, stay within the realm of what triggers your deep understandings and purpose for using it. maybe use the color brown, or black on brown paper... Or orange, or whatever that symbolism is to you personally.
If you would like to purchase an altar tile, I always advise that you choose something that speaks to you! Don't just buy something because it's "cool". Really observe how your body and mind respond to it. If it feels like manifestation... It Surely Is!
Here are some of my favorite Altar Tile designs from Zazzle designers, and myself of course.
The Copper Pentacle Coin Celtic tile is one of my best sellers! The medallion behind this pentacle gives the illusion of an etched metal surface and that somehow felt very "earthy" to me.
If you're looking for something a little "lighter", the 3D Floral Pentacle Tile might just be the thing. It was created by the Gemini_Moon shop and I love this hand drawn artwork!
Or if you're wanting something a little more serious, the Sigillum Dei Aemeth Ceramic Tile could be what you need. Coming from Elizabethan era system of Dr.Dee & E Kelley for altar piece created by the 10th_aethyr_sigillium shop.
Here is another recent creation of mine. The Earth Pentacle with Sunflower & Dragonfly Altar Tile design was again created with the element of earth and it's powers of regeneration and manifestation in mind to hold those deep connections to the earth element.
Here's another very simple design by the CD Symbols shop. The Pentacle Grunge Rust Ceramic Tile is my top pick for the "least girly altar tile", as I notice that a lot of the designs within the search for altar tiles are often purple, girly, or floral... Something I shall ponder on remedying in the near future in my own shop. I guess being who I am as a designer, I most typically create things that I think are pleasing, so maybe I can afford to "grow" as a designer just a little!!!😂 But just like everything else we do, it's a learning process.
While it was on my mind, I did manage to create this design with some amazing high quality leather texture.
Many of the tiles that I have created which aren't "girly" in a sense, are Goetic Seals and other Sigils. So if you're interested in those you can check them out in the every growing Altar Tiles Collection along with many other designer's work.
I hope you like my picks for Altar Tiles on Zazzle! There are many other beautiful and interesting designs to discover so follow any product link in this post and use the search tool to find what you're looking for!
However you choose to practice your magick, make sure it speaks to you personally, on the deepest level! When you can feel it in your bones... You're doing it right!
No comments:
Post a Comment