Deities and Pantheons; Part 2 – Incorporating deities on your altar

THE DEITIES AND YOUR ALTAR

Representation of the deities varies. Most commonly, a designated candle is used to represent the Goddess and God. The colors vary as well, usually based on tradition; they have been represented by gold, red, or yellow for the God and white, silver or black for the Goddess. The candles can be presented in specific shapes such as a representation of a deity (i.e. a human form or another form representing the deity).

The placement of the candles also varies by tradition. Sometimes they are kept together at the northern point of the altar, other times the Goddess candle is kept at the left and the God at the right. There is also a recognition of altar tools as representations (e.g. The God is associated with the wand and the cauldron is associated with the Goddess) that are placed in their respective places. 

When invoking the God and Goddess to join your circle, this should be done verbally in the same manner you would invoke the elements. You may make their invocation long and elaborately formal or keep it pleasant and conversationally short. Always thank the deities for their presence in your circle, especially before closing.

CORRESPONDENCES

The God

1. Altar Tools
   1. Censer (incence burner)
   2. Wand
   3. Athame
   4. Boline
2. Candle Colors
   1. Gold
   2. Red
   3. Orange
   4. Yellow
   5. Green
3. Images and Symbols
   1. Crescent moon on top of a circle
4. Offerings
   1. Bread
   2. Basil
   3. Clover
   4. Pine needles
   5. Fruit

The Horned God

1. Altar Tools
   1. Bloodstone
   2. Green Tourmaline
   3. Tiger’s Eye
2. Candle Colors
   1. Green
   2. Gold
3. Images and Symbols
   1. Horns
   2. Spears
   3. Arrows
   4. Swords
4. Offerings
   1. Cheese
   2. Pine cones
   3. Nettles

The Sun God

1. Altar Tools
   1. Sunstone
   2. Citrine
   3. Carnelian
2. Candle colors
   1. Red
   2. Orange
   3. Yellow
3. Inages and symbols
   1. Sun
   2. Flames
4. Offerings
   1. Sunflower seeds
   2. Petals

The Goddess

1. Altar Tools
   1. Cuop
   2. Pentacle
   3. Bell
   4. Cauldron
2. Candle Colors
   1. Black
   2. White
   3. Silver
   4. Green
3. Images and symbols
   1. Circle flanked by two crescent moons
4. Offerings
   1. White or purple flowers
   2. Chamomile
   3. Hibiscus
   4. Olive oil

The Maiden

1. Altar tools
   1. Clear quartz
   2. Rose quartz
   3. Amethyst
2. Candle colors
   1. White
   2. Pink
3. Images and symbols
   1. Waxing moon
   2. Owl
   3. Deer
4. Offerings
   1. Pink flowers white wine

The Mother

1. Altar tools
   1. Bloodstone
   2. Rose quartz
   3. Garnet
2. Candle colors
   1. Red
3. Images and symbols
   1. Full moon
   2. Cauldron
4. Offerings
   1. Roses
   2. Milk
   3. Honey

The Crone

1. Altar tools
   1. Jet
   2. Onyx
   3. Obsidian
2. Candle colors
   1. Black
3. Images and symbols
   1. Waning moon
   2. Lantern
   3. Key
4. Offerings
   1. Red wine
   2. Apples