Altars and Tools

Hellenism is a religion that more or less requires an altar or some sort of sacred space with a few basic tools. Many pagans when they just start out feel pressured to buy every tool and spend tons of cash on expensive decorations and statues. In reality though, tools don't have to cost sixty dollars a piece and be adorned with vast amounts of shiny metals or crystals. The ancients did not have the luxury to go out and buy intricately made items just for the sake of religion. Religious tools back then were both sacred and practical. The blade you use to cut the weeds could also be the blade you use during sacrifices. The bowl you drink water from could be the container for your dinner. The list goes on and on. My tools and altar consist of only two things especially bought for a sacred purpose and nothing else. Those two items are mute, stone carved figurines used to represent the Gods according to Nuministic tradition. Other than those two things the rest of my tools and altar consist of things I've found in nature (flat rocks) or things lying around my house (a kitchen knife). My point in this is to show you that tools don't have to be fancy, and that it is fine to use whatever is at hand if you can't afford or have no desire to go out and buy things.

Now then I'm going to talk about a Hellenic altar and a few things you should expect to see and strive to get. I will be using the Roman names since they are the ones I know best. The uses and placement remain the same in Greece.

A Sacred Fire-This fire will be the symbolic hearth of your family and a representation of Hestia. Since most of us can't keep a constant flame in our homes, I find that using a single candle works well. When this candle begins to burn too low you should light it and transfer the fire to a new candle. Also candles should be blessed and dedicated before being used on the altar. Color is irrelevant. 

Lucerna-This is the alternative to a candle. It is basically an oil lamp. 

Patera-A Patera is just a simple dish used to hold offerings to the Gods and spirits. 

Turibulum-These are just containers to hold incense. Incense is an offering to the Gods and spirits when it is lit. The remains of the incense can either be buried if you feel they are sacred or discarded if you feel they are not. 

Accera-This is the same thing as the Turibulum except it holds resins and other non traditional forms of incense. 

Salinum-Salinums are just containers to hold salt that has been blessed and cleansed. This salt is used to purify the sacred space. 

Gutus-This is a libation bowl. Traditionally it would have a cover over it to ensure that the offering remained clean. Wine, milk, and olive oil were very common libations.