Tools and Altars for Outer Grove

Tools and Altars for Outer Grove: their use and care

WM 21-15-0, 12 January 1999

Outer Grove is a religious and folkloric discussion group, and as such, it is appropriate that one or more altars be made in the honour of the Old Gods and the spirits of the place where the meetings are held. These notes will help you, as a member of Wild Rose Outer Grove, use and take care of altar tools and furnishings in a non-initiatory setting.

As the Outer Grove is neither a Coven nor a magical lodge, but rather a place of love and joy and learning, very few magical tools are needed to carry out the bulk of its work. Magical tools of the Outer Grove may be divided into three groups: tools which are needed for every meeting, tools which are useful for special purposes, and tools which are mostly used 'offstage' to support our rites.

The meeting-place should be swept or vacuumed before and after the meeting. Leave the place as clean as you found it (and wash your own dishes!), and Outer Grove will always find a welcome home.

Cleaning and maintenance of tools, as well as cleaning of the meeting-place, is a basic responsibility of all members, and it will serve you well in the event that you join a coven. In this as in other matters, we work together. The directions here given are neither encyclopedic nor arbitrary: they should be interpreted in the light of common sense. So long as you remember why Outer Grove exists, why we are all taking part, and Who we serve, then the teachings concerning tools and altars start to make more sense.

Tools for every meeting

At every meeting of the Grove, a main altar is made in honour of the Gods, and one or more side altars are made in honour of the spirits of the place, those who came before us, and for our own expression of joy and creativity.

The main altar requires the following objects, which should be placed on the altar in the order listed (and packed away in reverse order):

Altar-cloth: of any plain washable material, of any colour save black or red (which we reserve for special occasions); the altar-cloth should be long enough to drape the entirety of the altar surface and 15 to 30 cm (6 to 12 in) down each side. The ends of the altar-cloth must not be allowed to touch the floor or ground. At option, the colour of the altar-cloth may be chosen to correspond with the lesson being taught or the work being done.

Clean the altar-cloth by shaking it over a rubbish-can, and then gently scraping away any blobs of wax using a dull implement such as the side of a spoon or the back of a working-knife. Remnants of wax can be removed by spot-cleaning: pour a small quantity of turpentine (don't use dry-cleaning fluid or gasoline!) on the back of the cloth where it is stained, letting the turpentine soak into the cloth. Rub gently, then flush with additional turpentine. Alternatively, wax can be removed by sandwiching the altar-cloth between two layers of unprinted brown 'Kraft paper',(like grocery bags are made from), and iron the sandwich with an iron set to moderate heat. Repeat if need be, until no more wax is picked up by the brown paper. This method can also be used to lift wax from carpets.

Soot and scorch-marks on white or colour-fast altar cloths may be spot-cleaned with hydrogen peroxide (of the strength sold for medicinal purposes -- don't use the stronger peroxide that hairdressers use). Do not pour the peroxide directly on the cloth: soak a wash-cloth in the peroxide, lay the wash-cloth over the altar cloth, and iron at low heat.

Remove wine or fruit-juice stains from cotton cloths by sprinkling salt on the stain, then pouring boiling water through the stain and rubbing it. Altar cloths made of less robust fabrics should be soaked and rubbed in warm water after the salt is sprinkled onto the stain.

Following spot-cleaning but while it is still damp, the altar cloth should then be washed in a washing-machine, wash-bowl or bucket, using warm water and with plenty of suds. After drying, iron and fold the altar cloth ready for the next use.
Presence Lamp: to be lit at the very beginning of our meetings and to be extinguished at the very end of our meetings. All fire is carried from the Presence Lamp to light other fires, either directly or by means of a taper or working candle. We use a brass candle-lantern (silver, blue or black would be okay, too) with spring-loaded, self-adjusting candles. Our lantern is made by UCO in Seattle, Washington, and we buy our lanterns and their candles from Mountain Co-op.

Clean the lamp by disassembling it, and scraping wax off of its base, casing, and springs with a dull knife. A match-stick should be used to break wax globs away from the glass chimney (the chimney would be scratched by a knife). The metal parts of the lamp can be further cleaned by pouring boiling water over them, and wiping them dry immediately. Do not pour the water directly down a sink as it may clog the drain.
Dry all the parts of the lamp, and reassemble it, including a new candle if need be. New candles must have their wicks trimmed to 5 mm (3/16 in) or they will smoke.
Votive Lights: to be lit immediately after, and extinguished immediately before, the Presence Lamp. The Lights should be plain white candles in plain candle-sticks. The candles must be kept trimmed to about the same length. The two white candles brought by each Grove member should see the Grove through most of a year.

The best way to keep candle-sticks clean is to keep candles well-trimmed. Metal candle-sticks may be polished with commercial products such as Brasso or Silvo, or with a jeweller's rouge cloth. Remove spilled wax from the candle-sticks by cracking it off with a match-stick, and then pouring hot water over the remaining wax. Do this over a bucket or basin - the wax may clog drains.
Icon: an effigy of the Goddess, in whatever form seems most appropriate. May be a statue or a mounted picture. The Icon should be kept wrapped in a clean cloth if it is to be stored between meetings; alternatively, it may be kept on the Priestess' private altar between meetings.

Dust the icon with a damp cloth when needed. Although we do not view the icon as being the physical receptacle of the Goddess, it always is proper to handle it with care and respect since it symbolises Her presence in our lives.
Cup: goblet of appropriate form, provided by the High Priestess and used only by her. The Cup is symbolic of the charge which is borne by the High Priestess and passed by her to the Outer Grove.

Hand-wash the goblet in the kitchen sink, with a small amount of detergent. Then dry it thoroughly before putting it away. From time to time, use the appropriate polish.
Bowl: may be glass, wood, porcelain, stone or shell, so long as it is watertight and not prone to tipping over. The bowl must be filled with clean water before it is brought to the altar.

Wash the bowl in the kitchen sink, as done with the goblet. If it is made of wood, a light coating of furniture oil once a year will help keep it from cracking or drying out.
Dish: may be glass, wood, porcelain, stone or metal, so long as it is not prone to tipping over and is not excessively large. The dish must be filled with rock salt before it is brought to the altar. Water-softener salt and road salt are not appropriate choices, owing to their chemical adulteration.

Clean the dish by washing it in clean water, and then drying it thoroughly.
Censer: may be of stone or metal, so long as it is fireproof, stable, and does not grow hot at its base. The censer should be charged with a charcoal block and must otherwise clean and free of dust when it is brought to the altar, save that it may have stones or gravel at its base to save it from burning through.

Clean the censer by dumping its contents into a fireproof container (covensteads have burned down because hot ashes were dumped in with combustible rubbish!) and wiping it with a damp cloth; continue to refold the cloth as you go, so as to not spread ash over the censer's surface.
Boat: may be of any convenient material, provided that it is stable; it may or may not have its own lid. The boat must be filled with incense before it is brought to the altar. The choice of incense is made by the person or people responsible for creating sacred space at the meeting; ordinarily, we will use resin-based incenses such as pine-tears, spruce-gum, or copal. Strongly-perfumed incenses or those which are artificially-scented are not appropriate for use in Outer Grove.

Clean the boat by wiping it with a damp cloth and drying it thoroughly. If made of wood, it should be oiled with furniture oil once a year.
Black-hilt knife: a consecrated knife, provided by the High Priestess. The Black-hilt knife may be used for any appropriate purpose, under the High Priestess' guidance.

Clean the black-hilt knife as directed by the High Priestess (she may prefer to clean it herself). Always make sure that it is completely dry before storing it, and never store it without making sure that it is thoroughly cleaned.
Other Grove tools: there may be other tools which are specific to the Grove's work and symbolic of its continuity and sponsorship; they would also be kept on the main altar. Consult with the High Priestess for specific guidance.

The main altar should face to the north, and be placed in the centre of the room, which a clear space left all around. Under the altar should be kept:

Libation bowl: for our offerings to the Gods; may be of any convenient material, form and size, as long as it is not likely to be tipped, not excessively fragile, and can readily be washed. When libating, be mindful of the floor beneath you. Red wine or dark-colured juice make for nasty splashed.

After the Grove meeting is over, pour the contents of the libation bowl out onto the ground (or into a libation jar if that is the Grove's practice). Then wash it with water and a small amount of detergent, dry it thoroughly, and put it away with the other tools.
Oater: a fireproof dish or tray on which spent matches may be placed; also serves as a receptacle for other 'ritual trash' such as charcoal wrappers and corks. A brass ashtray would serve well.

Clean the oater according to the material from which it is made. Most of the time, a wipe with a damp cloth will do.
Candle-snuffer: of a plain and simple style.

Clean the candle-snuffer according to its material.
Bottle-opener: may be the classic 'church key' or something more elaborate.

Check the working end of the bottle-opener for spills or stains, and wash it or wipe it as need be.
Working-knife: a small pen-knife or jack-knife for trimming candle-wicks, cutting string and parting seals.

Wipe the blade of the working-knife as required to keep it clean. Do not wash it together with the black-hilt knife or the High Priestess' goblet.
Matches: best is wooden kitchen matches. Paper matches tend to fall apart.
Personal cups: the goblets of the Grove members and visitors should be kept here, on a tray. The exact form and shape of the Grove member's personal cups is at option: they do not need to be elaborate or expensive. Because they are liable to be jostled or bumped, they should be sturdy and stable.

Each member of the Grove is responsible for keeping their cups and knives clean and in good repair. Use methods as are appropriate for the materials from which they are made. Knife handles may appreciate a dose of wood oil once a year; knife blades may be rubbed with light oil.
Personal knives: the Grove members may wish to keep a personal magical knife under the altar, for use in certain collective rites. The exact form and style of the knife is at option, but the following suggestions may be helpful:
- Black or dark brown handle, plain, of wood or metal, without runes or markings. Paint or stain are okay, if needed to darken the handle.
- Blackened or plain steel blade, without obvious serrations or saw-edges, and without obvious runes or other markings (small maker's marks and hallmarks are okay).
- Double-sided (preferred) or single-sided; if you are being sponsored into Outer Grove by someone who will later be your initiator into a coven, please seek guidance on this matter.
- In general, the knife should not be so large as to be mistaken for a sword, machete or other bush-whacker; as well, it should not be obviously of military or 'survivalist' style. We come to Outer Grove to give honour to the Gods and the Earth, not to threaten them.

Around the outside of the meeting room we have:

Quarter lights: these may be candles kept in wall-mounted sconces, pillar-candles on floor-stands (although this places us at risk of knocking them over!), or candle-lanterns similar to the Presence Lamp. The colours of the candles are at option, so long as they are not black. Careful attention must be given to trimming of the Quarter Lights, as they must not be allowed to drip on the furniture or rugs.

Wall-mounted sconces must be kept clean of spilled wax: use match-sticks for scraping them clean, and make sure to catch the wax shavings so that they do not become ground into the carpets or upholstery of the meeting-room.
Chairs, pillows or mats: something comfortable for the seating of the people. Some of the furniture may require rearranging before or after Grove meetings, and if so, the Guardian has charge of it. Curtains and blinds should be carefully closed: draw-cords are easily snapped by overly-enthusiastic reefing.

If furniture is moved outside during meetings, please make sure that the rain can't fall on it, and that the furniture comes back inside afterwards, being replaced in its customary spot.
Side altar: the form and position of the side altar is at option; it will usually be placed on the west side of the meeting room. Bowls of fruit, plates of cookies, beverage containers and vases of flowers may be kept on the side altar. Be careful not to let the side altar become so cluttered that it looks like a banquet table or a rummage-bin!

Wipe the surface of the side-altar with a damp cloth after the meeting is over: water-rings and juice-spills are a frequent hazard.

For the storage of the tools and altar furnishings, the Grove should have a secure container: this may be a wicker hamper or something a bit more elaborate. Ideally, the container should be resistant to stains and spills, and it may be convenient to use the container as the base of the main altar.

Tools useful for special purposes

Sometimes the Outer Grove will need special tools such as a besom or broom, larger lanterns, a cauldron, large water-dishes, glass balls, or the like. The High Priestess will advise of any special needs, and the Grove may be given a 'scavenger hunt' list during the summer garage-sale season.

Offstage tools

Some tools are seldom used in Outer Grove, but may be useful in support of its activities. Among these are: the whorl and drop spindle, calligraphic pens, and various handicraft tools. In most cases, such tools may be borrowed when needed, so there is no need to equip oneself with them in anticipation of frequent use.

Let us not forget the dishwasher and vacuum-cleaner!

You may return to:

Wild Rose Outer Grove's library, home- page, Maiden page, or Guardian page.
The Longwall Faceline or the Beaufort House Index.