Is the Altar an essential or just something you can do on the side?

A question arose in a group I am part of on facebook. The question is: Is the Altar and essential part of practicing or is it something you don't need? The answer to this question is- it depends. It is a personal choice whether you want to make the altar essential to your practice, strictly to hold your magical tools, or whatever it is that you use your altar for. Some people have permanent altars, while others do not.The altar for me personally, is essential to my practice because of how frequently I use my altar for a variety of purposes. My altar usually has 2 statues to represent deity, or 1 large spirit candle, with a few crystals at the very least. I use my altar for creating vorticies with crystals, as well as making crystal grids for healing, balance, cleansing and protection. I leave my poppets here to remind myself about them and the people they represent, and I also leave images of thought forms I have created so that I remember to tend to them. I also do morning libations at my altar when my schedule allows, and really it is just a focal point of energy and balance for me. I'll even meditate in front of my altar and channel messages from spirit in front of my altar. So for me, the altar is an essential part of my daily routine and practice as a witch.

While on the topic of the altar, there are also several ways to set one up, based on your needs, and although again this is a personal thing, it's helpful to know that your altar can be re-arranged for your needs. In noting this, there are several types of altars, such as a fairy altar to draw in the faey, an ancestral altar to honor your ancestors and loved ones, the elemental altar where all 5 elements are represented through physical symbols, and a working altar where you do all your rituals, just to name a few styles. I will describe a few of them for you.

Ancestral Altar Setup
To set up an ancestral altar you'll need your altar table, a white or blue altar cloth, candles, pictures of your ancestors you wish to honor (these can be changed out too if you are limited on space) and incense and/or a dish to leave offerings.

Lay out your altar cloth if you have chosen to use one. Place your pictures along the back of your altar, as this area represents spirit. Place your candle or candles in front of the pictures for lighting in their honor. Place the incense where they will not get in the way of a dish for offerings. Then place the dish on to the table as well if you've chosen to have one (offering dishes or libation dishes are good for leaving small things such as a small amount of tea, honey, bread, fruit, etc... as energy for your ancestors in their afterlife).
Image of Layout for my visual people:

Standard Altar

The average altar taught in Wicca, is what I like to call the standard altar because it's one of the most common altar setups and the layout can literally be found anywhere on the net. For this you will need the following: A candle or statue or image to represent the Goddess and one for the God. A Censer,  a bowl of water, a bowl of salt, a pentacle, a cauldron (if you have one), incense, athame, bolline, chalice, wand and a bell.

These will be laid out on the altar as follows:

If you don't have some of these items, don't worry about it, use what you have available. Remember that tools can be made too, or you can use cheaper alternatives for example: instead of an athame you use a butterknife.
One more reminder before I send you away yearning for more: DO NOT EVER LEAVE A CANDLE OR ANY KIND OPEN FLAME (including incense) BURNING UNATTENDED!!!!!!!!!!

Life

Life is kinda funny when you think about it. You have your ups and your downs, and those random left turns that just throw you for a loop. Well, as a brief update (since I haven't posted anything in forever and day) I will be graduating college with my Associates Degree in Elementary Education on May 20, 2013. I will also be moving to Arkansas on June 1,2013 to start my own Metaphysical shop with a witch sister and my own wiccan homeschool that will cover not only the basics of Wicca, but will also cover the Core Standards (very tricky task if you've ever looked up what the core standards are). I've also been watching the world go  about it's way, especially in the realm of politics (which suck) and the ruthless, self righteous bigotry of many of the politicians, which is another story all it's own.

The main thing I wanted to tell my readers though is this, as it cannot be said enough, If you want to find out what nature has to offer, then bring yourself into a stillness, close your trap, and really listen to what nature is saying. If you don't feel like crying when you touch a tree that is in the middle of a town, then you should really look at what is taking place in your area.

Also, for those who unaware, there was an oil spill in Mayflower, Arkansas. Learn about what oil spills can do to the drinking supply of water, the local environment, and what the fumes do to people by looking up this spill and others like it. Most people have been in an uproar over the Boston Bombing, but my uproar is over the lack of concern for the environment, the fast growing use of GMO's, and the abuse of animals. The Earth is weeping and many are ignoring it. Do what you can for your local area by organizing groups of people to clean up local parks, your neighborhood, etc... Remember to lead by example.