Found in a wide variety of religious traditions, an altar is essentially a physical structure that serves as a place to honor deities, spirits, and/or ancestors; to make ritual offerings; and to keep sacred objects safe and visible. In Wicca, the chief purpose of the altar is to serve as a focal point of ritual celebrations at the eight Sabbats and thirteen Esbats (Full Moons) on the Wheel of the Year. However, the Wiccan altar can also be used at any other time, such as during spellwork, meditation, or prayer.
Since Wicca is primarily practiced in the home (or outdoors), the Wiccan altar is often tucked in a corner of a room, and pulled out to stand in the center of t
he sacred circle during ritual. The ritual tools used at Sabbats, Esbats, and during spellwork may reside on the altar at all times, or may be stored in a separate place when not in use.
The tools of ritual are symbolic items representing the aspects of Nature that Wiccans recognize as contributing to the circumstances of our existence, including the four Elements, the four directions, and the Goddess and God themselves. These tools vary according to the tradition being followed, but typically include, at a minimum, statues or other representations of the Goddess and God; one or more candles; a chalice; a wand; an athame (ritual knife); a bowl of salt, sand or soil; a dish of water, and a bell.
Wicca Living (2019). The wiccan altar. Retrieved from http://wiccaliving.com/what-is-wicca/
This video explains the significance of an altar as well as some ritual tools that can be placed on each personal altar.
Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3es8Ql6pGr0