Building Your Own Travel Altar

Travel altars are a neat little way of physically bringing your practice with you. And they are fun to make! However, it can be difficult to know where to start with a travel altar - if you're anything like me, you'll start off with a small tin and before you know it you need an entire suitcase to carry everything you plan on carrying around with you! So below are just some tips to get started to help you build your own travel altar.


1. Think about the size

The idea of a travel altar is that it is small and compact enough to be carried around with you on your travels. So the first thing about is how you plan on transporting it. Are you looking for an altar you can carry in your handbag? A backpack? Or maybe you travel a lot and want an altar you can stick in your suitcase, or maybe you drive a lot and are looking for one you can keep in the boot? Once you've understood this, it will help you in deciding the size of your travel altar. Many people tend to opt for a mint tin or a small box of similar size, but if do have the ability to choose something a bit bigger, then go for it!



2. Think about the physical container

As well as the size, you will need to think about the structure of the container itself. A lot of people tend to opt for a metal tin, such as a mint tin. Not only does this provide a bit of protection to your tools as you are carrying it around, but the lids are pretty secure. You could decide to use a material pouch, or even a makeup bag to transport your tools.


How subtle do you want to be with the container? Especially if you are travelling with others or likely to be in the position where others may get a sneak peak into your bag or car, you may want to choose something with a very subtle design. However, if you are proudly out of the broom closet or can afford to be a bit open, then you might want to decorate it with paint, stickers, charms, beads, feathers, etc., to help evoke those magickal energies.



3. Think about why you will use it

No matter the size, you won't be able to carry all of your tools with you unless you are a very minimalist kind of witch (and I know very few witches who are - we love our crystals and our divination decks!). So to help you whittle down exactly what you will put in your altar, think about how you will use it. Will you primarily be using it to perform general daily devotionals, or devotionals to a specific deity, maybe whilst you're staying in a hotel room? Do you anticipate that you will want to use it to help you protect your energy whilst you're out and about around the city? Or maybe you want to be able to practice some kitchen magick whilst you're staying in your Air BnB? Understanding exactly why you want to use your altar will help you determine the few items you should include in it.



4. Decide on the tools you want to carry in your altar

Now you know why you want to use your altar, you can start to fill it! Remember to also think practically; many countries have laws against carrying blades depending on their size, and whilst you will probably be fine with something travel size, it is always best to check! If you're carrying your altar in your bag chances are it's going to shift around, get turned upside down or bumped, so if you are going to carry anything liquid then make sure it is very securely stored. Otherwise, think about ways to 'downsize' any tools you wish to carry. Instead of statues representing your deities, could you choose small charms like you would find on a piece of jewellery? Instead of tumbled crystals, could you choose crystal chips? Get creative and enjoy building your own travel altar!



Below is a list of the items I keep in my own personal travel altar, and why I have them, in case this can help you get started on building your own. The main types of magickal working I am interested in are water witchcraft, working with water spirits, lithomancy, and energy healing. So everything in my travel altar is to aid me on the go in one (or more) of those areas.

Incense Cone: For cleansing and removing negative energies from myself, my space, tools, etc.


A Starfish: The starfish is a symbol of regeneration and regrowth, and is a great energy to use in healing work.


A Vial of Moss and Heather: As someone who practices energy work, I love 'combining' the energy of various things to see what they produce. Heather and moss is one of my favourites! Moss represents both the water and earth element, whilst heather represents healing, nurturing, and the Goddess. Together I find they have an amazing healing energy, and I love drawing on that in my workings!


A Moon Shell: To help me connect with feminine water energies.


An Octopus Charm: The octopus is my main animal guide, so I have a charm to represent that and to help me better connect with my guide.


Water Stone: This is a piece of sodalite with a gold, upside triangle carved into it (the symbol for the element of water), designed to help me connect with general water energies.


Chakra Lithomancy Set: I have a lithomancy set I designed which is based around the chakras and the elements. Not only can this be used in divination readings, but also in energy healing.


Amazonite Pendulum: To help me connect and communicate with water spirits.


Crystals: I have a stash of crystals I work most closely with - clear quartz, rose quartz, aquamarine, turquoise, kyanite, green aventurine, blue aventurine, amazonite, and some quartz points. These are useful for both connecting with water energies and energy and healing works in general, as well as a myriad of others things (bringing creativity, self love, improving communications, etc.), whenever I need them.