An altar should be a physical representation of an internal landscape. As such, the contents of the altar will be as individual as the person who creates it. It should be a working space for you that contains items that help you connect to an inner sense of Divine.
Refer to a table of correspondences to help guide you at first. If certain color of candles helps you connect to different gods and goddesses, then use those colors. If certain scents of incense help create a sacred mood, then add some to your altar. Any other ritual tool that you might use is appropriate for your altar. Listen within, and see what asks to be added to your sacred space.
Some people like to set up their altar with their tools aligned to the directions to which they are associated. This is nice, and I try to do this whenever possible, but it doesn’t work with my permanent altar. I always keep a small pocket compass in my travel magick kit, so that I can confirm the directions in unfamiliar territory, but I never consider it essential. If I were to set up my permanent altar with the elements in their proper location, I'd have the candle and Athame right at the front, the incense next to the curtain, and the hand cast ceramic goblet right on the corner where the cat likes to look out the window. *shakes head* I'm a practical witch, and that set up just won't work for me.
Instead, I have an alternate arrangement that I like to use for my altar. Staring at the altar, I divide it in half. The right half is devoted to God and the masculine elements of Air and Fire. The left half is devoted to Goddess and the feminine elements of Earth and Water. Thus the energy is still balanced, and I can arrange items toward the back or front as needed.
There is no one single right way to create an altar. My altar changes regularly with the seasons and holidays, and becomes a reflection of my spiritual goals and progress.
~Flame RavenHawk
October 9, 2002