The time of the full moon is a highly magickal time. As this celestial body shines her glory down upon us, it gives us a great opportunity to both create sacred spaces and perform tarot readings. One great way to do this is to craft a Full Moon Tarot altar.

This altar will allow you to utilize your witchy strengths to create the most powerful altar personalized just for you and your cards. An altar, for the purposes of this discussion, is a temporary space set up for sacred work, honoring, and spiritual practices. Here you can light candles, leave offerings, say prayers or petitions, and last, but not least, do tarot readings.

The Moon card in the tarot is an incredible one. It shows us dreams, magick, and hidden messages. When we look up at the moon, we can instantly feel our connection to the cosmos. Our spirit soars large, while our bodies in comparison may feel small. This creation will help you connect with and amplify the powers of the Full Moon.

Start the creation of your tarot altar by making sure the space is physically clean. Wash, wipe down, dust, or cleanse the space in whichever way feels right to you. Dirt is known to attract negativity and breed problems, and the less of it you have in your space the better. Once the area—be it a table, space on the floor, box, or wherever you choose—is fully cleansed, then you get to choose an altar cloth or covering. Since this tarot altar is being created for the full moon, consider choosing a natural cloth, colored blue or white, the colors most often associated with the moon. Use this cloth to cover your chosen space.

Next, choose the Moon tarot card from your favorite tarot deck; if you like, you can choose several. Place this card or cards into the center of your space. This will be the focus of your energy as you set up this space. Look at the imagery. Feel its energy extend past the boundaries of the card. Next, think about what type of Witch you are and how you want to showcase your strengths here on this Full Moon altar. All good altars utilize all the elements in their creation, but depending on what you like this is your opportunity to personalize it so it will function most effectively for you.

A great thing to use on your Full Moon Tarot altar is moon water. This is best made in advance by leaving a clear glass jar filled with spring water outside overnight during the full moon. If possible, place it somewhere where the moon's rays will be able to bless and touch it. In the morning, take the jar back into your home and it is now ready to use. (Making this magickal water may hold a special appeal for water witches.) It can be used to clean the altar before you start, used as part of a magickal bath ritual for the full moon, or placed in a glass and added to the Full Moon Altar space. If you don't have any made ahead of time, you may wish to add a glass of plain spring water, which will magickally bring joy and success, or sea water, which is very cleansing and healing. Place the water glass to the right of the moon card that you have put in the center.

If you identify as a Crystal Witch, there are many ways to utilize crystals on the altar. There are many crystals that are associated with the moon; here are some to start with which you can start:

• Moonstone: This stone even has moon in its name. It connects the user with the Moon on a deep and sacred level.
• Amethyst: Amethyst is a stone of clarity, spirituality, joy, and self- awareness. Amethyst will help you to connect with higher realms, and also grant you insight in all situations, making it perfect to use for divination.
• Selenite: This stone is named for Selene, the Greek Goddess of the moon. It is helpful in matters of emotions, passion, love, and magick.
• Labradorite: Known for its ability to transport the user to otherworlds and universal energy, this makes it ideal for use on your tarot altar.
• Lapis Lazuli: Lapis is a stone that is used to stimulate your psychic abilities. A stone of great magick it is a favorite of many different types of witches.

These crystals can be placed in your tarot bag, on top of your tarot cards on the altar before and after you give a reading, or arranged on the altar as a crystal grid. A simple grid can be made by placing your crystals on the altar according to the cardinal points—north, south, east, and west. This will help to attract energy and assistance from every direction. Alternatively you can place a series of crystals around the altar in the shape of a circle. This sends energy out into the universe, while also creating an insular atmosphere of healing and wholeness. You can use a single type of crystal for this or a combination of many different ones.

Earth-focused witches may enjoy using crystals on their altar, but they also might wish to include actual earth in the form of a small jar of dirt. This could be dirt from their ancestral home, which would amplify the energy of those who have gone before; dirt from the crossroads, which would expand opportunities; dirt from the bank, which is said to help with financial matters; or whatever you choose. This type of witch may also consider themselves a Green Witch and want to include live, freshly cut, or dried plants on the altar. Some great choices would be: mugwort, which is a favorite of witches for psychic power and ability; basil, which is used to remove enemies and provide protection; and lavender, which is great for cleansing and blessing. Or, you can choose whatever moves you and you feel is connected to the energy of the moon. These can be located to the left of the center card to represent the visible world moving into the realm of the invisible.

Chaos Witches may wish to add things they have been gifted or found on the altar; if they are connected to the Full Moon, even better, and if not, don't worry—chaos is everywhere. The same is true for Fairy Witches, found items or plants like dandelions that are sacred to the Fae can be added to the space at this time. Witches in a coven may want to add their coven symbol or items crafted in their tradition. This is like having a part of your path and your coven with you in this space.

The final pieces necessary to complete the elemental foundations of the altar you are creating are fire and air. Fire witches will welcome the chance to include a candle on the altar; this can be blue or white. If you like, you can carve the candle with the astrological symbol for the moon, or other symbols. This can be placed directly in front or you on the altar. Air can be represented here in the form of incense. You can purchase ready-made incense for the moon, or use one composed of herbs and scents associated with this heavenly body, like rose or myrrh. Place the incense on the far side of the space opposite the candle. Next, place your Tarot cards on the altar. Light the candles and incense, take a deep breath, and call in the energy of the moon. You can do this formally by calling the names of lunar goddesses like Selene, Artemis, Luna, Hecate, Cerridwen, and the rest. Welcome and thank them for gracing your space. Alternatively, you can use a blessing of your own choosing. Now the area is ready to do your Full Moon readings. When you are finished, extinguish the candle (remember to never leave a burning candle unattended). You may leave the elements in place as long as you like, but when you are finished with it, dismantle the space. Dispose of the biodegradable items and water outside on the earth, and return the other items to the usual place they are stored.

Creating this type of Full Moon altar is a powerful way to explore your witchy talents and connect them with your tarot practice. Feel free to repeat it monthly as the moon shines high in the sky, or as often as you desire. For more great rituals and workings, please check out my book Tarot Every Witch Way, which includes hundreds of tips and activities, like culinary recipes, immersive meditations, effective spells, engaging crafts, insightful tarot spreads, and more.