Altar 101

The construction of an altar in brujería serves as a strong spiritual anchor, which allows you to worship spirits, ancestors, saints, Orishas, and magical forces while performing rituals and making offerings and protection work. The construction of altars remains personal and functional even though different Latin American traditions follow their own specific practices, which stem from Indigenous, African, and Spanish Catholic customs. The following steps will guide you through creating a brujería altar that maintains cultural authenticity and spiritual purity.

Establish The Function Of The Altar

  • Before you build it, ask yourself:
    • Is it for ancestors, a specific spirit, or a folk saint (like Santa Muerte or Jesús Malverde)?
    • Is it for personal empowerment, love, protection, justice, or healing?
    • Are you working with an Orisha, a Catholic saint, or simply universal spiritual forces?
  • This will determine how you set it up and what objects are included.

Choose Location Wisely

  • Select a quiet, clean, and private place
    • a small table, dresser top, box, or shelf.
  • Avoid placing your altar near bathrooms or trash bins, out of respect.
  • You may want to face it east (sunrise/ancestors) or north (wisdom/spirits) depending on your tradition

Cleanse Your Space

  • Use Water, incense (like copal, myrrh, or palo santo), or herbal water (agua de ruda, agua de albahaca) to purify the space.
  • Pray or say aloud, “I cleanse this space of all negativity. Only love, truth, and protection may dwell here.”

Add Foundation Items

  • These are the most common components of a brujería altar:
  • Essential Items :
    • White cloth (symbol of purity and spiritual light)
    • Candle(s) (white for general use; color depends on intent—red for love, black for banishment, green for money, etc.)
    • Glass of water (offers clarity, refreshment for spirits, and protection)
    • Incense (to attract or honor spirits)
  • Ancestor Altars
    • Photos of deceased loved ones
    • Offerings:
      • their favorite foods and drinks
      • Flowers (especially marigolds or roses)
      • Personal objects or heirlooms
  • Saints or Folk Spirits
    • Statue or image of the saint
    • Corresponding candles and colored cloth
  • Specific offerings:
    • tequila, coins, tobacco, pan dulce
  • Spellwork or Brujería Focus
    • Herbs, oils, crystals
    • Written petitions or sigils
    • bell or bowl of salt

Protection!!!

  • Set clear spiritual boundaries. 
    • “Only those spirits who walk in light and truth may approach this altar.”

  • You can create protective borders with salt, cascarilla (powdered eggshell), or crosses.

  • If you're doing more intense brujería (like uncrossings or justice work), set up a separate working altar to avoid mixing energies.

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