Wow, that’s a great list of interest! And we have a lot of lessons that will help you with most of that!
That being said, you don’t have to have a proper altar. We have a Virtual Altar you can use! Or if you’re on the go a lot, there are Traveling Altars!
If you live in a small apartment, like I do, there are Altars for Apartments. I’m disabled and spend a lot of time at my computer, so I use my computer desk as an altar. I have my statue of Brigid, a little dragon to the side, crystals, and other things about, and I decorate it seasonally, using a desk pad that’s pretty rather than an altar cloth.
Christopher Penczak has what I’ve heard is a wonderful book called The Inner Temple of Witchcraft: Magick, Meditation and Psychic Development that will help you develop a mind altar, an inner space where you can go in your head that is sacred. That is, if you’re good at meditation and things like that.
There’s an interesting looking book called Witch’s Altar: The Craft, Lore & Magick of Sacred Space by Jason Mankey. I haven’t read this, but I’ve read other of this author’s stuff and he’s great! Really informative but easy to read, at least to me.
I guess what I’m saying is that you can have an elaborate altar with statues and crystals and beautiful candles, or you can stick a rock, a feather, a seashell, and a Glad candle on top of a dresser. As long as the intent is there, it’s an altar!
I haven’t used an athame ever, or a boline. I have a mini-besom that someone here gave me that I love, but that’s about it. That and a wand I keep on my shelves above my desk. Do a little magic, see what you like first, before buying a lot of things. That way, you can spend money on what you really like.
Chime candles are affordable on Amazon, and you can get them in a variety of colors! Or you can just get white, since that works as a universal candle. Or you can get tea candles from Walmart.
Amazon has crystals too, and things called Witch Kits that can help you get started on your magic without having to spend a lot of money. Some of them are even more elaborate than that one!
Or you can make your own, it’s all up to you! It’s the intent that matters! Like I said, pick up a Glade candle in your next order if you’re in the Witchy Closet, or pick up a rock or stick the next time you go for a walk. Get some herbs from the Dollar Store. Cinnamon sticks for decorating will be in abundance soon! Things like that can have just as much, if not more, power than something you buy!
Good luck, and I hope to see whatever physical altar you make soon!