Ive seen a bunch of closet witches create an altar in a small mints tin or something similar, Im looking into it and would like to ask you all for any tips you may have, what small items can I include in them?
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Hello @Tem!
A discreet altar is a great way to make your own sacred space for your practice while also keeping things personal. And there are many ways to go about it! I personally use a temporary space, but if you’d like something more permanent, I’ve heard some witches use a drawer, or a bookshelf and then cover it with cloth. That way you can maintain it, but can also tuck it away when it’s not in use.
As for the mint tin, you might like to look at some ideas for travel altars. They can be anything portable - from a candy tin to a small box, to a pouch or bag, etc.
There are some great examples and pictures in the Traveling Witch’s Portable Altar guide. I’ll link it here in case you’re interested:
When space is limited, it’s helpful to prioritize. What items are most important to you and your practice? Which things do you use most?
If runes are your favorite method of divination, I’d put them in first. If you enjoy tarot, there are some awesome mini decks you might include. Chime or birthday candles are small and don’t take up too much space. A couple of your favorite crystals are also a good addition.
I’d start by putting the most essential things first and then go down the list from there!
Good luck and I wish you all the best as you build your altar 
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Adding to what @BryWisteria said, another good idea is to make the altars part of your “home decor” if you feel comfortable to do so. I have my dieties altars out in the open but I placed them in such a way so muggles will not get what is really going on.
Also, if you want to keep discreet, you can keep your tools and anything you need in wooden or nice storage boxes. They are very easy to tuck away.
For the tin boxes, hmmm, since there is such limited space, try to see what small items represent your practice in some way so to put in there. For me, since I mostly work with the elements, I have very basic things, like a feather for air, a pebble for earth, a match for fire and a bottle cup for water. Or if you like you can have small images of the element symbols.
You can find a lot of ideas in pinterest and here for example
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Hi. Others have you fairly well informed, but I’d like to add a caution and some personal pics which might inspire you.
- I keep this one packed in a travel bag in case of an emergency.
The elemental dolls are made using embroidery floss wrapped onto a fork and tied at wrists (arms wrapped separately from bodice and tucked between tines with the tie for the top of the head while wrapping the bodice), neck, and ankles. The beaded pieces are a map of my inner being (green) and the pattern my beliefs have taken. I use them as backgrounds for meditation. The bag can flatten out as an altar cloth:
- This is a more playful one. I found tiny representations of the elements and put them all together in a square tin. The charm bracelet is an altar of its own, but I don’t wear it for personal stress reasons. I included the necklace just because of the tools. The plastic “stones” glow in the dark for nighttime casting. Bottles are purely colored sand.
Close up for detail:
- This one comes with the caution. I put a few drops of favorite oils in tiny bottles with corks. The corks soaked up the oils and the oils evaporated. Please avoid making a similar mistake.
The larger corked bottles are glitter. My favorite fortunes from cookies and candles are included because rereading them boosts me out of a blue funk. In the large tube bottle, I have included one match and a feather from one of my birds. And yes, the Aladdin’s lamp grants wishes. In the black screw capped bottle are herkimer diamonds for dreams, and in the white screw topped bottle is lavender oil for the dreaded charlie horses which have accompanied travel.
Don’t know if the bottle tags can be read. These are personal correspondences, not popular ones.
Sandalwood- Earth
Sea salt and sage- New Mexican Air
“Sunshine” coconut- Fire
Sea Breeze- Water
Lilac- Spirit and my dad
Cedarwood- Shadow
Just offering these as idea inspirations. Feel free to change things around to suit your own practice and personal needs.
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