Merry Meet to those that read. Blessed Be to those that respond.

Ok, I've been working on getting my alter set up and need some basic instruction on the 4 directions and the elements.

I really want to know about purification and cleasning; as well as consecration of the objects I place on my alter. This topic concerns me because I dont want to insult the Goddess or God with impure objects.

Somewhere on the Internet, I found a chart that I used to make my alter stones with. The details are as follows:

East - Air (I've placed a square brass candle holder and a feather on my alter there)
South - Fire (Only a star shaped candle holder takes that station for the moment)
West - Water (A square brass candle holder and a seashell there)
North - Earth (Another star shaped candle holder and 5 small tapered pine cones there)

Perhaps I should mention, that my intentions are to follow the path of my ancient ancestors, the Celts. I've read Conway's "Celtic Magic" from cover to cover, and did some basic Wicca based research. I've purchased several books and have been trying to absorb as much as I can, but I'm of the opion that interaction with individuals that are practicing would be more helpful.

I also owe homage to my Native American ancestry. My father's father's father's mother was Cherokee. Any suggestions about how I could honor her on my alter?

You may want to incorporate four Native American Totem Animals for the 4 directions to honor your Cherokee ancestors: East = Eagle (clear vision), South = Coyote (careful calling on him! He's a trickster like Loki. I generally ask him to "confound and confuse my enemies, and remind me to laugh" - that's a fairly safe avenue), West = Bear (meditation), and North = Buffalo (gratefulness). There are different interpretations in different paths, this is my understanding and what I use on my altar.

Merry Meet Country Witch and aloramyst!

Thank you so much for your responses. Yes, Lady Elaine pretty much said that alters are personal spaces and it's what I put there thats important to me as a witch that counts.

I do not have anything of my Cherokee great great grandmother's... not even her name. What I do have is an old picture of her son - my great grandfather and his name I do know.

I have a lot of work to do on my alter yet. I suppose that it will be ever changing with elements as need be.

Thank you again for responding...
Blessed Be