An Altar

Oh, I'm sure you've seen countless of topics about the Altar (just as you probably saw countless topics interpreting the Rede). They tell you what tools to place on it, how to arrange them, and so on and so forth. Yet I'm different. In my posts I try to talk to the practitioner that has nothing, or that can't get anything. This one will probably apply to the college or broom closet witch that wants no evidence (or can't have candles, knives, etc.) but wants an altar.

So, what do you need on an altar to make it an altar? Some place a cloth on it, okay that's easy, bandanna, a bit of lace spread that fits, whatever. You need something to represent the god and the goddess. How about a bottle of floral scented perfume for the goddess, and a musky like scent for the god? You could spray the tiniest amount possible when you are invoking them. Or perhaps a little statue figurine of a male and a female and stroke them when you invoke them. Either works, be inventive. If something says male to you or female, it could work! (Just be respectful about it, and remember, others will likely see these items at some point.)

Now all you need is something to represent the elements. (Spirit is included for those that chose to include it)
Earth: Perhaps a plant, salt, or a stone. How about one of those mini zen gardens you can get at a dollar store for cheap?
Water: Bottled water, a blue gem, seashell, mermaid or fish statue or just a glass/cup/mug/etc.  How about one of those decorative fountains?
Air: Feather, Bell, Wind chimes, Paper fan, bird statue, or yellow gem. How about one of those scented miniature brooms.
Fire: Statue of some kind of lizard or dragon, a lump of coal, or red gem, How about one of those electric or battery powered candles?
Spirit: A purple gem, a figure of an angel or other spirit being, statue of your guide/animal or something to represent yourself. How about a religious symbol of any kind, something to represent belief or power?

The above is only guidelines or suggestions to help get you started in thinking on how you want to map it out. Only you can plan your own alter, as you know what you have, how big your altar space will be, and what you can and cannot display/have. Personalize it, make it mean something to you. They will not mind, as the saying goes "It's the thought that counts"!