The layout is done as the goddess on the left/West or female side. The god is on the right/east or male side. The central is both together and keeping the elements in rightful direction. Some are able to point their alters in the northern direction. Enable the elements and god/goddess to be in the right direction. Not all of us can do so. So you can just picture which would be north, south, east, and west. You may find it easier to do so outside. You will notice that the tools that is goddess/god is on the same side as them. The pentacle a lot of the time is the center piece of the whole alter. Which is the protector and grounding of the sacred space.

Tools

Alter Cloths

Used as a dressing on the top of your alter. Can be any fabric, and color. You can change them with each holiday or Ritual.

Athame (Pronounced A-tham-ee,A-THame)   The athame corresponds to the element of Fire (in some traditions Air), the direction East and is male in energy.	Magickal Knife! Used only for ceremonies, sometimes black handled, made out of wood or metal. Never used to cut or to be shared (only yours)! A tool to mix salt water or other mixtures in a ritual. An athame is a tool of direction, casting the circle, evoking the elements.
Bell / Triangle, drum/ chimes	Can be used to mark the beginning or/end of a working/ritual. Use in Dance, chanting, or song. Much like Shamans tradition.
Bolline ( BOW-Line, bolin)	Working knife Use simply for cutting or carve. Used on herbs, wood, cord/string or any thing.. Sometimes a white handle.
Book of Shadows BOS	Your book of spells and personal Journal ( self, Dream). Information that you need not to forget.
Bowl/bottle of salt water or blessed water	This is a premixed salt (male) and water (female). Used to cleanse tools and area. Protection after casting.
Besom/ Broom ( BE-sum, BESOOM)	Not for flying! Actually used for cleansing of course or symbolism. Handfasting leaping into a new life. Older days used for fertility to leap beside the corn to show them how high to grow. Maybe how the whole flying thing started!
Candles	Used to represent fire, God, goddess, and sometimes elements. Many colors can be used as a spell works correspondance.
Candle Snuffer	to extinguish the candles instead of blowing. To blow is to insult fire and air, as you are dissipating the energy of one with another.
Cauldron represents the female or goddess and water element Direction is centre	Used for burning things, scrying with water and silver on bottom, mixing herbs and potions.
Censer, incense/ burner Element of Air and direction of East.	heat proof dish of any size for incense (cone, stick, or loose) or dried herbs, charcoal (use caution burns a lot of smoke). Used for raising power, achieving trace or purifying. Can choose different smell to correspond with spell or ritual.
Crystals and stones Element of Earth	Used for healing, Divination, chakra, meditation, and aura. Help in grounding and centering.
Chalice or goblet Female and element of water. Direction is West.	Used for ritual drinking for the goddess, rituals, or spell making. Also can be used mixing.
Divination tools	Anything like Tarot card, runes, crystal ball, Pendulum, etc. Helps in decision making, and used during psychic time of the moon ritual.
Mortar and Pestle	Use to grind herbs into a fine paste for Magickal working.
Music	It’s more than a tool! It enhances the moment. Relaxes during a ritual bath or meditation. Helps in raising power when drumming. One note of caution, don't bring your tape/CD player into the Circle, the energies that will be raised within the Circle may adversely affect it's performance! It's far better to set it to repeat outside the Circle.
Pentacle/ Pentagram centre or focal point Sometimes element of Earth	Many witches like to wear a pentagram. It is a symbol of our religion, but it is also worn for protection and connection with the elements represented by the five points - Spirit, Air, Water, Earth, Fire. The pentagram on your altar is the focal point, it is where you place your tools for consecration and conduct your magickal workings. It is also a tool of meditation, and corresponds to the direction North, the element of Earth and its energy is female.
Pray Beads/ Wiccan rosary/ Jewelry /Talismans	Can be used as a marking that you self dedicated. Pray beads used with different stones for Meditation.
Smudge stick	Used by shamans. Stick used for cleansing during and before a ritual. To drive off negative energies. Help in healing
Statues	Used to represent god/goddess, or anything to worship. Can be actual deities, or symbols of the deities on a rock. Even a remembrance of your familiar that pasted on. A statue can also be used as a focal point during Meditation.
Wand Its element is Air (in some traditions Fire), its direction is South and like the athame, the wand is female.	Same as the athame used calling direction and invoking. Some use as a healing tool. Can use different wood for different spell working.