Hey y’all! So some of you know, I’ve been working on a shop to open up and sell concotions, charms and other witchy items. The only problem I have is my funds are kind of tight right now, and I don’t want to throw myself into something that’ll cost me hundreds for nothing. The timing right now is absolutely perfect, but I’d need confirmation from you guys that you’d be interested in buying some products.
Products I will have available right when I open include:
Colum-Kil’s Healing Salve (based on an old scottish spell from the 18th century)
Eye Open Balm (spirit communication and psychic prowess)
Summer Clearings Cleansing incense cones (cleansing and renewal)
Crystal Clear incense cones (divination and spirit manifestation)
Boudoir loose incense (lust, passion, sensuality)
Sandman’s Dust powder (sleep and dream magic)
Come to Me Oil (attract lovers, money, or anything really)
Spider Oil (hexing, binding, and domination)
Thief’s Hand Oil (monetary hexing and cursing, as well as aid in gambling)
Laura Oil (sexual domination, lust, sexual prowess)
Serpent’s Tongue Oxymel (to sweeten your words, to entice)
So let me know if you guys would be interested in buying any of these, and if there’s nothing on here you’d like, please let me know what you’d like and I can see if I can make it happen!
Color changing electronic candles are a cheap and easy way to have every color candle you need for your spells! They can range from $10-$20 for a set like these.
You could even carve sigils into them, or use sharpies / dry-erase markers to draw them on.
This powder is ideal for drawing luck, money, and job opportunities. Sprinkle some of it into a burning candle, dust some over your body before going out or add some of it to a hot bath.
Grind & Combine:
Green or white Eggshells for prosperity and fortune
Basil for wealth and success
Green mint for money and abundance
Fennel for luck
I’ve used this powder spell for almost a year now and it never fails me. Hope it can help you all too!
Now I know you are asking yourself. ” Christian Witch…Why would I need black salt when Supernatural shows us that plain salt is just fine?”
Well, Let me Explain.
Black Salt is normally used to banish or drive away negative things. It can be used to protect your home and garden area by sprinkling it around the property line. To protect from things general getting in your house you can put Black Salt in the corners of the room or across the door step. It is also used to remove negative spells that have been cast on a person. In general, Salt itself is a great purifying agent. Black Salt is more about protection and the banishment of all things negative.
Now that we know what is does, Let me show you how to make it.
You can use anything dry that has a black tone. Charcoal, Ashes, Scrapings from your cauldron/cast iron bowl or skillet, even Pepper is often used.
I used the charcoal i salvaged from the Litha Bonfire for an extra dose of light in the darkness.
I also used my small little cast iron cauldron as my mortar for the mixing.
The Salt I used was just plain table salt, but if you want to you can get all fancy with the sea salt and what not.
Once you have gathered you ingredients, it is time to grind the ingredient you chose to turn your salt black.
Now this can take a while and you need to make sure to watch out for the dust that comes up from these…It can choke you pretty bad. The Charcoal gave a LOVELY crunching sound and really took the edge off of my frustration with certain people. Then i kept repeating “grind their bones to make my bread”. I had a weird moment.
Once ground to the way you like it you add about double the amount in salt.
Now for the fun part. While thinking about all the ways you need to be protected, mix the ingredients until there is no white left.
TADA! You have made your very own Black Salt. Now…Lets bottle this protective amazingness! Again. At this point the dust that comes off will choke you so fast its not even funny.
Also I need to warn that when putting in places be ready to get your hands dirty.
Once it is bottled and ready you can use it for just about anything you need done in the protective world.
Create and Enjoy!
Well then…………. I think I just figured out what I am going to use that Birch Ash/charcoal I collected for……………………
1. I took the petals of four roses and placed them in a large pot. Put enough distilled water to cover the roses, not much more as to not dilute the water.
2. Heat to a simmer on a medium/low heat. Cover and let simmer for 20-30 minutes until the petals are pinkish.
3. Strain into another pot, let it cool before putting it in a jar or container to store.
Bonus: To make some facial mist I put 1tbs of the rosewater into a 2oz spray bottle and fill the rest of the bottle with distilled water.
Herbs, flowers, fruits, wood: The substitutes you can count on!
You’ll probably be using at least one of the above things in most magical workings. Here’s a quick breakdown!
ROSEMARY: Rosemary can substitute for any herb. Used for its own properties, it is a good component in cleansing baths, can be kept under the pillow to remember dreams, and things associated with memory: memorable impressions, recall, and enhancement of one’s own memory. In cooking, it makes a delicious addition to savory dishes and meats, while also providing a complex flavor to sweet applications. Rosemary infused in honey or tea is strong and tasty, and it adds a sophisticated edge to simple sweets like sugar cookies.
ROSE: Rose can substitute for any flower. Make sure to only get roses for culinary applications or grow your own, since those from a florist will likely contain pesticides! Roses are known for their uses in love spells, but are also used in many applications calling for happy, benign energy. Rose can soothe an angry heart, especially if the anger is due to relationship issues. In cooking, rose is a delicate floral note that can easily be lost under intense flavor, and is best highlighted in sweet or mild applications. Rose petals and rosehips make great tea, and can be jellied for a vitamin-C rich treat. Rose petals can be infused into oil, honey, sugars, and alcohol. Rose water can be used to enhance the flavor, but be sparing—storebought rosewater does not taste as light as homemade, and can overpower and ruin natural floral flavors.
LEMON/ORANGE: Fruit substitutions are less straightforward than others, but lemon, orange, and occasionally apple are considered solid go-tos. Pick whichever is right for the working or recipe, based either on intent or the other spell components! Lemon is associated with water and the moon, and used frequently in purifying and cleansing—both magical and non-magical. Lemon and honey in hot water is a great remedy for sore throat and indigestion, and the smell of lemon will perk you right up on a sleepy morning. Lemon (or any citrus) peel infuses fantastically in sugar, honey, booze, etc. Avoid using pith (the white stuff) and stick to the flavorful zest and juice. Zest is great in practically any baked good, and simply pouring hot water over used lemon rinds will make you entire house smell amazing.
PINE: Pine is regarded as a good substitute for most resins and woods. Pine resin is easy to collect, as are the needles, with a little reading on the species of tree. Pine is thought to banish sickness and bring in prosperity and luck, and often hung over doors or mixed into fragrant sachets to place under pillows. Pine needle tea is bitter, but rich in vitamins A and C; it should be incorporated sparingly to cooking applications, and you may want to enhance it with mint to avoid overuse of the bitter pine taste. In outdoor cooking, pine smells beautiful under a grill or in a fire.
CLARIFICATION: Some people have pointed out that pine can be dangerous to burn due to the high quantities of resin in the wood. This is not untrue! Pine can produce larger quantities of creosote and smoke, due to the resin and tar in logs. However, unless you cook with an all-pine fire regularly, it is not likely to reach dangerous levels (which you wouldn’t anyway, because all-pine fires will make your food taste like a BUTT). I also specified that it should be outdoor flame, since in a wood stove it can cause dangerous buildup. Also, not a great idea to use exclusively pine wood in a fire, as it won’t burn as well/won’t taste great; it’s best when cut with oak. Since pine burns hot, I like to start my bonfire/grill with it, and then pile apple or cherry wood on for the actual cooking an hour later. A few good pine logs/handful of chips will burn well, smell great, and be largely harmless. So like most spell components, research well and use in moderation!
TOBACCO: Substitute for any poisonous herb. NOT FOR CULINARY USE. It is worth mentioning only in the case that someone is adapting a non-edible spell or ritual into an edible recipe that includes a poisonous herb—NEVER bring toxic plants into the kitchen, at risk of cross-contamination, and instead substitute tobacco by burning a cigarette near the pot (or, if you don’t want that in the house, burning it outside and catching a little smoke in a bottle to bring in). Do not add ashes to the cooking, as they are also poisonous. Don’t let this anywhere near your mouth.
QUARTZ: Not exactly a cooking ingredient, but stones are often used in magic and it is possible to bring them into the kitchen. Clear quartz is a good substitute for any stone you may not have, as it cleanly amplifies energies. While I wouldn’t ever put stones IN something you intend to eat, if you insist on soaking a stone/crystal in liquid recipe ingredients (water, tea, milk, etc), use quartz or another safe stone; malachite, copper, and many other minerals become poisonous when introduced to liquid environments. Don’t put any stone in something acidic, like juice, unless you are POSITIVE it will 1. not erode, and 2. not poison you. Don’t put crystals or stones in overly hot or boiling water, as this could cause them to crack and explode. And if they DO, don’t eat anything with sharp little crystal bits in it! Seriously, treat small shattered crystals like you would glass shards.
Most of these substitute ingredients are entirely edible (or at least mostly harmless) in some form, so if you’re trying to adapt a nonedible spell to baking or cooking, consider using some of these subs in the place of less…digestible…spell components. There are usually plenty of other subs with the properties you need, but these steadfast six are not only reliable, but pretty easy to acquire!
Photos of December’s Casket will be posted on Christmas Eve (most packages should have arrived by then. Post is a little slower this time of year!) 🐌 We’re so excited to share it with you 😍🌿
I’ve been planning on talking about this for a while now. Most of my Witchy supplies come from Thrift stores like Savers, Good Will, and other “Mom and Pop” thrift stores. Glass Bottles for herbs, Silver dishes for ritual use, “smudging” bowls, Cauldrons (If you’re LUCKY – It happens), Candle holders, Etc. You don’t have to spend hundreds of dollars at Witchy Shops. They are awesome, and convenient but convenience costs. Before you order online, Or spend an outrageous amount on supplies at a New Age shop or Botanica check out your local Thrift Store.
Here is an example of what I found the other day just shopping around my local Savers. Out of these items I ended up purchasing the SELENITE candle holder which was a really lucky find. 5 freaking dollars. P.S the last picture (Which came out crappy) was a necklace made from Rose Quartz. There where so many other things that could be re purposed into lovely witchy items, But my phone was dying and I was eager to look at boots.
My Tips For Witchy Thrift Shopping
1. Go often – You literally never know what they will have, Or how long it will be there so the more often you go, The better!
2. Check out the “Kitchen” Section- This is the first place I go. This is where you can find “Ritual Knives” Mixing bowls, Jars (With Cork!) and even cauldrons.
3. Ask Employees- Ask about sales, special promos, or membership cards. Don’t be afraid to ask if they’ve seen an item in store sometimes they just might have.
4. Find out when they stock their shelves- This is the best tip because if you play your cards right and plan ahead you can get first pick on special items.
If you’re like me, you’re a little strapped for cash these days. For whatever reason. And you may not always have the funds to fuel your witch-y adventure in style, the way you want to. I certainly don’t. I’ve got a few helpful tips that have served me well thus far, and I’m hoping they help all of you too:
Repurpose Old Items as Tools: The tools of the craft can be numerous, depending on your tradition -and it can be expensive to go out and buy them all at once. Something that I have taken to doing is to scour secondhand store, thrift shops, and online auctions for tools -as well as repurposing some items I already owned. Let us not forget that in the early days, the tools of the craft were indistinguishable from everyday objects. Many early witches took to hiding their tools in plain sight! The purpose for this was to reduce the amount of things that would have to be hidden, or explained, if a witch-hunter came a-knockin’. In-keeping with that mentality, don’t think that you need to get too fancy if you can’t afford it. A teacup saucer could serve as your offering plate. A ramekin or decorative ash-tray could serve as a censer. A wine glass can serve as a chalice. I’ve even painted rocks with symbols or sigils to represent the elements and the God and Goddess. I view some of this as ‘placeholders’ -until I can afford to replace my tools with higher quality items, a simpler version serves its purpose. After all, it is function, not form that matters here. That being said, many argue that having your tools be a collection of a kind of ‘objects d’art’ can improve your craft… well they’re absolutely right. However, there’s nothing wrong with staying within your means when you have to. Whatever you use, just be sure to consecrate it. Also, items that already have a history with you may be more willing to assist you in your magical workings.
Grow Your Herbs: If you haven’t tried growing any, it might be time to try. Starting an herb garden is simple, and many herbs do not require constant attention. Although the cost of the initial planting might be more than you want to spend, consider how much you normally spend on herbs in a year. Now consider that it costs about as much to buy the supplies to plant your own as it does to buy a single packet of herbs. I’m estimating about $5-6 here. I spend $2 per terra-cotta pot, $1-2 for the seeds, and it equals out to be less than $2 per pot for soil. You could also use dirt right out of your own yard. Also, if at all an option, learn to identify herbs out in the wild. I live in New England, and I can’t tell you how many times I come across burdock root, lady slippers, wild rose, hawthorne trees, eye bright, and other magical plants out in the wild.
The Dollar Store is Your Friend: Sometimes, this is where I end up buying my candles. They may not be super high-quality, smokeless, soot-less, fancy-pants soy candles… but I promise they’ll still light, and serve your purpose. Often times, you can also get 2 for $1 which means you can stock up pretty quickly. Dollar stores can also be a great place to pick up various vessels, bottles, incense, censers, glass figurines, mirrors, etc… some of which may have relevance to your practice. Craft stores also usually have a pretty decent supply of things that can be used in witchcraft. I always peruse the clearance aisles in home decor stores, craft stores, and local boutiques to see what I can find.
Create a Monthly ‘Witch Budget.’ For me, I put aside about $50 per month, sometimes less, that I allow myself to spend on items for my craft. By putting physical money aside, you’re showing intention -and the power’s that be are apt to reward you. I put my money into a jar, which has some stones and a note at the bottom that are charmed to help to attract more. I put in the cash, and then whatever change I get through the course of the month. Everyone else in my home, without knowing what the money is for, also seems to put change in there for me… so it adds up right quick! But the overall purpose here is two fold: One, by setting a limit to what you can spend, you’re not sacrificing any necessities, and Two, you’re also allowing yourself the opportunity to grow your craft a little more EACH MONTH. Rather than worrying about where you’ll find the money, you’ll know that you have some set aside specifically for this reason.
Engage in Trade, or Barter: Whether it’s with other witches, or with a local tradesman or shopkeeper, engage in trade when you can. Of course, I recommend developing a good relationship first, but you’d be surprised how many folks of various Pagan traditions are willing to trade or barter with other fellow Pagans. The thing here is, you have to have something they want. (Enter herb garden…) So keep this idea in mind, especially if you begin replacing older altar items or tools.
Consider your Skills: This goes along with the last point, and the one below. Look at your strengths within your craft. Are these skill marketable? Are you able to do something for other people that they might not be able to do? Are you an artist? Are you adept at crafting potions? Do you have a talent for divination? Is there an ability that you have that another person might not? Now, I don’t sell my magical talents (not that I claim to be prophetically gifted anyhow), but I’d be lying if I said I didn’t open an Etsy store that sold odd’s and ends and other bobbily-bits of magic. I have an eye for curio pieces, and I fix them up, and sometimes repurpose them into fun magical charms or talismans. Make your strengths work for YOU!
Develop a Specialty: You might wonder why this is on my list. The answer is simple: Rather than spend bundles of money buying items or books for various different aspects of your craft, it’s going to be more cost effective to find a specialty, and spend your time and money honing that one special skill. If you’re going a hundred directions at once, it’s going to be very hard to get anywhere… This way you can also direct your resources (Time and Money) into developing each skill to the fullest before moving to the next. How many of us spent an arm and a leg gathering up different books and tools for off-shoots of our craft that are now gathering dust while we work on something else… it’s foolish to try to do too much at once.
Do your Research: Most people’s least favorite part. We live in a world of instant gratification, and unfortunately most Pagan religions promise no such thing. Every witch knows there’s a delay after you cast a spell. Well, I say there should be a delay with purchases and just about anything else involved in your craft. If you’re considering a purchase: think about the authenticity of the item your buying; think about what it’s actually worth to you, versus what the price tag says; think about the credibility of authors as you buy books; and think about the quality of the materials. I know that I said that I buy candles at the dollar store, but let me tell you -you get what you pay for. If it’s a one-time ritual, it might be worth it. If it’s for a ritual that happens every full moon, maybe that’s when you should invest in higher-quality items. KNOW WHEN YOU’RE BEING TAKEN ADVANTAGE OF. I’ve gone shopping for supplies in Salem, MA many times, and I can tell you that some stores there exist because the owners truly believe in Wicca, or Witchcraft and place a high value on their reputation with their Pagan clientele. But there are also a few stores that come to mind that are definitely only there to take advantage of the hype, and to make money.
Ok, so that was a wee bit longer than I intended, but all of that information is heartfelt, and hopefully helpful!
teakepp 