Witchcraft on a budget

When I first started out in my craft, like with so many other interests before it, I became completely and utterly fixated. Partnered with my tendency to be quite impulsive and massively overspend, my credit card took a huge hit. 

I must have spent hundreds of pounds buying various cards, crystals, oils, herbs and candles, I even paid a monthly subscription to study an online course. I wanted to do it all perfectly and something in me told me that I couldn’t make magic without having all the 'right tools' first. 

The reality is that most of us don’t have money spare to buy all the fancy tools, or even the space to hold it in some cases. For others, witchcraft is still frowned upon, so it might not even be safe for you to practice openly. 

I firmly believe that magic is unique to the individual, so something that works for me might not necessarily work for you. When I tried to copy other people's spells and rituals word for word I became stressed at the thought of doing it wrong, it took away from the outcome I was trying to achieve. That being said, please only take what resonates with you and leave the rest behind. Your magic should always feel authentic to you.

It’s my dream to make magic accessible to everyone, regardless of your budget, available space or any judgement from those around you. Truthfully, the longer I’ve been practicing, the less tools I use and the more potent my spells, rituals and manifestations have actually become. 

Below are some of my favourite free, or very low cost tools that I use regularly when working magic. I hope you find this guide useful my love, and remember that the real magic is always within you 💚

1. Journal/Notepad & Pen

   
   

Now this doesn't have to be anything fancy, a simple piece of paper or notebook will do. You could use your pre-existing journal, or you may want to have a journal dedicated solely to your magical thoughts and workings. I'll be honest, mine is a total chaotic mix of everything, a bit like my mind!

This beautiful journal (sadly not vegan) was bought from Amazon, you can find loads of them online by searching 'magic journal'.

My beautiful fur baby Bubsy wanted to feature in this one!

I have always found writing down my spell intentions to be very effective. It allows you to get clear on exactly what it is you want and why. At the new and full moons, I will journal on what it is I'd like to manifest and release respectively, I find that writing and then speaking the intentions out loud holds extra power. If journaling isn't really your 'thing', you can try recording voice notes to yourself, or just speaking your intentions out loud.

Witch tip: Try holding the pen and paper to your heart and taking a few deep breaths to centre yourself before starting to write. You could try asking tarot/oracle cards, the universe, your ancestors or any deities that you work with to guide you if you are unsure, or need more clarity on what it is that you want 💚

2. The Elements

I find working with the elements to be extremely potent; it helps me to feel fully connected to the universe as I work my magic. I generally try to include something to represent each element within all of my spells but it's okay if you only resonate with a few - or even none at all!

White pillar candles like this one can be found online & in stores, usually in multipacks of varying sizes.

Fire - You could use an actual fire, a basic candle, or even the power of the sun when charging your magic, or when trying to release/burn away bad habits and toxic situations. Fire can also be a fantastic tool for cleansing and transmutation. Why not try carving some relevant runes, symbols or phrases into the candle before whispering your wishes into the flame, allowing the warmth and light to charge you with its passion and fierce determination? Please be mindful of where you dispose of your candle wax!

This picture was taken in Wales, I obsessed with how beautifully clear the water is there!

Water - You could use a natural body of water like a lake or pond, a bowl of water, or the rain to cleanse and purify your magic. One of my favourite ways to work with this element is in the bath or shower. This is the perfect way to incorporate magical practice into your routine. Visualise cleansing away the energy of a bad day, toxic situation or relationship and feel completely reborn. You can even jazz it up with some music, candles, crystals, herbs, essential oils and/or incense if you are able to. Water magic invokes a sense of safety, like being back in the womb, it allows your emotions to flow freely, enabling you to travel with the tides of life, as opposed to fighting against them.

This beautiful tree I met in Sherwood Forest - He gave great hugs!

Earth - You could use sea salt, soil or trees to ground, nurture your magic and connect it to Mother Earth. I love to work magic, or just do a simple meditation, whilst sitting at the base of a tree. Whenever I am out in nature I always try to find a nice tree and give it a hug, this is me giving love back to nature and feeling super stable and grounded in the process. Earth magic is closely linked to wealth and financial stability, sowing seeds and taking care of plants in general are also forms of earth magic. Why not try blessing and changing your seeds with intention before planting them and watching them grow?

Air - You could use incense, smudge sticks feathers, or the wind to evoke clarity and inspire your magic. Air magic is associated with the mind and the suit of sword in the tarot. If you are ever feeling mentally stuck, or perhaps bogged down by negative thoughts, air magic may help to restore your internal peace and tranquillity.

Witch tip: If you don't have access to the elements, or objects to represent them, consider using colours, sounds and/or specific directions that correspond to the element(s) you're working with. You could even choose to work with certain Deities if you feel called to. Making magic is all about being creative and using the tools you have at your disposal. You've got this.

3. Sentimental Items

If casting a spell for yourself, try holding an item that is charged with your energy, like a piece of jewellery, a photograph or an ornament that means something to you. You could even try using it as part of the ritual to imbue the magic of the spell into that item.

You can do this for someone else too, but I personally would mindfully consider their free will and what karmic energy you could be inviting back to yourself in the process. It might be worth asking yourself whether gaining someone's consent first and only working with positive intentions is something that is important to your magical practice.

Witch tip: If you were looking to protect yourself or someone you love, you could cast a protection spell on a necklace or ring. That protection will then be carried with the item, protecting whoever wears it. Please be mindful that items will need to be regularly cleansed of negative/stagnant energy and the spell may need to be redone in future to keep it working optimally.

4. Nature's Gifts

Why spend hundreds of pounds on crystals when there are thousands of nature's gifts to be found right outside your doorstep? Anything that comes from nature, be it rocks, stones, twigs, shells or even weeds hold a magical energy. The mere fact that they exist is magical when you really think about it. You can use nature's gifts to represent the elements, or even as a substitute for expensive crystals.

An insight into my collection of foraged trinkets!

I have a fixation with rocks; they are beautiful to look at but also often hold a certain energy within them. Whenever I visit a pebble beach I am sure to leave with my pockets full of rocks and shells I've found.

Witch tip: If you've found one of nature's gifts that resonates, you could try meditating with it and seeing what feelings come up, perhaps write these down in your journal so you have an idea on how to use that gift going forwards.

5. A Quiet, Safe Space

My Altar - a small table covered in scarf from my Grannie

In my experience, location is everything. For me, it is important that I feel as calm, grounded and focused as possible when working with magic, so that I'm able to keep the intention of the spell in my mind. This is certainly not the case for everyone, but is definitely what works best for me. There is nothing worse than trying to remain focussed when you're constantly being distracted by loud noises, distant alarms or a persistent unidentifiable buzzing.

Perhaps the most important thing is to ensure that you will not be disturbed, which I know is easier said than done!

Witch tip: If you live in a generally noisy environment, or are sound sensitive and easily distracted like me, you could try incorporating music into your spell work. I often opt for a generic meditation playlist, healing frequencies or calming classical music. It's important to pick something that feels right to you, so if that's heavy metal or drill music then absolutely pop off my love, this is a judgement free zone 💚

6. The Moon

In my opinion, one of the most powerful allies we have when it comes to our magical practice is the moon. Particularly being a woman because the moon is representative of divine feminine energy, with the sun being divine masculine. I have found working with the moon's natural phases and progression throughout the constellations to be extremely powerful. Her light can help illuminate the road ahead, cleanse the aura, crystals and tarot decks, all whilst charging you with inspiration.

Witch tip: If you wear glasses, you can leave them on a windowsill (or outside if you're feeling brave) to bathe in the light of the full moon. You can ask the moon to cleanse them of negative/stagnant energy, and charge them with light, helping you to clearly see you divine path ahead. You can do this with literally anything, remember to do what feels right.

7. Intention

Finally, arguably the most important ingredient when working magic is your intention. It is not just about what you want, it's about why you want it. Before starting work on any spells or rituals, it is crucial you get clear on exactly why you are doing them. I personally always ensure that I have a positive why, because my personal belief is that what you put out will come back to you tenfold, but this is not true for everyone. My advice would be to pick an intention that resonates most with you and is reflective of the person you want to be.

Witch tip: It's all well and good wanting a giant mountain of money, but what are you going to do with that money when you receive it? Why not try writing out a very specific 'shopping list' perhaps you want a nice holiday to treat your family, really visualise and imagine how it would feel to be able to do that. Where are you? What does it smell like? How does the sun feel on your skin? Get really specific and write to the universe expressing gratitude for the holiday as if you already have it. Talk about how it has made you and your family feel, the weight it has lifted off all your shoulders.

Lastly my love, please trust in your divine power. Never forget that you are full of boundless potential. Most of the time, our biggest obstacle is ourselves and our perceived limitations. Everything that you want to achieve is already yours, you are fully capable of crafting and executing the magic that you desire, you just have to believe. Believe in yourself and believe that you are worthy of the magic you are creating.

Love & blessings always,

Chloe 💚