The Craft of the Wise... and the Frugal

The great thing about this big beautiful world we live in … if you have the internet and a kitchen you more or less have all that you need to do just about anything
from natural healing to rituals they are all explained on this and many other sites and most supplies can be found right in your own home and that makes them more meaningful- that candle holder sitting in the cubboard with the emergency candles …most herbs you already have so look and see what wealth you already have and go from there…..

Aside from remembering that your mind & heart are the most important tools you have, try thinking creatively. Maybe you’ve always used incense to represent air, but can’t afford to buy it. Can you make some? (Check out the instructions Patti has for help.) What about using a nice feather you found to represent air? Or maybe a small toy kite your kids don’t play with anymore?

If you always buy some fresh flowers for the goddess, would she mind if you gave her some of the dandelions & flower-like weeds that grow in your yard or the empty lot next door? Can you fill a pretty bowl with water & smooth stones to create a pool for her? What about placing her statue on top of a floral-printed scarf- she could be standing in a whole field of flowers!

Think about reusing items. If a spell doesn’t require you to completely burn down a candle, can it be cleansed & used in a similar spell next time? What about the candles you used for that romantic dinner?

Make your own items. Do the kids have a coloring book that has a picture of a fairy or an animal in it that would work for decorating your altar? Are they willing to let you use it? Coloring it will give it some of your own energy & might be surprisingly relaxing before a ritual; it doesn’t have to be perfect.

Use what you have. Can you switch around decorations you have elsewhere in the house to make your altar look special? Reread your old magic books, even the ones you might feel you’ve outgrown; they might have ideas you’ve forgotten or get you thinking in a new way. (A visit to the library may also be a good idea.)

I hope my ideas help & that this wasn’t too long of a comment!

The Comments left by Daydreamer and Chrissy carry exceptional truth for me.
When I first began practicing magic i was without a job or a car, so the option of driving to the store and buying tools was out. Using the common cooking spices and other household “stuff” i never felt like i was deprived.
Now that I can drive and have some extra money, I still don’t but fancy things, i just like the homemade feel better.
I think it was having no spending-money that helped me to find my true spirituality.
It’s easy for people to get wrapped up in the material stuff, and lose sight of the real experiance.

And for those “must-have” tools that you can’t make, and the herbs you can’t grow:

Patti was right about the thrift stores. not only are the prices good, the thrill of the hunt is special too. Plus, most of the bigger christian-run stores throw out books about “questionable” subjects like astrology, so with a little sweet talk you might get lucky and get some free books too.
As for herbs, try Hispanic/Latino stores, or even the Latin aisle at Walmart. Not only are the herbs reasonably priced, you can find things like Chammomile, and Arnica, which aren’t in the standard spice aisle.

Just remember that the human mind is the most powerful tool,

Ryan

Ahhh…I remember those days full well, when I wanted all those fancy things sold for ritual when I was just starting out. But you know what? They are not neccessary at all!

I am a very crafty person, and will recycle objects and make so many different things out of things I find in the woods, fields, beaches, you name it. We are surrounded by a world of possibilities naturally! All you need is a little imagination, wax or a glue gun, and things that can be found for free anywhere!

Most all of my altar items for sabbats are created by my own hand, right down to altar cloths.
You can find items such as chalices or even athames at yard or garage sales if you have a shrewd eye too! I’ve always found used items to be best anyway, as they have accumulated so much energy from being used by their previous owner(s).

And as far as information on ritual or whatever you could possibly need to know, well…the internet is a wonderful place to learn whatever you need, and Pattis’ blog here has given me even more wonderful information, and I’ve been a solitary practitioner for over 22 years.
There’s always room to learn new things!

With the upcomming Sabbat next month of Ostara, I’ve been busily creating Ukranian Egg art for my altar, which only takes things you probably already have around the house…everyone has eggs in their fridge! A little paint, melted wax and creativy and you can make things so highly personal that they will hold more meaning to you over the years! I even handcrafted my own beautiful altar (I’m also a woodcrafter) out of scrap wood I found, which perhaps I will post a picture of at a later date.

And the upsurge of dollar stores are a boon when it comes to candles, holders, sea salt, glass or wooden bowls, feathers, paints and craft supplies and incenses!
And yes, even a chalice can be purchased there, right where they sell the dishes and glasswear…no one ever said it had to be metal!

Wands can be made from fallen tree branches, flowers and herbs grow wild too…just find a good site for identifying them, study it and viola! A little oil, recycled jars and you can make your own essential oils, or dry them for other uses. Even your own home spice rack has many items you may need already at hand.

Think of the possibilities and how much more proud you can be of your efforts if things you need are hand crafted by you! Our ancestors created all that they need with their own hands, which made them closer to their works than anything store bought ever could be…so why should we be any different?

~_0

)O(

See, this is another reason I have problems with people in jail protesting any lack of things with which to pracrice their religion! Also one of my main problems with mainstream religions – their reliance on things, trappings, religion vs spirituality. My cross is bigger than your cross. Yeah the crystal cathedral is gorgeous and choirs look so nice in matching robes but wow I always think of the people who have no clothes, no house. Keep your religion in your heart and mind, words and deeds. Live it, don’t practice it.

I have found SEVERAL good books and/or tools at the local Goodwill store. Also, household tools can be repurposed for rituals etc. The spirit is inside you not in the tools in your hands.

I love thrift stores and used book stores. Can spend hours in them.

and don’t forget that Yard Sale Season will soon be upon us..

Our used book store has a varying number of pagan books in it, and sometimes you can really “luck out” and find one that’s unusual. Funny how every time I go there, I find what I’m supposed to find — not necessarily what I went in there looking for, either!

Another great place to shop is any of the dollar stores. I have gotten great candles there, big ones for a dollar; one time, they had scads of tiki gods in there. It’s amazing what you can find there, and for only a dollar each!

Regarding lack of books, don’t forget your local library. For example, most of the ones in my state (Maine) have at least a few titles. If yours doesn’t, ask about inter-library loans from those that do. I’ve done that so many times I’ve memorized my library card number:) .

I remember that initial urge to buy all the ritual items new. I bought a wand and altar cloth that I barely use anymore. They have been replaced. Be creative. Look at what you need and then look at what is around your house first. What you own already holds your energy too. I started to rummage through my storage in the basement and dug out a brass witch bell that had been my mom’s, a little cast iron cauldron with a hanger stand from grandma that is perfect for burning incense on charcoal. I also located other cast iron items I had not used for a while, all sorts of candle holders and my nature finds were perfect altar decorations (shells, rocks, leaves, etc.). I have sewn since I was a teen so finding some scraps for altar cloths was easy. I am in the process of embroidering them to really personalize them. What I don’t have that I feel I want to add to my supplies, I comb the local antique shop for or go to yard sales and seek them out. Just this past weekend hubby and I found a wonderful statue for $6.00!

The truth is magick, spellworking, etc. is about will and intent. Your will and intent doesn’t cost anything. Using your own relationship with nature, and natural items, your imagination to craft your own spells you can do anything for free. Any knife can be a boline, any tree branch a wand, there are all kinds of tools free for you to use, just respectfully thank the tree for providing a branch, look for fallen ones first. There are so many resources on the internet for free information, I cannot even imagine asking anyone for money to buy a book. Look in libraries, look in second hand book stores, look on albris or half.com if you do have a bit of expendable income.

It’s is my experience that the best materials to use use one that you make yourself. In a book of shadows that I got it even tells you to go and make your staff and wand. It don’t have to look pretty for it to give the same effect. I follow the ways in the old fashion as close as possible. If I can find it out in my backyard than I use it. Religion is free as it should. it’s a freedom of mind. spirit. and body. People who go to those wonderful stores and spend bunches and bunches of money, I’m sorry but, I think they have forgotten the meaning of it all. You worship inside you’re homes and spend money on thing when long ago if there was something we needed to for rites or otherwise we make them ourselves. Beside I find that when you make and bless these things yourself it work so much better than something that has sat in a store where you don’t know how many other people have touched it and left their energy on something. This causes a problem when energy is mixed, it takes longer for the object you work with to realize that you are it’s partner and sometimes when it realizes this you end up finding that it doesn’t like really like and you don’t get the full use of it. I have a pentagram that is called Rosey, she didn’t like me much. When I wore her she would burn my neck and make me break out in hives and pimples when before my face neck arms and leg were clear, and I’ve tested this several times. I’d clean the chain and put stuff on it to keep me from breaking out should I actually be allergic and still she would burn my neck and I’d breakout. Now my Rosey is content to sit on my little traveling kit and lock out any unwanted energy, she even has learned to like enough for when I need her for some random things.

Shopping at thrift & dollar stores when we were poor seems to be a common memory. I’ve used a jelly jar and a bread plate, a butter knife and a wooden spoon. I’ve even used water & a sandwich as part of the ritual.
I figure that any goddess or god that would begrudge me working with ordinary kitchen tools is not a diety I care to worship.
Just about everything on my altar came to me from Goodwill. I figure that since buying there helps the poor & disadvantaged it just builds good karma.
Good Luck and Blessed Be

To my fellow Witches:
The Goddess cares not what trinkets you bring to her and her consort, whoever you deem him to be on any occasion. She cares only for the love,tradition and belief you have in her and her teachings. Your intent, within you, is what she hears and what she cares about. Nothing else matters.
No wine for your altar,at circle,use water,it will do.
Blessed Be to all
May the Goddess guide you always on your chosen path.
Blessed Be
Lady Boudicca…

When I started out wanting to practice Paganism, I read lots of books, some by Laurie Cabot, who is very much into having all the “correct” tools and ritual things. Then I read a really goofy book, called “Simon, King of the Witches”, just as silly thing to read, and lo and behold, I learned that you can use anything you have to do ritual and spell work. No need for the fancy, store bought stuff. And I always think the Goddess loves the weeds more than the store bought flowers anyway. I have also gotten many thing at thrift stores, which I love going to anyway, and if you just keep an open mind, and maybe send out a tiny thought into the universe, before you go into the store, you may just be amazed at what you will find.

This wonderful path we are all following is not a material one but spiritual. You don’t need ‘things’ to work your magic. Go outside and feel the warmth of the sun on your skin, the caress of a soft breeze on your face, the smell of the earth as it warms during the day. Stand on a hill or if you live in the city, on a high building and feel the power of our Mother. Outside in Her world you will find all you need to work your magic and feel Her presence.
A branch fallen from a tree makes a wand. A pretty or unusual rock or stone can represent earth. A feather shed by a passing bird is your representative of air and rain caught in a cleansed container is water. Even the dried stalks of weeds left over from summer make a pretty arrangement for your alter. Your options are limitless. Just take the time to look around Her world and see all of the wonders and beauty She puts at our finger tips.
As for books, the internet is endless in it’s information. If anything there is too much out there, I often get side tracked because while looking for one thing, I find something else that catch’s my interest.
This is a path of visualization, use it in place of what you don’t have. Your imagination is the only tool you really need.

I have used the internet for small studies, like what activities to do w/ my children on a certain Sabbats. I’ve mad everything needed, went out back to the woods, and found fallen willow branches to make broom, bamboo to make wands, I use certain natural herbs i find around my home. In the winter, finding things like that is more complicated, so yeah, a dollar store works for that. I get my candles there too. I made my own book of shadows out of thick reused cardboard, old velvet dress, to wrap around, and old pieces of jewelry to decorate it. Computer paper to fill in for the pages. I used twisted paper to hold the book together, it is recycling and going natural, saving money too. I have been using natural items since day one, and find that it is the closest that I’ll ever get to my ancestors that practice the same religion. They didn’t have money set aside to buy things they wanted, they went out to nature and made it. Have a blessed day!

Everyone above has awesome ideas, and I agree that intent, nature, and your heart are all that are needed, but someone a little newer on the path like me need study materials. Other than trying to find things online, I also buy books like crazy, and was feeling the pinch, even going onto Amazon.com and other “deal” sites.
I found a solution through eBay! I did the research on the books beforehand, to see reviews and summaries and such, then just searched the book there. If I found one I liked, I’d shop the seller’s store or other items (costs less on shipping – most times sellers will combine or cut shipping on multiple items). One shipment, I got half a dozen books at $0.99 each, with only $3.50 shipping!! Much better than $10+ a book, and an awesome avenue for students of the craft like myself.

I remember when I was first starting out, I too felt a “need” to have all the tools and trappings that seem to go hand in hand with pagan practices. I didn’t/don’t have a ton of money (four kids, need I say more:)

I eventually realized that those things weren’t nearly as important as cultivating a relationship with the Goddess and how I felt about myself and my spirituality.

Understanding the connectedness of all of nature and feeling the universes infinite love requires no tools, just your heart and imagination.

I know, I know, but you want them. Well, others have given some wonderful advice that I would like to add. Thrift stores are a great place to purchase ritual items. You never know what kind of treasures you may find. I purchased a lovely spring green glass chalice at a thrift store for 3.00 dollars! Check out your local library for reading materials. Some libraries have an occult section and keep a few decent books on the subject of paganism. And they all have a religion and history section.

Also, look to nature. Many of the tools and ritual items I have, I found in nature. My wand is made from a branch I aquired during one of my outings to the woods. I have talismans that are natural objects found in the woods and on the beach. Wonderful elemental representations for your altar can be found outdoors as well such as stones, shells and feathers. My pentacle is made from a 5.00 dollar piece of hobby pine from the hardware store. You can also get candles and scarves (to use as altar clothes) from your local dollar store. Choose your favorite drinking glass or coffee mug as you chalice.

The possibilities are endless, all you need is your imagination.

I agree with Cordelia. I bought and bought and bought, just so I would have everything I might possibly need…and it would sit in the drawer, while “found” objects were used. I spent all that money for nothing. The Mother provided what she thought I needed. From walks (I have a piece of wood shaped like a nesting bird, and a large arrow head or maybe it’s a small spear head I used for an athame) yard sales, thrift shops, and items around my home, seen in a different light.
I do still buy books, sea salt, candles, and some resins to add with my mixtures for incense, but I do not spend like I used to by any means. It is not necessary. And all the stuff in the drawer? I gift it to others.

Also, Dollar Stores are great for candles and candle holders, and seasonal decor.

Five bucks and you can do numerous candle spells…

In my coven, we have keep a list of shared-items, things that we are willing to loan out and to share with others. This list includes books, crystals, oils, incense, candles, etc. Also, whenever I discuss altars and tools with initiates, I have them go through the process of a meditation in which they build their dream altar with every item exactly as they would like to have materialized. If you can’t build a complete altar in your imagination, what good is a physical altar. The material things may be expensive and intricate but their value is little if you haven’t invested your spirit and love as much as your money.

Go to the library!!I am amazed at the amount of guides and literature at the library- the other day i borrowed Scott Cunningham’s Herbal Magic on VHS!!
Also borrowed The White Goddess as well.
We have lots of witchcraft & Wiccan guides and stuff at our library’s in SF bay area.Check yours out!!
I always get requests & holds set up so i don’t have to go hunting – or if you are a more private person than use the internet and drive to the library to find it your self- its fun!

When I find a good price on something, I stock up. After Halloween, black and orange candles are marked down drastically, same with red and green candles (and sometimes silver and gold) after Christmas and white candles in July (after all those June weddings). Spring is the perfect time to pick up herb seeds – it cheap and easy to grow your own and better for your workings.

print a deck of tarot cards off the internet & cut out
or make your own deck with plain posterboard
draw it or cut out pics from a magazine or the internet

use tarot cards on your altar to represent the God/Goddes/etc. Also a great way to have a “traveling altar” since they fit into a pocket

scan the internet for pictures to use as visuals in your rites
for example: I do crystal skull medtitations with a group online. If you do not own a crystal skull (some run 100′s of dollars ea)you can print a pic of one & lay a quartz crystal on it for the same effect.

In these tough times I have prayed to St. Expedite. You can read about him on my blog or do your own google search-that is how I found him in the first place.
For certain spells, I use rain water and kosher salt as a base and then add cinnamon and cloves, bay leaves, sugar. I have used this for years and the house always smells so beautiful. I have powdered insence that I add for particular concerns, and a special wooden spon I use to stir it with. It’s tied with a red ribbon an old Italian women tied onto my daughter’s crib when she was born 17 years ago. The Italians believe that it brings you and your baby luck.
I use cinnamon sticks that you can always find at a craft store 50-75% off after the holidays.
If you speak and believe and trust from your heart, you will always be heard. That is one reason that I never believed in conventional religion. I never believed that you had to give 20% of your income for God to hear your prayer. Stand in the wind, or the rain or a glorious sunset and state your intention. God and Goddess will hear your prayer and you may revel in the glory of their creation. Blessed Be.

With every struggle comes a stregnthening. and if any good comes out of the current economic and financial shortcomings I hope this is it. The people realize that we are not the things we own and it is not what happens to you in life, its how you handle it and react to others when it does. Thank you so much for addressing this. Brightest Blessing.

the greatest tools we have are our minds and hands. You can use your finger for an athame, and see the light streaming from it to create your circle.
As for books, not only the Library, but bookstores like Borders usually have a place where you can sit and look through books and magazines. Many times I have spent hours there finding info I need. When I can afford it, I buy a book. When I cannot, I have a notebook along and take notes as I skim through the books.

We’ve set up a pagan “exchange” of sorts. You don’t offer up your most precious things, but if you have some extra candles, books you’ve already read,your herbs are really producing, etc. they go up on the list. Then when someone has a need, they go to the list.

Absolutely, the Goodwill or other thrift stores. Interestingly, Pagan books are often placed with religion or with science books there. I sometimes do have a bit of a problem understanding why the Pagan books are often higher priced than other books in the section.

And if the “treasure” isn’t as great as it initially looked, you’re not out too much!

Much had been already said my I would like to add my two cents

About herbs, try to go to a local spice or herbal store if you have one and buy loose herbs. They are usually much more convenient than buying packaged ones at a supermarket.
Of course, if you can grow them or pick them in nature that’s even more convenient
And I would also suggest to buy those herbs that you know you’re really gonna use, for rituals, incense or cooking, and leave out the rest.

I stopped using incense because it was becoming too expensive and, I don’t know, it started smelling too fake to me. So I found an essetial oil dispenser in a 99 cent store and bouth a pack of 100 tea candles for 3 euros. But, instead of oil, I put on the top a small mixture of different herbs according to my mood or ritual. They usually last for a couple of days and don’t smoke the room!

You can do it

Oh my, oh my! I’ve been saying this for years!! I’m so glad you did this article. I’ve been “preaching” this on the blogs and at my Gathering Group! I learned my Craft from an Olde World Witch, my Grandmother, whose magickal tools were common, every day things around the house. I’ve done my best to do the same with a few exceptings but whenever possible if I don’t have it, I craft it. “Horray for a recession that teaches us to be frugal, but PLEASE give us the money to live through it!”

I am very fortunate, living in a nice college town, to have a wonderful library where I can check out many old and newer books on Wicca and Pagan subjects. It costs nothing. I can check them out as often as I like and if I find something in them that is really special, I just copy it.
As far as tools of the trade, I thought everything was a bit more magical if made by my own hands and so much more special. I have a beautiful hand made wand that even has a crystal tip that I found in a cave in Arkansas. I will never give that up. Decorated with feathers and small shells I gathered on the beach from a favorite vacation…its awesome. Its also such fun to prowl around in thrift and 2nd hand stores. I got my cauldron at Goodwill for $2…what a fine! Brass candle holders are also easy to locate in resale shops for a fraction of the original price. Of course, everything I buy at these places, I do a cleansing on them to remove any negative energy. There is a whole world of wonderful finds out there just waiting for you!

The internet is a great way to find low-cost and even free stuff. Freecycle.com is committed to recycling stuff, and you can post for things you want in your community. Craig’s list and Recycler both have websites; you can even barter for things you need. Meetup can put you in touch with other pagans in your area, too — maybe you can organize an exchange if people have extra items they don’t use anymore, or for extra herbs they grow, etc. The universe will provide for you if you put it out there!

Well this might be a good time to hit the local library, even if you can’t get that new book on neo-wicca order a book on a historical paganism/mythology/herbs etc. these would be easily avaliable from the library. If you’ve got one neo-wicca book, you’ve got them all!

I think it’s important to remember that all the ritual crap is just outter trappings. I hardly use any kind of tools, the only knife I use is to cut herbs.

People who are worrying about not being able to afford a particular tool should improvise, use your ordinary broom to sweep away “negative energy” of whatever it’s used for, learn to divine using ordinary playing cards (there’s stuff online about this), use a kitchen knife to draw a compass/circle, go hunting for a fallen tree branch and crave a wand/stang etc etc.

If you usually make rather expensive offerings to the gods they’ll have to live with what you give them in these penniless times — instead of splashing out and buying flowers as an offering to Aphrodite (for instance) go out and pick some local daisies or draw her something, compose a poem, sing a song to her. Offerings don’t have to cost money.

Goodwill is my favorite place-I find somehow that when I visualize something for spellwork I soon discover it there-majickal serendipity!!
But things are things-standing barefoot on Mother Earth-breathing air,watching water-a match for fire and good intent

I believe that being Pagan has HELPED me get through economic situation. I am more aware of the need to recycle and I bought many of my clothes second hand, before we had to “tighten our belts”. I know that eating healthy is important, both physically and mentally and I already had gardens, both herb and vegetable. I know that being less “material” brings me more tranquility and leaves a lighter footprint on the earth. Things are rough, but I am more prepared then many to live on a smaller dime.

These were great comments. I learned a few things, thanks.
I have been through hard times so when I wanted a book but couldn’t want to pay those high prices, I go to Barnes and Nobel online and almost every book can be purchased from their used book section. Most of the “used” books were brand new for a used book price and some that were used had just been gathering dust on the shelf or was loved by another person and had a few underlines.
I think it is good to go through a “poor” period so that you can seek alternative ways which become more meaningful because it comes from your imagination and your heart. Be creative and frugal, it’s fun!
Also, grow your own herbs, it’s easy and can be done on your apartment patio. I did. It’s great to have fresh basil on your scrambled eggs while making a money spell.

Its unfortunate that so many Pagans seem to forget that this is a NATURE-BASED path. Everything you could possibly need is provided by God and Goddess. Go outside. You will find what you need. Its winter here in NE OH so going outside is practically impossible some days. Most of us have more than enough ‘stuff’ sitting around the house that is just taking up space. Go through your ‘junk drawer(s)’and boxes stored in the attic or basement. There is bound to be something there that can be given a new purpose. Use unused birthday candles in a bowl of soil/sand. Those plastic beach toys your kids have outgrown can hold salt, sand or water; I especially like to use the shell or turtle shaped ones. I’ve used hot wheels to manifest a new car. The original Lincoln Logs were made of wood. Use to represent Earth or build a mini shrine/alter/temple to house your Goddess statue. Stuffed animals can represent the God of the Hunt or Totem Animals. (Ty beanie babies are great for this!) Your alter tools are simply a physical object to aid in your mental focus. They should be cleansed and charged with your intent before use so it really doesn’t matter if you have a $400 platinum pentacle or a starfish on a round saucer. Its your intent and energy that makes the magick work. Happy Hunting!

Blessings,
Shadow

Thank you all for the comments on this being nature-based and to look to nature for what we need, just as the ancestors did. You will feel the energy better in a wand you create yourself than in a “store bought mass produced” one. And Thank Goddess for thrift stores and dollar stores! Candles, beautiful goblets for chalices, scarves, etc. I am lucky to live near a beach, endless supply of shells! I have pet birds = feathers!

All of the suggestions for cutting back on supplies and still maintaining your rituals and beliefs are smart and doable. I can’t think of anything to add. Make it yourself, share it, re-use it. How did people practice their beliefs before there was a corner store to purchase from? Follow your heart.

Some of us remember how hard it was just to SURVIVE – let alone have anything.

Not saying it is “easy” now …..

But – Is there any way some of us can help those going through rough times?

~BB~
-Teresa … the Tulsa Witch

I often go to the remnants section of a craft/fabric store, and look for interesting textures and colors at huge discounts. I’ve made my own alter cloths and even ritual and celebration wear out of cloth remnants. Sales racks are also a wonderful place to find perfectly good items discounted simply because they’re out of season or the last ones. Again, using natural items whenever possible as well as common household things.
Blessed Be
)O(

oh what a wonderful blog … i have joked with my friends for years that i am more of a kitchen witch… has already been stated that it’s in your heart not in your tools… my incense is an appropriate tea for scent and my celebration drink after my ritual, my athame is a butter knife… i find everything i need either in my heart or in my kitchen. thank you all so much for more ideas.

I was very blessed that my grandmother left me many crystal and china items. Amonge them were some crystal candle holders and salt cellers. My ex’s mother taught me the value of garage sales and resale shops. also if you just HAVE to own that certain book, watch for your public library’s book sale. Amazing what you can find there.

In the days when Wise Women were respected rather than feared, before the days of the Witchfinders, those ladies didnt have shops to go to to buy “necessary” equipment. They used whatever was to hand and their minds and imagination. I sometimes wonder if all the “trappings and accessories” are doing us more harm than good and detracting from, rather than helping our path by taking our mind off of what is most important and making us focus on material objects.

Ha!

That’s totally one of the reasons I started reading more and more on Green/Hedge/Garden/Kitchen/Hearth witchery! I consider myself a Kitchen/Garden/Hearth Witch who is learning more about Hedge Witchcraft. Books to learn? Free from your local library. Absolutely MUST own them? Half Price Books!

Heck, you don’t even need the books to contact divinity! Most of my rituals have become spontaneous, touching a tree, smelling a rose, grinning at the fact my tomatoes are growing SO WELL!

That’s what’s so wonderful about what we do. We don’t NEED all of these fancy wands made of crystals and jewels. We can use a stick picked up on a walk, or, heck, even barring that, my finger works just as well.

There’s a saying, “Witches are Crafty people.” I’ve taken that to heart.

Wonderful suggestions and a good reminder to value what we have, whether we bought it, made it, or it was gifted to us. I read all the comments and saw a lot of suggestions for online book purchases.
I think it’s really important to support locally owned shops, and you can find great deals at used bookstores and the pagan shops in your area. Most have used books for sale, as well as Tarot decks. In addition, they may have information about individuals, like Sparrow or Airmid, or groups, who are happy to part with items they’re not using anymore.
By doing so, you’re also helping your community through “these tough economic times”.

One of THE first things my girls learn is what NOT to spend! One of my favorite excercises is to turn them loose in a dollar or other discount store with five bucks plus tax and see what they find that is relevant to our Craft. And by the way, wooden kitchen skewers are GREAT for inscribing candles and soaps.

When I started out, I bought a LOT of witchy items. I bought what I needed too and what I felt a strong connection to. I took them and took them home and before I knew it, I needed several baskets etc., to hold it all.
I cleansed and empowered everything to remove unwanted energies. What I have bonded with most is what I felt a connection to, like my small black iron cauldron, my bird head athame, pentacle and my goddess statue I made at a spiritual retreat workshop. Then I got interested in making my own tools. I enjoyed it and found it more effective. Even if I pay for the clay to paint or sculpt a pentagram, the process of creation is powerful.
I got a 16-inch branch from a beautiful apple tree. I painted it gold with glitter and inscribed symbols on the wand. I added ribbons, and glued a crystal to the point of the wand. It is beautiful. I meditated with my wand to blend with its energies and empower it. As I meditated, I saw a beautiful magical tree!!

The magic is within and I think also within our tools. We have to quiet our minds and open our hearts to recognize the magic.

I am just getting into studying Wiccan/Paganism and Im surprised to see how many practitioners are actually using nature based items. From earlier readings, all the rituals ive seen have been done with all things dealing with nature, being in the new world with all our options, some parts of practicing should never change, and the message should be conveyed that u have to keep it this way to stay close to the original ways.

I will be keeping up with all my readings to come back and check for newer posts and new info anyone has to offer

I actually got most of my books from http://www.paperbackswap.com. Someone had given me a bag full of Harlequin romances and I started by listing them….anyway you post like 9 books and get three credits right away. Then as someone orders your books from you, you get another credit, and you pay only for the postage to mail that book to them. And you get to order books you want with the credits you earn. And I mean I have gotten big name Pagan books, Scott Cunningham, Starhawk, Deborah Blake….good stuff!!! Were it not for this site and useed book stores, I’d have no library whatsoever!!

The Library is an awesome way to ‘Rent’ Books. The Dollar store is also awesome. I would buy a very nice notebook from the dollar store and take out a book from the library and when I find something that in particularly useful to my spiritual journey I write it in the book. That way it is in my writing and I am all that closer to it. Then I can give the book back and know that some other penny-wise pagan can share in my bounty.

Also you never know when the universe will give you a gift. Thing just happen to appear in my life and when I find a particularly magical item I will thank you universe and put it on my altar. I love my altar…

The best thing you will find you already own. So clean out your attic, old family heirlooms make the perfect things to help with your rituals because they are tied to you by blood. I recently helped my friend create a sacred space in her room using nothing more then what she had already there. I just feng-shuied it around. She had a beautiful dresser that belonged to her maternal grandmother and the corner of the dresser made the perfect altar. Everything was situated perfectly and she now has the spirits of the women in her family watching her (they already were, I know, but now it is apparent…and nicer).

Everything is what you make of it. I love being the Queen of CHEAP!

First as a single mother and a wiccan, i have been frugal from the start. You can sometimes find books in your local library. That’s how i started. there were over 25 books in Gwinnett county library. i check out , wrote, and copy everything i found of interest. Also, go to use book stores. In Atlanta metro they have pretty good selection at pagan on a budget prices.

I love thrift shopping! I found my besom at the local Salvation Army shop, got it for less than a dollar.
I work at a fabric department and have collected fabric to use for my alter, which is the top of my dresser. The top drawer of my dresser is devoted to my ritual items and makes things easily accessible.
I’m always on the look out for items that feel right.
I recently started shopping at Llewellyn and bought my herbal almanac and moon almanac for just a couple dollars because I bought it mid-year.
I’ve had friends give me boxes of misc things they got at yard sales because I craft, now I have a box of candles in my closet that I plan to remelt because they’ve been used or beaten up.
My current project is to make my candle holders out of clay. Their is so much out there that can be used without spending a lot of money. The flowers on my alter are dried roses from Mother’s Day, set in a vase from the dollar store.
I feel that the gift of those flowers is great and adds to the energy of my rituals.

I am a single mother and wiccan, so i have been doing the budget thing the whole time. First, check out your local library. In Gwinnett county, georgia there was a big selection and i checked out everyone of those books and copied and wrote everything i found of interest. I go to use book stores and have found they have a good selection of pagan, wiccan books. Now it could be that I live in the Atlanta metro area which has many groups, so there is more openess. But you could also get free catalogs and subscribed to email of new age stores. they send emails when thet are having sales. Last, in my coven we can buy our tools and ritual clothes (but we have to make them ours), so sewing or making your own clothes or tools is allowed and advised if you have the time and ability. It also has your energy in it.

Wonderful comments from everyone! Thanks

I’d like to share the stories of two of my favorite magickal items. One, a grapevine pentacle that my aunt made form grape vines. It cost her only time, and it resonates with love and caring. The other is my broom. I rescued it out of my grandmother’s trash. (Really!) I tied on some items to personalize it, a gum tree seed pod for earth, a feather for air, a spiral shell for water, and a burned out light bulb I found for fire. (What can I say, I’m a technopagan. hehehe) The only parts I spent money on were the string to tie the items on with (Would you believe I was out of string?), the beads to decorate the string, and the feather. (I found a bag of guinea hen feathers on clearance at the craft store)

Let the Gods inspire your imagination when looking for tools. If you let them, they’ll lead you to things that somehow fit perfectly into your budget, but which just “feel right”.

Ultimately, it’s more about what’s in your heart than what tools you have.

The beauty of your sentiments once again reflects the Divine within you.

I have been searching for a job for two years without success, so far. My wife and I have started Wiccan classes and instead of spending alot of money on books, we are searching used book stores and internet sites that sell used books. We have found lots of books for a fraction of their original price and that includes some new books at used book stores at discounted prices.

We have also searched garage sales and several charities that sell donated items at their stores. I found a small, metal candle stick holder for $1 and many similar items.

We are also making alot of our own tools. We have gone to the city park and found some nice fallen branches and we intend to make our own wands out of them. Mother Nature will be providing us our wands free of costs instead of paying at least $30 at some store. My wife went to a rock shop and bought some inexpensive crystals to adorn her wand with.

You are right Patti, it doesn’t have to be expensive. Blessed Be!

My most memorable Oestara celebration was on a beach using whatever came to hand. Driftwood, feathers, and shells, with the four elements surrounding me – the dunes, the ocean, the sun, the wind. I had stuck a candle into the sand but the wind wouldn’t allow it to burn and I didn’t need it. As the sun came up I celebrated the day of perfect balance and the beginning of the season of growth with joy. I keep a small piece of the driftwood on my altar as a reminder that the objects in ritual are mostly for my benefit – the deity doesn’t need them.

Magic and power is in your soul. Materials goods are not what impress the Gods, it is what we truly believe in our hearts. A 25 cent candle and strong belief can bring about as much magic as any fancy laid out altar can.

I’ve found perfectly good tools from things I’ve found in my very own kitchen. Why buy a brand new fancy ritual knife when I can use one of the plain old ones in my kitchen? When I need something to represent Earth I have plenty of spices there that all grew from the Earth and the dirt in my back yard is always free. Not to mention all the plants that grow back there. I’ve also been practicing for a few years now and just recently bought my first pentacle and it was a cheap Spencer’s Gifts version that is likely to turn my skin green eventually. Tools can often be things we will already find present in our environment if we even need them at all.

I want to add that I found several of my altar items in the thrift stores, including books. Both my brass candle holders were 50 cents each (they don’t match but who cares). My wand is from a branch fallen from Mr. Oak, the 60 year old oak in my front yard. I made my pentacle as well. Mother Nature has provided me with some nice items as well. A feather from a mockingbird, shells from the beach and periodically ferns from the garden to adorn the altar which has a homemade altar cloth. These are personal irtems charged with my power, my magic.

This is a subject near and dear to my heart! I just had a new book come out from Llewellyn that is dedicated to answering this question: WITCHCRAFT ON A SHOESTRING.

It has inexpensive crafts and feast food recipies, suggestions for ways to practice for free, a list of cheap substitutions, and more. I’m hoping it will help everyone who struggles with this issue!

your article struck home. I am currently unemployed and with money being tight, I use the library. I don’t know how it works in other states but in Delaware the library makes up for alot. They have computer use, free of charge, copying services, for a small fee, and free use of the books. They may not have the latest books on paganism but there are books there and the library will try to get you what you are looking for.
If you are short on cash make your own stuff, a stick will work for wand, and I’m sure that if you think and look hard enough you will find other things that you already have that will work just as well as the expensive stuff you can buy. The Mother and Her Consort will bless and love you regardless of how much money you have.

I can relate to this article. I have recently become Wiccan and have reached the point in my studies and path to buy my tools for rituals. I did just get a good deal on a altar set but that still was missing a couple items. I realize Wicca is not about what fancy tools you use but in all of the books I’ve read they really talk about how much the tools improve your spells, etc. and it is very frustrating for people starting with nothing. Luckily my main tool is my body, spirit and mind. I feel like I can pray to the Divine for help with money or something else than doing a spell for it if need be.

I had moments when I first began practicing when I felt the need to buy a bunch of stuff, too, but perhaps due to lack of funds, I came to the conclusion that since ours is a nature-based religion, what better way to celebrate and practice our faith than by using what the Earth gives us? All the tools out there are just that- tools. The real power comes from yourself and the earth. You can cast a circle using the power of your mind. You could always find an interesting stick or pretty piece of driftwood to use as a wand, or your finger in a pinch. As an avid crocheter, one of my favorite protection spells is one in which I fill a bottle with extra bits of yarn from leftover projects. I feel that it gets a little extra power because it not only receives the energy from my spellwork, but also from my mundane crafting. I feel that by going out into the world around me and finding things that are meaningful to me, personally, makes practicing my faith that much more meaningful and personally satisfying. That being said, I will admit that I am a total sucker for gemstones and crystals, and I have a serious weakness of adding to my collection.

My best and most favorite spells have been the spur-of-the-moment kind (ones where I really needed something). They’re never planned and I usually go to the park in my neighborhood to perform them. I use the stream flowing through the park, the rocks and twigs and leaves that I find, and I climb to the highest point in the park to use the wind. No money spent and I get to spend time outside, which I don’t get to do as much as I’d like.
For rituals, I keep them simple (I tend to lose focus when they’re too complicated and then they’re not as lovely). I love, love, love books and so sometimes my circles are built with my favorite books instead of candles or stones. I like that it blends my everyday joys with my spiritual joys. Also, I don’t have a pentacle (just haven’t found one that I love yet) and so I draw it on paper or make one with some ribbon or small stones. This has been kind of nice to do because then I can focus my intention into each line of the pentacle as I make it. For the wine and cakes portion of a ritual, sometimes I just use water and crackers or whatever simple grain-based snack I have. I like using water because its natural, and really, what is better than water when you need to feel more refreshed and alive?
A lot of what I do is free-flowing and organic. I plan so much of the rest of my day that magick and rituals are my time to be less organized and structured – and it makes all the difference in the world for me. Because most of what I do is unplanned, I use whatever I have on hand or can find outside. I’ve found that it’s not the tools that I use but my thoughts and intentions behind them that really matter.

It’s funny I should find myself here on this page, I have been doing just this. Also-leading up to my journey I realized that I have been collecting all of my items all these years, that never made sense-till I put them all together on my altar. Blessed be

the one and only thing you need….is you and intent thats all. i was homeless living in my car, with my 2 cats and a load of furniture on the roof of my station wagon.(litter box on floor of front seat).

it was the full moon and i felt desolate. i found a small area in the grand utah area, where i had a nice patch of grass. i lay there and moon bathed. afterwards i felt as if my body was light as air. i took that to mean my “style” was rewarding!

The best kind of magical wand is the kind yhat u find in the woods. Take a walk som day and see what you can find. My first wand i found in my own backyard. I stripped it down and took a wood burning rod and made it my own. Those things that you put a little of yourself into will serve you better than those you buy in the stores.

i also have heard this from others and i tell them to improvise for a cauldron use a metal pot use books from family and friends and even the library. candles are cheap grow herbs that is what being a witch is. its a religion away of life. IMPROVISE!

Why not be crafty and make your own tools and there are a lot of good sites out there that offer ebooks you can make a wand from a fallen branch of a tree and an athame can be made from a branch as well no need to buy things for tools and as for herbs grow your own and Patti has some good advice for makeing your own insense as well

Things people all ready have are often over looked. AS a teen I had to be able to hide the fact I had a alter from my parents. It consisted of a water glass I took from the shelf a steak knife and a alter plate I made out of cardboard from a shoe box. The majik is from the Witch not the retailer Your energy is what makes a item not the $ amount. It was as afective as the alter I have now. All my pritty things have been colected over years one item at a time.

Just hang in their if you are broke, I’ve been their Life will get better! Two years ago I han an accident on my ATV
the breaks went out and ended up with it on top of me!
Broke four ribs and just about lost my left eye, and no health care no money no place to live at all! With prayer and magic and the help/ advise of a friend, I healed and crafted my way out of distress. I crafted things out of wood
from good Mother Earth. You can make wands, walking stiks,earrings just by cutting the wood in different shapes and sizes. Also you can pick stones and carve them, also the wood.You can make wreaths out of vines ,acorns & pine cones. So use you imagination, don’t just sit their and feel sorry for your self, even if you are incapacitated you can still do things with your mind and hands, feet whatever!You can take care of you, The best!

Kitchen Witches will survive anything, Yay!!! Everythng you can think of in in your kitchen or in your yard (or park). Everybody has the Perfect wand. One that cannot be lost or stolen. You can make it as pretty as you want and carry it out in the open, because it is you Index Finger. Ok it was the first wand I used and works great. Haven’t lost it like I did my engagment ring (big oops).

Libraries are great, but if you live in the bible belt you have to learn to read inbetween the lines. Teen fiction is a funny place to find a Witches 101 book but thats where I saw one!!! And the history, craft,cooking and native american sections. Go figure!?! Half Price Books is the best store and the clearance section gets changed out every Monday. Ok, BookWitch alert can be put here!!! Even if you don’t speak spanish go check out an yerberia, just take a dictionary. And my grandmothers always had a farmers almanac around, bunches of info you just got to read it and sift it out. Instead of a cyrstal ball (which I never could read anyway) try a large glass mixing bowl filled with water with a few drops of India Ink for scrying. Works great.

The only thing I do not cut corners on are my cards. My favorite deck I have had for 17 years. Worth the investment. All Witches will have the one “thing” not to cut corners on. For me it is cards. I can scry on a tv that is turned off but I have to hold and “tune in to” my cards.

Now if Verizon can come up with broadband that works in far out cow fields all would be perfect. Ok so I live in the Boonnies and cannot upload anything. But I have a Beautiful Garden!!!

I know when I need/want books for any reason a great resource is Alibris.com. they have new and used books for really great prices. It’s very worth checking out. As for materials…you don’t need them but if you want them get creative. Yard sales, clearance sales and such are worth checking out. Just keep your eyes out for anything that would work for what you need. As with any budget issue you always need to remember to get creative so you can get the comforts you have always enjoyed.

Hey, ok there’s a lot of advice already, just wanted to add my bit – all my cloths are sewn by hand, my husband made my athame and it’s awesome he drilled some holes on the handle and I picked out my own crystals to put on it so it’s charged with MY spiritual path and not randomly picked crystals from manufacturers. I’m still working on my wand though, but I’ll have it soon

I personally love working with polymer clay. You can get a one-pound brick of Sculpey for under $6 at walmart. With some creativity, you can make anything: a pentacle, candle holders, an incense burner. I am sure you could even make a wand or an athame out of it if you really wanted to. It’s easy to fire, because its oven bake clay. Then you can paint them whatever colors you want. I made my own God and Goddess statues out of this type of clay and I love them. With a lot creativity and a little money, the possibilities are endless!

I looove your name lol. The clay is an excellent idea. as soon as I get some extra money I’m going to buy some and make my goddess statue. Thanks for the tip!

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