3 Things I've Spent the Most Money on as a Witch (+ tips on how you can save $!)

May 12

I am a firm believer that witchcraft and magick doesn't need to cost any money. You don't NEED any elaborate tools, pricy crystals or a huge leatherbound grimoire. In fact, I often discourage it! Because the source is you, it's good to learn how to harness your own power and source from nature. This is so you can practice without feeling like you're *relying* on that gorgeous athame you got from the occult shop - in the event it breaks or you need to practice somewhere without it. That said, I have acquired a few things over the years. What can I say? I have a goblin crow brain. I see pretty shiny things and I need to have them. But here is an honest list of things I've spent the most money on over the years and how to save a little along the way.

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Candles:

I try to keep a good stock of candles on hand. My storage sometimes looks like a candle warehouse! But hey, they double as disaster-preparedness in the event of blackouts AND you can get large amounts for pretty cheap! IKEA and Amazon are good options for bulk stock. You can usually find cheap single candles (tealights and 7-Day candles are most common) at just about every grocery store, dollar store or stores like Target.

Can't do actual candles? Because I have asthma, sometimes flames/fumes/smoke are just not an option for me. I also have invested in some flameless candles and rechargeable batteries. I can't dress them or wait until they "burn down," but they are great replacements to represent fire. Or just to create the right room vibe and energy!

Books

Apparently I'm a witch book hoarder. The ones I've liked, the ones I haven't liked, I've kept almost all of them. They take up a whole bookshelf on their own in my space! The absolute cheapest way to save in this department is to see if you can find books at the library. This could also be considered "how to save space" as well as money if you have limited storage! I've found a lot of books on apps like Overdrive and Hoopla to borrow as an e-book and/or audiobook. Physical copies may even be at your local library! The downside is you don't have it on hand as a reference after it's return due date. I have written down a lot of notes on things I want to remember later.

If you decide you want to own a book and don't want to pay full price, try to find it used! I've never minded if there's a little wear on the corners or a bent page or two. I've found a lot of used copies on Amazon. Look for the "Save with Used - [Item Condition Description]" button. It will be under the "Buy New" button if there's a used one available! I've also bought secondhand books from Depop, local used bookstores and library book sales! Below are a few of my favorite, most recommended starter books:

Divination tools (tarot decks, runes, pendulums)

I'm not really a crystal hoarder (most have been gifted to me over years), I don't have a variety of athames, I don't even have a wand at the moment! But I DO have a small collection of divination tools. I have multiple tarot decks, one oracle deck, two sets of runes and two pendulums. That may not seem like a lot to some of you! I've definitely spent less on them than books. But, given that many of these tools cost a pretty penny and I've managed to gather a small collection, I'd say that's probably the next thing on my list.

The best way to save here is to be reserved with your divination tool(s) of choice. I don't follow the rule that tarot decks have to be gifted to you by an elder in the craft, I've purchased almost all of them on my own. I DO believe that the right deck will call to you. Of all my decks, I've only had one strong, magickal draw to pick up a deck in a shop and to this day it is still the only one I actually use. Occasionally I'll pick up one of the others, but I really only bought them because I thought they were pretty/cool and got it full-well knowing that it would likely sit on my shelf the majority of the time. Here are some of my favorite starter decks:

You may only actually feel drawn to one tarot or oracle deck, or not be interested in cards at all and instead feel a call to runes or crystal balls or black mirrors! The good news if you're really on a budget there are many ways that you can easily create your own until you've scraped up the money to buy that gorgeous crystal ball or rune set you've had your eye on. Maybe you'll even be more connected to it and prefer it! Here are some alternative divination tools you can look into that could be super cheap or even free depending on what you have access to on hand:

Scrying

Black Mirrors: Black mirrors are shockingly easy to make, all you need is a picture frame and black paint! I've got a whole video on this here to show how I made mine: click here!
Water Scrying: this is a decent alternative to crystal balls and black mirrors. All you need is a dark vessel, like a bowl or mug, to put water into and then you scry on the reflective surface. If you don't have a dark enough vessel to get that reflective glossy surface, you could instead use a dark liquid like red wine or coffee.
Fire scrying: all you need is a candle! You can gaze into the candle through the reflective surface of black mirrors or a reflective liquid surface like the two methods above, but you can also just simply use a candle on it's own!

Throwing

Bone throwing: this method involves gathering a collection of items - they do not actually have to be bones. You could gather a variety of sticks, trinkets, rocks, shells.... whatever you feel drawn to. Some methods use the same item and reads whether or not the bones cross. Other methods involve having variety so each item reflects a different theme or aspect of your life.
Runes: DIY runes can be created by collecting rocks, shells, bones, or crafting them out of clay and painting or drawing the runes on them!

Pendulums

You can make your own pendulum by just using a necklace in it's place or crafting your own special pendulum with string/chain and whatever charm, crystal or trinket you want as the pendulum. It works best with something pendulum-shaped, but I've used a locket necklace with no modification before.

For more ideas on how to save money in your craft, check out my Free/Cheap Supplies resource page!

What have you spend the most money on in your practice?