Broke Witch

Are you a broke witch? Are you wondering how to practice your craft without spending all your money? It's actually pretty easy if you have the right mindset.

I'm sure we've all been scrolling through Instagram or Pinterest looking at all the cool subscription boxes, gorgeous crystals, handmade candles, besoms, herb bundles and other tools. It's all so beautiful and alluring. We want it. We convince ourselves we need it. Then if it's not in our budget, we start to feel bad because we can't have it. Negative thoughts begin to stir. We feel inadequate. We feel a sense of lack. And it drags our vibration down with it.

Well, kids, I've got news for you. You don't actually need any of that stuff to be a powerful witch. The crystals and candles and tools are lovely, but you don't need them. Here's why.

The magic is in you

The only thing you need to practice witchcraft is your mind. That's it. Absolutely no shopping list needed. You are channeling your own energy into manifesting your intention, so if you have a brain, lungs, and a heart, you can do spellwork.

The simple act of breathing deeply, planting your feet firmly on the ground, turning your face toward the sun, or drinking a glass of water is all you need to connect to the natural elements. Borrow energy from what is all around you every moment. Let your mind do the rest. If that's all you have access to, know that you are still just as powerful.

Where to find tools for free

If you're able, practice witchcraft outdoors in nature. It will automatically connect you to the energies present in the rocks, trees, soil, and wildlife that is all around you. And while you're there, show respect for the Earth by leaving the place cleaner than you found it.

Pick up rocks and shells from the ground

You can pick up rocks, shells, and feathers that you vibe with as you go about your life. These hold just as much energy as the crystals you'll buy from a shop. Add them to your altar and use them in your practice. Learn about what exists in your everyday environment, even if you live in an urban area. Once you open your eyes to it, you'll see magical tools everywhere.

Forage with respect

If you know a bit about your local flora, you can collect herbs and botanicals to use in your wtichcraft. You don't always have to spend a bunch of money at the witchy apothecary. Just make sure to forage with respect and not take more than you need. Ask the plant's permission, and leave a gift, like water, to thank the plant for sharing its energy with you.

Be aware that not all foraged plants will be safe for eating, especially if they're growing along a roadside. There may be unsafe chemicals present that would make them fine to put on your altar or rub into a candle, but probably not okay to brew into a tea. If you plan to ingest any wild foraged plants, work with a guide who has some experience first.

Grow your own

Even if you've just got a windowsill, there's probably at least one plant you could grow yourself and use in your witchcraft practice. Ask for a cutting from a friend, or grow something form grocery scraps. Even if you do have to buy a plant or seeds, you're still only paying once, and if you care for your plant properly, you'll be able to take advantage of its abundance again and again.

Save your garbage

Okay, this sounds gross, but a lot of things we might otherwise throw out can actually be reused in your witchcraft. Pretty much every spell jar that I've ever created for myself has gone into a reused glass jar that used to contain jam or honey or something. I would only buy a jar if I was giving it as a gift.

The same goes for sachets, mojo bags, poppets, or other sewn items. Use scraps of fabric from clothes that are worn out or don't fit but are too damaged to be donated.

As long as you clean it physically and energetically, lots of trash can actually be turned into magic.

Where to find tools for cheap

Okay, sometimes you may want to actually buy something for a spell. But you don't need to start spiraling because you can't afford the fancy candles or the high end botanicals.

Make your own

Sometimes crafting can be really expensive, but I have found that often, a bit of investment up front can actually save you money in the long run. Rather than spending £10 on a bottle of yoga mat spray, make your own. Rather than buying a fancy jar of body scrub, do it yourself. You don't need to pay someone to make your bath salts. You can totally do that on your own.

Slowly build up a collection of ingredients to make things yourself. Not only will it save you money, but you'll also be able to customize the ingredients to suit your specific intention for the spell.

Check the dollar store and thrift shops

If you find yourself with a spare five bucks, head into a thrift store/charity shop, or hit up the dollar store/pound shop. If you think creatively, you can walk away with a bunch of stuff to use in your practice. Candles are especially good to pick up here. Tea lights come in just about every color imaginable, so stock up when they're on sale. Keep an eye out around this time of year in the run up to Halloween for things that might be a bit more obviously witchy.

Use common kitchen ingredients

As a kitchen witch, you can probably guess that this is my favorite. I keep quite a few different dried herbs for cooking, and of course, I use them to amp up the magic of my food. But I also use those same kitchen herbs, spices, and oils to dress candles or burn as loose incense. No kitchen is ever without salt, and that could be a staple in your witchcraft practice. If you just look in your kitchen, I bet you already have a ton of things you need for your next spell.

If you have the money, and you want to go on a witchy shopping spree, you should absolutely do that. But if you're a broke witch, don't despair. Focus instead on what you do have and what you will create. Use what is available to you, and allow that energy of gratitude to turn you into a magnet for abundance.

---