Book of Shadows pt. 1

Tips and Tricks: How to start

First things first. Everyone's craft is their own. It is all subjective. There is no right or wrong way to practice your craft. It can be as simple or as elaborate as you want it to be. Whatever you can think of can be included, even your fandoms, things you have a strong connection to, even just a color or number.

for books, go download scribd at your play store and there you can find a ton of books about witchcraft, tarot cards and more.

-make your own tarot deck. I've seen cool ways people did it so far.

-cascarilla is a protection powder. Can be made out of eggshells and flour. I'll upload the instructions later or you can search them up.

~ Thrift stores often have tons of different colored candles tucked away in decoration sections

~ Dollar stores are your friend for all your incense and tea light candle needs!

~ If you are particularly crafty in making neat homemade witchy things, trading with other witches for the things you may need is another option

~ You'd be amazed by what nature can provide you! Keep an eye out for things while on road trips or forest hikes

Ultimately, remember that unless your specific path requires it, you don't necessarily need lots of objects and tools. Even candles could be substituted with in many situations.

However, I know tools and ingredients, even just candles and herbs, are really important to me, and symbolism/setting/props helps my magic along a lot. So beyond the "don't feel pressured to buy things you don't need" bit:

- If you do herb magic, don't worry about shelling out for fresh herbs or more uncommon herbs/plants if it's out of your budget. Do you have a decent array of herbs and spices in your kitchen cabinet? That's probably all you really need. Learn the properties of those herbs and spices, figure out where you can use them all. And if you really want or need specialty stuff, just save up here and there over time. I really like keeping lavender and rose on hand but they're pricier, so I replenish them when I have extra cash and use them sparingly in-between.

- Inexpensive birthday candles and school chalk from dollar stores (or elsewhere) can work just as well as fancier candles or specialty chalks.

- If you make potions, herb blends, or bottle/jar spells, reuse items for their storage. Tupperware or plastic baggies are fine and never let anyone tell you otherwise. Or save jars from your fridge and pantry. You can even use the association of the jar if you want - turn a jam jar into a sweetening spell, use a pickle or salsa jar for protection or cursing, etc.

- All that said, sometimes you just Want A Pretty Thing because it makes you feel nice and maybe helps your magic along re: Things That Make You Feel Witchy Even Just Aesthetically. For that, hit the thrift stores, and think outside the box. You can find basics (candles, candle holders, cups or glasses, small plates, etc.), storage options, pretty bottles and jars, cloths, and more. I used to keep my herbs willy-nilly in a drawer until I found a beautiful wooden chest originally meant for jewelry. It was ten bucks at the thrift store. Now its little drawers and cabinets house my herbs and plants. Highly, highly recommended.