It is so easy to blow all of your hard-earned money on all thing’s witchcraft. There are books, candles, divination items, crystals, jars (all the jars!), and the witchy aesthetic alone can drain our bank accounts in no time! But it does not have to be that way. Sure, having all of the fancy stuff would be nice, but witchcraft isn’t about how fancy your items are. It is about how you use these items to make your spell workings come to fruition. Everything you need to get started on your witchcraft journey can be done on a budget.
Cheapest places to buy witchcraft items
Finding the right items, you need to start your journey can be an adventure. Some items are easier to find than others. Just remember that persistence prevails!
Dollar Tree
Of course! We all saw this one coming. Dollar Tree is one of the cheapest places to buy witchcraft items on a budget (I did hear that some Dollar Tree stores are upping their prices to $1.75). If your store is still $1.25, then this is a great place to start.
Take advantage of the seasons. The dollar store is a great place to get items around Halloween time.
Thrift Stores
I love a good thrift store. You can find some great items if you know what you are looking for. For some items, a thrift store could even be cheaper than the dollar store. I have seen candles and candle holders for .99 at thrift stores.
Don’t forget to check the kitchen section. You can always find good items there like a bowl if you cannot afford a cauldron, or a small plate to set an offering out onto your altar. Speaking of altars, check out the furniture at your local thrift stores. you can find great deals on potential altar spaces. However, the cheapest altar space is space you can already make in your home without adding any new furniture.
What witchcraft items can I buy on a budget?
You can buy almost any witchcraft item even with a tight budget. The goal is not about having the perfect everything. It is about having items that are functional for what it is you are trying to accomplish. This allows you to start your practices and not break the bank in doing so.
Altar/ Altar Space
The cheapest way to accomplish this is by converting a space you already have in your home. A cabinet that is not being used, a small table, a shelf on a bookcase, top of your dresser. Don’t have any spaces like this open? Look around your home. Check out areas like the ones I mentioned above and see the future potential.
Do you have a cabinet that is full of random things that you forgot you had? Clear out the cabinet and transform it into your new altar space. Is there a shelf hanging on your wall full of dusty knickknacks? Take those knickknacks down, dust off the shelf and make that into your new altar space. Think outside of the box. Your altar does not have to be this big, massive set up.
Altar Cloths
There are many cheap options for an altar cloth. You can use a bandana, cloth napkin, or placemats which can all be found at the dollar store. The point of an altar cloth is to protect your altar space from ash, candle wax, water, food, etc. So, spending a lot of money on something that is going to get put through the ringer overtime.
Bell/ Witch’s Bell
This item can be hit or miss. I have seen colorful bells at the dollar store, but that might not be at every location, and the color choices may not be for everyone. The thrift store would be the place to check out. Whenever you are there, just look around and you may be able to find a nice brass or silver one. Again though, this is a hit or miss item.
Besom/ Brooms
If you are a crafty person, making this item at home will by far be the cheapest, and is recommended. Making a witchcraft item (especially with natural materials) takes on the energy that you put into it. Making it more in tuned with you.
Not crafty? No worries! During the fall season, the dollar store carries small cinnamon scented brooms that you can use. But if it is currently not fall and you are looking for something for more immediate use, a small broom (the kind with a dustpan) or a paintbrush could also work.
Candles/ Candleholders
I always go to the dollar store for my candles. They come in many colors and lots of different sizes. The pilar candles are my favorite. The dollar store also carries candleholders on various shapes and sizes.
If you are looking to maybe save .25-.50 cents you could always check the thrift store instead of the dollar store. It is not always guaranteed, location and business of the store plays a factor. But it is a way to save a little bit more. And these days, every little bit counts!
Books
Books are something that can be found in many places and depending on the book, go for different prices. The cheapest place to start looking is your local library. I know! You would never think to check there for books about witchcraft, but you may be surprised in what you find. I have found some in the religious section. Options are limited don’t get me wrong, but something is better than nothing.
Another way you can get books cheap is through Audible, if you already have an account. Every month you receive a new credit that you can use on any book they have listed in their library. They also have a ton of free books you can download and listen to. I have at least 15 books saved on my “want to read” (listen) list.
If those are options that will not work for you, secondhand bookstores may be your best bet to finding books on the cheap. And if all else fails, do your research on book titles you are interested in and shop around online for some cheaper reads. I know there are some books that are around $10. So, if you are able to save up enough to get a couple books to get free shipping, this route may be the best for you.
Book of Shadows (BOS)
Every witch needs a BOS. But those aesthetically pleasing journals can be so expensive and if you purchase one, it can be so intimidating to begin writing in it. I had bought one and I still have not written in it. Getting a fancy book is not something I recommend for beginners.
Notebooks are a great start for a beginner BOS. They are super cheap and can be found at the dollar store. You may even find them cheaper than that at Walmart during back-to-school time. As you progress in your witchcraft journey, you may outgrow your BOS and have multiple notebooks.
Binders and loose paper are by far my favorite way to keep a BOS. The biggest perk is that it grows with you without having to have multiple notebooks. A cheap 1″ binder will go a very long way. And if you begin to outgrow that binder, you can upgrade your binder and move everything over from your old binder and into your new binder. There is a lot of information with witchcraft, and your journey will be constantly changing. Using the binder method you can add more pages, take away pages you no longer need, and it gives you the option to move your pages around and organize them. Also, don’t forget that you can 3-hole punch printed out pages for your BOS as well.
Cauldron
The cauldron is one of those more expensive items. Coming in many sizes with price ranges of $30- $1000. Some may even cost more than that. I am here to tell you that you do not have to pay an arm and a leg for a cauldron. I know it is aesthetically pleasing and it screams witchy, but for what you use a cauldron for, you can easily use a fire safe bowl in its place. Does not have to be anything fancy. Although, I bet you could find a nice fancy bowl that is still cheaper than a cauldron. Or to keep it on the free side, just using a bowl you already own. If you plan on burning incense and spell papers in it, maybe stay away from a bowl you actually use and go for one you never use.
Chalice
A chalice is just a type of cup and that makes this probably the easiest witchcraft item to get on a budget. Take a look in your kitchen cabinets. Any glasses in there that are shoved in the back gathering dust? A lonely wine glass that never gets used. You can use any cup as a chalice. The point of the chalice is to hold liquid you may wish to use in ritual or offerings. It does not matter what it looks like. It is all about functionality.
Crystals
Crystals have a vast price range. Starting at a couple dollars and moving well into the thousands. Price is usually based not only on size but on type as well. When looking for crystals, research the types of crystals you are looking for. Some crystal types can cost more than others. This is not something you can find at your local dollar store. Online search will be the best bet for most. If you have a metaphysical shop in your area, I highly recommend checking them out. And it is never a bad thing to help support local businesses.
Incense
Here is a witchcraft item that is cheap everywhere and completely budget friendly. Dollar store, Walmart, 5-Below, metaphysical shops are all place you can get cheap incense. Buy them individually or in a box. Some local shops may even have bulk deals.
Incense holders can run for a couple dollars at Walmart or Target, but I have found some that work for stick incense at the dollar store. If you buy cone incense, a fire safe plate will work perfect.
Matches/ Lighter
I so wish the dollar store carried the long stick matches. However, they do carry the regular size matches. And they come in a decent sized pack. Since the dollar store does not carry the long stick matches, they do carry the BBQ lighter. These lighters are perfect if you have pilar candles that are burned down low. No need to burn yourself anymore!
Wand
If you desire to have a wand, time to take a little walk. Keep your eyes open and look around to find the perfect stick. Thats it! Super simple and super cheap. Doing it this way allows you to get creative. Maybe shave off the bark, make some wicked carvings, or wire wrap a crystal to the end.
Not the creative type? Metaphysical shops may carry wands that you can purchase. I am not 100% sure on all prices of wands in different areas. In my area, they can range from $20-$50. If that is not something you are interested in checking out or do not have a metaphysical store near you, Etsy is another great option.
You can always find ways to do your witchcraft on a budget. Sometimes it takes a little bit of thinking outside of the box and getting a little creative. That is one of the fun aspects of witchcraft. You do not have to have all of the fancy items and you do not have to spend your whole paycheck for any of it either. That being said, you always have the option to upgrade your items later.
It is best to start off as cheap as possible because you may buy an item that you never use. No need to waste a bunch of money on something you are never going to incorporate into your craft. I know how tempting it is to want to buy all of the fancy and aesthetically pleasing things, but if you are on a tight budget, I hope this list of witchcraft items helps you in your journey.