Making Magic On A Budget

More and more people are starting to get interested in magic and witchcraft, and it can be really overwhelming when you get started. It doesn't HAVE to break the bank to stock your witchy cabinets. Here are some great ways to make magic with the help of your local dollar store.

For the purposes of this article I have looked at Dollar General, Dollar Tree and my local grocery store. Take a few minutes to check out the stores in your area.

1. Candles and candle holders

Candles, candles and more candles! I was able to find a ton of options in all three stores. The dollar trees have an extensive selection of smaller pillar candles, tapers and best of all- TEALIGHTS! Tealights are great to use for spells, as they typically will last as long as you are doing the workings. I was also able to find a lot of candle holders and glass containers in this same section that are really affordable. 

Another great find has been seven day candles. Being here in the Bible Belt/largely hispanic area maybe it is easier to find them here, but I imagine that if you look you can find at least a couple of them. My local grocery store not only has a selection of saints like the picture above, but they also have a number of unlabeled candles in a variety of colors. 

Dollar Tree now appears to carry some Chakra candles - they seem really good about being "on trend" and you can find some cool things if you check back periodically.

2. Scented oils

In the dollar stores you can usually find a handful of scents, but I really hit the jackpot at Walmart in their candle section. You can use the oils for dressing statues, stones and candles. It is important to not use these oils on your skin, or to make sure that any essential oils you find are marked as skin safe.

3. Stones

Now you aren't going to find a lot of tumbled gemstone type rocks in the dollar store, but you can usually find a good selection of river rocks and tumbled glass stones in the area around the artificial flowers. They are great for altars, vases, etc... but my favorite use for them is for rune stones. And if you look in the arts and crafts section of Dollar Tree in particular you can find fine tip paint or chalk markers in a variety of colors (including metallics) for writing on them.

4. Seasonal Items

This is my favorite way to add in some fantastic additions to your witchy box of goodies. Around Christmas I frequently find bells, around easter you can find rabbits and cupids for Imbolc or Ostara. Pumpkins make an appearance for Halloween and can be repurposed for Samhain. It is really a wonderful way to add some unique items and not break the bank.

5. Matches and Lighters

With all those candles that you bought you are going to need a way to light them. I don't know about you, but when I buy lighters they seem to sprout legs and walk away. You can find a nice variety of small and large option. I really like the long ones that are made to light grills with, especially the ones where the wand is a bit flexible

6. Herbs and Sea Salt

The selection at the dollar stores is usually a bit small, but you can usually find things like basil, oregeno and pepper. Be sure to check your grocery store too though - mine has the "store brand" large containers of spices and herbs that are usually under $4 

You can also find larger containers of sea salt in the same general area of the grocery store - as well as epsom salts (usually around the bodywashes). Salt represents the earth, and is used in a lot of rituals and spells, but also in cleansing baths. Be sure to shop around a bit - but you can usually get a pretty good selection of most of the common herbs for pretty cheap.  You can leave them in their containers (especially if they are pretty glass ones) or you can find a jewelry organizer on websites like Amazon. They are the right size to hold a good amount of herbs, and they usually come with 20-30 slots.

7. Scrying mirrors

I can hear you now - scrying mirrors? Yep, if you are willing to be a bit creative about what you use. Usually in the candle section there are something called candle mirrors that you set a pillar candle on. These are a nice size, come in a couple shapes usually and if it breaks (hopefully not!) it isn't a fortune to replace. One of my wholesale suppliers sells something similar for like $15 - so this is a much more budget friendly option. 

8. Journals for Grimoires or Book of Spells

I am always on the lookout for stationary options, and it seems like there is a particularly good selection around back to school time. I was able to find a really nice 5x7 leather bound hardcover lined journal at Family Dollar for under $5 and it is actually really nice paper too! I have seen ones with clasps, ones with decorative hardcovers, etc...

9. Assorted and Miscellaneous Finds 

Based on how you practice and your needs you can find some pretty inventive ways to use items you find at the dollar store. 

Both of the finds above come from the arts and crafts aisle. The unfinished boxes come in different sizes and can hold portable altars, trinkets or even tarot cards. And you can decorate them however you want to make them truly unique and yours. 

My favorite recent find is these little glass bottles though! They are perfect for spell jars, can be sealed with candle wax and are surprisingly sturdy. I am looking forward to creating some spell jars this year - but you can also use something like this to package herbs, oils, etc for when you need some portability or want to sell supplies. 

Now for the over 21 crowd....

Have you ever really wanted to create a perfume or spray from a fragrance? I don't just use this in my witchy endeavors, but day to day as well. I LOVE the scent of Victoria Secret Love Spell, but it can be really expensive. I get a little container of fragrance dupe from Brambleberry.com (you can buy trial sizes for a buck or two usually), and sometimes even carrier oils to make massage oils. But here is where the over 21 part comes in. Hit up your local liquor store and pick up Importers Vodka. It is absolute garbage to drink, but for perfume it evaporates off the skin quickly, leaving just fragrance behind - and you can buy a really big bottle for like $10! 

I would love to hear if you think that I missed out on something, or if you have found a really great option somewhere feel free to share it with us!