The Essential Witchcraft Tools You Actually Need (And How to Get Them Cheap)

Look, I get it. When you start scrolling through witchcraft content online, it feels like you need a $200 athame and some museum-quality cauldron to call yourself a real witch. But here's the truth: you don't.

I'm Sandra, and I've been practising witchcraft for over 35 years. I'm the author of Crafting Your Wicked Path, and I help people awaken their inner witch, enabling them to practice the craft with confidence and clarity. Today, I want to show you what the "essential" witchcraft tools actually are (and yes, those quote marks are intentional), what we use them for, and how you can get them without emptying your bank account.

The Real Truth About Magical Tools

Here's something I wish someone had told me when I started: your tools don't have power until YOU give them power.

When I first began my witchcraft journey, I couldn't afford fancy magical tools. I hit up secondhand stores and got creative, turning ordinary objects into magical implements. It took years before I could afford better quality versions, but guess what? Those old tools I started with were just as powerful because of the energy I put into them.

Your tools are there to conduct energy and help you project it, but they're empty vessels until you work with them. When you use your tools regularly, they start absorbing your energy and your way of working. They develop their own energy over time, but only because you've been charging them up through use.

The bottom line? You're the power source. You don't actually need any of these tools to practice witchcraft successfully.

The 6 Essential Witchcraft Tools

1. The Wand

My first wand was literally a stick I found on the ground. I wrapped some leather bonding around it, and I used that wand for many, many years. I only got this fancy one I have now back in 2019.

What we use wands for:

• Invoking the god and goddess
• Projecting energy in a specific direction
• Charging talismans
• Empowering spells

Wands are usually made from wood, traditionally European trees, but you can use any local wood. Different trees have different magical energies, so the type of wood does matter a bit. It'll add a subtle flavour to your wand's energy.

In my tradition, the wand is associated with the element of fire, though some other magical traditions link it to air instead.

2. The Athame

The athame is basically a dagger, and we use it to cut through energy. It's perfect for creating circles and drawing pentagrams at the quarters when setting up your magical space.

Here's the key thing: the athame doesn't cut anything physical except energy. I sometimes use mine to tear paper during banishing spells, and if you're a kitchen witch, you might use yours to chop ingredients. But from a traditional Wiccan perspective, the athame is purely for energy work, banishing, and defining magical boundaries.

My first athame? A simple kitchen knife that I decorated myself. It wasn't double-edged like a traditional athame, but it worked perfectly. I used that for about 18 months before upgrading to a letter opener shaped like a replica of Excalibur, which I used for years.

In my tradition, the athame is associated with air, though other traditions connect it to fire.

3. The Cup

The cup represents the goddess, the womb, and the element of water. We use it for libations, drinking, and sharing during group rituals like cakes and ale in a Wiccan circle.

The cup I'm holding right now? I've used this since the very beginning. I got it from a secondhand store for about $2. I cleansed it thoroughly and it's been my magical cup ever since. I do have a fancier silver-looking cup, but honestly, it just sits as decoration in my lounge room. This simple ceramic one is my workhorse.

Your cup doesn't need to cost hundreds of dollars. It doesn't need to be silver. It just needs to feel right to you.

4. The Pentacle

This pentacle I use is from a coaster set. I've been using it for a very, very long time.

The pentacle is associated with the element of earth, and we use it to place objects on during spellwork. If you're creating a talisman, you'd put it on the pentacle to charge it up. It can also act as a shielding device against negative energy.

My very first pentacle? I drew it on paper and stuck that paper onto cardboard. I used that for about two years before switching to this coaster.

You can buy beautifully carved wooden or metal pentacles online if you want, but honestly, I'm pretty practical (probably the Virgo in me). I use what I find and what comes to me naturally.

5. The Cauldron

My cauldron is actually a South African camp oven that you'd find in camping stores. It's meant for cooking food outdoors.

I chose this size because I never found those tiny cauldrons in witchy shops particularly useful. Sure, small ones are fine for grinding herbs, burning incense, or petition magic. But I wanted something bigger for banishing spells and group work.

What I use my cauldron for:

• Burning petitions
• Holding candles with water for banishing spells
• Group rituals where everyone contributes something
• Holding flowers, magical stones, or other ritual items

Cauldrons are made of cast iron. If you want to prevent rust, cure yours with cooking oil before using it. And if it does get rusty, you can actually use that rust powder for black salt in your craft.

6. Crystals

I have two main crystal tools: a selenite wand and an obsidian ball.

Selenite is amazing for cleansing. It raises energy, helps you tune into higher consciousness, and clears away negative energy. I use it to cleanse and charge my other tools by running the selenite wand over and around them. It's also great for healing work.

Obsidian is perfect for scrying and deep shadow work. It has a reflective surface like a bowl of water, and its darkness helps you connect with your subconscious. Obsidian is known as the subconscious stone. It's protective but also takes you deep into your feelings.

If you're feeling sad, obsidian will take you down into that sadness so you can discover what's causing it. This is powerful for shadow work, but it can be intense if you're not ready for it. Obsidian helps you focus on what's keeping you stuck.

Where to Get Your Tools

Based on my experience, here are the best ways to find witchcraft tools on a budget:

• Secondhand stores: This is where I found my cup and other items
• Nature: Sticks for wands, interesting stones, etc.
• Your kitchen: Old knives can become athames
• Craft stores: Cheap coasters can be pentacles
• Camping stores: Cast-iron pots work as cauldrons
• Your own creativity: Paper, cardboard, and decoration can turn anything into a magical tool

Ready to Start Your Witchcraft Practice?

If you're feeling drawn to witchcraft but unsure where to begin, worried about doing it wrong, or concerned about offending spirits, I understand that uncertainty. It can leave you stuck and frustrated, stopping you from tapping into your inner witch.

I've created a free masterclass called "How to Start Your Witchcraft Practice" that shows you exactly where you're stuck and what you can do about it. It'll tell you where to start and how to pace yourself along the way. You can find it on my website at mysterywichschool.com.

For those ready to go deeper, my Mystery Witch School 101 Academy guides you step by step to build a deep, empowering witchcraft practice that connects you to the earth, the divine, and who you truly are: a powerful witch. You'll learn to step into your authentic self with confidence, clarity, and ease.

Remember: you don't need expensive tools to be a real witch. You just need intention, practice, and the willingness to start where you are with what you have.

If you found this helpful, share it with your friends who are interested in witchcraft. And remember, you are the magic.

Blessed be.

Magick is real, and you have the power to use it.

If you want to find out how to start your witchcraft practice watch How To Start Your Witchcraft Practice

This FREE Masterclass video shows you exactly where to start learning and what you need to do to practice modern witchcraft easily and safely. 

• Discover exactly what you need to learn to become a successful witch
• Uncover the exact steps you need to take to build your natural magickal gifts
• Overcome failure by knowing what you need to learn and when to learn it
• Confidently develop a practice that will connect you to your higher self, nature and the Goddess and God
• Become one of the few witches who maintain a consistent and fulfilling practice

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