Dollar Store Witchcraft

Witchcraft doesn't have to be expensive. In fact, many things you need you can make, grow, or buy cheaply at your local Dollar Store (Dollar Tree in my area). The trick is to know your way around your local Dollar Store and if the item is really worth the low price of a dollar.

For your convenience, I visited my local Dollar Tree and complied a list of 13 items you can pick up to use in your craft.

1. Candles & Candle Holder: There is an ever changing variety of candles you can pick up at the Dollar Tree. However, there are some staple candles they always have in stock. You can always find red and white taper candles, like those featured in the DIY Candle Wheel. There are also boxes and even bags of tea lights. I use tea lights all the time for spells as they burn quickly so I don't have to snuff them to finish a spell. They usually burn out by the time I am done. There are also a variety of candle holders so you needn't worry about what you will place your candles in when you get home.

2. Scented Oil & Oil Warms: The selection is usually small, but you can always find at least one or two scented oils and oil warmers.You can use the oils to anoint your candles, statues, or stones, or simply warm them in your oil warmer. I actually purchased a burner to burn my charcoal in and it works perfectly. DO NOT use these scented oils to anoint yourself. You will need anointing oil or essential oils safe for use on your skin for that.

3. Stones: Looking to make your own runes and don't have a local river or lake near by to collect some river rocks? Not to worry! You're local Dollar Store has plenty to choose from. Use them to make runes, place on your altar, fill vases, or create other witchy works of art.

4. Seasonal Items: The Dollar Tree always has a variety of flowers you can choose from no matter what the time of year, but around the holidays they stock a number of seasonal items you can use to adorn your altar. Figurines of cupids for Imbolc, rabbits for Ostara, suns and wind chimes for Beltane and Litha, wheat or corn for Mabon and Lammas, pumpkins for Samhain, and Yule trees and logs for Yule. They also stock up on seasonal foods and drinks you can use as offerings as well as seasonal floral decorations to place on your altar or around your home. Around Yule they have a number of bells you can choose from for ritual and spell work.

5. Matches & Lighters: A witch can never have too many matches and lighters. They range in size from small to long depending on your needs. It is always a good idea to have a mix, especially if you want to minimize your chances of getting burned!

6. Herbs: The Dollar Tree carries a small assortment of herbs and spices, but not all of them are a steal. Check your local grocery and compare prices. I've been able to purchase organic Basil on sale for cheaper than the Dollar Tree. However, they are generally cheaper here if you are not growing and drying them yourself. They usually have basil, oregano, garlic powder (sometimes minced garlic), and pepper.

7. Sea Salt & Epsom Salt: What witch doesn't use salt? Representing Earth, salt is needed in a variety of rituals and spells as well as in cleansing baths. You can pick up plenty of sea salt for rituals and spells and Epsom salt cheaply at the Dollar Tree. They even carry lavender scented Epsom salt to increase the potency of your cleansing bath prior to a ritual.

8. Glass Jars, Small Bowls, & Trays: From jars and vases to bowls and trays, the Dollar Tree has just about everything you need for storage and offering dishes. Use the vases to hold your flowers or stones, the glass jars for spell work, and the small bowls and trays as offering dishes. Depending on the time you year, you may even find some decorated for the holiday season!

9. Incense & Incense Burners: Most Dollar Trees now carry incense cones, sticks, and burners. The variety is generally limited, but depending on the time year they can have a greater variety. Incense are a must for any witch's cabinet as they are often used to represent Air and sometimes Air and Fire together.  I purchased a new wooden incense burner there just yesterday.

10. Scrying Mirrors: If you are into divination, why not pick up a mirror or two to create your very own scrying mirror? They have small framed mirrors and the "candle holder" mirrors featured below. Depending on your needs, this is a great place to pick them up to make your own!

11. "Chalice": Chalice is in quotes because 1) they are really just drinking glasses and 2) I'd like you to be aware of where the glass comes from. Due to recent scares, glass from China may contain lead. The Dollar Tree gets many of their products from China so keep an eye out. If you are not going to be using these for consumption, then go right ahead and pick some up! You can decorate them in any way you please while others come decorated for the seasons. They make great offering chalices for your altar or during ritual use.

12. Picture Frames: Want to place that picture of the God or Goddess or some pictures of you ancestors on your altar, but don't have the right frame? Have no fear! The Dollar Tree has you covered. They carry a variety of ever changing picture frames throughout the year ranging from small to printer paper size. These are great for decorating yourself. Place printed or drawn pictures of the deities, your ancestors, or the spell or ritual you are performing in the frams to keep them from getting wet or catching on fire during spell work and rituals.

13. Journals for Grimoires or BOS's: Sometimes you will get lucky and find a really great journal you can use as a Grimoire or BOS. Looking for a binder? They have those too. Most of the time the journals and binders are plain, allowing you to decorate them in anyway you see fit. A word of caution: some are not that high a quality and for the amount of use they will see, make sure you get something that will hold up!

And there you have it! Thirteen items you can pick up at the Dollar Store for all your witchcraft needs. You needn't spend hundreds of dollars to decorate your altar, cast a spell, or work a ritual. In fact, you don't really need any of these items to work magic. Remember, the magic comes from within you, the witch. All the other items simply enhance your magical workings and help you focus your mind on your intention.

Are there any items I did not mention that you pick up at the Dollar Store to aid in your witchcraft? Let me know in the comments and happy witchcrafting to you all!

DIY Candle Wheel

Imbolc marks the first of the fire festivals with candles being the central focus of sympathetic magic performed during this time. An old Imbolc tradition is the candle wheel, which can be either worn or used as a decorations on altars, tables, or windows. I created mine to be placed on the coffee table in our library/living room.

Supplies:

14 inch green foam wreath

8 white taper candles

Brown vase filler (straw)

Greenery*

White Flowers*

LED fairy lights*

Scissors

Floral Wire

First, line up your candles around your wreath. I placed one at the top, bottom, left, and right then added candles in between. After you have spaced them, push the candles into the foam to mark the ring you will cut out.

Next, cut out the candle holes using your scissors or a knife. You will need them to be at least a half an inch deep. After you have a rough hole, push your candles into the holes and press hard, making sure not to wiggle the candle. This will create a snug, flat candle holder in the foam wreath. Remove the candles.

After I cut my candle holder holes, I wrapped the wreath is the brown straw vase filler. You can find this in the wreath and moss section of Michael's. I did not glue mine down, but if you have spray glue, I highly recommend using it to ensure the straw does not fall off. If you are using the fairy lights, wrap them around your wreath next. However, the 32 inch long strand I bought was not big enough to wrap around the wreath, so I am going to return them. Next, wrap your greenery of choice around the wreath and place flowers throughout. You will see I didn't use my ferns or flowers. After adding the one greenery with white flowers, I felt my wreath was perfect. Make it your own.

Next, you will want to wrap your wreath in floral wire. I stuck the first end into the foam wreath and tightly wrapped the floral wire around, making sure to secure the straw and greenery. I wrapped the lose end of wire around itself to secure it.

To finish your wreath, heat the bottom of each candle until it begins to drip. Quickly place the candles in their holders. Heating the bottom will cause the candles to stick to the wreath, ensuring they won't topple over or fall out while moving the wreath. However, it is not so secure that you can't easily remove them to replace candles or store the wreath.

I placed a bowl in the center as an offering dish. As you can see it has my initials on the bottom. My boss gave the dish to me as a Yule gift, and I thought it would make a great offering bowl.

And there you have it! A gorgeous, one of a kind candle wreath for your Imbolc celebrations! Good luck creating your own. I would love to see your candle wreaths!

CAUTION: This is highly flammable. Do NOT allow the candles to burn all the way down. Do NOT leave unattended.

Magical and Medicinal Uses of Angelica

Gender: Masculine
Planet: Sun
Element: Fire
Powers: Exorcism, Healing, Protection, Visions
Magical Uses and History: Angelica, which derives its name from 'archangel', was once considered a cure-all by European healers, which is likely due to its natural ability to stimulate the digestive system, improve circulation, and lessen respiratory problems. From the fifteenth century, there are records indicating that people wore or carried angelica in posies to protect against the plague. One legend tells that an angel appeared to a monk in a dream to tell him that angelica would protect against and cure the plague. Its name may also derive from the fact that angelica blooms on May 8th which was traditionally celebrated as the Feast of the Apparition of St Michael. Due to its association with St Michael, people would weave necklaces for their children to ward off demons, witches, and enchanters. In Livonia and parts of East Prussia and Pomerania, peasants march into the town during early summer carrying angelica flowers chanting an incantation that has sense lost meaning. It is believed this is the remnants of a pagan festival celebrated during this time. As such, growing angelica around your home will protect you and those within from harm, witchcraft, ghosts, and other unwanted entities. You can also sprinkle it in the four corners of your home or around the perimeter to ward off evil while bathing in an infusion of angelica will remove not only curses but unwanted spells as well. Angelica can also be used in healing spells and magic, or to communicate and connect with angels.

In the Americas, angelica root was often carried to increase luck, especially in gambling, so carry it on your person whenever you seek a new endeavor or take a risk. The smoke is also said to cause visions which makes angelica perfect for spirit communication, hedge riding, and divination.

Angelica can be used in a number of spells including:
     Divination
     Healing Spells
     Protection Magic

     Luck Spells
    
Medicinal Uses: The roots and seeds of angelica are used to treat a variety of ailments, especially those regarding poor digestion, weak circulation, and respiratory problems. It also aids in recovery from chronic illness. Despite its bitter taste, it stimulates stomach activity to increase appetite and digestion, soothe cramping, and elevate gas. It also eases respiratory conditions such as asthma, bronchitis, chest congestion, and cough. Due to its warming nature, it is great for improving circulation and soothing fibromyalgia. The leaves can be used in a compress to soothe inflammation in the chest. It pairs well with chamomile.

Preparation and Dosage: Angelica is to be taken internally or applied externally. For a decoction, combine a teaspoon of dried roots in one cup of water and bring to a boil. Allow to simmer for two minutes before removing from heat and allowing to cool for 15 minutes. Take one cup up to three times a day. For a tincture, take 2-5 milliliters up to three times a day.

Want to print a copy of this for your Book of Shadows? Click below for your free copy!

Look What I Got!

Look what came in the mail today! I am very excited to start reading this, although I probably won't be able to start it for another week. It's still pretty to look at though, don't you think?

Have you gotten any new books lately, pagan or otherwise? Also, if you have any literary suggestions, please feel free to comment. I am ALWAYS looking for good books!

Imbolc Correspondences

Last year I posted about the history and lore of Imbolc. To add to the ever-growing list of correspondences, I have put together a list of correspondences for Imbolc.

Symbolism: rebirth, purity, new life, light, new beginnings, warmth, growth, renewal, rejuvenation

Symbols: candles, daffodils, lanterns, acorns, fire, Brigid's cross, acorns, brooms, corn dolls, sun wheels

Colors: white, silver, pale yellow, red, pink, orange, lavender, light green

Food and Drink: bread, cake, milk, spiced wine, cheese, yogurt, herbal teas, fish, white meat, honey cake, muffins

Herbs: angelica, basil, bay, blackberry, chamomile, rosemary, heather, rowan, dill, myrrh, willow

Deities: Cernunnos, Eros, Osiris, Pan, Athena, Bast, Blaize, Brigid, Ceres, Cerridwen, Venus, Gaia, Demeter, Hestia, Vesta, Cupid

Crystals and Gemstones: amethyst, bloodstone, ruby, turquoise, garnet, onyx

Animals: groundhog, bear, ewe, lamb, stag, robin, owl, dragons, phoenix

Magic: This is the time of awakening as the Wheel turns toward spring. Out with the old and in with the new. Cleansing magic, home blessings, divination, initiation rituals, fertility magic, and self-discovery rituals are perfect for this Sabbat.  Rid your home of stale energy left over from the cold winter. Light candles and hold a bonfire to call forth the Sun and honor the Earth. Search for signs foretelling of spring (think Groundhog's Day).

Please note this is not a complete list but a brief overview of symbols, colors, herbs, deities, and the like. If I have missed something that you feel should make the list, please feel free to contact me via the comments or through email.