There are many books to read, pre-made spells, and lots of verbal advice about which herbs to use and how to create a spell using sympathetic magick. Most of them call for supplies that are next to impossible to get in your area, Unfamiliar to you and, therefore, have little to no meaning to you or are just plain expensive.

Most of the witches, I know live on a tight budget and don’t have the extra cash to purchase tools or supplies that a given spell may call for. If you are thinking you must have money to be a witch, I am here to tell you can be homeless, penniless or just plain frugal and still work effective magick without buying anything.

So, how does a homeless, penniless, frugal witch do magick without even a candle? What is the secret? Well, every good witch knows the secret to working magick. There are only a few things that are actually needed to work magick and these things are free. You will need belief, imagination, will, focus, desire and it is also good to have a moment of undisturbed time to work the spell. These are the things that hold the power to your spells.

Do they really work without candles, herbs and charms? Yes, they absolutely do. I know for a fact that they work because I have done it successfully on many occasions. I have done spells with a successful outcome while sitting at my desk at work, on my own time, of course. All I had was these free items that I always have with me.

Using items to help you focus, believe, imagine, etc. are very helpful and do add a little ambience to your spells but they are not necessary. If you have a need to be frugal, you can also use items you may already have on hand. An emergency candle, for example, is usually white and works with almost any spell or ritual. I did a reflection spell that required a mirror with an old compact mirror that comes with face powder. This item is usually discarded, but I always keep the little mirror. I cleaned it up, removed any dirt, smudges or makeup left behind. That was the only item needed for the simple spell I did. I didn’t run out and buy candles, herbs, stones, string or anything. I keep all my spells simple. simple Chants work really well for just about anything.

Frugal MagickThis spell I did was an emergency protection spell. It worked better than any spell I had previously done and most of my spells work pretty well. So with my will, imagination, focus, desire and this little mirror I created a short chant that I quickly memorized and worked my spell. My chant had 4 short lines that I simply repeated as I turned in a circle with my mirror reflected outward. I created a protective bubble that I expanded around me to go where I go then expanded outward to surround where I live.

It didn’t cost a penny extra and it worked like a “charm”. I always finish my spells with “And it harm none, so mote it be”. I let it go out to the universe and didn’t think about it anymore. Using knot magick is another frugal way to make magick happen without spending a lot of money. Using string, cord, yarn or even an old shoelace can work for this kind of magick.

I don’t believe in complicating my spells by doing anything complicated, including tying knots in complicated or confusing orders. To me, that is not necessary and if it’s too confusing or complicated it defeats the purpose, which is to help you focus. I have discovered that for me, the more simple the spell the better it works. The less I have to distract me, such as long verses to memorize, the better my focus on the intent and desire.

There was this one day, many years ago, when a friend and fellow witch was murdered. We needed to do something, but we didn’t want to make matters worse or cause harm. So we decided to go for a simple justice spell. This spell was done outside with a firepit, a card with the signature of the victim and a piece of yarn. We each spoke the intent as each knot was made then the item was burned. The police found the killers within three days after the spell. It wasn’t expensive, but care was taken because of the fire. The spell was kept simple and it worked like a charm. This is how witches do good magick without costing a fortune.

Ritual supplies are the same. You can use mundane things such as a letter opener for your athame, a wine glass for your chalice, and most of your items you can make yourself such as a wand or staff. The items you make can be as simple or elaborate as you want it to be. Your finger works just as well to call guardians or cast a circle. The gods and goddesses don’t really care about how expensive your tools are or how elaborate they are. They don’t even care if you have anything at all. They are simply there for you. That means, whatever meaning you put on your tools if you even choose to have tools, is what truly matters.

To be a witch, you don’t have to dress in black or any specific way or own specific items or any of that. A true witch dresses and acts the way they feel, believe, enjoy or just their own style. Some have short hair and some have long. Some dress professionally, some wear jeans and some dress like a neo-hippy, goth or even steampunk. It doesn’t make them any more or less of a witch. And this includes both male and female witches. Who and what you are comes from within you and so does your power.