The time is now

One does not become a better witch by buying the prettiest grimoire or by filling their altar with ornate jars and expensive candles. An apothecary of rare herbs and oils will not help you align with your higher self. The market for paganism is growing rapidly, and this often lures baby witches into believing that they need to spend money or invest in materials to practice witchcraft, wicca, or any spiritual path. Spirituality has become a topic for profit.

Even big-box stores have made room for crystals and astrology themed candles. When I first noticed this, I was impressed. I thought it was great to see witchcraft becoming more accessible, and having it in common stores might help to reduce the stigma. But looking closer, we can see that this is having the opposite effect. The commercialization of spirituality creates the impression that you need to purchase and collect a multitude of expensive tools and materials before beginning.

I have friends who come to me, interested in witchcraft, asking where to start. They expressed that they'd love to go on the journey, but they were afraid they didn't have enough money to buy all the crystals and books or that they couldn't do any spells because they weren't allowed to have candles in their house. The best thing I could think to tell them was that you don't need those things. Witchcraft began in the backyards of commoners, in civilizations that came long before crystals or imported herbs were accessible. Witchcraft began with people's bare hands. With people's minds and bodies. They cast their spells with the plants they could find growing by their houses. Witchcraft is not a rich man's practice.