Witchcraft doesn’t require fancy, glittery wands, swords or chalices. Your altar doesn’t have to look like a scene from Game of Thrones (unless you want it to). In fact, there are everyday household items that most people have in their house that can be used in witchcraft. These household staples are just as powerful as a store-bought magical tool (if not moreso). So get ready to check around your house for these magical items and get to witchin’!
1. Sugar
Almost everyone has a bowl or canister of sugar in their kitchen. But did you know sugar has magical properties? Sugar comes from a plant called sugar cane that’s been grown in the South for centuries. Use sugar in love spells or to sweeten someone’s attitude.
2. Mirror
Have you read our article about haunted and magic mirrors? Mirrors are connected to water and represent our emotions, intuition, and dreams. BUT mirrors can also be portals to other worlds. Use mirrors in candle spells to reflect magick back at a person, scry your future in the mirror, and cast a little glamour magick while looking in the mirror.
3. Candles
This is an obvious one, but should be mentioned. If you can’t afford to go out and buy a bunch of new candles solely for witchcraft, use the candles you have around the house. Birthday candles and votives are great for candle spells! Candles also give off a magical ambiance and set the mood for casting and ritual.
4. Ribbons and String
Whether it’s a rogue shoelace, ribbon, yarn or string, this is a staple any witch can use in her magick. The easiest magick with string is knot magick. But ribbons and string can also be used to draw out your magick circle on the floor, decorate the house for Beltane and Midsummer, or can be enchanted and worn on one’s person as an amulet or talisman. Not to mention you can tie up a spell bag or mojo bag with a piece of yarn or ribbon!
5. Refrigerator/Freezer
Say what? How does one use the refrigerator or freezer in witchcraft? Easy! Are you dealing with a “hot” situation with angry relatives or co-workers? Write the situation and people involved on a piece of paper, roll it up, and pop it in the fridge to cool everyone down. The freezer works to “freeze” a fast-moving situation or stop a person from making any decisions. Don’t forget you can freeze a name or situation by putting it in water and popping it in the freezer.
6. Broom
Everyone has a broom in their house for cleaning purposes. But the broom has been a magical tool of witches for centuries. Start at the front of the house and move counter-clockwise, sweep the negativity from each room out the back door! Turn the broom bristles up when not in use, especially if it’s behind a door or in a corner.
7. Honey
Also found in the kitchen of many homes is a jar or bottle of honey. Honey has been used in the Hoodoo tradition for centuries to sweeten someone up. While sticky, honey can be used to dress a candle for a love spell (lightly), or spells can be covered in honey and sealed up in a jar. Honey is also a great offering to love gods and goddesses and the ocean. Anoint your power points to take on the likeness of the bee.
8. Jars and Bottles
Speaking of jars and bottles, why not save your pickle jars, spice bottles and other glass containers to use in future spells? Clean them out thoroughly, then cleanse them with smoke or the elements, before making witch bottles, jars, or storing your spell ingredients and herbs.
9. Tea Kettle
Super easy magick involves making a simple cup of tea! Your tea kettle becomes a ritual tool for relaxation, medicine, and magick on a daily basis. Draw symbols of power over the tea kettle with your finger while waiting for the water to boil. Learn more about tea witchcraft here. Who doesn’t love the comforting whistle of grandma’s old tea kettle? That was magic in and of itself.
10. Stockpot or Crockpot
Cauldrons were once standard in our ancestors’ homes found at the hearth. Now our kitchen is the hearth of the house and our cauldrons are our pots and pans. Use your stockpot or crockpot to cook magickal meals or simmer magickal potpourris. I’ve also made herbal infusions and decoctions with my stockpot. And brew a floor wash in your stockpot before cleaning your floors!
11. Soap
And now you’re thinking is she crazy? Soap can be used in witchcraft? To that I say, of course! When washing in the morning or at night, use your bar of soap in a downwards fashion from head to feet to cleanse yourself of all negative vibes. You can even buy soaps made by witches for specific purposes!
12. Clothing
Everyone has to wear clothes, right? Why not enchant your clothing before putting them on? Select certain colors for certain intentions. For example, wear pink when you want to increase the romance in your life. Wear green when you want to attract more money. Shoes and jewelry are also magical tools common in every household.
13. Buttons
Have a jar of buttons you don’t know what to do with? Use the buttons in your witchcraft. Add them to your spell bags and adorn your poppets. Buttons make great eyes and noses for poppets. Sew buttons into a pattern or symbol inside a jacket or coat to align with a magical intention.
14. Flour
Every house has a bag of canister of flour in the kitchen. Flour is typically made from wheat, rice or corn so it also carries the magical properties of the plant from which it’s made. Obviously, flour can be used to make magical breads and pies, BUT you can also use it to draw out circles and sigils on the ground.
15. Bathtub
If you have a bathtub or shower, you have access to an incredibly magical experience. A safe place where you can connect with the water element. Take a shower to cleanse away negative vibes from the day, or add herbs and flowers to your bath to cast spells for money, success, love, etc.
16. Paper and Pen
Every household has paper and pen or pencil, right? We take the ability to write for granted in modern times, but many of our ancestors were never taught how to write. Nor did they have access to paper and writing utensils. Write your spells on a piece of paper, then burn the paper to release the magick. You can also bury the paper, freeze it, cut it in shreds and watch it blow away, etc. Paper and pen are also important when keeping notes on spells and ritual.
17. Books
Speaking of paper, books are magical items in many different ways. Not only do they educate and entertain us, but they can also be used in witchcraft. Press a special flower, plant, or feather in your favorite book. Later when you open the book, your magical item will fall out and bring you luck! Ask a question to the universe, then flip a book open to a random spot. Whatever sentence your eyes land on will be your answer!
18. Milk
Milk is a staple in many family’s refrigerators. If you have cow’s milk, you have an ingredient with magical properties of motherhood, nourishment, protection and abundance. Cook or bake with it or add a bit of it to the bathtub. Almond and coconut milk also have magical properties related to the plants from which they are made.
19. Spices
I’ll bet you have a drawer or cabinet filled with random herbs and spices in your kitchen. If so, you have access to a plethora of magical herbs! Cinnamon, oregano, pepper, cumin, parsley, curry, cilantro, and basil are just a few of the magical herbs most people have right in their kitchen! Learn more about magical kitchen spices here.
20. Coffee Pot
You know that wonderful machine that brews a magical potion every morning to wake us out of our slumber? Yeah, the coffee pot is just as magical as a cauldron! Enchant it by drawing a symbol in the air over top. Then sip your coffee and thank the coffee gods for energy and vitality!
21. House Plants
I think a lot of people forget that house plants are just as magical as herbs or flowers in the garden! Succulents, ivies, and small trees all have their own magical properties. Gather fallen leaves and foliage, dry and use in your spells. Place a jade plant by the front door to bring in abundance. Etc.
22. Salt
Is there anything more purifying and protective than salt? I bet you have some in your kitchen! If so, salt can be used in the bathtub, sprinkled around candles in spells, left in a bowl on the altar for purification, sprinkled in the corners of the house and on windowsills. And so much more!
23. Ancestral Heirlooms
Did your grandmother give you a quilt? Did you inherit a special item from your uncle or father? Ancestral heirlooms are some of the most powerful items to have in one’s home. They tie you directly to your ancestors! Place them on the ancestral altar or simply hold in your hand while praying to the ancestors to bridge the gap between you and your passed loved ones.
24. Seashells
You know those seashells you gathered at the beach last summer? Are they sitting in a drawer somewhere not being used? Add them to the altar to represent the water element, encircle a candle to aid in fertility and water magic spells, or make them into a necklace for magical use.
25. Olive Oil
If you have olive oil in your house, you have the ability to bless and anoint your home and magical tools. Dab a little on your index finger and draw protective symbols on the doorways and windows. You can also use olive oil to anoint your third eye and chakras before ritual. Infuse herbs into oils and use to anoint candles, tools, etc. Learn more about making herb-infused oils here.
26. Silver Bowl
If you have a silver bowl or vase, pour water in it and leave it to charge under the next full moon. BAM. Instant moon water. Silver bowls and plates are also great for candle spells and offerings.
27. Animal Figurines
My great grandmother gave me a small owl figurine made of glass. I now keep it in my living room and it watches over my magical workings. If you have any animal figurines around the house, you can turn these into your magical guardians. Click here to learn more.
28. Knife
One of the first magical tools I ever used was a kitchen knife. Back when I was a teenager, Wicca was the main witchcraft movement and it “required” using an athame for many rituals and spells. If you have an old kitchen knife, you have an athame. Even if you’re not Wiccan, a knife can be used to carve symbols and letters into candles. It can be used to cut things in half like twine, string, etc. It can also be used to draw symbols into the earth for ritual.
29. Bell
Whether small or large, a bell is a household item that has cleansing properties. Ring it a few times and send negative energy and spirits running. It can also be used to signal the start to a ritual or gathering.
30. Sewing Machine
Do you have a sewing machine? Time to make magical altar cloths, tablecloths, curtains, clothing and more! I’ve also used my sewing machine to make magical cloaks and poppets. Cleanse it and enchant it for added magical effects!
