Some days seems like nothing goes right. You start to do a simple spell calling for a black candle, your athame to carve some sigils, and mugwort and you realize you are out of black candles and mugwort and your athame is nowhere to be found!
What is a Witch to do?!?
Luckily, there are some simple swaps and substitutions you can make so you can still get that spell out into the Universe and working its magick! Besides, magick is first and foremost about your intent. Some may argue the point, but sometimes a Witch has to do with what she has got on hand.
- Let’s start with that pesky missing athame. You know you left it on your altar, but now it isn’t there. No worries, Witches of old did not have the luxury of fancy knives just for their magickal workings. They used the knife they had in their kitchen, and so can you.
- Missing herb? You can substitute rosemary for any herb and most people usually have some hanging out in their pantry. Stock up on this versatile herb next time you are at the dollar store.
- Colored candles are meaningful and add a different dimension to your magick work, but buying candles in all those colors can get rather expensive. While you are at the dollar store stocking up on other Witchy items, be sure to load up your cart with white candles. You can use those for any magick work.
- Crystals and stones come in all manners of colors and cuts, each with their special meaning for healing, protections, and correspondences. If you do not have the specific crystal called for in a spell, reach for clear quartz. Clear quartz is an excellent stand-in for any crystal.
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- Do you use flowers in your magickal workings? If you do not have the flower you need, or it is out of season, you can substitute a rose. Roses can be found relatively inexpensively at local grocery stores and even convenience stores.
- Do you lack a specific spice? Try cinnamon. You can use it to replace any missing spice.
- If you need a toxic herb or plant, you can exchange it with tobacco. You can buy loose tobacco like the kind used in a pipe, and easily use it as a substitute in your spells.
- Some spells and magick work call for fruit. If you do not have the needed fruit on hand, you can always replace it with an apple.
- You can exchange a wine glass for a chalice.
- A scarf can work as an altar cloth.
- Olive oil will work in place of other oils.
Before You Use the Substitution
If you are worried about any of the substitutions needing cleansing, pass them through some smoke from a candle or sage bundle or leave them overnight under a full moon. If you find yourself pressed for time, hold the items in your hands, and quickly visualize your intention for the magickal work you are about to begin.
Use Your Magickal Imagination
Use the things you have on hand and have meaning to you. Get your magickal imagination flowing!
I would love to hear about your magickal work and the tools you use!
Until we meet again,
CJ