Over 40 Powerful Witch Ingredients and Tools that You Should Have in Your Collection

Last Updated on September 29, 2021 by Eva Maria

There are so many witch ingredients and tools that can be used in rituals and spell crafting, that I am not able to mention them all here. The ones I described are widely common, yet they are simply props and tools for concentrating energy and don’t possess potent magical powers on their own

The true power of a Witch comes from the focused mind and emotional will. 

Many practitioners believe that magical tools have to be properly made and consecrated. They are sacred objects that are used during rituals and magical workings. Although you might want to purchase your working tools, you can also craft them on your own or consecrate everyday objects into witch tools.

In this article, we will go over the most common witch ingredients and tools used in practice, a little bit about their history and lore, and I will mention additional books for further research.

Disclaimer: Some of the links below are affiliate links that allow me to earn a small commission from purchases you make at no extra cost for you!

Athame

The athame is a two-edged ritual dagger, usually with a black handle. It represents the masculine, active energy and is connected to the Fire element (although in the ceremonial circles they associate blades with the Air element and wands with Fire).

It is used to direct energy, purely for a ritual purpose, and should not be used to actually cut anything. Some practitioners like to open and close magical circles with the athame. Others use it for invoking and evoking spirits, consecrating the water, banishing unwanted energies, and energetical cutting.

The Athame represents power, action, domination, authority, and creative forces of nature. It is connected to the two-edged nature of magic and opposites of creation. 

It can be substituted with any blade, such as a kitchen knife, a pocket knife, a letter opener, or even a crochet hook (as long as it is consecrated for magic and used solely for that purpose). 

The blade can be made with steel or other metals, although when working with faeries and nature spirits it is recommended to use other materials such as flint, stone, wood, horn, bone, glass, or resin. 

You can place the athame in the south of your altar (the direction of elemental Fire). When it is not displayed on the altar, it can be kept in a sheath on your belt, or wrapped in a natural cloth and stored safely. 

“The Witch’s Athame” is a great book to learn more about using blades in magic, consecrating and personalizing it for your own needs. 

If you think about purchasing an athame, you can check out various artists and suppliers on Etsy. 

Bell

Bells are used to signal the beginning or end of a ritual, summon and banish the spirits, dispel negative influences, clear remaining energies, lighten the mood, or shift frequencies and vibrations. They can also be utilized for meditation and focusing the mind for magical work. 

Traditionally witch’s bells are made from brass with a wooden handle, although you can also use other bells made from different materials such as ceramic, crystal, or silver. Chimes, cymbals, singing bowls, and tuning forks can also serve the same purpose.

Generally, higher-pitched bells are better for spiritual work and manifestation, while deeper sounds assist with emotional and physical practice.

Bells can also ward off negative spirits, guard the home, and cleanse the space from unwanted energies. Some practitioners like to hang wind chimes in the entrance to purify energies around it. 

Boline

Boline (or Bolline) is a sacred cutting knife used for foraging magical herbs, harvesting, inscribing candles, or cutting threads. Usually, it is sharp, two-bladed, can be straight or crescent-shaped, and with a white handle.

Unlike the Athame (which shouldn’t be used for physical cutting), Boline is a working tool, with a sacred purpose. 

Some old texts mention that magical herbs shouldn’t be cut with a metal blade, and for that purpose, cutting them with a stone knife is more desirable.

I found a couple of contradicting information while researching this tool. Some people use the name Kirfane (Kerfan), to describe a white-handled, one-edged, working knife. 

You can read more about Boline on this Wikipedia page, or in this great article that I found on The Other Side of the Hedge blog.

Boline can be purchased on Etsy, flea markets, or witchcraft stores near you.

Bowls

Traditionally witches keep a couple of bowls on their altar. One for the water and one for salt. Other bowls might also contain dirt, soil, sand, and other materials used for spell crafting. 

The bowls can also be used for pouring libations (offering to deities and spirits) and purifying and consecrating items. 

Broom/Besom

Brooms have often been associated with witches. They are used in many rituals for marriage and fertility and are also connected to Astral Travels. 

The witch’s broom (called Besom) has seven distinctive parts: The Staff Butt, The Staff, The Choke Ring, The Stalks (bristles), The Stalk Tips, The Splay Ring, and the Stalk Butts. (you can find the detailed description in the book “The Witch’s Master Grimoire”).

As a ritual tool, a Broom can be used for clearing the ritual space during Circle Casting, various spell work, or stirring up the energies.

There are many traditions and folklore surrounding broomsticks. When keeping it next to the door the broom will guard the household, and placing it under the bed will protect while dreaming. Some folk traditions say that you should never sweep after sunset, use the same broom indoors and outdoors, or bring the old broom into a new home.

Witch’s broom is traditionally made during the Ostara holiday. It can be decorated with symbols carved on the staff, ribbons, flowers, herbs, bells, and charms. 

To read more about Broomsticks’ lore, craft, and magic, check out the book “The Witch’s Broom” by Deborah Blake.

Cauldron

The witch’s cauldron is typically a fire-proof, cast iron pot for magical work. It is associated with female energy and represents the womb of Mother Earth.

Cauldron symbolizes transformation, shift, and change from one state to another. It is associated with renewal and rebirth.

A cauldron is a vessel for magic. It can be used for fire rituals, scrying (when filled with water), brewing potions, burning incense, holding charcoal blocks, votive candles, amulets, talismans, and herbs. 

Traditionally it has three legs representing three phases of the Moon (waxing, full, and waning); past, present, and future; mind, body, and spirit; or maiden, mother, and crown stages.

If you wish to learn more about the magic of cauldron, you can reach for the comprehensive book “The Witch’s Cauldron” by Laura Tempest Zakroff.

Cauldrons can be purchased in metaphysical or witchcraft stores or found on Etsy. 

Censer (Thurible)

A censer is used for burning loose incense, herbs, and resins. It is made from fire-proof material (usually brass) and can be carried around the Circle, or set on an altar.

It is a vessel with a lid with holes that can also be placed on chains and swung back and forth to spread fragrant smoke. To use a censer, first lit the charcoal disc and then place loose incense on top. 

You can read more about Censers on this Wikipedia page. To purchase, you can check local religious or metaphysical shops or find one on Etsy. 

Challice/Cup

Challice is a traditional vessel used in witchcraft. It can be in the form of a goblet, glass, or cup, made from pottery, silver, crystal, wood, horn, etc. It is preferred that Chalice is not made of glass, and never made of brass or copper as they may release toxic substances into drinking liquids.

It is associated with feminine energy, emotions, and the element of the water. Traditionally it is placed in the west corner of your altar, which symbolizes the water element. 

Challice carries beverages used in the ritual. It can serve as a vessel for holding water, toasting the Deities, pouring libations, giving offerings, charging liquids with intention and energy, or ritual mixing and blending potions. 

In some covens, it is common to share a drink from a chalice passed around the circle. It is a symbol of commemoration, celebration, honor, fulfillment, life, hospitality, love, communion, communication, mystery, and divination. 

Cingulum

Cingulum, mostly found in traditional Wicca, is a cord used for tying the robes. It is 9 feet long and has various colors depending on the rank of initiation. Commonly made by a practitioner, from natural materials such as silk, wool, or cotton. 

Cingulum should be worn specifically for performing the magical workings. It can also be tied into knots to keep the magical power and then released when needed. 

Crystal Ball

Crystal Ball is one of the most recognized tools of a Witchcraft practitioner. It is a smooth sphere, usually see-through, made from clear quartz or manufactured lead crystal.

Crystal Balls are used for scrying (a form of divination). When not in use, it’s good to cover them, as they might be a fire hazard when the sun shines on them.

Incense and Incense Burner

Incenses create sacred smoke. We can find them in a form of sticks, cones, loose resins, and a variety of fragrances. 

Incense can be used for purification, smoke cleansing, and bringing sacred states of mind needed for meditation or ritual. 

Some practitioners like to use smoke bundles made from dried herbs such as sage, rosemary, lavender, juniper, mugwort, etc. In many books, you can still find Native American terminology of “smudge sticks” and “smudging”, which is not appropriate to use, while not being a part of that culture. 

Incense holders can be in many shapes and forms – made from wood, brass, metal, ceramic, glass, or other fireproof materials. Some practitioners also use abalone shells for this purpose. To make it safe, loose incense should be burned in a Censer, on a charcoal disc, and incense sticks and cones on designated burners (sometimes filled with sand).

Pentacle

Pentacle is a flat disc with a five-pointed star in the circle. It can be engraved or painted on clay, wood, ceramic, wax, brass, silver, gold, or resin. It can also be simply drawn on a piece of paper.

Pentacle represents five elements (earth, air, fire, water, and spirit), five senses, human body, foundation material from which everything is built, forces of nature, and physical manifestation. In tarot symbology, it represents the Earth element and can be also pictured as coins. 

Some witchcraft practitioners set the pentacle as a centerpiece of an altar, it can also be placed in the north corner that corresponds with the Earth element. 

Pentacles can be used for consecrating and blessing crystals, amulets, charms, and other items. It is a powerful tool for personal protection and evoking spirits. 

Plate

Plates can be used to hold bread and foods blessed in a Cakes and Wine ritual (Wicca). Various offerings for Deities and Spirits might also be placed on a designated plate.

Large and decorative plates could also be a nice display for magical jewelry, nature treasure, or crystals.

Robes

Some magic practitioners like to use special clothing solely for ritual purposes. They can be made from various colors and materials that correspond with spellwork intentions. 

Additionally, magical cloaks, masks, belts, and hats can also be used to separate mundane clothing from ones that are used in rituals. 

Staff

Staff is used as a long wand. It may be decorated and carried as an indication of craft, or simply used for walking in the woods. 

It is a private tool of magic that contains, directs, and focuses personal energies. Traditionally it is the same length as a practitioner with a metal or crystal end. Some people like to give names to their magical tools (especially common with athames, swords, wands, and staffs). 

Stang

Stang is a long staff ended with antlers or naturally occurring fork. It acts like a portable altar and is placed as a focal point of a ritual. Commonly decorated for changing seasons and different sabbats. Stangs are mostly used in traditional witchcraft. 

Wand

The wand is one of the most recognized witchcraft tools. It is connected to Air element (Fire in Ceremonial Witchcraft). Traditionally wands are made from a fruit or nuts bearing tree, cut on Mercury’s day (Wednesday) at sunrise, with a single cut stroke. 

The length of a wand should be measured personally for each practitioner (from the elbow to the longest fingertip). It can be made from any material, but most commonly we see wooden wands, with specific associations to various tree types. They can be carved, engraved with symbols, or ended with a crystal or pinecone. 

Wands are used for sending and attracting energies. They act as conductors of energy and extension of a practitioner. You can use a wand to direct your will, concentrate the mind, cast a circle, salute quarters, draw magical symbols on the ground, invoke spirits, stir brews, and manifest things into existence. Sometimes wands are used for divination to point tarot cards or runes. 

Symbolically, wands have more masculine energy and they are a tool of mind and intellect. They can be kept in the East direction of the altar, which corresponds with the element of Air. 

To read more about making personal wands, lore, and magical uses, I highly recommend these two books: “The Witch’s Wand” by Alferian Gwydion MacLir and “True Wand Magick” by Amber K and Azrael Arynn K.

Other Witch Ingredients and Supplies

✦ Altar Cloths – used to cover the working magical space. Can have various colors and symbolism depending on the ritual and season. Altar cloth can also be in a form of a blanket and placed on the ground while performing rituals outdoors.

✦ Beverages – all sorts of drinks used in rituals and spells – most commonly juices, wines, and liquors. Can be shared amongst practitioners or poured as a libation for the Deities and Spirits. 

✦ Book of Shadows – personal magical book, listing details about rituals (date, time, moon phase, solar position, intentions, goals, methods, deities and spirits, offerings, herbs, oils, spells, divination, and results). It might also include topics such as tarot readings, shadow or dream work, etc. 

You can check out my other post on how to start your own Book of Shadows, or get some inspiration from the book “The Witch’s Book of Shadows” by Jason Mankey.

✦ Brazier – a fire-safe container for keeping a sacred fire as a center of the ritual. It is a symbol of celebration, warmth, kinship, and burning away negative influences and bad luck. Can be also in a form of a bonfire, fireplace, or even a grill. 

✦ Candles – There are plenty of candle spells and rituals, which can incorporate various candle types such as votives, tapers, jars, tea lights, carved and shaped, or even small birthday candles. Commonly they are also picked according to the color correspondences and can be anointed with oils, carved, and dressed according to the intention of the magical work. 

Candles symbolize divine spark, creativity, fire element, light, warmth, and the way out of the darkness. They can also be used as a focal point for meditation, divination, and spellcraft. To learn more about Candle Magic, you can check out this amazing title: “The Book of Candle Magic” by Madame Pamita.

Additional tools you might want to obtain when working with candles are matches or lighters, Candle Holders, and Candle Snuffer.

✦ Charcoal Discs – essential material when working with loose incense burned in a Censer or a small Cauldron. They can be found in religious or metaphysical stores.

✦  Cloths – a variety of solid colors of natural material cloths (cotton, linen, felt, silk, etc.) used in spell crafting, wrapping magical tools and crystals, making pouches, herbal pillows, or poppets. They can also be picked accordingly to the color correspondences and magical intentions. 

✦ Cords and Threads – used in knot magic and crafts (tieing up the spells, cord-cutting, knitting, embroidery, or crocheting), with an intention of unifying, healing, bonding, or binding. They can be made from various materials and colors. 

Here are two books to read more about Cord/Knot Magic: “Knot Magic” by Sarah Bartlett and “Cord Magic” by Brandy Williams.

✦ Crystals – a variety of minerals, semi-precious stones, and crystals for use in spellwork, meditation, healing, massage, and aura work. Lots of practitioners work with these crystal witch ingredients and incorporate them into magical practice.

✦ Divination Tools – Tarot and Oracle Cards, Runes, Pendulums, I-ching, etc. They are used to get insights from the Spirit world and help with decision-making.

✦  Glass Bottles and Jars – used for storing herbs, oils, potions, and spellwork. Commonly used in making spell jars. Can be reused and cleansed with salt water. 

✦ Herbs – a variety of herbs stored in labeled containers (preferably air-tight and dark glass) kept away from the sunlight. Used in spells, potions, or smoke bundles.

✦ Inks and Pens – specifically dedicated for magical purposes only (Book of Shadows writing, petitions, sigils, etc). They can have various colors corresponding with intentions and be made from natural inks (such as Dragon’s Blood).

✦ Jewelry – necklaces, pendants, rings, brooches, bracelets, armbands, earrings, headbands, crowns, tiaras, etc, are powerful witch ingredients. They can be made from specific metals with their correspondences, crystals, natural materials, and have various colors. You can enchant your piece of jewelry with this little spell to serve you a specific purpose during a magical working. 

 ✦ Mirror – used for scrying, beauty magic, affirmations, and connecting to your inner power. Can be treated with magical herbs and magically charged. Sealing mirrors is also a common practice. You can learn more about history, lore, and magical uses in the book “The Witch’s Mirror” by Mickie Mueller.

✦ Mortar and Pestle – used for grinding, powdering, and mixing herbs and incense. 

✦ Musical Instruments – drums, bells, flutes, harps, sistrums, cymbals, rattles, etc. are used to aid in meditation, spellcasting, cleansing environment, altering the mind, and energy raising.

✦ Natural Materials – animal parts (bones, skulls, horns and antlers, teeth, claws, hooves, feet, fur, skin, wings, feathers, tails, shells, etc. – check out the book “Of Blood and Bones” by Kate Freuler) stones, plants, pinecones, twigs, flowers, dirt, sand, fruit and other material from the Nature. They all have various correspondences and can be used in spell crafting or as an altar decoration.

✦ Oils – a variety of essential and carrier oils for anointing, spell work, ritual baths, diffusing, and perfumes. They are amongst the most common witch ingredients, and each plant oil has its own attributes and uses in magic, that you can research in books such as “Blackthorn’s Botanical Magic” by Amy Blackthorn, or “Llewellyn’s Complete Formulary of Magical Oils” by Celeste Rayne Heldstab 

✦ Salt – a very common ingredient in a Witch’s cabinet. Sea salt, rock salt, Himalayan salt, or Black salt are used in spellwork and rituals, specially designated for cleansing and protection.

✦ Spring Water – collected in the natural spring and stored for use in spellwork and ritual. Can be also made into Moon Water, or used for cleaning, cleansing, and consecrating tools. Some practitioners collect rain or stormwater too. Best kept in a glass container without access to sunlight. 

✦ Statues – various statues and figures of Deities, representations of Spirits, or magical companions and familiars. Kept on an altar to channel and invoke their qualities in ourselves, help with magical work, and give offerings for their assistance. 

✦ Symbols – various symbols such as the triple moon, triquetra, tree of life, yin and yang, mandalas, crosses, yantras, etc. Used for concentrating the mind, meditation, or prayer. Can be kept on an altar or hang on the walls. 

✦ Tiles/Trivets – used underneath the items that will burn hot (cauldrons, censers, candles) to avoid damaging the surface beneath. 

✦ Wooden Spoons – for stirring magical potions, mixtures, and powders. Can be engraved, decorated, or inscribed with magical symbols and sigils. 

This is a long, but not 100% comprehensive list of witch ingredients and tools. It’s good to remember that true power comes from the will, intention, and energy of a practitioner and is the only thing needed to perform successful spells and rituals. 

All the items mentioned above can be of great help and addition to your intention, yet are not necessary for any stage of your practice. I highly believe in the power of the mind alone, and would always advise you to start with things such as meditation, visualization, retaining focus and attention. 

Each of the witch ingredients and tools has its correspondences and uses based on thousands of years of human experience. It’s good to learn about the lore and history of various elements used in witchcraft, and deciding if we intend to work with their energy.

What are your favorite witch supplies and how do you use them in your practice?

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