BY ARIEL KUSBY
Every witch needs magical supplies and a fitting wardrobe, but what if you can’t find what you’re looking for at the mall or even at a pagan shop? If you do, what if it’s too expensive? If you require supplies for spell casting or for your magical altar, there is another option. It’s fun to take a thrifty approach to finding magical supplies, because they didn’t just come from a factory; each item journeyed to find you. By collecting items in this way, you become the curator of your own practice.
If you’re going to start buying used items, though, it’s important to learn how to clear your purchases of any residual energy that may still be clinging to them from past owners. If you’re sensitive to these things, like me, you may feel overwhelmed or even get physically sick from these energies. It’s especially important when using items for magical purposes that any negative energy be removed, so that it won’t interfere with your own work. Here are some tips as to remove unwanted energy from used items:
1. First of all, if you’re sensitive to these things, it’s probably a good idea to protect yourself before even entering a thrift store. One way to do this is to imagine you are inside a bubble of positive white light that will prevent any negative energy from entering. You can also wear a crystal or stone to protect you. My favorites are black tourmaline for absorbing negativity and rose quartz for promoting loving feelings towards the self and others. You can also choose to wear a talisman, such as an evil eye.
2. Wash the item separately in the laundry, under the sink faucet, or in a body of water like a stream or ocean.
3. Place the item in the sun for up to two weeks. The combined cleansing energies of both the moonlight and sunlight will clear unwanted energies.
4. Cover or wrap the item in salt. Note: be careful with jewelry and metal objects, because not all of them will tolerate salt.
5. Burn sage, allowing the smoke to filter through and around the object.
If the witchy lifestyle interests you, and you want a guide to finding supplies, décor, and clothing, here are some of my personal thrift shop must-haves:
1. Velvet. It’s romantic and dramatic; you’ll feel like a darkling queen wearing it!
2. Black lace. Wear to a Goth prom.
3. Cauldron. For potions and flammable things.
4. Jars and vials. Pretty containers for potions and herbs.
5. Cabinet for storing magical objects. Your own apothecary.
6. Chalice. For rituals. And wine.
7. Candles and candleholders. Essential for spells!
8. Robes and shawls. Feel the air move around you.
9. Miscellaneous items like stones, moon or cat-themed objects, bewitching lingerie, or anything else that would make a nice addition to your place of magic!
Ariel Kusby is an undergraduate at UCLA where she studies creative writing and fine art. She is the founder of the literary-arts publication Nothing New, which is published every full moon. Her writing has previously appeared or is forthcoming in Chaparral, East Jasmine Review, The Riveter Review, Westwind, Matchbox Magazine, and Nothing New.