Witchcraft and ritual guides
Our witchcraft guides explain the supplies a beginner needs, how to set up an altar, and the meaning of cauldrons, sage, frankincense, the evil eye and the hamsa.
Witchcraft and Wicca are living, open paths, and every practice is personal. These guides explain the tools in plain words: what each one is, how it is traditionally used and how to choose one.
Each guide links the supplies it talks about, with live prices and delivery dates.
Our witchcraft and ritual guides guides
Witchcraft meaning: a beginner's guide to modern witchcraft
Witchcraft is the practice of magic. Today it usually means modern witchcraft, a nature-based spiritual path; Wicca is one religion within it, and a witch is anyone who practises.
Read the guide →What is an altar, and how do you set up an altar for witchcraft?
An altar is a table or shelf kept for ritual. To set one up, choose a quiet spot, lay a cloth, add candles, a bowl and tools for the elements.
Read the guide →Cauldron meaning: what a witch's cauldron is for and how to use it
A cauldron is a three-legged iron pot. In witchcraft it symbolises the goddess, transformation and water, and witches use a cast iron cauldron to burn resin, herbs and written intentions.
Read the guide →Sage meaning: what white sage is and how people use it
Sage names the Salvia herbs, from Latin salvus, meaning safe or whole. White sage (Salvia apiana), native to California and Mexico, is traditionally burned in cleansing rituals.
Read the guide →Frankincense Meaning: History, Symbolism and How to Use It
Frankincense means 'pure incense'. It is an aromatic resin from Boswellia trees, linked in tradition with worship, prayer, the Three Kings' gift and meditation.
Read the guide →Evil eye meaning: what the blue charm and the hamsa stand for
The evil eye is a folk belief that an envious look can bring bad luck; the blue eye charm, called nazar or mati, is traditionally worn to turn it away.
Read the guide →Hamsa Meaning: What the Hand Symbol Stands For and How to Choose One
Hamsa meaning: a hand-shaped symbol, traditionally seen as a sign of protection and blessing in Islamic, Jewish and North African culture. Its name comes from the word for five.
Read the guide →Book of shadows: journals and grimoires
A book of shadows is a witch's journal for spells and rituals, such as a raven grimoire journal, a Book of Spells journal or a wizard grimoire journal.
Read the guide →Evil eye and hamsa jewellery and decor
Evil eye jewellery means pieces with an eye or hamsa hand symbol, such as a stretch bracelet, a lava stone necklace, a hanging pendant or a wall hanging.
Read the guide →Kitchen witch supplies
A kitchen witch can start with a wooden offerings bowl, a copper offering plate, a pack of resin incense sticks or a resin incense warmer.
Read the guide →Occult supplies
Occult supplies are items for ceremonial magick and witchcraft, such as a Forest Grimoire journal, a Baphomet figurine, a Yule altar sign, a Rudraksha mala necklace or a skull goblet.
Read the guide →Samhain altar ideas and decor
A Samhain altar often holds a black cat figurine, an oil burner, an incense cone holder or a skull tea light holder.
Read the guide →Spell candles and ritual candles explained
Spell candles are used in candle magic, each colour traditionally linked to an intention. Try a white happiness box, a pink friendship set or a moon magic kit.
Read the guide →White sage or palo santo: which to choose?
White sage is a dried herb bundle, while palo santo is thin sticks with a sweet, woody scent: choose a bundle, sticks or a white sage kit with amethyst.
Read the guide →Witchcraft supplies for beginners: what you need
A beginner can start with a Book of Shadows journal, a black spell candle pack, a herb bundle, cedar rope incense and an altar goblet.
Read the guide →Questions
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What do you need to start witchcraft?
Very little: a candle, a few herbs or incense, a crystal and a notebook for your book of shadows. Many people add an altar cloth, a cauldron and spell candles as they go.
Is witchcraft a religion?
For some it is part of a religion such as Wicca; for others it is a practice with no religion at all. Both are welcome here.
Do spells or charms work?
We describe how each tool is traditionally used in ritual. We never promise a result from a spell, candle or charm.