Budget Witchcraft: 34 Magic Supplies You Can Buy at Thrift Stores

On the 2021 spring equinox, my husband and I were standing in line (six feet apart from everyone) in the Long Beach Sun. We were behind two friends with very distinct laughs, across the street from a university’s florist department, and next to an ice cream seller in a tux ringing a bell. Eventually, we got into the Long Beach Antique Market.

This market had around 500 sellers of thrift items and antiques. With $200 in $20s, I was specifically looking for altar and witchcraft items. And I was not let down. I got everything from dried plants to altar decor to animal bones.

Many people ask me about witchcraft on a budget. If you’re reading this, then you probably know how expensive some magic tools and metaphysical shops are. But everyone can practice magic with little to no money. To prove it, I’ve made a list of witchcraft and Pagan supplies that you can buy at thrift shops, antique stores, and flea markets.

These items are divided into four categories: spell ingredients, witchcraft tools, altar items, and storage. You’ll find some crossover; for instance, the vials that I mention in Storage are also decorating my altar. At the end, I’ll show you how much you can decorate an altar with thrifted supplies.

Spell Ingredients

These are items that you can potentially use in spells.

1. Animal bones. Animal bones, especially skulls, can cost dozens to hundreds of dollars. Thrift stores and flea markets sell a variety of bones for cheap. At one booth, I found jaws, horns, teeth, skulls, and more for cheap. I bought two coyote skulls for $40, which usually cost between $30 and $150 each on Etsy. Other skulls were as low as $25. At a different booth, I fought a tiny spine and herb in a jar--although the seller did not know what bone it was.
   
2. Candles. Some thrift stores provide candles alongside candle holders. You will usually see tealight and pillar candles, which often come with the holder. If you are looking for small candles in every color, though, visit a metaphysical shop.
   
3. Crystals. You might be surprised how many thrift stores and flea markets offer crystals. Most sellers offer geodes, but many also sell polished crystals, himalyan salt lamps, raw crystals, towers, and more. At the antique market, one booth provided colorful geodes for $3 each. You can even find decorative altar crystals for cheap. I bought a grape design made with amethyst for only $15, far lower than most metaphysical shops. The booth also offered grape designs in jade, rose quartz, and more (although I forgot to snap a picture).
   
4. Incense and incense holders. Many thrift stores supply vintage and modern incense holders. In my experience, most sellers only provide the holder, not the actual incense. But you can sometimes find a seller that offers stick incense or resin.
   
5. Plants, both living and dried. If you go to a flea market or antique fair, you will likely see a lot of plant booths. Plant sellers are popular there, as many people go for pots and home decor. Some sellers also specialize in dried plants, from roses to eucalyptus to baby’s breath. You can use these for altar decorations or as spell ingredients.
6. Shells. Seashells, seaglass, exoskeletons--all of these are sold in certain thrift shops.
   
7. Smoke cleansing bundles. Some antique sellers also offer smoke cleansing ingredients because it fits with their other products. Sweetgrass, sage, and palo santo are often sold at a discount. Unfortunately some sellers do not know where these ingredients were sourced.

Witchcraft Tools

These include divination tools, books, and other items that you might use for spells, but not in them.

1. Bells. Bells are common witchcraft tools. On Wiccan altars, you’ll often find a bell rung to cleanse the space. If that sounds like something you’d want to use, go thrift hunting.
   
2. Jewelry. If you like devotional jewelry, then you can find a wide variety of vintage necklaces, bracelets, and more at thrift stores and flea markets. Some sellers specilalize in jewelry.
   
3. Knives and spoons. Utensils are frequently used in witchcraft. For instance, a knife can carve symbols into candles or wood. Spoons can scoop dried herbs into containers. 
   
4. Mirrors. Many magicians designate a single mirror for scrying. Thrift shops sell a variety of vintage mirrors in many sizes. If you are looking for an obsidian mirror, however, you might need to hunt elsewhere. But if you only want a black mirror, you can also paint a vintage mirror black.
   
5. Mortar and pestles. A mortar and pestle is quite expensive, but you can find wooden, stone, marble, and ceramic ones at flea markets if you get lucky. I personally recommend either marble or ceramic. If you buy a used mortar and pestle, do not grind foods that you will eat in them. You don’t know where it has been; the cracks might contain something toxic.
   
6. Pendulums. Although it’s rare, some antique sellers offer pendulums. You can also find vintage necklaces that can operate as a pendulum.
   
7. Pipes. If you like to smoke magical blends, then you can probably find a pipe at a flea market. However, you will need to clean it thoroughly before using it.
   
8. Pots and pans. If you plan to make inedible magical tools--such as ointments, candles, or inks--buy an old pot or pan at a thrift store. You won’t have to worry about cross-contamination with your regular cooking utensils. Plus, the inks and ointments might stain your pot.
   
9. Scrying bowls. Do you want to try water scrying? If so, get a cheap bowl at a thrift shop or flea market. I recommend a glass bowl that allows you to see the water more clearly.
   
10. Singing bowls. When I was at the antique fair, I saw several booths offer singing bowls. They sell for a lot less there than metaphysical shops. If you are interested, check out some local thrift stores or antique shops.
    
11. Witchcraft books. Many popular witchcraft books are from the 20th century. If you’re looking for one, check a used bookstore. I bought almost all of my Cunningham books from used bookstores. Many libraries supply witchcraft books, too.

Altar Items

Whether you are religious or not, you can put some of these items on your altar.

1. Altar cloths. Altar clothes don’t have to be from a metaphysical shop. Thrift shops sell a variety of tablecloths, placemats, and blankets that can function as altar cloths. They come in a variety of colors, patterns, and fabrics to protect whatever your altar sits on.
   
2. Books. If you’ve read my tips for a Pinterest-worthy altar, you know that I like to elevate some objects to create different heights. Vintage books are perfect for this, and thrift shops sell them for a few bucks each.
   
3. Candle holders. I have never seen a thrift store that did not sell candle holders. If you are looking for more expensive materials, such as brass or glass, go thrifting. They are much, much cheaper than brand store holders. For $10, you can buy a variety of candle holders with different heights, designs, and colors. 
   
4. Fake bones and skulls. Although I encourage the use of real animal bones, some people are not comfortable with that. If you prefer fake bones to put on your altar, then thrift stores can provide that, too.
   
5. Frames. Do you like art on your altar? On my Hades altar, I have a sator square that I drew in pen and ink. You can buy frames for devotional or magical artworks at thrift shops. You can paint wooden frames, too!
   
6. Offering bowls. Thrift stores offer a wide variety of ceramic, plastic, and glass bowls to put on your altar. I personally recommend fireproof bowls for offerings. Aim for “fine ceramics” which can withstand high temperatures.
   
7. Religious votives. Some sellers provide religious votive candles at thrift shops. If you are looking for saints or angels, though, you can also check your local grocery store.
   
8. Statues. You might be surprised how many antique sellers offer statues that you can put on your altar. I have seen Egyptian, Norse, Buddhist, and many other statues at flea markets and shops. My Greco-Roman woman statue came from the Long Beach Antique Market, although I was 10 or 11 when I bought the set of two. If you like animal and angel statues, you will find them in abundance.
   
9. Teacups and teapots. I use certain vintage teacups for offerings (they were my grandmothers’). I also have a small teapot that goes on my altar. If you’d like something similar, then you will have no trouble finding teacups and pots at antique stores.

Storage

These include jars, shelves, and other materials to store your magic supplies when not using them.

1. Spice containers. Although flea markets rarely offer spices, they often sell spice racks and containers that you can repurpose for dried herbs, graveyard dirt, moon water, etc.
2. Glass bottles. Vintage medicine and alcohol bottles are often sold in thrift stores. These stylist containers can hold liquids, herbs, or plants that you display on your altar.
3. Glass jars. Small jars can hold herbs, crystals, graveyard dirt, moon water, and several other tools. At a flea market, I even bought old ink containers to store magical inks. You can buy them in a variety of sizes and colors for only a buck or two.
4. Hanging shelves. Many people convert wall space into altar storage with shelves. Thrift shops offer unique, vintage shelves that give you that “witchy” feel. Some of the shelves have doors and drawers designed to hold spices. Use these for herbs and other spell ingredients.
5. Perfume bottles. If you want a liquid container that looks amazing on an altar, search for vintage perfume bottles. They come in a variety of colors and can seal liquids efficiently. The spirit oil that I detailed in a previous post is in a thrifted perfume bottle.
6. Storage containers. In my opinion, every magician should have a spare storage container for their supplies. Thrift shops offer crates, trunks, tins, and other storage containers for cheap. You can also buy tiny lockers or bookshelves to decorate your altar.
7. Vials. Vials are small containers traditionally designed to hold liquid medicines. If you use oils, moon water, or other magical liquids, look for vials. Antique glass vials sell for around $20 on Etsy, but they are far cheaper when thrifted. One seller offered vintage Egyptian vials of various colors and heights. I got mine for $15, and it contains cemetery water.

Building Altars with Thrifted Items

When I got back from the Long Beach Antique Market, I challenged myself to decorate my altars using mainly thrifted supplies. It was easier than I expected; at least 70% of each altar was bought secondhand.

If this looks like a lot of supplies, remember that I’ve been practicing for over ten years. I’ve visited a lot of antique stores and gathered supplies over time. Not all of these were from the Antique Market.

I have three altars, all on my dresser. I will name all of the items on each that were thrifted.

Altar #1: Wiccan Altar

Thrifted items: the Goddess statue, teapot, both pink bowls, amethyst grapes, opal apple, books, white vase, dried eucalyptus, air plant and its holder.

Altar #2: Death Witchcraft Altar

Thrifted items: coyote skull, glass vial (holding cemetery water), perfume bottle (holding spirit oil), pink container (holding graveyard dirt), black offering bowl.

Altar #3: Hades Altar

Thrifted Items: mythology book, glass jar with bone, black frame, coyote skull, green glass bottles, dried plants, amber medicine bottle.

Did I Miss Anything?

Do you go thrift shopping for magic supplies? What have you bought? Did I miss any items? Let me know in the comments below!