Beginner Witch Starter Kit: What You Actually Need (Not $200 Worth of Stuff)
- Wendy H.
- Nov 4
- 10 min read
Updated: Nov 5
Last Updated: November 2025.
If you've spent any time scrolling through witchcraft content online, you've probably seen those aesthetic "beginner witch starter kits" with 47 different crystals, color-coordinated candles, vintage brass tools, and a price tag that rivals your rent.
Here's the truth: you don't need most of that.
The internet loves to sell you things. And the witchcraft industry has gotten really good at convincing new practitioners that magic requires expensive supplies, rare ingredients, and picture-perfect altar setups.
It doesn't.
This guide covers what beginner witches actually need to start a meaningful practice—without breaking the bank or filling your apartment with clutter you'll never use.
Quick Answer: The Essential Beginner Witch Starter Kit
If you're in a hurry, here's what you actually need:
The Bare Minimum (Under $20):
A journal - Any notebook works ($5-10)
White candles - Grocery store tea lights are fine ($3-5)
Salt - Regular table salt ($2)
Matches or lighter - ($2)
The Recommended Kit (Under $50):
Journal or grimoire ($10-15)
White candles ($5-10)
Salt ($2)
Matches/lighter ($2)
3-5 basic herbs from your kitchen (free or $5)
1-2 crystals if drawn to them ($10-20)
Incense or cleansing tool ($5-10)
That's it. Everything else is optional, can be added later, or can be substituted with things you already own.
Now let's break down why these matter and what you can skip.
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What You Actually Need (And Why)
1. A Journal or Grimoire
Why you need it: This is the most important tool in witchcraft. Your journal (also called a grimoire or Book of Shadows) is where you:
Record what works and what doesn't
Track moon phases and seasonal changes
Write down dreams, intuitive hits, and observations
Plan rituals and reflect on their outcomes
Document your personal practice as it evolves
Magic without reflection is just performance. The journal is where the real work happens—the processing, the integration, the learning.
What to buy:
Budget option: Any notebook from Target or a dollar store ($3-5). Online: try this simple $5 spiral notebook or this basic bound journal. For a subtle mystical vibe, consider this adorable moon journal.
Mid-range: A nice hardcover journal that feels special ($10-15). Online: try this blank grimoire journal that contains a wheel of the year or a more subtle, lockable journal .
Premium: A leather-bound grimoire if that inspires you ($25-40). Online: splurge on a genuine leather journal with vintage pages or consider supporting a small artist on Etsy.
What matters: That you'll actually write in it. Don't buy something so precious you're afraid to mess it up.
Where to buy:
Amazon: Search "blank journal" or "grimoire"
Target, Walmart, TJ Maxx, Marshall's, or any bookstore
Etsy: For handmade or specially designed grimoires
💡 Pro tip: Start with a cheap notebook. You can always upgrade once you know what you like. I used a $4 TJ Maxx notebook for my first year.
2. White Candles
Why you need them: Candles are the most versatile tool in witchcraft. They:
Mark sacred time (lighting a candle says "I'm practicing now")
Represent the element of fire
Provide focus during meditation or ritual
Work for literally any intention (white substitutes for any color)
Fire is primal. Watching a flame is meditative. That's the magic—not the fancy $30 "intention candle" you found on Instagram.
What to buy:
Best value: White tea lights or emergency candles from the grocery store ($3-5 for 50+ candles)
Also good: White taper candles or small pillar candles
Avoid for now: Expensive spell candles, color-coded candles, or anything labeled "charged" or "blessed" at a markup
Where to buy:
Grocery store candle aisle
Dollar Tree (seriously, they're fine)
Amazon: unscented taper candles or bulk tea lights .
IKEA: FENOMEN candles are excellent and cheap
Safety note: Never leave candles unattended. Use a proper holder. If you can't safely burn candles in your space, LED candles work too—it's the ritual intention that matters.
💡 Related: Check out our complete guide to the best candles for witchcraft (Coming soon) for specific brand recommendations.
3. Salt
Why you need it: Salt has been used for protection and purification across cultures for thousands of years. In witchcraft, you'll use it to:
Cast protective circles
Cleanse tools or spaces
Create boundaries
Add to spell work
What to buy: Regular table salt from the grocery store. That's it.
Sea salt, Himalayan pink salt, and black salt are nice to have later, but unnecessary for beginners. Save your money.
Where to buy: Your kitchen. You probably already have it.
Cost: $2
4. Matches or a Lighter
Why you need it: To light your candles and burn things safely.
What to buy:
Long-reach lighter (safer) - $3-5
Wooden matches - $2-3
Regular lighter - $1-2
Where to buy: Literally any store.
Some witches prefer wooden matches because they feel more intentional. Some like long lighters for safety. It doesn't matter—just have a way to make fire.
5. Basic Herbs (Kitchen Staples)
Why you need them: Herbs add intention and energy to your practice. But you don't need to order 47 different dried botanicals from an online shop.
What you already have: Check your kitchen for these common magical herbs:
Rosemary - Protection, purification, memory
Cinnamon - Success, money, passion
Bay leaves - Wishes, success, protection
Basil - Money, love, protection
Thyme - Courage, purification, health
Sage (culinary) - Wisdom, protection, cleansing
Black pepper - Protection, banishing
You probably have 3-5 of these already. That's your herb cabinet.
If buying: Start with rosemary, cinnamon sticks, and bay leaves. These three cover 80% of beginner spell work.
Where to buy:
Grocery store spice aisle
Bulk bin section (cheaper)
Save "witchcraft herb kits" for later when you know what you actually use
Cost: Free if you have them, or $5-10 to start a basic collection
💡 Coming soon: Our complete guide to herbs for witchcraft, including correspondences and where to buy in bulk.
6. A Cleansing Tool (Optional But Recommended)
Why you might want it: Most practitioners cleanse their space before ritual work. This removes stagnant energy and creates a fresh start.
Options:
Incense - Sandalwood, frankincense, or nag champa ($5-8)
Sound - A bell, singing bowl, or even your voice (free to $15)
Smoke - Rosemary bundle you make yourself (free if you have rosemary)
Visualization - Literally free, surprisingly effective
You don't need white sage. Despite what Instagram tells you, white sage is overharvested and not necessary. Rosemary, garden sage, or even intention and visualization work just as well.
Where to buy:
Incense: Amazon, local metaphysical shops, or import stores
Bells: Thrift stores, Amazon, or craft stores
DIY herb bundles: Grow or buy fresh rosemary, tie with string, dry
Cost: $5-15 or free
7. Crystals (Optional, Start Small)
Why they're optional: Crystals are popular in modern witchcraft, but they're not essential. If you feel drawn to them, great. If not, skip them entirely.
If you want to start: Choose 1-3 crystals max:
Clear quartz - Amplifies energy, multipurpose ($5-10)
Black tourmaline - Protection, grounding ($5-10)
Amethyst - Intuition, calm, spiritual connection ($5-10)
Avoid:
Instagram witch starter packs with 15 crystals you don't need
Expensive "rare" crystals
Anything that claims to be "pre-charged" at a markup
Where to buy:
Local metaphysical shops (support small business, see before buying)
Etsy: Small crystal shops
Amazon: For budget options (quality varies).
If you want a reasonable starter set:
This 17-piece beginner crystal set includes clear quartz, amethyst, and lapis lazuli plus a few others for under $20.
Just avoid the 50-piece "witchcraft kits" with tiny chips—quality over quantity.
Cost: $10-30 if you choose to buy
💡 Want crystal recommendations? See our guide to the best crystals for beginner witches.
What You Can Skip (For Now)
The internet will try to sell you a lot of things. Here's what you genuinely don't need as a beginner:
❌ Athames, Wands, or Ritual Tools
Why skip: These are traditional tools in some paths (like Wicca), but most modern witches don't use them. If you're drawn to them later, great. But they're not essential.
Alternative: Your finger works just as well for directing energy. So does a kitchen knife if you need to cut something.
❌ Tarot or Oracle Decks (Unless Called To)
Why skip for now: Tarot is a whole separate skill. It's valuable, but not required for witchcraft. Start with the basics first.
When to add: Once you have a solid foundation and feel drawn to divination. Then invest in a good beginner deck.
❌ Altar Cloth, Pentacles, or Decorative Altar Pieces
Why skip: They're pretty, but they're decoration. Your magic doesn't need to look like a Pinterest board.
Alternative: A clean space is an altar. A scarf from your closet works as an altar cloth if you want one.
❌ Moon Water, Florida Water, or Pre-Made Potions
Why skip: You can make these yourself for pennies. Buying them marked up online is unnecessary.
Alternative: Learn to make your own once you know what you actually use.
❌ Spell Kits or Pre-Packaged Ritual Boxes
Why skip: Expensive, often filled with items you won't use, and they remove the intentionality from your practice.
Alternative: Source your own ingredients as you learn what resonates.
❌ Books (Maybe)
Controversial take: You don't need to buy books to start. There's more free, quality information online than you could read in a year.
When books ARE worth it: Once you know what path you're interested in (green witchcraft, kitchen witchcraft, traditional Wicca, etc.), invest in 2-3 well-reviewed books specific to that path.
For now: Use free resources, blogs like this one, and library books.
The $15 Absolute Minimum Starter Kit
If money is tight, start here:
Notebook from dollar store - $1
White tea lights (50-pack) - $3
Lighter - $2
Salt from pantry - Free
3 herbs from kitchen - Free
Matches - $2
Total: ~$8-10
This is enough. You can practice meaningful witchcraft with these items. Everything else can wait.
The $50 Recommended Starter Kit
If you have more budget:
Nice journal - $15
White candles (variety) - $10
Salt - $2
Lighter - $3
Incense sampler pack - $8
2-3 basic crystals - $15
Dried herbs (rosemary, bay, cinnamon) - $7
Total: ~$50
This gives you everything you need for your first 6-12 months of practice.
Where to Buy Your Beginner Witch Starter Kit
Best Budget Options:
Dollar Tree - Candles, salt, notebooks
Target/Walmart - Everything on this list
Grocery store - Candles, salt, herbs
Amazon - Bulk candles, incense, journals
Supporting Small Business:
Local metaphysical shops - Crystals, incense, specialty items (but often marked up)
Etsy - Handmade journals, small-batch herbs, crystals from small sellers
Farmers markets - Fresh or dried herbs, local beeswax candles
What to Avoid:
TikTok Shop witch kits - Overpriced, poor quality
Fast fashion spiritual shops - Shein, Wish, etc. (unethical sourcing)
MLM essential oil companies - Just no
How to Actually Use Your Starter Kit
Having supplies doesn't make you a witch. Using them does.
Here's how to start:
Week 1: Set Up Your Space
Find a small surface (shelf, windowsill, corner of desk)
Place your journal, candles, and a few meaningful items
This is your altar or practice space—it doesn't need to be elaborate
Week 2: Start a Daily Practice
Light a candle each morning or evening
Spend 5-10 minutes writing in your journal
Notice how this feels—that's the beginning of your practice
Week 3: Try Your First Simple Ritual
Write an intention on a bay leaf
Light it safely in a bowl with your candle
Sit with the smoke, reflecting on your intention
Week 4: Experiment
Try a cleansing ritual with salt water
Make rosemary tea and set an intention while drinking it
Hold a crystal while meditating
See what resonates
Magic isn't in the tools. It's in the attention, intention, and presence you bring.
Common Beginner Questions
Do I need to cleanse my tools before using them?
It's traditional, but not required. If it feels right, cleanse them with:
Smoke (incense or herbs)
Salt water (be careful with crystals—some dissolve)
Moonlight
Intention
Or don't. The tool works either way.
Can I practice without an altar?
Yes. Many witches don't have altars. Your practice can happen:
At your kitchen table
In the bathroom
Outside
In your head
Altars are nice but not necessary.
What if I can't burn candles safely?
Use LED candles, sunlight through a window, or visualization. The intention matters more than the literal flame.
Do I need to follow a specific tradition?
No. Many modern witches are eclectic, pulling from multiple traditions or creating their own practice. You don't need to be Wiccan, pagan, or anything specific.
Start where you are. Learn what calls to you.
How do I know if I'm "doing it right"?
There's no "right." If your practice feels meaningful, grounding, or helpful—you're doing it right.
If it feels performative, stressful, or forced—adjust.
Magic is personal. Trust your intuition.
What to Add Later (After 6-12 Months)
Once you've been practicing for a while, you'll naturally gravitate toward certain types of work. That's when you can invest in:
Tarot or oracle deck - If drawn to divination
More herbs - Specific to your practice
Seasonal altar decorations - If that brings you joy
Books - On your specific path or interests
Additional crystals - If you use them regularly
Specialty candles - Color magic, figure candles, etc.
Moon phase journal - For tracking lunar work
Divination tools - Pendulum, runes, scrying mirror
Let your practice guide what you buy. Don't buy things hoping they'll make you a "better" witch.
The Most Important Thing
The best beginner witch starter kit is the one you'll actually use.
Not the one that looks best on Instagram. Not the one that costs the most. Not the one with every tool you might theoretically need someday.
Start small. Start simple. Start now.
Magic doesn't require expensive supplies. It requires:
Your attention
Your intention
Your willingness to show up
Everything else is just tools to support that work.
Your Next Steps
Ready to start your practice?
Get your basic supplies - Journal, candles, salt, lighter (under $20)
Set up a simple practice space - Even a windowsill works
Start small - Light a candle daily, write for 5 minutes
Learn as you go - Let your practice evolve naturally
Need more guidance?
Read: 10 Candle Magic Rituals for Winter (simple practices to start with)
Download: 12 Days of Yule Journal (structured daily practices for winter solstice)
Explore: Indoor Witchcraft Guide (practicing in apartments and small spaces)
The path is yours to walk. The tools are just there to light the way.
What's in your beginner witch starter kit? What do you wish you'd known when you started?
Share in the comments below.
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