I've technically been a witch and mage, working spells and interested in learning the mysteries of the Universe, since before I was nine; thus, over 30 years. But despite knowing that I don't really need the trappings and tools of a "witchy" lifestyle to live a magick-filled life, I am nonetheless a material being --- and trappings not only can speak to the deep mind, they're plain fun!
Lately I've been in a revitalizing mode, feeling a "new witch" kind of enthusiasm and, after a few serious dry spells(!) in the past, looking to re-witchify my daily routine. But what if, so often, I'm not home, or need quick access? You know me: Kits! The answer lies, again, in little boxes.
One of my favorite childhood characters, sorceress Magica diSpell, had a bewitched expanding purse. (Magica and Mary Poppins are proof that Hermione's internally capacious bag is not a new idea!) The rest of us have to get creative with small spaces. I first got on this search thread for ideas on a spell kit or altar kit that fits into an Altoids box --- in other words, a really handy size for a purse. I found several combinations and themes, like the basic Altoid witch-kit above, and the ideas just got better and fancier from there. The one below is too big for the Altoids plan, but is still a nice basic kit idea, and with apparent focus on potions . . . In fact, I haven't posted basic magick boxes until now, since my emphasis has been mainly potions! But I'm no one-trick witch, either.
What goes in one of these things is up to each witch, but I like the recommendations of this one. It covers basic needs, but has no specific spell or deity attached, and is easily customized:
There are so many ideas! This is a bit larger one with similar stuff, and looks best suited to a suitcase, pack, car, or shelf at home if your space is small (or you share space with someone else and need to disguise your witchiness as, say, a day-planner or screwdriver kit):
One of those nice little designer (or cheap knockoff) makeup trunks can become a witch box in a snap:
Back to the Altoids model, here are boxes with the bare minimum of tiny tools for witchin':
Here's a nice box, a bit larger, and very like a box I have, similar in shape but taller and with more layers. I've been wondering what I'd do with that box; I found it too good to pass up. Looks like I might know where to begin now!
There's a distinct difference between a witch box for practical magick and one containing an altar, i.e. the trappings of rituals dedicated to the elements and/or deities, as used for example in Wicca. The great thing about working witchcraft is you can be as religious, or not, as you desire. A similar case happens with those who use Southern-style rootwork or hoodoo, yet needn't actually worship the African powers to do it. This is an obvious portable altar spread:
Whereas this looks like a great basic herbal and candle magick box. My needs are somewhere in between: For a portable array, I'm big on practical spells, healing, and bone divination, but I also work with Goddess and with various teaching archetypes, so I'd want a way to address those with small power items or links (examples: tiny statues, sigils, bottle of rock oil, etc.).
From here, witch boxes just get larger and more complex --- increasing degrees of fun, mojo, awesome and all that. I love working with herbs, and I dig rocks as well, so the following boxes provide a wonderful variety of supplies, in amounts fairly appropriate, for the sort of work an Earth witch might do. These have smudge items, rocks and crystals, herbs, a pestle for mixing, candles, and sometimes a book of recipes. It's clear that an old jewelry box can make a very effective witch's box:
If I recall, a few of these kits are similar because they are for sale, assembled by the same craftsperson. The internet is a great source of inspiration that way.
Sweet . . . and useful!
Then there are what I call specialty boxes (although each person's unique approach is a specialty of sorts), whose items relate to a spirituality or magickal path distinct from the usual modern pagan, Wiccan, or New Age style commonly found on the market. This box may pertain to work with water or the moon:
This one seems to focus heavily on natural magick, but I also see a statue of Bastet in the lower drawer. I notice there can be little difference between a witch's box and a curio collection . . . if only to the lay viewer. The items might be old, or very new, might be untraditional, quirky, or even broken, so long as the significance and intent is magickal:
Finally, this lovely little box is designed for an Eastern art, perhaps the I Ching, Taoist work or Buddhist meditation. This I can see making, as I have a set of I Ching coins somewhere and like the goal of using them, rather than losing them like so many small pieces:
In truth, as someone who works with more than one Universal archetype, element or even deity, I can see making a separate magickal kit-box and portable altar for each one. Such an arrangement would keep tools and small items from getting lost. It would help honor each phase of spiritual growth, especially in case of the need to return to those lessons. It's organization, but combined with creativity. (Plus, what fun.)
Personal examples of this might include putting all things "Issa" or Universal Source in a special decorated and consecrated box, and "Snape" or shadow-animus related stuff in another box. Gaia for natural magick, fairies, rocks, wood, and herbs, while Avo Rayo reigns over not only all things electric, but Hubble-telescope-like cosmic action, perception, and is a mother of all Universal things including Earth, and Her box is going to look accordingly --- full of star and lightning images, electric items and lightning-struck wood talismans.
But my first witch's box of this specialty sort will likely be an "Alirian" or Dark Earth assemblage, since I'm not just a Gaia type, but also a fossil-Earth or "petrowitch", and pay special interest to the fossil underworld in certain workings. What goes in such a box? Well, anything pre-storic and/or Plutonian in nature: I envision a mysterious little cavelike trunk filled with various fossils (since each fossil, like each crystal, has its own lesson, energy, and healing powers, and each was also once alive!), tiny bottles of different crudes, a lump of coal or two, some rocks, an appropriate smudge, and a notebook, plus a mini-statue for devi. (The fossil realm, obviously, bleeds into areas like plastic, money, and industry for us, but items or symbols from these areas would be rare and/or extremely carefully selected, because unlike most of my species, I revere the fossil realm for the miracle of its own sake and do not seek it purely for money! Indeed, such items ought to be included for the purpose of healing those very problems.)
Any new witch's box, however, is still hard-put to compare with a genuine vintage --- especially my favorite, a potion or apothecary kit!
Although this one comes pretty close. Nice little phials and ceramic tubs. And those tools!
This is the sort of box that has all sorts of possibilities, and an energy to match:
Wonderful witch's suitcase!
This one also, too cool. Mind you, it needs to be practical as well. Many of my portable boxes might get carried to and fro, get tipped all upside and backways, have stuff spilled on, and who knows what else.
Lots down inside this one, I'm thinking. Selections of herbs, rocks, tools, and what looks like special dirt. I have some hoodoo oils that I can see keeping in a hoodoo-based kit, with various dirts and waters:
This, I think, is the actual Witches of Eastwick trunk. Truly awesome and, at this size, it could hold most of what you needed. Wouldn't fit in a purse, though.
Now, to locate a decent box!
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